--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Providence had a graduate assistant job…" description: "\"Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They asked me if I wanted to apply, and I applied. That break right there put me in position to learn ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png" --- # Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They… ![“Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They asked me if I wanted to apply, and I applied. That break right there put me in position to learn from great coaches. It really jump-started every other good break I ever had in coaching.” quote by Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png) > “Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They asked me if I wanted to apply, and I applied. That break right there put me in position to learn from great coaches. It really jump-started every other good break I ever had in coaching.” [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A chance opportunity led to mentorship and subsequent successes in coaching career **In simple terms:** A job opening opened doors to learning and growth Key Takeaway Seize unexpected opportunities for mentorship Themes career development mentorship opportunity growth coaching Mood optimistic reflective Type inspirational career advice When to use this quote - applying for jobs - seeking mentors - leveraging early breaks - building coaching experience Key Concepts networking skill acquisition career trajectory Questions to Reflect On - What mentorship has most shaped your path? - How can you create similar opportunities for others? A Different Perspective Success depends on continued effort after the initial break ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Break Coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break-coaching-4156078/) [Coaches Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaches-really-298007/) [Coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaching/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-coach/) [Great Coaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-coaches/) [Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn/) [Providence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providence/) [Providence Graduate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providence-graduate-4156077/) [Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right/) ## Related quotes > [I come from one of the great coaches - Matt Hume, Brad Kertson - and my skill set is well-rounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetrious-johnson/i-come-from-one-of-the-great-coaches-matt-hume-brad-kertson-and-my/) [Demetrious Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetrious-johnson/) > [After a while, your coaching development ceases to be about finding newer ways to organize practice. In other words, you soon stop collecting drills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anson-dorrance/after-a-while-your-coaching-development-ceases-to-be-about-finding/) [Anson Dorrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anson-dorrance/) > [It's an honour to grab the attention of great coaches in Europe, from Manchester and from our own national team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred/it-s-an-honour-to-grab-the-attention-of-great-coaches-in-europe-from/) [Fred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred/) > [I think I could handle right tackle. With great coaches, I think I can handle anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-oher/i-think-i-could-handle-right-tackle-with-great-coaches-i-think-i-can/) [Michael Oher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-oher/) > [I've been lucky enough to be around some great coaches, all the way from Pop Warner to now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-luck/i-ve-been-lucky-enough-to-be-around-some-great-coaches-all-the-way/) [Andrew Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-luck/) > [I've got a great team behind me, great coaches, and I kind of understand everything that's going on. I know how to deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-meerschaert/i-ve-got-a-great-team-behind-me-great-coaches-and-i-kind-of/) [Gerald Meerschaert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-meerschaert/) > [Growing up as an athlete, I started skating very young. My parents didn't know anything about the sport, so they went with the flow.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-yamaguchi/growing-up-as-an-athlete-i-started-skating-very-young-my-parents-didn/) [Kristi Yamaguchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-yamaguchi/) > [It's something pretty special to be coming home and play in the Frozen Four with a great team, great coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/it-s-something-pretty-special-to-be-coming-home-and-play-in-the/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [A lot of people tell me, 'You need to go here,' or, 'You need to go there.' But I've been around elite coaches all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovince-saint-preux/a-lot-of-people-tell-me-you-need-to-go-here-or-you-need-to-go-there/) [Ovince Saint Preux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovince-saint-preux/) > [I've benefited from great coaches my whole life, starting in sixth grade. To be able to pass that on is a neat experience for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stockton/i-ve-benefited-from-great-coaches-my-whole-life-starting-in-sixth/) [John Stockton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stockton/) > [I have played for not just great coaches, but Hall of Fame coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-jackson/i-have-played-for-not-just-great-coaches-but-hall-of-fame-coaches/) [Mark Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-jackson/) > [Well, I think I've had the opportunity to be around some great coaches and players. And I have been able to learn a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zac-taylor/well-i-think-i-ve-had-the-opportunity-to-be-around-some-great-coaches/) [Zac Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zac-taylor/) > [You have to have great players and great coaches working with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-boeheim/you-have-to-have-great-players-and-great-coaches-working-with-you/) [Jim Boeheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-boeheim/) > [I feel like I've paid attention to all the great coaches who have coached me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/i-feel-like-i-ve-paid-attention-to-all-the-great-coaches-who-have/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [I hated motivators - never been a motivator. Motivation is like a warm bath, and you should take a bath probably, but you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/i-hated-motivators-never-been-a-motivator-motivation-is-like-a-warm/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) ## More by Jeff Van Gundy > [Often, organizations don't know how good they have it with a player or coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/often-organizations-don-t-know-how-good-they-have-it-with-a-player-or/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Dwight Howard is a Hall of Fame player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/dwight-howard-is-a-hall-of-fame-player/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [You start comparing people, and ultimately, somebody feels