DePaul University Athletics
Transcript from Jerry Wainwright's Press Conference
4/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul University introduced the 11th men's basketball coach in school history on Thursday morning. Below is a transcript of the press conference held at the DePaul Student Center in Linclon Park.
Athletics Director, Jean Lenti Ponsetto
"Good morning and welcome to Jerry Wainwright’s homecoming. Jerry Wainwright is from the city of Chicago and his blue-collar ethics show in everything he does. Jerry Wainwright is one of our own. At the outset of our search, the goals included a good communicator, good technician and a good work ethic. Jerry Wainwright not only meets that criteria, but comes highly regarded as beyond above all standards set. He understands our school culture and knows what it takes to make our student athletes successful. Jerry, welcome home."
DePaul President, Father Dennis Holtschneider, C.M.
"Welcome everyone. I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Jerry, his wife Debbie, and his family, and tell you how excited we are that you will all be able to join our DePaul family. I am very confident that he will be a successful leader and have the ability to bring out the best in all the student-athletes. I think it is important to note that nine months ago I was named as the 11th president and today he is named the 11th head coach, so we can say prayers for one another that we will be together for many years to come."
Head Coach, Jerry Wainwright
"First of all, I would like to say that I’m not real good with microphones because I was a former high school teacher, so I learned early that you have to project your voice. I sat through 360 hours of study hall as a teacher and that will make you learn quickly. I tell my players that I am not yelling at you, I’m yelling to you. I would first like to reintroduce a couple people to you, beginning with my wife, Debbie. If you take a good look at her and take a good look at me, I dare you to say that I can’t recruit. I’d also like to introduce my sons. My oldest son also lives in the Chicagoland area, but had work commitments and could not attend today. His wife is a schoolteacher and they have two sons. My younger son, Scott, is married and his wife is back in Richmond. They’re expecting their first child in August."
"The next group I would like to recognize is the players that are here. I appreciate it if you would just stand up for one second. There’s nothing more traumatic than coaching changes. It is an extremely difficult process and it affects a lot of people. I, too, have been through the same thing a few times and understand the way your feeling. I can say without reservation that I will love the kids I coach. I loved my players last year and will love coaching you all in the years to come. Everything I’ve ever heard about you has been a positive. As you all know recruiting is a two way street and what is most important is the relationship between the coaches and the players. I can say right now that I am going to be proud to coach you. Now you can sit down."
"Being raised in Catholic neighborhoods and Catholic schools, I have never been around a priest that I have been older than and I’m not going to even attempt to pronounce his name (Fr. Dennis Holtschneider). But I do have this to say, is that he’s active, hands on, and cares about his kids. When you have people like this in leadership positions, there’s nothing more you could ask for. If the morals filter down from the top you have the chance to do something special. In the short period of time my wife and I spent with Father, he conveyed that message and it was sincere. Sitting next to him is Jean, my new boss, and sitting next to her is my other boss. I guess I’ll just have to get used to saying ‘yes, ma’am’ 24 hours a day. In all seriousness, what Jean made clear to me is that it’s all about team and team effort at DePaul. I asked her how that worked and she said ‘Great, it is a lot of people doing exactly what I say.’ Sounds like a very good way to run a team."
"I have to say in all honesty to all the media people, both here and back in Richmond that hiring and search committees have become a very difficult process. I understand how difficult it is for a university to do what they do and try to maintain a school’s integrity. Because of the technology advancements that are present today, these kids heard more things than I ever did when I was their age going through this same situation. There were guidelines set up in this process and I am sorry for the way it played out, and hope that whatever happened can be mended."
"I recently read a statement about the surprises in our country that the best rapper is white, the best golfer is black, and the tallest player in the NBA is Chinese. I think that you can add my hiring as the DePaul men’s basketball coach to that list. This is almost surreal. It is truly like a dream. I grew up in the city. I went to school in the city. It was and still is blue collar city. I’ve always admired the work ethic that is displayed and have always taken pride in family values. Blue collar is one of the best parts about team sports and the best part about winning teams. What it indicates to people is that there is something there that you can count on. This is an environment of effort. My story is almost a dream. DePaul was and is Chicago’s team. What DePaul has accomplished is really unbelievable. I can remember the first time I went to Alumni Hall with other coaches and watched the team practice. It was amazing to see the talent, size, and competitive nature of these guys and how it was a whole different world than what we saw in our high school gyms. I remember the first time going in to the gym and talking to Ray Meyer. Being able to walk into a gym and have a conversation with a coach of that stature is really unbelievable. Having guys like Dave Corzine and Jean’s husband, Joe Ponsetto, play with our guys, watching them, and seeing how they are at a whole different level. The first collegiate game that I attended when I really cared about what was going on was here. DePaul was playing LSU. I sat about five rows behind Coach Meyer and it was the first time of seeing that type of intensity and that type do athletic ability."
