Maintaining Culture

All opinions expressed are my own. This blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution. 

Decades ago, Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler warned about the hidden cost of chasing the wrong type of player.

“Missing out on the right player might mean they beat you once a year. But if you recruit the wrong player, they can beat you every day.”

That truth echoes across generations.

UCONN Coach Bobby Hurley explains. 

Facts

“One player can sink your program. I’ve passed on neon talent.”

Nobody needs culture killers, no matter how talented they may be.

(Via @CoachPeteQuinn_ 🎥)

pic.twitter.com/lbrIMVqjoO

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) November 10, 2025

Nobody needs culture killers, no matter how gifted they are.

The truth is, culture differs from school to school - and even from program to program within the same school.

Melrose Volleyball has never had “culture killers.” That’s not by accident. A strong, positive culture is an asset that must be protected.

“Fight for your culture every day.”

There’s a legendary basketball story (not Melrose) about a player who refused to pass. During a scrimmage, the coach saw a teachable moment.
He told the player to inbound the ball - then ordered every other offensive player off the court. “Now play,” he said. The message was unmistakable: You cannot play without your teammates.

When college coaches recruit, they already know the talent. They’ve watched the film, read the reports, and studied the stats. What they’re trying to learn is who you are. Are you a good person? A good teammate?
Will you add value to the program - or become a headache, distraction, or disruption?

They already have enough of those.

You’ve probably seen Nick Saban’s message: he asks whether players are AND people or BUT people.

“He’s talented and hardworking and dependable.”
“He’s talented but selfish, but inconsistent, but high-maintenance.”

Bill Belichick once had an assistant, Mike Lombardi, who went straight to the source. He’d call his contacts in SEC sororities to ask what they thought of certain players. The women never sugarcoated it — and the feedback was often more revealing than any scouting report.

Culture isn’t a slogan. It’s a daily fight. And once you lose it, no strategy, no drill, no talent can replace it.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”