Mike McGraw - Baylor Men's Golf Coach On Leadership, The Value Of Confrontation, & Leaving Things Better Than You Found Them

Building Excellence with Bailey Miles

#43: National Champion coach and current Baylor men's golf coach, Mike McGraw, shares insight from his experiences, leadership, lessons in excellence, and much more.
Mike grew up in Ponca City where he became an avid student of the game. His parents instilled in him at an early age to always do the right thing and work hard at whatever you do. With a strong work ethic and determination to succeed he was able to receive a college golf scholarship. At the end of his playing career he decided to get into coaching. Mike started off coaching high school and then jumped into college as an assistant at Oklahoma State University. He then took over as head coach, where in his first year as head coach won a National Championship. He talks about the excitement and pressures that go with being a head coach at one of the best golf programs in the country. After his time at OSU came to an end he accepted a position at Alabama. In his only year at Alabama he helped the crimson tide win a national championship against his former OSU team. Since then he accepted the head coaching position at Baylor and has helped guide the Bears to numerous successful seasons.
Key takeaways:
- Always do the right thing and work hard
- Be intentional, work hard and work smart
- Accountability is key
- Be willing to confront issues and deal with them head on
- Never stop learning
- Keep an enthusiasm for what you do
- What it takes to build a team and culture
- Be grateful
- Learn to forgive
- The importance of routine and developing good habits
- Qualities of great players
- Be authentic
- Leave things better than you found them
Enjoy the show!