Coach: Mike Gibbs

High school: Ponderosa

Sport: boys basketball

What made you decide you wanted to become a coach in your present sport?

I love watching young men grow through basketball and trying to accomplish their goals. In addition, being a former college basketball player, I still have a strong passion for the game, and I love teaching it.

Describe one of the best moments you can remember from your coaching career?

When I took over as the head boys basketball coach at a school in Northern California, after their fifth losing season. I helped them win 15 games my first year. This was a major accomplishment, because during my first meeting with our school athletic director, he told me just keep our team spirit high because we are not that good.

What was one of the most heartbreaking moments of your coaching career?

2004, while coaching at Montbello during the Colorado High School playoffs, we lost to Grandview by one point and missed an opportunity to advance to the Elite 8.

If a young athlete came to you and said he or she was interested in a career as a coach, what advice would you give him/her?

I would tell the young athlete to learn to teach the game the right way. Have patience, and know how to communicate with all types of people.

What do you do for fun that isn’t related to the sport you presently coach?

My 3-year-old daughter loves to dance and bowl. Her famous words, "Daddy, will you please dance with me." So, every Tuesday morning I spend dancing with her, and we go bowling at least once a month.

What is the toughest decision a coach in your sport has to make on a fairly consistent basis?

Honestly, I can say there are not too many tough decisions, because I will always do what's best for our program regardless of others’ opinion. If I had to pick one, I would say player personnel issues during our games.

If you could coach for any professional sports team for one year, which would it be and what changes would you make?

I would pick the Detroit Loins. Their program has sucked for decades now. It's easier to coach a team with talent. I would work on changing their mindset and culture from negative to positive. I would raise the bar for all player personnel, work ethic, commitment and give our program an education on what it takes to be winners. Then we would get back to the basics: alignment, assignment and technique to ensure we do not give games away.

Your present team just won the state championship. What do you (and/or the team) do to celebrate the achievement?

After we win a state title, we would have a big prep rally at school and a cook out at my house with players, family and neighbors. Then get back to the gym, so we can defend our title the following season.