Brothers Logan and Lucas Nutt carry on family's basketball coaching tradition

Logan and Lucas Nutt, the sons of Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt, are each in their first full seasons as high school basketball coaches in Southeast Missouri.

But before they began their coaching ventures, Dickey Nutt, who has over 20 years of coaching experience, reminded his sons about the hardships of coaching.

"Well first of all, I tried to talk them out of it," he said. "And I say that in a joking manner because it's just not easy, and it's not for everybody. But in all seriousness I'm really proud of my two boys and what they've been able to do in terms of deciding on what they want to do. I know they're early in their career, but both of those guys having coaching jobs at their age is something very special, and I'm certainly most proud."

The brothers had different ideas about what they wanted to do when their playing days ended.

Dickey Nutt said he had somewhat of an idea that Logan would be a coach one day but was surprised to hear that Lucas wanted to coach as well.

"I had no idea they'd be doing this, too, now that I look back on it," Dickey Nutt said. "Lucas was unsure. He didn't know. All during his playing days he would tell me, 'I'm never going to be a coach, dad. I can't go through what you're going through,' but lo and behold here he is as a coach. Now Logan, he had his life and career mapped out before basketball was even finished."

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After high school, Logan stayed close to home at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he played in 25 games during his freshman season under his dad, who was the head coach of the Red Wolves.

After his father was let go by the university, he spent a season at Ole Miss before transferring to Southeast for a season when his father was hired.

Logan eventually got his master's degree at Southeast. During that time he served as a strength and conditioning student assistant with the Redhawks.

During the 2013-2014 season Logan got his first real coaching experience as an assistant coach at Culver-Stockton College. Logan said he enjoyed his time with the Wildcats in Canton, Missouri, but wanted to move closer to home.

He heard of a few job openings in the Southeast Missouri area, but after interviewing at Woodland High School decided leading the Cardinals would be the best fit for him.

"Being in Cape Girardeau I knew a little about Woodland," Logan said. "I didn't know a whole lot, but I knew about them. I emailed my application and everything, they called me up on an interview and the people were just outstanding. The people were very respectable. They treated me great. I left that day knowing that this could possibly be a place for me and an opportunity to succeed also."

Logan said he always wanted to play basketball at a high level, whether that was in college or professionally. When it became clear he would not make the jump into a professional career, coaching became the next best thing.

His first real desire to coach occurred after his senior year of high school when he coached his brother's AAU team in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

"Ever since then, I all of the sudden just wanted to be a coach," Logan said. "From that point on it was like, 'Wow. I could really see myself doing this and enjoy doing it.'"

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Lucas was a little more reluctant to jump right into coaching when his playing career ended last season.

A conversation with Sikeston boys basketball coach Gregg Holifield helped him change his mind.

"I really didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't know if I wanted to try to keep playing, or maybe be a graduate assistant for my dad, or maybe help with Cape Central High school with the Churches since I know that family real well," Lucas said. "One day I was talking to coach Holifield about kind of what I was going to do and he said, 'Are you going to coach? And I said, 'Well, I just really can't see myself getting away from it, you know, because I love the game,' So he said, 'Well, there are a few high school jobs open and I could put in a word if you would be interested,' I said I was and Senath-Hornersvillle called me about a day or two later, asked me if I wanted to come interview for the head varsity job, and I just kind of jumped into it. I'm glad I did it because it was the best thing I ever did. I'm really having fun and enjoying it. There are days where I still miss playing, but I'm still in that gym every day and that's all that matters."

Dickey Nutt said he and his sons talk at least three times a week, if not more.

Each time they talk, the topic of player development on and off the court always comes up.

It has been a staple in Dickey Nutt's head coaching practice for many years and now that his sons are in the profession, he's passed it on to them.

"Sure there's nothing like winning and we want to win every game, but at the end of the day these young guys are looking at us as their leader and as an example," Dickey said. "Nothing compares to the phone call you get when they're 35 years old and 30 years old and they tell you, 'Coach, I just had my first baby,' and 'Coach, my daughter is playing' or 'My son is playing,' We always talk and reminisce about the times and so the things that we talk about are always that we feel like we can make a difference in a young man's life. I'm certainly very respectful to all the coaches out there on any level. We talk about that, too, and my boys are no different than any other coach. They want to be the best they can be for their players and know that all eyes are on them. We want to be the best example you can be."

Dickey Nutt said Lucas and Logan have an advantage to coaching that he wishes he had.

In a time where social media and pop culture consume a young athlete's life outside of the sport, Dickey Nutt said his sons are in the perfect position to get to know, understand and relate to their players.

"I think there's no question about it and I think in today's time it's even different than back when I started as a head coach 20 years ago," Dickey Nutt said. "We're dealing with a new kid nowadays. We're dealing with a new young man that has come up maybe a different way, certainly -- in a different world. In a world of technology. I think it's crucial that a young man knows how much you care before he cares how much you know. My players absolutely despise me on some days, and I can assure you of that. But I do feel like that if a young man knows that you as a head coach sincerely love him and sincerely care for his well being, then you're going to be able to ask that young guy to go to another level. You're going to be able to get him to go through that wall for you.

