--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a…" description: "\"When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a grad assistant and I just got through playing and we won the NCAA Championship in 1978, so I stayed after I g..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/dwane-casey-8531_championship_when-i-was-coaching-at-kentucky-i-was-a_2415438.jpg" --- # When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a grad assistant… ![“When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a grad assistant and I just got through playing and we won the NCAA Championship in 1978, so I stayed after I got through playing - we had Japan's national team coach Mototaka Kohama come to Lexington to spend the year and study basketball. He and I became…” quote by Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/dwane-casey-8531_championship_when-i-was-coaching-at-kentucky-i-was-a_2415438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/dwane-casey-8531_championship_when-i-was-coaching-at-kentucky-i-was-a_2415438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/dwane-casey-8531_championship_when-i-was-coaching-at-kentucky-i-was-a_2415438.jpg) > “When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a grad assistant and I just got through playing and we won the NCAA Championship in 1978, so I stayed after I got through playing - we had Japan's national team coach Mototaka Kohama come to Lexington to spend the year and study basketball. He and I became great friends, so we hung out together.” [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He recounts a formative period coaching basketball, highlighting mentorship and cross-cultural exchange with a Japanese coach, fostering lasting friendship. **In simple terms:** Coaching taught him value of mentorship and international collaboration. Key Takeaway Seek mentors and learn across cultures. Themes coaching friendship cross‑cultural Mood reflective grateful Type inspirational educational When to use this quote - college basketball season - international coaching clinics - team building retreats Key Concepts mentorship team dynamics global perspective Questions to Reflect On - How can you apply lessons from past mentors today? - What benefits arise from cross‑cultural sports exchanges? A Different Perspective May idealize past successes, ignoring present challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Championship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/championship/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Great friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-friends/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) ## Related quotes > [You're coaching Kentucky - and you have a chance to change lives. That's not what this is up there in the NBA. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/you-re-coaching-kentucky-and-you-have-a-chance-to-change-lives-that-s/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [When you're coaching at Kentucky, you're held to a different standard, and like in politics, there is a core group that absolutely loves you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/when-you-re-coaching-at-kentucky-you-re-held-to-a-different-standard/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [I have had experiences of playing in Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk/i-have-had-experiences-of-playing-in-japan/) [Hulk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk/) > [Playing in Japan suits me the best, but what I need is in the Majors. I felt that in order to do my job,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yu-darvish/playing-in-japan-suits-me-the-best-but-what-i-need-is-in-the-majors-i/) [Yu Darvish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yu-darvish/) > [When I think about it, if somebody was to pass Pete Rose's record just playing in Japan, that would be a bigger accomplishment because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichiro-suzuki/when-i-think-about-it-if-somebody-was-to-pass-pete-rose-s-record-just/) [Ichiro Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichiro-suzuki/) > [Actually, I live in FL now. But, I mean, of course I'm very honored to be playing for Japan. But my dad's side is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-osaka/actually-i-live-in-fl-now-but-i-mean-of-course-i-m-very-honored-to-be/) [Naomi Osaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-osaka/) > [I love playing in Japan! It's always like being in the ancient past and the future at the same time. And the fans sing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-loeb/i-love-playing-in-japan-it-s-always-like-being-in-the-ancient-past/) [Lisa Loeb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-loeb/) > [When playing for Japan, it means that I carry my country on my shoulders and I feel a different kind of pressure as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinji-kagawa/when-playing-for-japan-it-means-that-i-carry-my-country-on-my/) [Shinji Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinji-kagawa/) > [I remember playing in Japan in the Tokyo Dome. It was so packed. You could barely hear the guy next to you because all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-remember-playing-in-japan-in-the-tokyo-dome-it-was-so-packed-you/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [Playing in Japan for thousands of people was like playing on the moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/playing-in-japan-for-thousands-of-people-was-like-playing-on-the-moon/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [Having a good day with family & friends! Nothing like family & great friends!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/having-a-good-day-with-family-friends-nothing-like-family-great/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My career could've been anything, I just wasn't that good at other things. I'd say it was fairly easy starting out as I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-thompson/my-career-could-ve-been-anything-i-just-wasn-t-that-good-at-other/) [Teddy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-thompson/) > [I had a few friends when moving to L.A. but have been so lucky to have made such great friends. I think it's most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gigi-gorgeous/i-had-a-few-friends-when-moving-to-l-a-but-have-been-so-lucky-to-have/) [Gigi Gorgeous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gigi-gorgeous/) > [I got my first job when I moved to Los Angeles. I worked at a coffee shop for five years and it was one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-leclerc/i-got-my-first-job-when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-worked-at-a-coffee/) [Katie Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-leclerc/) > [I always bump into people that Ive met. Not great friends, but if I bump into somebody Ive known and I wont recognise them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-franchitti/i-always-bump-into-people-that-ive-met-not-great-friends-but-if-i/) [Dario Franchitti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-franchitti/) ## More by Dwane Casey > [I knew I was going to have to work my way back to coaching in the States, and I had a job offer here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-knew-i-was-going-to-have-to-work-my-way-back-to-coaching-in-the/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [To me, there's no honor to say, 'I'm going to start.' As long as you're getting minutes, you're closing games, that shows more of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/to-me-there-s-no-honor-to-say-i-m-going-to-start-as-long-as-you-re/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I was making $19,000 a year, and I thought I was rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-was-making-19-000-a-year-and-i-thought-i-was-rich/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [As you get older, as a