diminished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/you-start-comparing-people-and-ultimately-somebody-feels-diminished/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [I miss coaching - certain elements of coaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/i-miss-coaching-certain-elements-of-coaching/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [To be successful in anything, you have to have a passion for it, and that leads to being enthusiastic and demanding. I didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/to-be-successful-in-anything-you-have-to-have-a-passion-for-it-and/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [If your best offensive players go down, all you can do is hang on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/if-your-best-offensive-players-go-down-all-you-can-do-is-hang-on/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [The beauty of growing up in a coaching family, particularly one that isn't at the very highest level, is that you get to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/the-beauty-of-growing-up-in-a-coaching-family-particularly-one-that/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Goaltending was brought in because of Mikan and Chamberlain. So rules do change for specific players, in concert with a need to stay up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/goaltending-was-brought-in-because-of-mikan-and-chamberlain-so-rules/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Manu Ginobili - I like to watch him. I would pay to watch him play the game. He will try things that will drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/manu-ginobili-i-like-to-watch-him-i-would-pay-to-watch-him-play-the/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Shooting percentage is just as much about decision making as it is about technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/shooting-percentage-is-just-as-much-about-decision-making-as-it-is/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [When you know better and you don't do better, you're no better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/when-you-know-better-and-you-don-t-do-better-you-re-no-better/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [In one era, it's hard enough to compare people. But comparing people of different eras... that's next to impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/in-one-era-it-s-hard-enough-to-compare-people-but-comparing-people-of/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Systems are overrated; players are underrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/systems-are-overrated-players-are-underrated/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [Just concentrate on what you're supposed to do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/just-concentrate-on-what-you-re-supposed-to-do/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [I love listening to Coach Belichick's press conferences: even though they may not be what the media wants, they're great coaching, teaching tools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/i-love-listening-to-coach-belichick-s-press-conferences-even-though/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) [Explore all 116 Jeff Van Gundy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) ## More Coaching quotes > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [Coaching Netherlands remains one of my ambitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/coaching-netherlands-remains-one-of-my-ambitions/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [There's not one year to the next that you don't go through a number of changes, whether it's personnel, whether it's coaching, whether it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/there-s-not-one-year-to-the-next-that-you-don-t-go-through-a-number/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [It's not that easy for some of these players in China to get the coaching they need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chang/it-s-not-that-easy-for-some-of-these-players-in-china-to-get-the/) [Michael Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chang/) > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [You never want to go through a coaching change mid-cycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-rapinoe/you-never-want-to-go-through-a-coaching-change-mid-cycle/) [Megan Rapinoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-rapinoe/) > [I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have my very own school - no way. And I had no idea I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liang-chow/i-never-thought-in-my-wildest-dreams-that-i-would-have-my-very-own/) [Liang Chow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liang-chow/) > [The only thing I pay attention to with free throws is what a guy does in the final four minutes of a game. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/the-only-thing-i-pay-attention-to-with-free-throws-is-what-a-guy-does/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/set-goals-high-goals-for-you-and-your-organization-when-your/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [From a player's standpoint, it's on you to make sure that you're watching the film, you're doing everything during the week necessary to improve,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kelce/from-a-player-s-standpoint-it-s-on-you-to-make-sure-that-you-re/) [Jason Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kelce/) > [For most of the projects I've worked on, I've been entrusted with some degree of musical responsibility, even if it's just like coaching for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-robbins/for-most-of-the-projects-i-ve-worked-on-i-ve-been-entrusted-with-some/) [J. Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-robbins/) > [Coaching is very complex: it's like a puzzle, and many things need to come together to make it work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-wawrinka/coaching-is-very-complex-it-s-like-a-puzzle-and-many-things-need-to/) [Stan Wawrinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-wawrinka/) [Browse all 1,416 Coaching quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaching/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They asked me if I wanted to apply, and I applied. That break right there put me in position to learn from great coaches. It really jump-started every other good break I ever had in coaching.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeff Van Gundy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job-opening-they-asked-me-if-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Coaching" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job-opening-they-asked-me-if-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/jeff-van-gundy-4113_coaching_providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job_2094493.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Providence had a graduate assistant job opening. They asked me if I wanted to apply, and I applied. That…” — Jeff Van Gundy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeff Van Gundy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Providence had a graduate assistant job...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job-opening-they-asked-me-if-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/providence-had-a-graduate-assistant-job-opening-they-asked-me-if-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```