Kara Lawson’s Influence Is Already Impressive

Well we didn't see this coming, at least not yet: seems new Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson’s influence is spreading far and wide.

How?

Like this.

BYU coach Mark Pope saw this comment from Lawson: “At the end of every session we have, that’s the question you’re asking yourself: ‘Did I compete today?’ That’s different than working hard. Working hard is something that a lot of people do. Billions of people around the world ... work hard in whatever job they do. Before you start, and then when you’re done, be honest with yourself: ‘Did I compete today?’”

Pope was so impressed with that that he called it “genius” and shared it with his team. And he says it’s working: ...[O]ver the last 10 days, these guys have gotten so hyper competitive. In fact, after our second practice Monday evening, we met as a staff and I was like, ‘Guys, we might need to pull it back. These guys are going to kill each other.’”

You know, that’s fairly astounding reach for a coach who hasn’t yet coached her first game.