Meet Richard Parrott IV

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Richard Parrott IV a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Richard , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I would say I got my resilience from my mom and nana. They are some of the most hard working and fearless people I know. Just being around from them overcoming obstacles in their life, while still being there for me always resonates.

Outside of that just wanting to be the best I can be. I see great things for myself and I just can’t stop till I make all my dreams come true

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m an assistant basketball coach for Kuyper College and East Grand Rapids High School. I also coach AAU basketball for West Michigan Drive.

Basketball is not only my focus but my world. I got into coaching at a point where I thought I had my life figured out.

I was already a full time music figure and apart of the recording academy for the Grammys but it something that found me when I needed it most.

I got the opportunity to announce football games because of my Uncle Karl and I fell in love with it instantly. It taught me so much about community and made me want to take coaching seriously.

I wanted to become a football coach and thought I’d give coaching basketball a shot to get ready for that but it turned in to so much more. As soon as I started coaching basketball I fell in love with it and knew I wanted to give my life to it, so that’s what I’ve been doing since

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

That’s a great question. I feel like my management skills definitely helped a lot. Managing artists is so close to coaching as far as game planning and keeping them encouraged when they needed most.

I’d also say just having success at something that’s seems so impossible definitely helped with my confidence, as well just giving me true perspective on if you work hard at something and stay consistent, you can truly do anything.

Outside of that just being a student and learning everyday. Full investing in the craft and growing in my knowledge of the game everyday.

My best advice is to just stay a student. Give your all to it and also remember that coaching is truly a calling. Only do it if your heart is truly in it.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I would say my love and care for myself. I understand I’m only as good as a coach as I am a person, so I’ve definitely been working hard on growing and getting better everyday in every way.

My ultimate goal is to be my highest self and I know that I will be.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/coachparrottiv
• Twitter: https://X.com/coachparrottiv

Image Credits

Deshun Mack

Grant Newton