Summitt's advice timely for Peterson

LAHAINA, Hawaii - Pat Summitt wanted to see Buzz Peterson's day planner.

Not study game tape with him. Not talk strategy or recruiting.

She wanted to see how his life worked, hour by hour.

So Peterson, entering his fourth year as Tennessee's men's basketball coach, handed it over to the woman who has coached the Lady Vols to six national hoops titles and is to her sport what Dean Smith has been to his.

"She's been at this for 31 years and she's won all these national championships and she's a mother and a wife and coach. It's neat to see how she does it all," said Peterson, whose Volunteers met his alma mater, North Carolina, Tuesday in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.

Time, Summitt told Peterson, is precious. Approach your job like you're running a small company. Use your time properly and it can make you more successful.

Summitt had Peterson consolidate some things, eliminate others and carve out time to be with his wife and three children, all with the intention of helping Peterson be better at his job.

There is a feeling this could be Peterson's breakthrough season in Knoxville, where the Volunteers haven't reached the NCAA tournament since he arrived. Peterson's teams have been solid, spectacular at times, but disrupted by a seemingly constant churn of players in and out of the program.

This team, built around perimeter players C.J. Watson and Scooter McFadgon, has the potential to be among the best in the SEC. Stanford coach Trent Johnson likened them "to what Georgia Tech was last year."

Now 41, Peterson remains as unpretentious as ever. He's still Buzz, a perfect name for someone blessed with his natural charm. He can smile about wearing an orange aloha shirt in Maui and jokes about getting old when he mentions a knee problem that causes a slight limp.

Summitt's advice has helped Peterson already. He has made time in Maui for his family between games and practices. His wife, Jan, broke her toe the day before leaving for Hawaii as she hustled around the house putting up holiday decorations, so he has worked to make her comfortable.

With his team, Peterson is looking for leadership, even as he's learning on the run.

"I remember when I was at Appalachian State, Jerry Moore (the football coach) told me how when he was head coach at Texas Tech he wished he could do it over again because he was too young for the job at the time," Peterson said.

He understands.

Peterson ordered books on leadership for his players, and they go over them chapter by chapter. It's been helpful, Peterson said, though he's still looking for a take-charge guy who can turn potential into production.

"It's fun," Peterson said, standing near a pool where flamingos are wading.

"I love it so much. It's not like a job."