Associate WBB Head Coach: Sunny Smallwood
4/20/2020 9:04:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Last week, MSU Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach Sunny Smallwood was named Silver Waves Media Top 50 most impactful assistants at the NCAA Division I level.
Last week, MSU Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach Sunny Smallwood was named Silver Waves Media Top 50 most impactful assistants at the NCAA Division I level. Smallwood has long been considered one of the top assistants in the women's game having coached at Washington State, Washington, Cal, Nebraska, Boise State and Arizona, during her illustrious career which includes a Big 12 championship, an Elite Eight NCAA Tournament appearance and numerous national rankings. Smallwood recently finished her second season with the Bobcats, where she played an important role in guiding, perhaps, the best women's basketball team in Montana State history.
With everything that is going on in the world, what are your days looking like?
"I'm doing some recruiting, watching some film, and working on projects that need to be done. I try to work out every day, take a walk or ride my bike. I try to eat well, and I am cooking my own food to stay good and healthy. Mostly, I am staying in touch with people, recruiting and following up on emails- stuff you do at office at this time of year."
We know how the players dealt with the final days in Boise, but how did you deal with the end of the season and what were some of your thoughts on how it all ended?
"For me, initially, it was literally a shock. It was hard to wrap your mind around what was happening and what the impact was going to be. When we were sitting in that room (Hampton Inn) on Thursday, and everyone was told the rest of tourney was done, it was heartbreaking, especially for the seniors. Then we had to go on, realize the season was over, and just a feeling of being in limbo, and waiting for something to take you out of it. Once the NCAA canceled the tournament and we gradually slid into quarantine, I was 'okay, what's next?' I started doing some reading and getting my mind set for what was next regarding the returners, the newcomers and getting things ready for offseason work outs and realize this is the new reality."
What are some things you learned from this season's team that the program can take into next season?
"The first thing is leadership. This senior class was tremendous for setting the tone with its leadership. It was not easy, and it evolved during the season. But the fact that it evolved with everyone buying in was important. This group returning has seen and experienced how invaluable leadership is and they know what it is going to take. From a culture standpoint, from a leadership standpoint, we are going to have challenges, but at the same time they have great experience to draw from to make that happen. The returners, combined with a group of hungry newcomers, I am really excited about the mind set, their focus and I am excited about their ability. Culture is the difference maker in championship teams."
You have been at some high-powered schools; how does Montana State stack up with those places?
"First of all, when you have a leader like Tricia (Binford), who has played at the highest levels, she really understands how to put together a winning, championship team. And what culminated this years' experience was having a group of young women who relentlessly hated to lose. We had a lot competitors who could pick up the team and put them on their back and say 'we're not losing this game,' and they did that in practice every day, and even when the coaching staff wasn't around. That is what set this year's team apart. And, that's what sets every great team apart- having teams willing to drive success and to drive excellence. This year's team was just as fun to coach than any I have ever been associated with.
Over the past couple of years, I have been asked why is Sunny Smallwood, who has been at four Pac-12 schools, along with Nebraska and Boise State, at Montana State?
"Bottom line, the opportunity to work with someone like Trish. When I choose where I go to work, it's the people. And, Trish is someone that I've known for a long time. I know her character. I know her work ethic. We used to talk a lot about a lot of different things before I came to work for her, and we shared a mutual respect. When the position came open, I just contacted her, and it was because of her. I like working with people who have the right motives in mind. And that is the young women we coach- helping them to become great players, but even more importantly, great people. She was by far the most important factor. And, what I have found out along the way is how amazing Montana State is, whether it's the university itself being academically such a stellar university or the people that make it up. We have an amazing president who sets the bar high when it comes to the standard of excellence and has energy and enthusiasm. Then, you have Leon Costello who is like her clone when it comes to energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitude. It is no surprise success trickles downhill."
What makes you tick?
"Relationships. I really, really enjoy recruiting because I love developing relationships. Whether it's with potential future players, their coaches, their families, and the coolest thing is that I'm a what you see is what you get person. I am genuine and I've worked hard to be authentic and those relationships are not just about the moment, they last. And over time, what has aided in my ability to be a solid recruiter is the fact that I make friends and network with people, but it doesn't end with just that one player or one kid. I've learned to love every piece of this game. Unlike a lot of people, I love going out and watching games and recruits and evaluating talent. I love the part where you are on the phone communicating. I love it when they come to our school. I love it after the first year when you ask them if this experience was everything you thought it would be; less than you thought it would be; or was it more than you thought it would be, because I really believe if they say at least it was everything they thought, then we have truly done our job. I love the game itself. I have devoted myself to be a student of the game. I love talking the game, watching the game, and breaking it down. Everyone makes fun of me for how much I watch video, but it's fun to find ways to help our team be better and game plan. But, at the end of the day, recruiting is our life-blood. The longer you stay in this business you've got to appreciate and enjoy all aspects of it."
