Sequoyah's Bailey learning, teaching the ropes in first season

Move forward a year and things at Sequoyah are different.

There is a new coach, Joel Bailey is midway through his first head coaching stint, and a new cast of players, brought up from the junior varsity after a large senior class moved on.

But, through all the chaos of change, one thing remains: to live for others.

Bailey continued that in the preseason, having the team partake in a family reading night at a primary school.

“We really want to talk about living for others,” Bailey said. “I tell the guys, to those little kids we are their Lebron James, Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry. You have to live that way and show (the little kids) do whatever you guys are doing and more.”

Much of Bailey’s philosophy of coaching started before the players stepped on the court for 2022-23 practices. It has continued on from his time leading the same group at the JV level and is focused on them learning how to represent themselves on the court.

Raised by two aunts in Louisiana himself, Bailey saw firsthand the work it took for a family to provide kids with opportunities and what it takes to set them up to succeed.

“We have kids who are raised by great mothers and fathers, kids who are raised by grandparents, kids who are raised by aunts and uncles,” Bailey noted.

Bailey recalled his aunts staying up until 2 a.m. to help with homework before getting up the next day to go to work and repeating the system the next day. Add in getting him and his brother to practices, making sure they are fed and taking care of the home. The efforts put in did not go over his head.

In a way, basketball is a way for him to honor them. And he sees the same opportunities for his players.

“We have kids whose parents and guardians are working sunup to sundown in factories or where they may be at, but are still making a way for (the kids),” Bailey said. “They make sure (the kids) have everything they need and are still coming to basketball games to support them.

“We have to play in a way to show our appreciation. If they are working hard for us, we have to play hard not only for Sequoyah, not only for the program, but for them as well.”

Starting out as a four-year varsity player in Covington, Louisiana, Bailey made his way to Hiwassee College where he eventually started to coach alongside the now-head coach of Tellico Plains Will Raby.

Following Hiwassee College’s closure, Bailey began to coach at Ft. Loudoun Middle School as well as on the AAU circuit with The Basketball Factory. Bailey soon found himself working under Pennington at Sequoyah before his promotion to head coach.

The season has not had the start that many would have wanted. At 2-8, the Chiefs have hit some lows, but 1-1 in a District 5-3A that offers no layups in terms of opponents is not a bad place to sit in.

“(I’ve learned that) patience is key and experience is a big factor,” Bailey said. “Sometimes with my guys I just want them to get it yesterday, but it takes time for them to lock in.”

“(I’ve really been learning) how to manage different players. Different players need to be coached in different ways. While doing that, you still need to be able to uphold the standards set from Day 1.”

The experience at Sequoyah on the court is uniquely shared. Bailey is learning the ins and outs of a head coach for a program that expects to compete for a district title while his players are doing the same at a varsity level.

“(I’ve) really had to take into account that there can never be a day where a coach has a bad practice,” Bailey said. “I’ve had to make sure that I am present every day mentally and physically while also being ready to turn the page (for a new day).”

A charismatic and expressive man, Bailey is understanding that showing that emotion that often may not be what the players always need to see.

“For me, I’m intense. I don’t hide that. I wear my emotions and my heart on my sleeve. If I am upset or happy, you will know it. That is just who I am,” Bailey said. “I have to learn to sometimes change that. We’ve talked with the guys about how they cannot play to please me, parents or anybody else. It is for you and your teammates.”

Much like his players, Bailey needs the same time to understand and adapt.

“It is definitely a puzzle getting those pieces to fit. We are learning — I am getting better at it and they are getting better at it. It just takes time,” he added.

Sequoyah has not backed down from the list of coaches faced this season. In just 10 days, they have already gone up against names like Heritage’s Brad Flatford, William Blount’s Kevin Windle and Austin-East’s Denard Bertram.

“Coaches are smarter. I told the guys that we both have a bull’s eye on our back. Others see the guys as fresh meat, but they also see a new, young coach and think ‘I am going to make him really step up his coaching game,’” Bailey said. “I love the coaches for doing that because it is making me and the players better. But it is also just telling me that the way you coach a JV game cannot be the way you coach a varsity game.

“Some of the schemes and things you use in JV won’t work. It is making me rethink strategies and style. I need that in order for me to continue to grow.”

Sequoyah’s season has seen them visit an undefeated William Blount team, a hotshot Lenoir City program and battle out close wins and losses with Maryville and Austin-East.

“We play teams where we have been overmatched. I have had to go in and be not so hard-nosed. (We’ve) had to find different ways to approach games and teams,” Bailey said. “I have changed my way of thinking. (A lot of situations) are about extending that confidence in the guys as well as extending it in myself.”

Bailey takes his coaching inspiration from Pat Summitt and Mike Krzyzewski — Kobe Bryant gets the credit for sparking a love for the sport.

Only halfway through his first year, he has plenty of time to continue to show that love.