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It's all about leadership. Each young man has ambitions to be a leader, and in turn will fight harder for success if he was in fact part of the planning process.

CCM realizes, although he is the coach, this team belongs to the players that make up our 2012-13 Vols squad. The players are on the floor; they do the work. It's essential to get players to buy into the program. The best way to get players to buy in is to make them part of the planning process.

Someone once said, a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still. Getting the players to buy into the Vols' program is essential to winning. Some things are in concrete, like General Neyland's seven maxims in our football program. For CCM and basketball, it's hard nosed defense--which is non-negotiable. The rest is flexible, which is where the team leaders come in. Captains, team leaders, and coaches agree to a plan of attack that will lead to success.

My left-handed comment: The first two years of CCM's reign in Knoxville has seen his teams off to a slow start, then finish strong--at least we are expecting the Vols to finish strong this year. While I admire the grit towards the end of the season, next year how about we make these pacts a little earlier in the season, like before the first game. Go Vols!