NYI: You're only moving six or 10 feet down the bench, but how much does your world change going from an assistant to a head coach?
DW: It changes your world. It's an amazing thing when the buck stops here, so to speak. Not to sound immodest in that statement, but you have to run things and you have to run things in your way. You have to breed that confidence and let people feel your confidence. There's times you're vulnerable I think in any job and it was new, but I've been in the game for 30 years and I think I was prepared and confident and you can get overwhelmed. I think the one thing I did was every guy on that bench - I've sat there - they know what I'm thinking, so earmuffs, don't be full of crap, be honest. These people know what you're thinking, they're experienced enough and you have to have the confidence to make your decisions and to make final decisions and manage your staff.
NYI: You've said that as a player, you may have rolled your eyes at things coaches said in the past. It must be an interesting change in perspective being a coach now - anything you'd want to apologize to an old coach for?
DW:That would be a big long confession. I have a lot more respect for the coaches I had. It's an emotional game. I am going to say things where I am wrong, but all I need is their respect and we can go at it up in the office. That rolling your eyes stuff, it's going to happen, but as long as we have a respect for each other, it's an emotional game. I'm going to tell you what I'm feeling, it is what it is. I'm also going to reward you, I'm going to reward you with ice time, I'm going to be prepared. They'll be able to talk to me whenever they need. I'm going to be there for them. I really like our team, I like our guys, I want to be there for our families. To me, it's about we all want to go down the same road and that's success, that's winning. And we're doing it to make each other better. So throw your egos aside and let's do it together. I think it's fun.