“Be the example your kids need to see, so they can believe in themselves,” said Eldon Marshall. This is a philosophy statement that umbrella’s other philosophy statements of a successful coach in a successful high school athletic program.
Eldon Marshall is the head boys’ basketball coach at White River High School, White River, SD. He was born and raised in Rosebud, SD.
I first started playing organized basketball at Rosebud Elementary,” said Eldon. “I played middle school and high school basketball at Todd County High School in SD. One of the best memories in high school was playing in a 4 overtime game vs. Cheyenne-Eagle Butte HS.”
“I played college basketball at Black Hills State University,” said Eldon. “I walked on and started at the point guard my senior year. Lost to Eric Kline and Northern State University to go the national tourney.”
“I started coaching middle school boys for two years at Spearfish Middle School, SD, while in college,”. “I first started coaching high school boys at St. Francis Indian School under Red Prue, coaching JV for two years. When Red Prue retired I became the head coach of St. Francis boys in 2001. I also coached high school varsity girls in 2001 that same year when they played in separate seasons for the last time that year. After coaching two years of varsity boys I was let go by St. Francis in 2003. The White River job was available so I applied for it. My wife is from White River. I've been coaching White River since 2003-2004.”
“Growing up in Rosebud, basketball was something for a kid to do when there wasn't much to do, and it became something that I really loved to do with my friends,” said Eldon. “For whatever reason I enjoyed how hard I had to work to succeed in playing. As a coach you must still demonstrate that hard work to those you're working with. It's difficult to gain respect if you do not work hard. People must respect you before you can expect them to even think about working hard for themselves.”
“There are many coaches that I've learned from working with them directly,” said Eldon. “My high school coach, Coach Bud Keller, was someone who helped me think about what I wanted to do after high school. Coach Mike Olson at Black Hills State gave me a chance and taught me about discipline.”
“Coach Red Prue taught me that you must show that you care and love the kids you're working with, the game is more than just X's and O's,” said Eldon.
“It was a privilege to have worked with Eldon back in the day,” said Red Prue. “We coached together at St. Francis many years ago. What I remember is his passion for the game and how committed he was to the teams. He was always blessed with coaching skills but what made him especially loved by students was his I care and we are in this together. Very disciplined but excellent at strategy and execution. Still see all this in his coaching today.”
“Coach Matt Rama has taught me that you must strive to be the best thinker and be the hardest worker, he is one of the greatest examples of a coach who really cares for all the people he coaches and is associated with,” said Eldon.
“Eldon Marshall is a phenomenal coach and is a wonderful man,” said Coach Matt Rama, head girls’ basketball coach at Red Cloud HS, SD. “I hold him in high regards as so do so many others in the state of South Dakota. He is a role model for native youth and also for coaches who look to get in the profession and find success.”
“Coach Jared Bouman, my assistant coach the last 14 years, has taught me that it's better to be cool under pressure, and he's one of the best teachers and someone who cares and loves to work with kids,” said Eldon.
“This is my 14th year being Eldon’s assistant coach,” said Coach Jared Bouman. “Through those years Eldon’s philosophy hasn’t changed. It has become more defined but is still the same as it was 14 years ago. At the beginning of each year we sit down with the incoming team and figure out team goals and what standards we need to live by in order to achieve those goals. Examples of standards would be loyalty, communication, hard work, fun, commitment, holding yourself accountable, and love. The standards can change each year with a new team. The players do their best to live by those standards and if they do it will give them the best chance to achieve their team goals.”
“Eldon does a masterful job of developing internal leadership within the team. Our best teams have had leaders that live by our standards and hold each other accountable for those standards. Players like Louie Krogman, Wyatt Krogman, Nic Waln, Justice Morrison, Jadice Morrison, and Nick Sayler are perfect examples of players that lived by the team standards. Eldon has never emphasized wins/losses, don’t get me wrong he wants to win, but it’s not the overall goal. He strives to create good habits in young men that they can carry with them throughout their life,” added Coach Jared.
“The recently late Coach Dave Strain is a coach that shared his philosophies and strategies with me and has definitely made me better,” said Eldon.
“There are many, many other coaches that I've learned from and been able to work with: Charlie Marshall, Roger Crow Eagle, Allan Bertram, Lynn Frederick,” said Eldon. “Of course, there are the legendary coaches I've observed from afar that I've stolen ideas from: Dusty LeBeau and Jesse Mendoza.”
“There are also many people that I've played basketball with over the years that have influenced my coaching philosophy, including Dan Campbell, Tim Colombe, and many others,” said Eldon. “A successful basketball program really depends on if the leader cares and loves those he works with,” said Eldon. “Ultimately, the individual members on the team must care and love each other in order to strive to be the best team possible. It takes a tremendous amount of time and hard work, and not every kid has the commitment to demand that hard work and sacrifice from themselves. The head coach must set the example and demand this from them.”
Coach Allan Bertram said: “I have known Eldon for over 20 years and we have grown to be great friends over the years. We have competed a ton against each other as coaches and in the past three years have worked together within the Sacred Hoops Program.”
“Eldon is a prime example of what takes place when you put a true program together. Where you have set ideals based on fundamentally sound teaching, and spend hours and hours in the gym with your athletes, helping them to be the best they can be,” added Allan.
“He has built a dynasty in the community of White River,” said Allan. “This has been accomplished with tons of preparation, constant evolution of himself as a coach, and building relationships with his athletes to help them by-in to the program that he has.”
“He is a teacher of the game, a father figure for many of the athletes he coaches, and I am blessed to call him a brother,” said Allan.
Coach Lynn Frederick said: “I have known Eldon since he was a high school student/athlete. He has always been passionate about the game and has had a tireless work ethic. We have worked together promoting basketball in South Dakota as officers in the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association. He has been a wonderful colleague and friend. More importantly, he is in Coaching for the right reasons. He cares deeply for his players on and off the court. He is a true ‘Difference Maker’. Yes, he has won a multitude of games and some championships. I believe he is most pleased with his lifelong meaningful relationships with his players and fellow coaches.”
Successful coaches define what it means to be a successful coach. They also have advice to give other coaches to be successful.
“You must love the game and you must show that you care and love the kids you're working with,” said Eldon. “You must work the hardest and look to always try to learn and improve. You must also believe in what you're style of play is, while at the same time cater to the style that fits your kids the best.”
“You must also have a strong belief in what you're trying to accomplish. You must believe in it so strongly that you cannot believe what other people say about you, especially when it's good. Having a successful program for a long time can have its negatives, maybe even more than a program that's building. If you know you're doing it the right way, keep doing it and don't let anyone bring you down,” said Eldon.
This story was written by Dan Ninham, a contributing writer for NDN Sports and originally appeared on their page here.