When Abby Downard took over the women’s basketball program at Indiana University Southeast, her focus was beyond just winning games. She wanted to build a culture based on relationships, accountability and something that would last longer than just a season. It became clear that those expectations were going to be tough to adjust to for a team that has had three different head coaches in three years. Buying into a new culture and standard takes time and a level of dedication that the team was not expecting.
For first-year head coach Downard, her coaching philosophy has always been centered around building relationships with her players. She puts a big emphasis on getting to know her players as people, not just players. Senior Makenna Wilson described Downard’s coaching style as “really hands-on,” and said that “she’s really big into knowing about our lives outside of basketball too.” That approach to coaching helps build trust between players and coaches, which makes it easier for her to push them while still building their confidence.
Along with a new coaching philosophy, Downard has brought a new level of structure to the program. Players say that things are clear now when it comes to expectations. “It’s a lot more competitive now,” said Wilson. “We’re also held to standards now… there’s a new level of maturity and accountability that wasn’t there before.” The shift in what the players were used to versus what is expected of them now has forced them to step up and adjust, both mentally and physically. Each day, there is something different expected of them.
A big part of this culture change has also come from the weight room, where Sterling Brown has taken over the strength and conditioning program. Coach Brown’s approach fits well with what Downard is trying to build on the court. Instead of having players just show up to check a box, he focuses on making sure they understand what they are doing and why. “I’m big on why, like why are we doing any of this stuff?” Brown said. “We’re not in here just trying to make you guys be busy.”
His main idea is simple: “Do boring better.” He focuses on basic lifting movements like push, pull, hinge, and squat, and makes sure the players are intentional when learning those movements. “In the past, we had nothing… no strength program, really,” Wilson said. Now there is a level of organization and intentionality that the players have not seen before. “The main thing that stood out to me about Coach Brown is how he deals with different athletes… he wants you to do whatever is best for you.” That stands out because not every player is at the same level, and the program he is building allows athletes to adjust to that instead of forcing everyone to do the same thing at the same level.
Because of that, players have started to see real results. “My hamstrings, my glutes are stronger…my upper body feels stronger too,” Wilson said. “I feel more confident on the court as a result of it.” That confidence has also translated mentally. Adjusting to these new, higher standards was not easy at first. “At first it was frustrating,” she said, “but now I use what Coach says to motivate me and push me.”
Still, building a new culture has not been perfect. One of the biggest challenges has been getting everyone to buy in. “The hardest part for me as a leader has been getting everyone on board with the culture,” Wilson said. “It felt like I was begging people to do things they should already be doing.” That shows that changing a program does not happen overnight, especially when expectations are raised from what the players are used to.
Even with those challenges, the direction of the program is clear. The team is trying to build an identity based on competition and not settling for less. “Coach Downard and Coach Brown are trying to build a competitive culture that is not okay with being second… not okay with mediocre,” Wilson said. That mindset is something that is starting to show in how the team prepares and competes every day.
In the end, the impact of the new program Coach Downard is building goes beyond basketball. Players are learning things that will stick with them long after the ball stops bouncing. “I’ve learned a lot about holding people and myself accountable,” Wilson said. “At the end of the day, it is not about you, it is about the team’s success.” That is exactly what Downard is trying to build going into her second season at Indiana University Southeast. Not just a better-skilled team, but a stronger culture that will last long after the season ends.
