Pictured: Ray Didier (top left); “Skeeter” Theard (top right); Ben Abadie (bottom left – Tom’s dad); *Tom Abadie (bottom-middle); Rosemary Abadie (bottom right – Tom’s mom)
I was more excited about this week’s guest than any other. His name is Mr. Tom Abadie. He is the man who first taught me the values of discipline, preparation, and teamwork. His way of coaching had a profound impact on me when I needed it most.
He started coaching our All-Star basketball team when I was 10 years old. As 11-year olds, he coached our team to a State Championship in Louisiana. When I was 12 years old, he coached us to a World Championship in 1993.
In the locker room after the Championship Game, Assistant Coach David Pope said to our team, “This may not mean much to you now, but someday you guys are really going to appreciate this [Championship].” God was he right.
Born in New Orleans, La., on December 15, 1948, “Coach Tom,” as I’ve always called him, grew up one of seven children. He attended Redemptorist High School, where he played basketball and baseball in the competitive New Orleans Catholic League.
As a senior, he signed to play centerfield at Nicholls State University (pictured)—I would do the same 30 years later. His college coach was Raymond E. Didier, who he said was a disciplinarian but fair man. When I played ball at NSU, we played at Ray E. Didier Field, which is now affectionately known as “The Did.”
Tom is now retired. He invested diligently in his employer’s 401K plan while working in the oilfield for 43 years, including the last 15 years as a salesman for a New Orleans company. He and wife, Judy, live in Thibodaux, LA. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their 6 grandchildren.
Thoughts from a World Championship Youth Coach:
- Things to consider when coaching 10-12 year old kids
- Applying what he learned from coaching older kids
- Simplifying offenses / defenses for 10-12 year old kids
- Watching college basketball to get ideas
- The will to prepare (more important than the will to win)
The will to prepare:
- Importance of fundamentals
- Watching film as part of game prep
- Having 12 excellent players prepared and ready to fill their role
- Using dribble glasses in practice so players couldn’t see the ball
- Implementing“The Harvard Step Test”
Other topics:
- Relationships & Parenting
- The value of his assistant coaches (Gwain Roundtree, Mike Lirette, David Pope)
- How to practice properly
- Winning the world championship
- The role his Catholic faith has played in his life
- Places he wants to visit in retirement
Questions:
- Had you ever considered coaching full-time?
- Did you have problems with dads thinking they knew better than you?
- Did you have problems with moms complaining about their kids not getting enough playing time?
- If you were coaching youth league basketball today, is there anything you would do differently?
- If you were managing the Astros in the World Series, bottom of the ninth, score tied 6-6, nobody out, roof closed, Springer on 1st, Bregman at the plate (with Altuve on deck), do you bunt?
Listen here:
Connect with Tom:
- by email: tomabadie62@gmail.com
- on Twitter: @tomabadie62
Stay true to your family and faith. – Tom Abadie
Books mentioned:
n
