Our philosophy of coaching at UCLA develops players for the majors. A coach must not be so concerned with winning that he forgets about the development of his players; yet, he also cannot be so concerned with development that he forgets about winning.
I feel we accomplish both of these goals at UCLA. Our coaches teach our players to be aggressive. Our players learn to play and to think on their own. We do not play a "robot" style where every move a player makes must be initiated and/or approved by a coach. Instead:
- Our catchers call all the pitches
- Our hitters swing aggressively and are taught to use the aluminum bat exactly the same way the pros use the wooden bat
- Our runners have the "green light"
- Our defenders and our pitchers execute in a style befitting their own individual abilities (they are not "cloned" into doing it my way).
Integrate this philosophy with an emphasis on TEAM PLAY, HUSTLE, and a GOOD WORK ETHIC, and you have the formula for developing players into major leaguers.
Goal No. 3: Win National Championships
A paradox exists in collegiate baseball, as you try to develop players who can perform in the major leagues at the same time you are trying to win the NCAA title. These days, because the professional teams are signing our players before they get a chance to play their senior year, we lose them just when they have reached their best level of play.
Sixty-nine players have inked contracts prior to their senior years. It would have been nice to have had those "seniors" on our teams and to ensure the level of success. Nevertheless, our goal will always be the same each year - to win the national championship - even if we have to do it with fewer seniors than anybody else.
This is our coaching philosophy and the "Bruin Way." The majority of the time it has produced winning seasons, but more importantly, I hope it has contributed to the success of our players in all walks of life. Whether they become professional baseball players, teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers or businessmen, I am proud of them all.