father, you hope your kids can make that kind of impression on somebody who will say, 'Hey, here's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/as-you-get-older-as-a-father-you-hope-your-kids-can-make-that-kind-of/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I can hold my head high for what we built in Toronto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-can-hold-my-head-high-for-what-we-built-in-toronto/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [In fact I only had one sports jacket when I was in high school. It was all sneakers and tees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/in-fact-i-only-had-one-sports-jacket-when-i-was-in-high-school-it-was/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [Watching a guy go from not having ever played an NBA game before to growing up and developing into an All-Star player, that's probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/watching-a-guy-go-from-not-having-ever-played-an-nba-game-before-to/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [From a pure basketball standpoint, it's hard to say you wouldn't want Kawhi Leonard on your team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/from-a-pure-basketball-standpoint-it-s-hard-to-say-you-wouldn-t-want/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [Make or miss, you still have to shoot the same shot with confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/make-or-miss-you-still-have-to-shoot-the-same-shot-with-confidence/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I hope I can stand up and be an example that helps change the narrative: 'He understands the game from a technical standpoint. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-hope-i-can-stand-up-and-be-an-example-that-helps-change-the/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [For someone to believe in you, that's all you want as a player and as a coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/for-someone-to-believe-in-you-that-s-all-you-want-as-a-player-and-as/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I'm not a big car person. I'm not into lots of fancy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-m-not-a-big-car-person-i-m-not-into-lots-of-fancy-things/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I look back and see what life could have been if I hadn't applied myself in basketball, and I'm really thankful for every experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-look-back-and-see-what-life-could-have-been-if-i-hadn-t-applied/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [I thought we came out with too much respect at the beginning of the game and were on our heels instead of coming out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/i-thought-we-came-out-with-too-much-respect-at-the-beginning-of-the/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) > [The only way young players learn how to get better is by playing or get the experience is by playing and getting out there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwane-casey/the-only-way-young-players-learn-how-to-get-better-is-by-playing-or/) [Dwane Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) [Explore all 80 Dwane Casey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwane-casey/) ## More Championship quotes > [ I failed, I think, seven \[or\] eight times before I finally got my first \[championship\]. It was just, you know, just about me growing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-before-i-finally-got-my-first/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I have wrestled in almost every tournament in the world. I've won the Olympics, NCAAs, and World Championships, but none of those can truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-burroughs/i-have-wrestled-in-almost-every-tournament-in-the-world-i-ve-won-the/) [Jordan Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-burroughs/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Generally speaking, ROH championship matches are hard fought and grueling, and the fans are really into it. The ROH Championship means a lot to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cole/generally-speaking-roh-championship-matches-are-hard-fought-and/) [Adam Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cole/) > [My whole thing when I got in the NBA was I want to win a championship. The mindset hasn't changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-adebayo/my-whole-thing-when-i-got-in-the-nba-was-i-want-to-win-a-championship/) [Bam Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-adebayo/) > [In over 160 years of recorded baseball history, no team had ever won a championship this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-thorn/in-over-160-years-of-recorded-baseball-history-no-team-had-ever-won-a/) [John Thorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-thorn/) > [I probably should've listened to Michael a year ago when he said that Charles will never win a championship because he doesn't show any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-probably-should-ve-listened-to-michael-a-year-ago-when-he-said-that/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [One day we'll have championship boxing in Cleveland and people will support it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/one-day-we-ll-have-championship-boxing-in-cleveland-and-people-will/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [My biggest regret is that I wasn't able to help give our fans a championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/my-biggest-regret-is-that-i-wasn-t-able-to-help-give-our-fans-a/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) > [Two beautiful women crashing and burning for the sake of the Women's Championship!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/two-beautiful-women-crashing-and-burning-for-the-sake-of-the-women-s/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [I got everything I wanted out of Texas. Obviously, you'd love to win more. You'd love to win a national championship and compete at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-bamba/i-got-everything-i-wanted-out-of-texas-obviously-you-d-love-to-win/) [Mohamed Bamba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-bamba/) > [When I wrestled Randy Orton, that was probably the biggest match of my career at that point, because that was when I had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hardy/when-i-wrestled-randy-orton-that-was-probably-the-biggest-match-of-my/) [Jeff Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hardy/) > [The Russians have held my title for ten years and they're going to be in for it when I win the Championship. They're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/the-russians-have-held-my-title-for-ten-years-and-they-re-going-to-be/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [As you get older, every chance to win a championship is more crucial, because you are going to have less and less of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-west/as-you-get-older-every-chance-to-win-a-championship-is-more-crucial/) [Jerry West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-west/) > [It will be a hard game if you think about winning a championship. We need to think about our own game at the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-bergkamp/it-will-be-a-hard-game-if-you-think-about-winning-a-championship-we/) [Dennis Bergkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-bergkamp/) [Browse all 1,448 Championship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/championship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was coaching at Kentucky - I was a grad assistant and I just got through playing and we won the NCAA Championship in 1978, so I stayed after I got through playing - we had Japan's national team coach Mototaka Kohama come to Lexington to spend the year and study basketball. 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