Memorable McGuire phrases and quotes.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Al McGuire, the Marquette coach from 1964-’77, spoke a language of his own. On and off the court, his delivery of unique phrases was humorous but also full of candor. Here’s a sampling:
MCGUIRE-ISMS Phrase Translation Seashells and balloons Wins and happiness Go barefoot in the wet grass Enjoy the moment Congratulate the temporary Live for the moment Carnival gates are closed Game is over White knuckler Close game Salt and pepper coach Xs and Os coach Cupcakes Easy opponents Cracked sidewalks Bad part of town Yellow ribbons and medals Success in recruiting Park Avenue Anything first class Dance hall player Short on talent, long on effort Memos and pipes Administrators and professors Thoroughbred Outstanding player Aircraft carrier Large center Cloud piercer Player who jumps well
QUOTABLE “I like SRO (standing-room only). You need charisma. There should be electricity. When I walk into the arena, the first thing I do is look at the four corner seats. If those are sold, I’ve done my job.”
“Coaching is not the ultimate. I never liked coaching. There’s got to be more to life than hangin’ up jock straps.”
“I never really learned how to spell, and this is genuine. And so I guess I’ve always played with words, related words.” “We had someone from the FBI talk to us before the season, and he told us there were three places in town we should declare off-limits. I had been hanging out in two of them.”
“My rule was I wouldn’t recruit a kid if he had grass in front of his house. That’s not my world. My world was a cracked sidewalk.”
“We don’t run a plantation here. I want and expect my players to get degrees, even if it takes more than four years.”
“I think the world is run by C students.”
“I don’t really know what it is not to be a celebrity. I like to have smoke rings blown at me.”
“I’ve always been the bridesmaid. More like a lunch pail, tin-hat type of person. I never thought I’d really win. I’m a positive thinker, but I always thought I’d come in second.”
“I stayed in the league (NBA) three years by diving over press tables and starting fights.”
“I’m the boss. The players know it. There’s a give and take, but in the end I’m the dictator.”
“If winning weren’t important, nobody would keep score.”
“You can always tell the Catholic schools by the length of the cheerleaders’ skirts.”
“Anyone who offers to double your money, walk away. If he offers to make you 20%, hear him out.”
“I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cab driver. Then they would be really educated.”