Mark Wilson: Billiard Coach

[one stroke]

I don't necessarily agree. It depends on the type of "coaching" that Hopkins, or Sigel or Frost could bring to the table. It is more about "leadership" and having a unified approach to winning, and the right mind set to coach the men to victory. And that starts with their mental game and having a plan of attack. Not saying the others don't, but we don't really know for sure how they would respond.

Many other coaches of many other sports (ones far more difficult than pool) have succeeded all over the place without having first to play against their team they are coaching, in fact, I'd say that 99% or more have not played against the players they are coaching, and have won World Series, Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, NBA Championships, College championships in every sport imaginable.

I think it's time to quite putting pool on this pedestal that nobody else can coach except a HOF type player. Pool is the bottom feeders in the sports world, and every other league is stepping right over us with coaches that lead their teams to victory, but would never have been given a chance if they were coaching a billiard team that mainstream America has NEVER even heard of.....

This has been debated before many people saying you have to have a teacher at least on par of top pros , I am 100% of the mind set you are
I would take a team of Vets and young players and mold them together
If they let Canada in my team would look something like this
Shane, Alex , Brandon Shuff , Billy Thorp , and Skylar Woodward
A good mixture of vets and some young talent with some learning curve left

1

 

[JAM]

This has been debated before many people saying you have to have a teacher at least on par of top pros , I am 100% of the mind set you are
I would take a team of Vets and young players and mold them together
If they let Canada in my team would look something like this
Shane, Alex , Brandon Shuff , Billy Thorp , and Skylar Woodward
A good mixture of vets and some young talent with some learning curve left

1

Tell me more about BIlly Thorp.

 

[Neil]

That is kind of how I see it too, Neil.

Most American pros' tableside demeanor is different from their global counterparts. I'm not sure how to say this, coming with the right wording, but I'll just blurt it out. It seems like the lure of American professional pool is that its American pro players have a little larceny in them. Heck, anybody that wants to gamble has a little larceny in their heart. It's not a squeaky clean activity, yet many Americans enjoy a good action match, challenge set, or a gamble.

Now, it could be that there's a new breed of American pros emerging. Oscar Dominguez is one player whose name is coming up more and more. He's winning, as Charlie Sheen would say. :grin:

Mark Wilson's persona may complement younger players who haven't been molded by American pool's past. It's food for thought. Earl, on the other hand, I can't see him taking advice from Mark Wilson. Most accomplished pros have HUGE egos. I may be wrong about this. I'm just rambling here. :embarrassed2:

I have to disagree with you on Earl, Jenny. I believe that if he had a coach, you would see a totally different Earl. An almost unbeatable Earl. Just look at this past Mosconi Cup...Earl was starting to go on tilt, and Buddy brought him back to "reality". (too bad Buddy didn't do it later on also).

That shows that at least some of the time, Earl can be brought back to reality and calmness with someone in his corner that he trusts. While he may not yet have that trust in Mark, I believe it would be quickly earned and Mark could guide Earl to be the best he can be. If anyone ever needed a personal coach, it would be Earl. Not much for playing style, but in attitude. Too many in the past just sit back and watch him go on tilt and offer no guidance for him.

Where most of us have the "mechanisms" in place to control our emotions, Earl doesn't to a large degree. Jay Helfert knows this well. How many times has Earl started to lose it, Jay chided him, and then Earl behaved? Earl needs someone to be that "mechanism" that he lacks.

 

[eales]

Mark Wilson as Mosconi Cup Coach

I think this is a wonderful idea. The players need a leader to round them into a team no matter who the players are. One has only to look at what Johan Ruysink has been able to do with the European team.

Jim Eales

 

[Ratta]

I m sure that many make a mistake by thinking that Stan would *just teach* Pro1.
In my opinoin Stan Shuffett is one of the most knowledged guys out there- even if i am a bit far away from *overseas* .... imo M. Wilson, S. Shuffett, J. Briesath and R. Goettlicher are the *Top Notch* guys atm. -- (sorry if i maybe forgot a name to show up- just the names which would come immediatley into my mind, if we talk about first-class instruction, with expirience and knowledge).

