3 Keys to Navigating a Coaching / Front Office Change as a Video Coordinator (or Prospective Intern)

Working in the NBA

*Our new Intern had arrived that day.  We were all hustled into an office with an unexpected eeriness.  The President of the team was there.  Unbeknownst to us, our GM had just been fired.  And there his personal, handpicked Intern was, having just arrived.

*I showed up at the office as usual and I was quickly siphoned into the GM’s office.  “We’ve let go of the Head Video Coordinator.  You’re safe.  This has nothing to do with you.  Go ahead and leave for the day, we’ll let you know when to come back.”  Maybe an hour later, I was being asked to come back.

*The entire coaching staff was just fired.  And the peripheral positions as well, less 1, the Assistant Video Coordinator.  He was now in charge of all coaching and player development decisions. 

Changes are abundant in the NBA.  They come fast and they come unexpectedly.  They come for the janitor, they come for the Video Coordinator, they come for the General Manager. 

If you happen to still be around amidst the changes, what’s next?  How do you survive? 

I worked for 4 different Head Coaches and 5 General Managers.  I watched transition after transition and learned how people were impacted and how they could best continue in their own specific roles.

As an Intern or Assistant Video Coordinator…

Oftentimes when a General Manager or Head Coach is fired, there is a fallout beneath them.  How far that fallout reaches can be unknown but oftentimes, everyone can be wiped out, save for an Intern or Assistant Video Coordinator. 

As shocking as this can be, it is also a phenomenal opportunity to become the expert and go-to person in the organization.  The key is to embrace the new Coach / Front Office and their needs.  This doesn’t just mean work needs either.  It may be housing, what restaurants to go to, a local church, anything that helps them feel at home.  As a Video Coordinator, you’ll be responsible for helping transition and prepare the new staff to the equipment and systems you have available for them.  This is a great opportunity to get 1-on-1 time with your new bosses. 

As a Prospective Intern…

You were almost hired and then… you stopped hearing from the team.  Don’t get frustrated if there is a lull in communication.  Oftentimes, when there is a transition at the top, everyone is scrambling for their own jobs.  Do your best to stay connected to your contacts but also, understand that they (and their family) have a lot of personal concerns themselves.  Once things are settled, oftentimes, the hiring process will begin again (often with even more positions available). 

During this process, there are 3 Keys:

1. Be Available

When our Head Video Coordinator was fired and they told me to leave for the day and possibly the week, I stayed close by.  What I knew was… as soon as they realized how much they didn’t know about how to run the video components at the Practice Facility, they would need me back asap.  They called soon after they had sent me home, I came back, and was available to help prepare for the transition of a new staff. 

Another time when a good chunk of our staff head been fired, there was 1 left, the Assistant Video Coordinator.  I saw him over the next month take on 2, 3, 4, 5 different roles with the team.  He was the Assistant Video Coordinator in title but had taken on a Player Development role, Coaching role, Head Video, and more.  He became relied on for everything and made himself indispensable. 

2. Be Patient

“Expect the unexpected,” they say.  And whoever they are, well, they are right.  Anyone can be fired at anytime.  Anyone can be promoted at anytime. 

Don’t get too worked up if you haven’t gotten to where you want to.  Patience is key.  Be available, wait your time and then…  

3. Be Ready

You never know when you’ll get the call-up and when you do, it’s best to be ready.  You may be needed to run pre-draft workouts, be a Summer League Assistant Coach, run player workouts, and get a new staff transitioned. 

If you’re available, patient, and ready… you may find a more seamless transition than one might think.