May 12, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland women's basketball assistant coach Marlin Chinn may be new to the team, but he's not new to the game. Chinn, a native of Washington, D.C., has been in the basketball business for 12 years now and has seen a myriad of styles and levels of play. He's even developed his own unique way to connect with his players and ease the transition from team to team.
Chinn started his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Mount St. Mary's. After seven years he moved up to the Big East at Seton Hall as their assistant and recruiting coordinator. Following three seasons with the Pirates, Chinn was called to Maryland and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
"All my school transitions have been really smooth," Chinn said. "The hardest thing about a change is transitioning to a new staff and new players. You've developed bonds with your former players and now you're trying to do the same with all new individuals."
This past year's squad of 11 players had nine freshmen and sophomores. Although the youth of the team posed a challenge in some ways, Chinn saw it as a chance for the team to be one of the best in the future.
"The youth of the team helps the transition," said Chinn. "They get to know David [Adkins] and myself and now we have three to four years with them. They have gotten to know our style and personalities and it's only going to bode well for us in the future."
But what has really allowed the players to get to know coach Chinn is his affinity for music.
Laughing, Chinn said sometimes he will come in to the gym singing the same songs the girls listen to and they look at him shocked and say, "Coach, you listen to that?"
Chinn's variety of musical tastes is one of the many traits passed on to him from his father who used to play hits from various artists and genres during his childhood.
"I have always said that kids watch a lot of television and they listen to a lot of music," Chinn said. "When I was younger my dad used to play all the old school music so some folks say I have an old soul, but at the same time I have a really young soul because I listen to the same music the players do. I connect with them through music. Music and television are a nice in for kids. If you can find something that they look at on TV or listen to and can connect with them that way, it's really great."
When asked if he would be considered a good singer by the team, Chinn smiled and shook his head.
"No, they would not say that, trust me! I think I'm a good singer," Chinn said. "I'm one of those people who think they have a shot to make it to Hollywood and they say, "Chinn, why didn't your friends tell you?"
Behind the constant smile, signature laugh and easy going personality, is a very driven and disciplined coach who has a clear idea of what hard work means.
"When I started college coaching I had to work two jobs," said Chinn. "I worked at night from midnight to 8 a.m. and then went home, got about an hour and a half of sleep and then drove about an hour to Mount St. Mary's to work from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. I did that for seven years."
His sense of self and motivation to be the best he can be is another trait he gained from his father.
"My dad was disciplined in everything he did. Just how he did his job with such professionalism, that is probably the most I've learned from him," Chinn said. "The discipline he took in to his job every day to make sure everything was done right and done at his best. And he was the best. It was really nice to see that and I have taken that in to my career."
Chinn tries to play the same role his father did to him with the players, providing them with motivation and support. He continually lets them know he's been to college and understands what it takes to be a student-athlete and the stressors that go along with it.
By placing an emphasis on the chemistry that is so crucial to the success of a team, Chinn and the coaching staff are able to help the players stick together through any challenges they may face on and off the court.
"We all need to get in tune with each other," Chinn said. "I've always felt that if you help others reach their goals yours will be reached. The more we can understand that we put ourselves second and put our teammates first, I think we're in for a special season."