I cannot remember a single sentence which would have been a discussion worth-- all what i read from these guys could be written in stone.

About Mosconi Cup: that s another chapter: The problem here is in my opinion no theme i would discuss here *in the wild*. After seeing the last 3 years it s usually easy to *locate* the problem.

merry christmas to everyone,

Ingo

 

[CJ Wiley]

.how many Ryder Cup Captains didn't compete on a Pro Tour?

I don't necessarily agree. It depends on the type of "coaching" that Hopkins, or Sigel or Frost could bring to the table. It is more about "leadership" and having a unified approach to winning, and the right mind set to coach the men to victory. And that starts with their mental game and having a plan of attack. Not saying the others don't, but we don't really know for sure how they would respond.

Many other coaches of many other sports (ones far more difficult than pool) have succeeded all over the place without having first to play against their team they are coaching, in fact, I'd say that 99% or more have not played against the players they are coaching, and have won World Series, Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, NBA Championships, College championships in every sport imaginable.

I think it's time to quite putting pool on this pedestal that nobody else can coach except a HOF type player. Pool is the bottom feeders in the sports world, and every other league is stepping right over us with coaches that lead their teams to victory, but would never have been given a chance if they were coaching a billiard team that mainstream America has NEVER even heard of.....

Pool is a different type of "sport" more like golf and the Ryder Cup would be the best comparison.....how many Ryder Cup Captains didn't compete on a Pro Tour?

I would not willing to do the Coaching job under the same conditions as before. We had no time to train players before the event, and no budget to organize our strategic abilities together as a team. Also, it would be advisable to have a couple of "Extra" players so the coach could have the ability to "fire" a player or two if they chose not to follow training guidelines or chose to ignore direct "suggestions" that would better the team as a unit.

In the 90s we were part of the sports world because we were on ESPN on a consistent basis and all the top players were recognizable commodities to the general public.

I entered the "Pro Pool World" with the Pro Players being Steve Mizerak, Allen Hopkins, Efren Reyes, Mike Sigel, Earl Strickland, Jimmy Rempe, Keith McCready, Jimmy Reid, Dallas West, Ray Martin, and even Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats were in the spotlight.

These days the players are at the same performance level, but have far less notoriety because of the absence of ESPN coverage. We had a tour with 12 televised tournaments with the PCA until Earl ran those 11 racks in a row...and that's another story. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[watchez]

1. IMO, Earl has 'earned' himself a spot OFF the team due to the actions in this years Misconduct Cup

2. Landon is the known name on the Lindenwood team but there are other champions as well. Brendan Crockett, Sharik Sayed and Briana Miller (I think she has won the Jr National Title 42 times now ) just to name a few

3. Mark doesn't post on AZ but he does read here. I have reached out to ask him what male champions he has coached. I know off the top of my head are James Baraks, Justin Bergman and Don Wardell, just to name a few.

4. Mark doesn't have any World or US Open titles but when the Camel Tour was in existence he was a ranked player ON THE TOUR (so no matter how someone like CJ tries to spin it, Mark has walked the walk) (I tried google but couldn't find his final ranking. I am sure that JAM will be able to find it :wink: --- Ok, I heard from Mark - his highest ranking was 21st and he was ranked 21st - 29th for almost a decade as a pro). He has lost to and beat almost any name pro you can think of. Like a few pros, he quit playing in events once that tour folded. He was the person to beat when John McChesney had the Midwest Texas Express 9 ball tour and if I stated he won a dozen of these events, it would not be an exaggeration.

5. Like I said, it is time to get rid of Old School pool in the Mosconi Cup. Mark is the man for the job. There is not a person in pool that I have met that has a higher character than him. Losing with honor is much greater than winning without out it. And he obviously knows how to coach a team of players with egos cause there are even egos with teenagers as well.

Watchez is the teacher

 

[JAM]

I have to disagree with you on Earl, Jenny. I believe that if he had a coach, you would see a totally different Earl. An almost unbeatable Earl. Just look at this past Mosconi Cup...Earl was starting to go on tilt, and Buddy brought him back to "reality". (too bad Buddy didn't do it later on also).

