Woodcock learned lessons on sidelines Former Mt. Blue coach eyes Blaine House

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I couldn’t help thinking last Thursday morning about an age-old sports expression as I looked at the front page picture in this newspaper of Maine Republican gubernatorial primary winner Chandler Woodcock.

Standing close to the victor were David Emery and Peter Mills, Woodcock’s talented, but defeated, opponents.

Emery looked proud of the winner. He was beaming, even. Mills looked like every coach who lost to Woodcock in his illustrious high school basketball coaching career: “How did I lose to this guy?” Why, dear readers, it was written all over his face.

Herein lies the problem for those who face Chandler Woodcock now: Never underestimate the power – or the organizational ability, for that matter – of a coach.

Here’s why.

Let’s list five reasons why Chandler Woodcock will be a formidable opponent for a popular, sitting governor.

No. 1: He’s media savvy.

Coaches are trained early on in their careers to deal with the media.

Former coach Woodcock is no exception.

Pregame and postgame interviews teach an important discipline to future politicians.

Being able to think on one’s feet is a particularly important skill, which can be honed through the years.

No. 2: He’s cool under pressure.

I once told a disgruntled parent to picture what it would be like if 800 or so folks showed up at his place of work and screamed their opinion of everything he did that particular day.

That, my friends, is coaching, especially high school basketball coaching.

Being cool under fire will serve this would-be governor well.

No. 3: He’ll be well-prepared.

So far, so good, for this candidate. And, again, coaching has given him a leg up on the competition.

Coaches are creatures of habit, but the lessons they learned in the profession center around being prepared.

Coaches who win – and, make no mistake: this one did – adhere to the philosophy of author Robert Parker: Be prepared for all possibilities from your opponent.

Coaches never take the opponent lightly.

No. 4: He has a philosophy.

The best coaches I faced stood for something, and they continually preached – Chandler even admits to doing that – their thinking. Consequently, their teams were noted for that coach’s philosophy, especially the good ones.

This Republican candidate makes no apologies for being conservative. So be it.

Trust me when I tell you that Chandler Woodcock won’t vary from his position. He was a conservative coach. He was a conservative teacher. He will run on what he believes. Coaches are unlikely to vary from their norm.

No. 5: He will find a way to win.

The most admirable quality of a good coach can foster success in a dedicated politician. He will find a way to win.

Coaches who are successful can assess the situation, prepare for it and, ultimately, put a good team on the floor. Governors have the unique opportunity to recruit and bring in the best available people.

There you have it, dear readers.

Coach, er, ex-coach, Chandler Woodcock will be a worthy opponent for even a sitting governor.

The aforementioned coaching-oriented attributes will serve candidate Woodcock well in what should prove to be an interesting campaign for the Blaine House.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net