“When I first started coaching, one of the worst things that I think I heard was ‘It will be O.K.’ I would wonder, ‘How the hell is it going to be O.K.?’ The worst word in the English language is ‘hope.’”

I don’t believe in luck, I believe in preparation.

We don’t want defeat in life. How are we going to be beaten? All right. We have to deal with those things. What’s going to cause us to lose the game, whatever the game might be?

I think that we as a people are always prone to think about, well, tomorrow will be a better day.

I’m related to people I don’t relate to.

I think these days, as an artist, you have to be slightly entrepreneurial. …Nobody really sells records anymore.

Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win.

Obviously, if the commander makes certain decisions that the reporter thinks is inhibiting his right to report a legitimate story, he has to appeal to the commander’s boss to get that changed.

I’ve always felt that, you know, the Almighty has a lot of things to do other than help my basketball team.

America has the greatest reputation in the world for helping others whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Now, more than ever,it’s important for us to contribute to those who are in need. Your assistance is really beneficial and will be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

The thing that bothers me the most about the media is simple accuracy.

Perform drills that force your players to think

Good basketball always starts with good defense!

My overall point is that ‘one and dones’ are not healthy for college basketball. I should not have made it personal to Kentucky and its players and I apologize.

Offense is not equal opportunity

At one point, I said to the officials that you guys haven’t called walking for 20 years, now you don’t know what it is. When you call walking, you’re about half right.

If you’re not careful, you can get a grossly over-inflated opinion about your popularity.

Coaching is the most important servant/leadership element in helping people accomplish their goals.

You never know, I might get back into coaching someday.

Practice structure determines success.

I didn’t get out of coaching to get back into it. This is my next challenge and I’m planning to work hard at it.

The beauty of coaching is that you are working with human beings. I feel very comfortable with my staff that we can make a difference, that we can make a difference on the ice.

I never drop a player I only make changes.

People need to know that by donating, coaching, and just lending support, anyone can become part of the wonderful global family.

When I was coaching with the Patriots, the players pulled a practical joke and I said, ‘Do you think I’m Charlie the Tuna, like a sucker?’ After that, they called me Tuna.