That shows that at least some of the time, Earl can be brought back to reality and calmness with someone in his corner that he trusts. While he may not yet have that trust in Mark, I believe it would be quickly earned and Mark could guide Earl to be the best he can be. If anyone ever needed a personal coach, it would be Earl. Not much for playing style, but in attitude. Too many in the past just sit back and watch him go on tilt and offer no guidance for him....

Very interesting and good insights, Neil. I never considered those points. Definitely food for thought! :yes:

 

[one stroke]

Tell me more about BIlly Thorp.

It's Thorpe my bad ,, I think he was under Archers wing watched him play up at SBE against Mike Painter 3 yrs ago leaving those who watched I awe with his shot making he plays on the great southern tour now and has won events
Google him there's plenty of info on him

I think him a skylar led by Shane and Alex could not only be a great mixture but it would pump up our young players and inspire them to be in their shoes
Build a foundation from the bottom and in the end it will be stronger
Our players are not used to this type of team play its about time we start taking it more seriously if we expect different results

1

 

[JAM]

I would not willing to do the Coaching job under the same conditions as before. We had no time to train players before the event, and no budget to organize our strategic abilities together as a team. Also, it would be advisable to have a couple of "Extra" players so the coach could have the ability to "fire" a player or two if they chose not to follow training guidelines or chose to ignore direct "suggestions" that would better the team as a unit.

I like this idea.

And what about a cornerman for some players? Earl and Dennis both this year could have used a cornerman when they were playing solo, I think. :smile:

In the 90s we were part of the sports world because we were on ESPN on a consistent basis and all the top players were recognizable commodities to the general public.

These days the players are at the same performance level, but have far less notoriety because of the absence of ESPN coverage. We had a tour with 12 televised tournaments with the PCA until Earl ran those 11 racks in a row...and that's another story. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Man, it is so sad to think about the lack of mainstream media coverage in the United States. This is the nut that needs cracking.

With all these new cable channels coming to the fore, screw ESPN. We should go after a new channel that will open the door to pool.

 

[JAM]

It's Thorpe my bad ,, I think he was under Archers wing watched him play up at SBE against Mike Painter 3 yrs ago leaving those who watched I awe with his shot making he plays on the great southern tour now and has won events
Google him there's plenty of info on him

I think him a skylar led by Shane and Alex could not only be a great mixture but it would pump up our young players and inspire them to be in their shoes
Build a foundation from the bottom and in the end it will be stronger
Our players are not used to this type of team play its about time we start taking it more seriously if we expect different results

1

Thanks for the input. Keith has been singing Skyler's accolades for sometime now. I don't know how Keith even knows who Skyler is, because I don't, but Keith says he's got his eye on this horse to cross the finish line in many future pool title competitions. :smile:

 

[watchez]

I would not willing to do the Coaching job under the same conditions as before. We had no time to train players before the event, and no budget to organize our strategic abilities together as a team. Also, it would be advisable to have a couple of "Extra" players so the coach could have the ability to "fire" a player or two if they chose not to follow training guidelines or chose to ignore direct "suggestions" that would better the team as a unit.

I like this idea.

You like this idea because CJ stole it from me as I posted it in the other thread last week.

Watchez is the teacher.

 

[JAM]

1. IMO, Earl has 'earned' himself a spot OFF the team due to the actions in this years Misconduct Cup

2. Landon is the known name on the Lindenwood team but there are other champions as well. Brendan Crockett, Sharik Sayed and Briana Miller (I think she has won the Jr National Title 42 times now ) just to name a few

3. Mark doesn't post on AZ but he does read here. I have reached out to ask him what male champions he has coached. I know off the top of my head are James Baraks, Justin Bergman and Don Wardell, just to name a few.

4. Mark doesn't have any World or US Open titles but when the Camel Tour was in existence he was a ranked player ON THE TOUR (so no matter how someone like CJ tries to spin it, Mark has walked the walk) (I tried google but couldn't find his final ranking. I am sure that JAM will be able to find it :wink: --- Ok, I heard from Mark - his highest ranking was 21st and he was ranked 21st - 29th for almost a decade as a pro). He has lost to and beat almost any name pro you can think of. Like a few pros, he quit playing in events once that tour folded. He was the person to beat when John McChesney had the Midwest Texas Express 9 ball tour and if I stated he won a dozen of these events, it would not be an exaggeration.

