What I do now: LSUS Head Men’s Basketball Coach
About my job: I have the absolute best job in the world! I love everything about it and wouldn’t trade positions with anyone. There is always something good going on and I get to work with some great student-athletes on a daily basis. I love the people (co-workers) I get to be around and just enjoy everything about being LSUS Men’s Basketball Coach. This is the best job and I am thankful to God for blessing me with it.
How I got to LSUS: Born and raised in
Shreveport , I chose LSUS as my college to complete my undergraduate degree. I was a “home body” and enjoyed the opportunity to play college basketball while earning my degree. After graduation, I coached high school locally and when the LSUS administration decided to bring back the men’s and women’s basketball programs, Coach Doug Robinson and Dr. Marsala gave me the opportunity to coach and to build the program from the ground level up.
Fond Memories of LSUS: The best memories I have of LSUS involve playing basketball because it was through basketball that I met my wife Jennifer, with whom I now have three amazing children—Martin (6), Molly (4), and Megan (1). They are our greatest blessings and were made possible by my involvement with LSUS basketball and meeting Jennifer. Her brother, Chris Young, was a teammate for three years of my career.
LSUS faculty who helped me: There are too many to name all, but I remember a few who deserve to be mentioned. Dr. Byrd called me in once or twice to kind of pull me in and make me refocus. He had a way of knowing if my priorities weren’t in line and then getting me back on track. Dr. DeMello boosted my self-esteem because I beat him constantly in team handball. Dr. Harris always tried to help the athletes stay on track. He taught my first two English courses so he kept me in line as well….as much as possible anyway. Though Coach Leon Shaw and Coach Louis Cook may not have been considered faculty, they should get the most credit for helping me through school. I still read and cherish a book Coach Louis Cook gave to me as a graduation gift, and it has helped me many times throughout my coaching career.
How LSUS helped me succeed: LSUS gave me an opportunity to do what I loved—play basketball. While playing basketball, LSUS gave me a first-class education and prepared me for the working world. I attribute so much of my success to great players but, more importantly, I give a lot of credit to the best wife in the world, Jennifer Young McDowell. Without LSUS, Jennifer and I would have not met and we wouldn’t have the family we have today. So LSUS has done a lot to help me succeed and provided me with a great job doing what I love—coaching student-athletes in the game of basketball and, more importantly, the game of life.
Advice to college-bound students: Go to class! Seriously, try to enjoy the greatest years of your life, but make sure to stay focused on the task at hand. Strive to make the most of the opportunity to obtain a college education.
Advice to someone who wants to enter my field: Go see a psychiatrist because something is really wrong with you. Only kidding! I would tell others thinking about a coaching career that if you are passionate about it, go for it. If you are the least bit hesitant about coaching, find something else to do. There is no such thing as a successful coach who is not passionate about student-athletes and the game of basketball, and who isn’t willing to put in a lot of hard work.
Tips on choosing a major or career: First and foremost select a career that you will enjoy and be passionate about. I don’t like to be redundant, but passion is the key. You must enjoy what you do and should be excited to wake up and go to work. Have realistic expectations of the talents with which God has blessed you. To borrow a slogan from a company called Life is Good, “Do what you like; like what you do.”
My toughest professional challenge: My toughest challenge professionally has evolved over the past six years. It is to maintain our program’s level of success. We have accomplished a tremendous amount in a short period of time and now standards are high. Championship expectations are a good thing, but can cause lots of stress. We are proud that LSUS is the winningest college basketball program in
Louisiana over the past six years and has accumulated more than 20 wins each year. But my toughest challenge each year is to maintain that status. It’s tough, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. A lot of hard work and time was invested by players, coaches, administrators, friends and fans to build this championship program. I don’t see anyone letting up now.
My toughest personal challenge: No doubt about this answer. The ability to balance family and work is my toughest challenge. Coaching college basketball is a full-time job (24/7/365)!!! The challenge is that being a championship husband and father is a full-time job as well. When all is said and done, I would rather be considered a championship husband and father than coach. That’s not to say that you can’t achieve all three, because I believe you can, but it does let people know where my priorities are and will remain. I want there to be no question of what comes first in Chad McDowell’s life, family or work. Always family!!!
Successes (honors, awards, etc.) in my life:
· Winningest college basketball coach in
Louisiana over the past six years
· Overall record of 154 – 47 (77%); Conference record 82 – 24 (77%); Home record 79 – 11(88%)
· Three GCAC Regular Season Championships (2005, 2006, 2008)
· Three GCAC Coach of the Year Awards (2004, 2005, 2008)
· 6 consecutive 20+ win seasons since reinstatement of program (2003 – 2009)
I’ve learned this from life: I am continuing to learn daily, but I have come to realize that one of my favorite quotes from the greatest basketball coach of all time, John Wooden, is absolutely true: “There is only one kind of a life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere. Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.”
