By Lynn Milligan | July 21, 2026

The word "culture" is used so much these days but what does it actually mean to YOU?

I have always used the word "philosophy" instead. The philosophy of your program, what you stand for, how you want people to identify your program. What do you consistently teach, expect and show your team every day and every season?

With rosters changing so rapidly and from year to year; it is easy to forget or lose the importance of your philosophy as a coach and what you want to teach your players beyond basketball. I believe you have to make a conscious decision to continue to implement your philosophy, your values and develop deep relationships no matter what the make up of your roster may be. If anything it is more important today than ever - even if you may only have a player for a year. It matters what they take from you as a coach and mentor.

Most will have a season “theme” or “word” but you need to have a philosophy that describes the program as a whole and who you are. Team chemistry is a huge piece that this will help you establish.

I developed RIDER HEART very early in my time. It was something I felt very strong about and believed in. It is what we always said in our huddle - every time. It was reiterated and talked about every day. It was who we are.

A few years later, I read a book by Tony Dungy called The Soul of A Team. It was an obvious addition to my philosophy. The book was tremendous and I felt like he was directly talking to me and what I believed in. From that point on we were HEART and SOUL. To this day I use HEART and SOUL in every camp talk/speech etc, that I give. It guides how I do things everyday.

I only ever asked my players to give me their HEART and SOUL everyday. I truly believe if you give your HEART and SOUL in everything and anything you do - success will follow.

So what does it exactly mean?? Well here it is. Over time we continued to define each piece. It wasn’t enough to just say it. Each word needed a concise meaning, a WHY that our team could understand, remember and relate to - short and sweet and to the point. Don't over complicate your philosophy. Believe in it and your players will too.

H - HARDWORK - Effort til Empty

E - ETHUSISAM - Love the game, Love each other

A - ATTITUDE - Be Positive

R - RELENTLESS - Attack Everything

T - TOGETHER - Team First, Team Last

S - SELFLESSNESS - Out team the other Team

O - OWNERSHIP - Do your Job

U - UNITY - Sum of our parts

L - LARGER PURPOSE - Bigger than Ball

If I can help you in the development of your philosophy or assist in defining and taking it to another level, let’s talk!