Mark Few has been head coach of the Gonzaga University men’s basketball program since 1999. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs moved from mid-major obscurity to constant contenders at the annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Few shared basketball and sports observations with host Willy Walker, Walker & Dunlop’s Chairman and President during the Aug. 24, 2022 Walker Webcast (based on a pre-recorded conversation from the Walker & Dunlop 2022 summer conference in Sun Valley, ID).

During that webcast, the Gonzaga coach also shared tips supporting positive, effective leadership.

Focus on the team and organizational culture

In addition to stressing humility when it comes to leadership, Few was adamant “there’s two backbones that drive everything we do.” The first is team chemistry. The second, team culture. Those pillars underscore everything, from recruiting the right players—“tracking the guys that want to put into the work,” Few said—to developing them. “Our culture is something were very proud of, and very protective of,” he added.

Acknowledge ideas

When basketball player Kevin Pangos joined the team in 2014, he suggested on off-floor activities that stressed team chemistry instead of talking about it. Few agreed, and today Travis Knight, the team’s conditioning coach and is also involved with the team’s mental development. “During the first part of my career, we just about the mental part of it; toughen up, work hard to get your confidence and that was it,” Few said. “Now I would say we spend probably 25% to 30% of the athletes’ time on mental.” The process ultimately makes the players—and the team—stronger.

Be flexible

NCAA basketball has experienced many adjustments during the past several years, including changes in transfer portal requirements and an increase in nil salaries and endorsements for student athletes. To counteract this, Few indicated that flexibility is essential, as are the ongoing concepts of team first and team chemistry.

“It goes back to the people selected into your program,” he said. “How you do it, the way you do it, and who you do it with ends up mattering most in the end, and that’s the type of guy we still end up attracting.”

Encourage opportunities for your staff

Few has seen many of his assistant coaches take advantage of opportunities. Former assistant coach Tommy Lloyd is now head coach with the men’s basketball program at the University of Arizona, while another former Gonzaga assistant coach, Leon Rice, now directs the men’s basketball program at Boise State.

Few acknowledged that letting talented staff go is difficult, and not just because of work. Gonzaga’s staff has deep attachments, and when one leaves, “it’s kind of trying to hold the whole home front,” Few said. “Everyone’s bawling and it’s pretty emotional times.” By the same token, “It’s really cool to see the success that Tommy had this year,” Few remarked. “And Leon Rice is right up the road at Boise State; they’ve had an unbelievable year, too.”

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

Few also recommended not to mess with happy. When an audience participant asked if Few had received coaching offers, and what advice he would give to coaches who called about Gonzaga openings, Few recommended not messing with happy.

He said he’d received offers that “I wrestled around with a little bit and looked at,” but in the end, he’s challenged and happy in his own work. This philosophy spreads to what he tells others thinking of making a move.

“I usually tell other coaches, don’t mess with it if you’re in a good place,” he said. “Sometimes that grass isn’t quite as what you thought on the other side of the fence.”

On-demand replays of the Aug. 24, 2022 webcast are available by clicking here and through Walker & Dunlop’s Driven by Insight podcast series.