Wil Cunningham in the Huddle with Coach Pierce

Wil Cunningham: What piqued your interest in coaching?  When did you know that coaching football was your future and not playing it?

Launz: My great love for football was the main reason I decided coaching was for me.  Don’t get me wrong: I was always a decent player at the game but, I knew being decent didn’t mean I was destined to make it to the League. So, I knew early on that if I wanted football in my daily life, coaching was my best way of making that a reality. 

Wil Cunningham: Which coach would you compare your coaching style to, or who have you modeled your style behind?

Launz: Hmmmmmm… I wasn’t expecting that question. If I had to make one comparison or pick a role model, it would probably be Mike Tomlin, and not for the reason you probably think.   

Wil Cunningham: Really? Do you really think I would throw the race card at you? Mike Tomlin’s a hell of a coach. He basically took the same path as you did to the League. He played college ball and started his coaching career at that level, but quickly ascended to coaching in the League as an assistant. Now he is one of the most successful head coaches the League has ever had.  He’s never finished a season below .500 and his players would walk through fire for him. If that’s your guy, you couldn’t have chosen a better role model.  

Launz nods his head as if impressed.

Launz: Alright… I see you’ve done your homework... 

Wil Cunningham: What are your thoughts on the roles of a head football coach?

Launz: The head football coach’s roles include, offering advice and motivation during gameplay; leading training sessions; designing game plans; scheduling team meetings; and attending tryouts. You must be able to identify your players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as provide them with one-on-one training whenever necessary. I am committed to making a positive impact on my players by showing them I care about their well-being. I want to see my players grow in their careers, whether that be in the league or real life.

Wil Cunningham: I love that. Do you feel there are certain qualities a football coach must have to be successful?

Launz: To be successful, a coach must have experience in coaching football. You must have passion for football, and deep knowledge of the game. He or she must have solid organizational, strategizing, motivational, communication, interpersonal, and management skills. He or she must be a disciplined self-starter who possesses a positive attitude with high motivation and patience.  Basically, you must be humble.

Wil Cunningham: I hear you coach. I hear you. You must be humble to be successful in life, period.  Oh, and I love that ‘he or she.’ What major challenges have you faced being the head coach of the Kings? How have you managed them?

Launz: The biggest challenge I’ve faced during my time as coach of the Kings has been balancing between my family and career. Before coaching here, I had family obligations, and was often away from them; however, since becoming head coach of the Kings, I’ve learned I had a twenty-year-old son I didn’t even know existed.  Add to that, I’m now a grandfather and in a serious relationship with said son’s mother. The craziest Lifetime movie: I know. Atypically, it’s been working for us. So, now I never want to be away from them. Babies don’t stay babies for long. I don’t want to miss any significant portion of that.

Wil Cunningham: I’m glad you bring up such a sensitive and personal matter. You’ve made my job a tad easier.

 Both Wil and Coach Launz laugh.

Wil Cunningham: No, seriously. Speaking of which, as it concerns your personal life: I’m not sure if you’ve been keeping up with the social media talk with all the “Kings Coach, coach me in my bed please” talk.

Coach Launz laughs.

Wil Cunningham: Have you? Wait! Are you flushed, Coach?

Launz: Not at all. Not at all—well, maybe a little. It’s like a running joke in my house. My son enjoys ribbing me while holding his phone to his face, going down the timeline. Everyone in the room laughs except for me. Oh, and his mother has yet to express humor over it either.

Wil laughs.

Wil Cunningham: Is that because that special lady in your life prefers to keep you all to herself?

Wil and Coach Launz laugh.

Launz: She’d have to speak for herself on that. Otherwise it’s conjecture.

Wil laughs.

Launz: It’s been a great at-home experience, which I appreciate. We have a houseful now. They keep me coming back as often as I can dip out of work.

Wil Cunningham: I’m sure it’s very hard to keep that balance.

Launz: Though it’s hard to keep the balance, I’ve learned to work under pressure and tight deadlines.  

Wil Cunningham: Describe your daily routine as a football coach?

Launz: When I’m at home, I begin my first day back by getting my one-on-one time with one of the most precious gifts God has given me, my ‘Zo Buggy.’ 

Wil Cunningham: ‘Zo Buggy?’    

Launz laughs before responding.

Launz: My granddaughter, Alaundria Pierce. Knowing that I’m going home to see the most sparkling eyes on earth staring back at me when I’m holding her, has made me a better man. I even play my ax for her at least once a week when I’m at home.

