In 2008, Joe McKeown took over the head coaching job of a women’s basketball program in disarray. In his first season, he only turned in seven victories. In 2009 however, with 18 wins and a postseason appearance in the WNIT, McKeown led his team to the tenth best turnaround in women’s college basketball. With his sights set on the NCAA tournament in March, McKeown talks about turning this program around and balancing coaching and family life.
Coming in as the head coach in 2008 after a highly successful career at George Washington, what was the biggest change you brought to this program?
I think the hardest thing I had to do was change the attitudes of the players and the program. A lot of things were going wrong before I came. The biggest challenge was teaching the players how to compete. We needed to gain some confidence to be successful.
In light of last year’s successes, what is the goal for this season?
I think that every team in the league talks about going to the NCAA tournament in October. Last year, it was a big step for us to make it to the postseason, but making the NCAA tournament is definitely our goal. I think trying to be consistent is another. Last year, we made so many great strides, but I don’t worry about numbers. I focus on progress.
Between the 2008 and 2009 seasons, you garnered the 10th best turnaround in women’s college basketball with an improvement of 11 won games. What was the biggest factor in the success of the team last year from the year before?
The team’s work ethic was definitely the biggest factor. After we finished my first season as a coach, work ethic was the most important. The work ethic had to come from structure and what the players put into it.
How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
I think the biggest thing for me is trying to get people to believe. I really believe in a team game. Being successful comes when everyone contributes, not just the players, but the staff as well. There is a big difference to me from winning games to building a program. I focus on building a program and winning becomes just a byproduct.
With a wife and three children, how do you balance coaching with family?
The McKeown family is always the most important thing. Whatever challenges come, you just have to face them head on. Making the decision to move to Illinois was just one of those things where you make the best of it.