When Billy Gillispie was fired as head coach of the Texas Tech men’s basketball team, it came to light (according to a report in USA Today) that he demeaned his players and created a team environment that was so severe there was a belief that players’ mental health might have been in jeopardy. Interviews with players, academic counselors, coaches and athletic trainers revealed players were told daily they: suck, are terrible, aren’t smart, are morons, idiots, etc. If true, it’s obvious that Coach Gillispie doesn’t understand how expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. Players who are told they aren’t smart, and that they are morons and idiots will, before long, begin to exhibit that behavior. We often see this in dysfunctional families where parents treat their children in a similar manner, and then are surprised when their children get into trouble. The most successful coaches are those who create a loving, caring team environment.