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| photography courtesy of Cooper Smooth Agency |
1. How did Avery Johnson North Texas Nissan happen?
It was a vision of mine years ago, back when I was with the [San Antonio] Spurs in the early ’90s. Red McCombs, who’s a huge automobile dealer, invited me to sit in and learn about the industry; I declined his request. Years passed and I started trying to get back into the car business. I figured it was a business where I could connect with people.
2. How do you translate the skills you’ve developed as a player and coach into the business world?
I think when you’re functioning as a coach or as a CEO, you have to know how to communicate. You have to be competent at what you’re doing—and, if you’re not, you better get somebody that’s more competent than you.
3. Do you have a role model for business success?
Gregg Popovich, from a basketball standpoint, has been my mentor. There’s a gentleman that’s been pretty successful in the oil and gas business, Trevor Rees-Jones, who is a really good friend and mentor; we met at one of the Mavericks golf tournaments.
4. How did you bounce back after being let go from the Mavericks?
You know, I don’t even consider it bouncing back. I think what happened with the Mavericks is the nature of the business. When you are a coach, one of two things is going to happen: you’re either going to resign, or you’re going to get fired. You know that before you take the job. I was never going to be a lifer with the Mavericks organization.
5. Do you plan to coach in the future?
Down the road, it’s something that has a possibility of happening, but I don’t think it’s going to be limited to just coaching. I think there are other ways—whether it’s running an organization as a president and general manager or coach.
6. Who’s going to have a better season: the Mavs or the Spurs?
It’s hard to tell. I’m not going to predict any NBA teams, especially those two, because that’s a no-win situation. I think the Boston Celtics have a great chance of winning as NBA champions. I’ll be working for a network, also, as an analyst. We are in communication with two networks, so I’ll be close to the game, and I’ll be watching like everybody else.