5. Like I said, it is time to get rid of Old School pool in the Mosconi Cup. Mark is the man for the job. There is not a person in pool that I have met that has a higher character than him. Losing with honor is much greater than winning without out it. And he obviously knows how to coach a team of players with egos cause there are even egos with teenagers as well.

Watchez is the teacher

Well, you know after you and I had a brief colloquy on another thread about Hopkins and Wilson, I was determined to find out more about Mark Wilson, to find out mainly why you were in his corner.

Definitely interesting fellow. I don't have much knowledge about him, but I am liking what I am reading.

In this photo with him wearing the St. Louis Cardinals uniform, he's holding a Camel pool ball. :grin-square:

 

[JAM]

You like this idea because CJ stole it from me as I posted it in the other thread last week.

Watchez is the teacher.

Man, you really are the teacher. :thumbup:

 

[CJ Wiley]

"nothing new under the sun"

You like this idea because CJ stole it from me as I posted it in the other thread last week.

Watchez is the teacher.

Actually I told Johnny Archer this last year, without this type of "leverage" over the players they can simply not do what the Coach says (I know from experience).....but there is "nothing new under the sun," it's usually not about who has the "idea," it's about who can turn it into reality.

 

[watchez]

My boss does the same thing on every conference call we have -- someone states a valid point and her response every time is "I was just about to suggest that" or "I was thinking the exact same thing".

Watchez is the teacher

 

[Cdryden]

I recently got into a pleasant back-and-forth with Watchez about Mark Wilson v. Allen Hopkins as far as coaching abilities for a high-profile event such as the Mosconi Cup.

Since that time, I have received this information about Mark Wilson and Lindenwood University. Truth be told, I had no idea about what Lindenwood University has to do with pool, but this is an area in American pool that I do not follow, I guess.

Lindenwood University is starting a billiards program, with Mark Wilson as the coach. Lindenwood plans to attract some of the best collegiate players in the country by offering scholarships in the sport, becoming only the second university aside from the University of Akron in Ohio to do so.

Chris Bartram should check this out. It's right in his neck of the woods.

Read more about Lindenwood University and Mark Wilson ---> HERE

In the above-referenced link, it states the following: He has also coached many of the sport’s top players including Jeanette Lee, Ewa Laurance, Sarah Rousey, Gerda Hofstetter, and Karen Corr. All ladies, I see. :grin-square:

I'm interested in learning more about Mark Wilson's portfolio, résumé, and expertise in the pool world. Please share what you know.

Mark took me to Lindenwood to see his billiard program. It is in it's 2nd year and they just won the Durbin cup. They have 4 new Diamond 9 footers in their campus pool room. It is really impressive what Mark and Lindenwood has done for pool. I wish this program was in place when I was younger. I am planning on going to one of their matches once they start up again at the end of January.

 

[watchez]

Here is a good article from 2005 on Mark / Midwest pool to get more background on his 'philosophy' when it comes to pool. It mentions, which I forgot to, Mark won the Mosconi Cup in 1996.

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-10-19/news/rack-roll/

 

[JAM]

Here is a good article from 2005 on Mark / Midwest pool to get more background on his 'philosophy' when it comes to pool. It mentions, which I forgot to, Mark won the Mosconi Cup in 1996.

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-10-19/news/rack-roll/

I read that article this morning when I was doing my Google research. Great article.

Well, here's JAM's tout sheet with odds for who I see representing Team North America in Mosconi Cup 21. :wink:

Non-Playing Coach: Mark Wilson, 4-1

Team North American Members:

Earl Strickland, 8-1
Mike Dechaine, 7-1
Brandon Shuff, 6-1
Corey Deuel,10-1
Alex Pagulyan, 20-1

 

[CJ Wiley]

My boss does the same thing on every conference call we have -- someone states a valid point and her response every time is "I was just about to suggest that" or "I was thinking the exact same thing".

Watchez is the teacher

Does he call you "Watchez"? LoL