Dad's expectations of hard work, dedication for Means family

[Harry]

Deer Park men's basketball head coach Louie Means' admiration for his father and his influence on his life makes coaching extra special.

"I have so much gratitude toward him. I have so much appreciation for how my life turned out," Means said of Dwyn Means. "He gave us an awesome childhood and an awesome life."

Dwyn Means relocated the family from St. Louis to Mississippi where they were raised. Means said he knew from an early age that much would be expected from him throughout his life.

"That comes from Dad. He was in the construction business, so he was a hard worker. He expected us to work hard too," Means said.

"Dad never did anything half-way and he would never, ever let us get away with doing anything half-way. That's what I try to instill in my family and my teams. You're either in or you're out. There can't be an in-between because when you're in, that's when you give it all you've got."

Although the family was close, Means said the real bonds grew when Dwyn introduced sports into his children's lives.

"That was it for us. I fell in love with it all. Football, basketball, you name it. He even helped start the youth football league in our town," he said.

Dwyn Means played quarterback in his football-playing days. Louie Means did the same as did his son Connor.

"I think that's pretty cool right there. A nice little tradition of quarterbacks," he said. "Plus football is dad's sport. That's what he loves. He's a huge Ole Miss fan."

Means said he fondly remembers his dad cheering for the likes of Archie Manning as he led the Rebels and then the New Orleans Saints. Means' brother was a wide receiver for Southern Miss. When the two teams squared off, it was the only day Dwyn Means didn't cheer for the Rebels.

When Means told his father he wanted to become a coach, he was a little hesitant at his son's decision.

"He didn't think I could make a good living being a coach. But, I told him 'Dad, you put a glove on my hand, a basketball goal in the backyard and helmets on our heads. I want to do this because you brought this into my life,'" he said. "He didn't really have any problems after I explained it to him."

Read more: http://insidedp.com/news/1346-dads-expectations-of-hard-work-dedication-passes-through-means-family-to-team

[Harry]

Great story! Also great picture. If you missed this please check it out.

[mdmeangreen]

Agreed- great story!

[KRAM1]

Yep...great stuff here...seems like they are a pretty close knit family and have raised their kids to work hard and to not take things for granted. Good get for the Mean Green!