But to get back to your original question; my typical day begins with me hitting the gym for my morning exercise.

I then make my way to my office where I plan activities for the day which include: organizing and preparing tryouts as well as shortlisting potential players to replace injured players; analyzing previous football games to design plans, techniques, tactics, and strategies; resolving disputes and addressing bad behaviors among players; organizing team-building activities off the field; and making sure the Kings’ homefield is available for practice sessions on Thursdays and Fridays.

Wil Cunningham: The Kings signed you as their head coach two years ago. Have you heard anything about an extension since your contract is up after this season?

Launz: I’ve coached this team for close to two years now. I guess you can say we’ve been pretty good. It’s up the organization to determine if they feel I’ve lived up to what was promised when I signed my contract. If you ask me and the rest of the teams in the League with head coaching vacancies that have reached out to me how we feel, I’ve done that and more.   

Wil Cunningham:  Sounds like the Kings are on borrowed time.

Launz lets out that patented laugh of his.  

Launz:  No comment…

Wil Cunningham: How do you stay motivated in your work?

Launz: I’m motivated by challenges. Being able to handle and overcome new challenges drives my motivation as a head coach. I find pleasure in helping players become better, including making them feel better about themselves. This helps them to gain confidence in their playing, hence shining in their career and ensuring that mine as a coach lasts a long time.

Wil Cunningham: In most cases, coaches are criticized by fans when the team they lead loses. How do you handle criticisms?

Launz: It is not fun to be criticized by your fanbase. However, I just remain focused on my players. I calmly respond to the critics as I avoid arguments to demonstrate that negative criticism does not warrant a negative response. This enhances my staying positive concerning future games. Additionally, I explain to my players how we can improve instead of what we did wrong.

Wil Cunningham: Describe how you have prevented failure and learned from being a head coach.

Launz: Again, balancing between my personal life and my job has always been a challenge for me. I’ve found myself working too much, hence becoming very uptight, which sometimes makes me lose concentration on what’s at hand. But I’ve learned to work under pressure and still become productive for my players and assistant coaches. Furthermore, I’ve realized the power of delegating tasks, and this has helped me keep the balance as well as be more effective at my job.

Wil Cunningham: Finally… Highlight some of your core values as a coach.

Launz: To begin with, I value commitment in everything I do. I always want athletes to come to practices and games on time. If they’re committed to this, doing that shows they’re ready to be engaged in the team. I also demonstrate my commitment by availing myself for the game and practices on, or before, the scheduled time. I uphold teamwork and cooperation by encouraging my coaches and players to build a solid relationship with each other. This starts with making sure to develop exercises and collaborative drills to enhance teamwork between them. I treat all of my coaches and players with respect by listening and esteeming their concerns.

Wil Cunningham: I hear the Mike Tomlin coming out of you in that response. 

Launz smiles.

Launz: I have a track record of helping players achieve their maximum level of athletic potential, which have many people comparing me to Mike. I can’t think of a better coach or man to be compared to. 

Wil Cunningham: Last question. I know you’re constantly receiving baby shower invitations from your players and staff. I’m sure you attend more than your fair-share, too. Any plans of hosting your own?

Wil winks. 

Launz: As in me expecting a baby? Do you mean another child for me?

Wil shrugs her shoulder. 

Wil Cunningham: It could be yours or another little person to share in on all the love given to Zo Buggy.

Wil laughs. 

Coach Launz palms his nose down to his beard.

Launz: As for moi; that’s another question appropriate for my son, Zo’s, mother.

Both Wil and Coach Launz laugh. 

Launz: Now, regarding, Zo: he’s more than welcome to continue my ‘PaPa’ legacy. I’m a fan of family.

Wil Cunningham: So, sweet. If I may say so publicly, Coach: I’m happy for you and your beautiful family. I know Zo’s mother. For the viewers, her name is Nye. Nye and is wonderful each time we link. I will certainly ask her about the possibility of more ‘Zo’s’ in her future. I’ll let you know if she throws a shoe at me.

Both Wil and Coach Launz laugh. 

Wil Cunningham: That’s my time. Coach Launz Pierce. Thanks for joining me today. Can’t wait to see what your Kings bring this season.

Coach Launz pats his chest and slightly bows his head.

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*Special thanks to Tina V. Young for contributing to this article.

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