The Philosophy of Peter J. McGahey and Peter S. Pierro The Way of the Coach

Alfred Adler - A Weekly Commentary

For each of the next sessions we will present a basic philosophical thought of Alfred Adler,

Rudolph Dreikurs, or a related scholar.

Adler’s Individual Psychology People are social beings with one fundamental drive: to belong and feel significant within their community. The development of the individual depends on the development of a deep sense of cooperation and connection with others - a social involvement and responsibility. 

Our Beliefs

Our beliefs include: what I believe about myself as a coach; what I believe about my players/members of the team; what I believe about the game. All of the decisions I make and the actions I take on the practice field and on the playing field are based on my beliefs and on my values.

The Falcons Basketball Team -  A Scenario

It is September and schools have begun their 2025-2026 school year. This includes La Salle Junior High School girl’s basketball team - The Falcons. The Falcons had a pretty good team last year. Joyce Nelson, their coach for the last seven years, has moved to Spring Valley to coach the freshman/sophomore high school team.

She has been replaced by Mary Davis, a very successful coach from a small town downstate. Coach Davis impressed the selection committee with the positive views expressed in her application form. Let’s listen in on her first session with her new team.

“My name is Mary Davis - you can call me Coach Davis. I don’t know you by name yet - I just know that eight of you were seventh graders on this team last year, four of you were sixth graders here, and three of you are transfers. Let’s take about 20 minutes now just going around and getting to know all of your teammates again or as new teammates, including me. Be sure to talk to everyone.”

Twenty minutes later.

“Okay. Now let me tell you what we are going to do this year. We are going to experience an adventure on this basketball court and on other courts. We are going to enjoy this experience with our old friends and with some new friends. This adventure will consist of playing about 15 basketball games with strangers and a lot more sessions practicing - learning how to play the game of basketball better with your friends. 

During these practice sessions, you will work as hard as you can to improve your performances playing the game. You will work hard in practice and in the games with each and every one of your friends - there are no favorite friends. This is called teamwork. I will not have any favorites - or instead of that, I might say that I have 15 favorites.

You will enjoy every minute that you spend in practice sessions and in the games. Basketball is to be enjoyed. You will win some of these games and may lose some of these games - the enjoyment is in playing this game. You will remember this adventure the rest of your life - make it a happy life experience.”

This is our version of the Way.

Play is the serious work of young people.                    

— Maria Montessori