With everything that is going on in the world, what are your days looking like?
"I'm doing some recruiting, watching some film, and working on projects that need to be done. I try to work out every day, take a walk or ride my bike. I try to eat well, and I am cooking my own food to stay good and healthy. Mostly, I am staying in touch with people, recruiting and following up on emails- stuff you do at office at this time of year."
We know how the players dealt with the final days in Boise, but how did you deal with the end of the season and what were some of your thoughts on how it all ended?
"For me, initially, it was literally a shock. It was hard to wrap your mind around what was happening and what the impact was going to be. When we were sitting in that room (Hampton Inn) on Thursday, and everyone was told the rest of tourney was done, it was heartbreaking, especially for the seniors. Then we had to go on, realize the season was over, and just a feeling of being in limbo, and waiting for something to take you out of it. Once the NCAA canceled the tournament and we gradually slid into quarantine, I was 'okay, what's next?' I started doing some reading and getting my mind set for what was next regarding the returners, the newcomers and getting things ready for offseason work outs and realize this is the new reality."
What are some things you learned from this season's team that the program can take into next season?
"The first thing is leadership. This senior class was tremendous for setting the tone with its leadership. It was not easy, and it evolved during the season. But the fact that it evolved with everyone buying in was important. This group returning has seen and experienced how invaluable leadership is and they know what it is going to take. From a culture standpoint, from a leadership standpoint, we are going to have challenges, but at the same time they have great experience to draw from to make that happen. The returners, combined with a group of hungry newcomers, I am really excited about the mind set, their focus and I am excited about their ability. Culture is the difference maker in championship teams."
You have been at some high-powered schools; how does Montana State stack up with those places?
"First of all, when you have a leader like Tricia (Binford), who has played at the highest levels, she really understands how to put together a winning, championship team. And what culminated this years' experience was having a group of young women who relentlessly hated to lose. We had a lot competitors who could pick up the team and put them on their back and say 'we're not losing this game,' and they did that in practice every day, and even when the coaching staff wasn't around. That is what set this year's team apart. And, that's what sets every great team apart- having teams willing to drive success and to drive excellence. This year's team was just as fun to coach than any I have ever been associated with.
Over the past couple of years, I have been asked why is Sunny Smallwood, who has been at four Pac-12 schools, along with Nebraska and Boise State, at Montana State?
"Bottom line, the opportunity to work with someone like Trish. When I choose where I go to work, it's the people. And, Trish is someone that I've known for a long time. I know her character. I know her work ethic. We used to talk a lot about a lot of different things before I came to work for her, and we shared a mutual respect. When the position came open, I just contacted her, and it was because of her. I like working with people who have the right motives in mind. And that is the young women we coach- helping them to become great players, but even more importantly, great people. She was by far the most important factor. And, what I have found out along the way is how amazing Montana State is, whether it's the university itself being academically such a stellar university or the people that make it up. We have an amazing president who sets the bar high when it comes to the standard of excellence and has energy and enthusiasm. Then, you have Leon Costello who is like her clone when it comes to energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitude. It is no surprise success trickles downhill."
What makes you tick?
"Relationships. I really, really enjoy recruiting because I love developing relationships. Whether it's with potential future players, their coaches, their families, and the coolest thing is that I'm a what you see is what you get person. I am genuine and I've worked hard to be authentic and those relationships are not just about the moment, they last. And over time, what has aided in my ability to be a solid recruiter is the fact that I make friends and network with people, but it doesn't end with just that one player or one kid. I've learned to love every piece of this game. Unlike a lot of people, I love going out and watching games and recruits and evaluating talent. I love the part where you are on the phone communicating. I love it when they come to our school. I love it after the first year when you ask them if this experience was everything you thought it would be; less than you thought it would be; or was it more than you thought it would be, because I really believe if they say at least it was everything they thought, then we have truly done our job. I love the game itself. I have devoted myself to be a student of the game. I love talking the game, watching the game, and breaking it down. Everyone makes fun of me for how much I watch video, but it's fun to find ways to help our team be better and game plan. But, at the end of the day, recruiting is our life-blood. The longer you stay in this business you've got to appreciate and enjoy all aspects of it."
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