"Now it is an incredible blessing, some would call it luck, but I think it is a blessing that it has all really gone in full circle. We are DePaul. I always thought that was a neat cheer. You couldn’t say ‘We are Highland Park,’ it just doesn’t sound right. But, ‘We are DePaul,’ yeah. To be here really hasn’t dawned on me yet. And then add to it the BIG EAST. It is so exciting because everybody starts in this new venture at the same time. We are all taking a hard right together and we’re all walking down that same path at the same time together. Although I may know the least out of all the people here at DePaul, I really believe I can contribute to that walk. I’ve been a lot of places, seen a lot of practices, coached a lot of players, and coached in a lot of tough, intense games. Starting next year, every game is a big game and every practice has to be a great practice. These are no longer just games on the schedule, but each game has a purpose. The ball will be tossed up and it will be time to play live. It’s not just something to say you’re in, but it’s something you’ve got to compete in."
"But it’s no surprise that I’ve been mentioned a lot of times in the same breath as Jim Calhoun. “Yeah that Wainwright, he’s no Jim Calhoun.” But, what about coaching and basketball, how do you want to play, and all those wonderful questions. Coaching is not a one day pep talk or grabbing a guy by the shirt to yell at him. It’s all about the ability to get other people to get the best out of themselves. It’s about getting people to go with you and alongside of you. Ultimately, what happens is that when the kids, the coaches, and the school are all on the same page, you’ve already put yourself at the top ten percent in the country. It extends to what is your commitment to team? That has to be built. You have to trust and that is going to be the first and foremost task. You’ve got to trust yourself, you have to trust your administration, you have to trust your coaches, and your players and teammates. And, you have to trust most against the teams you’re going to play. They’ve got to trust that every time they play you, you’re bringing your best."
"Coaching is all about making your team better. People lend me their children and they want them back better. It goes far more into becoming better just on the basketball court and better as a player, but more about becoming a better person. Anybody that plays basketball here, everybody that plays sports here, has a responsibility. You can see it in Coach Doug Bruno’s team and the things you hear and the way they handle themselves. Doug sets and example with the women’s team and even in the other teams like softball. You must be an adult male or an adult female 24/7. Most of you are in the top five percent of the population based on your size. You cannot hide. You’ve chosen a certain path and you will affect kids at every gym you go to, whether it’s a pat on the head or signing an autograph. I do not agree with what Charles Barkley says, I believe that each and every one of you is a role model. That is an added responsibility that goes beyond the locker room."
"I am going to hang four signs in the locker room. The first is that, 'To love winning is easy, but to love the battle requires toughness.' There are no shortcuts. How many guys really love the repetition that basketball demands? The countless hours of repeating drills and fundamentals until they become habit. When the game is on the line and the pressure is on, you will revert to your habits. These are not only habits that we are building on the court, but habits that we build and act in our social, academic, and everyday lives. The only thing that really matters is, are we getting better everyday? If every single person becomes one percent better each day, that is a 12 percent gain that are team makes on yesterday. Those are numbers that I guarantee a business man would like to hear. Whether it is one more rebound, one more steal, or one more assist, we have got to get better each day from top to bottom."
"The next sign will say, 'What have we done to get better today?' You must look in the mirror every day and want more out of yourself. The third sign is, 'Tradition never graduates.' There’s unbelievable tradition in this school and I am humbled by it and all of the past players and people who are a part of this program. Our locker room is their locker room. I will make every attempt to bring all of them back here and make them feel like a part this team and help everyone to understand the tradition that they have created in DePaul basketball. It means something. That tradition is so important. The fourth sign will be as we walk out of the locker room and will say, 'DePaul doesn’t beat DePaul.' We can’t turn the ball over. We’ve got to be able to block out. We cannot give up easy points on the other end. You’ve got to get easy baskets and stop easy baskets. It sounds easy, but is one of the most difficult things to do in the game of basketball. If you get it done, you find success. You also can’t show negative emotion, can’t show weakness, you have to keep on keeping on. As soon as you starts ride your horses, get rid of the deadwood."
"I am always so proud of my players and what they’ve accomplished in their lives. You must have an overriding purpose in your program that is not only winning. We will have a program that is respected for doing things the right way and doing things with class. Don’t misunderstand me; this is not a concession statement. We are here to compete and we are here to win. But, we will never sacrifice integrity for talent. You have got to do things the right way. I truly believe that these young men and the university have been committed to doing that. Above all, it is to stand for something. When you say DePaul basketball, it means something. I hope it means that everybody plays hard, everybody plays together, and everybody plays with a smile on their face. I am extremely confident in what we can accomplish. I will tell you without hesitation that I have to re-recruit those guys. But I will go in there and tell them exactly what I told you all today and will be glad to say it to anyone. I tell it like it is and what I stand for and what I believe in does not change. I’m excited about the opportunity that is in front of us, without question. I’m overwhelmed by it. I’m overwhelmed by the smiles on the people’s faces on this campus and at this university. Growing up in a Catholic school and living in a Catholic neighborhood, I understand what St. Vincent means and what the whole responsibility is all about. I know there are questions that are specific, but I speak for myself and my family when I say, man, this is like winning the lottery and I didn’t even have to buy a ticket. I hope I’ve earned the right to coach this team and I can tell you that we will expect the best and we are not going to settle for anything less."