"Lucas and Logan both got into this thing at a young age and that's perfect for them and their teams. Sometimes it's really hard to relate to your players, and I would guess that they have a little bit of an advantage because they're getting into this so young and they have that close proximity in age of their players. I think it's important that you have that kind of relationship with your players first and foremost and then once they're gone, once they get that degree and walk away, they can look back and say, 'Hey, he was hard on me, but he loved me.'"

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Logan said his father wasn't always there to coach them in little league or attend all of their games, but he did make sure his sons respected their coaches.

Now that he has his own team, Logan said respecting his players and caring for them has been the most effective thing he has learned from his dad.

"Growing up he may have coached us five or six times total. Maybe a practice here and there," Logan said. "The main thing that I took from him is the progress you can make just simply by caring for your athletes as people and teaching those kids to grow up and become better people. Obviously I learned a lot of X's and O's and defenses, the strategies and everything, and he was always good at that. But the main thing that I've learned from him is the relationships he has with his athletes are very strong and caring. I've noticed that athletes will work harder for you when you care for them. My dad has taught Lucas and I to do the same, and I like to think that I carry that over to my players every day."

The Nutt brothers have also taken some of their father's "X's and O's" advice but not all of it.

Lucas said Senath's offense is relatively the same as Southeast runs, but the Lions' defense is quite different.

"He's a man-to-man guy and everybody's kind of got their own deal, but I kind of like the really high tempo and press back into it. They may press some, but they're just all man-to-man and there's no problem with that," Lucas said. "My dad has won a lot of games with that, so every guy has got their own style, mine is just different and this is what I'm going with. It's basically my philosophy and how I'm going to coach, but I'm learning every day, and I know I don't have all the answers. I'm open to keep learning because now that I don't play ball anymore, instead of wanting to be the best at basketball, I'm wanting to be the best coach."

Lucas added that he sees himself as more of a relaxed coach compared to his father on the sidelines.

"That's just how I am. I'm a little more laid back and he's upbeat all the time. I'm getting more and more comfortable by the day," Lucas said. "As a point guard I felt like I had a voice that was well-respected and heard as basketball player. The guys would always respond and now I just try to basically play point guard from the sidelines. I'm laid back, but man, during those games and practices I've kind of learned that I've got to be intense because those guys kind of feed off me."

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There will always be highs and lows in their profession and differing opinions about which team does things the best way on the court, but all three agree they appreciate the close proximity in which they now work and live.

"The thing that we have been so lucky about, and even with my daughter Lexis, we've had a very, very, very, very close family," Dickey Nutt said. "I say this with all humbleness, is that we're all inseparable. We would rather be with each other to talk about this game, that game, or this day or that day than any other thing that we do. It's been a blessing and certainly something that I've always enjoyed and cherished."

Dickey Nutt got to see his sons in action for the first time in December.

He watched Logan coach the Cardinals to a semifinal win over Meadow Heights in the Woodland Invitational, then the following night he saw Lucas coach the Lions in a semifinal at the Gideon tournament.

Senath had beaten Gosnell, Arkansas, the previous night and without Lucas knowing his father showed up to watch them play in a semifinal against Delta (Deering).

"I had another night off and I thought I better run down to Kennett. So I went to Lucas' game and I was going to surprise him," Dickey said. "I had a buddy there that was going to save me a seat because it was sold out, and so I walk in and they grab me at the door and say, 'Coach we have your seats right over here behind the bench. And I said, 'No I'd rather not sit behind the bench because I don't want to put any pressure on anybody and this and that,' and they said, 'Well coach, you don't have a choice, it's sold out.' And so when I saw him I could just tell his eyes watered up because I hadn't seen him in awhile, it was just a good surprise."

Lucas admitted that he felt nerves immediately.

"About 10 minutes before the game, here he comes walking in with his assistant, and I mean I got nervous," Lucas said. "I think we started that game down 18-0, and I'm thinking ,'Man what a debut in front of dad trying to please him.' We ended up luckily winning on a buzzer beater, and I'm glad he got to see that one."

The Lions pulled off the 64-63 win, but Dickey Nutt said he was more impressed watching Lucas help get his team out of a deficit.

"Let me tell you, the first five minutes it was 18-0 and Lucas' team could not get the ball across half court," Dickey Nutt said. "Lucas did such a super job of keeping their heads up and telling those guys, 'Just keep playing, just keep playing, just keep playing.'"

Later that same night, Garret Reynolds hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the championship game of the Woodland Invitational to give the Cardinals a 61-58 victory over Scott City.

"While I was sitting there watching the next game. ... I get a text from a booster of our program and he said, 'Coach, you missed a barnburner,' and I said, 'No, I'm here. I saw the barnburner,' he said, 'No, I'm talking about Logan's team. They're in the finals and they hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win.' Now, that's shocking, but what's more intriguing about the whole story is, two nights later we play against SIU Carbondale and guess what? We hit a shot at the buzzer to win. So we had three games decided at the buzzer and that was an amazing week and just a great start to their careers. I try to go watch them every chance I get, and I'm just so proud of the young men and the coaches that they have become and will continue to strive to be."