In this episode of Coffee with Coaches, Princeton head men’s tennis coach Billy Pate shares how he prepares athletes not just for tennis success but also for life beyond sports.
Coach Pate’s Profile (Read Full Bio)
- 13 seasons at Princeton, 30 as a collegiate coach
- 10 seasons as HC at Alabama (SEC coach of the year)
- Played collegiate tennis at Mississippi State
- Princeton ranked as high as 18 in the spring of 2020
- Widely known for instilling character-based values in players
Billy’s Top Coaching Quotes
On Legacy
“I want to be thought of as somebody who put their student-athletes first.”
On Recruiting
“We want highly ambitious players to be the best version of themselves, not just as tennis players, but as human beings and students.”
On High Performance
“Your goals need to match your habits.”
On Team Culture
“Our winning culture is about energy, being unselfish, being disciplined, and being a good teammate.”
On Leadership
“We want to guard against entitlement.”
On Sportsmanship
“I never throw my racket because that would be disrespectful to kids who can’t afford rackets.” (Quoting Rafael Nadal, 22x grand slam champion)
Coach Pate’s Philosophy in Action
- Everything revolves around putting student-athletes first.
- Building a strong value system is paramount to a winning culture.
- Celebrating everyone’s success fosters inclusivity and a supportive, positive team culture.
- Creating lifelong mentorship opportunities extends beyond graduation.
- Aligning your personal values with that of the organization (e.g., Ivy League) is vital.
- Continually evolving as a coach and leader is important at all stages of your career.
Vidal Leadership Application
- What are your core values?
- How do you celebrate success?
- Where do you find inspiration for growth?
