SN: There was a time back in the late 1990s when, how do I put this ...

O'NEILL: Don't worry, you won't offend me.

SN: Is it accurate to say you were struggling with being too tough?

O'NEILL: I think it is. When I got to the NBA, I figured it out. My experiences in the NBA, working under Jeff Van Gundy, Rick Carlisle, and on my own in Toronto, have helped me shape my coaching personality, which is in between NBA and college. I still push guys really hard. I demand a lot on the court. But I'm not too tough on guys. I think there were times in my career when I was too tough on guys. Including myself. To say I've matured, I wouldn't go that far. I would say I've gotten a lot older and a little wiser.

SN: Weren't you also too tough on your employers? How is that working out now?

O'NEILL: Jim Livengood and I have, in a very short time, established a very strong working relationship. I don't see everything through my eyes any more. I want to see it through other people's eyes, also, and take a step back. Because there's more people involved than just you as a head coach.

And I learned a lot of those lessons the hard way. I could give a clinic to a lot of young coaches on what not to do, and then turn around and give one on what to do. I've made a lot of mistakes, and I've also been able to keep focused on basketball and keep persevering.

SN: What do you think of your assistant coaches, Josh Pastner and Miles Simon?

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O'NEILL: I like our staff. I like them a lot. These guys played at Arizona. Both of them were on the national championship team here, and I think there's a lot to be said for that. They're like I was when I was 30. They're young, learning coaches.

SN: What does your team have to do to fulfill your expectations for the season?

O'NEILL: The only thing I'm going to ask our guys to do is play hard all the time, share the ball, make winning a priority and give respect so they can get respect.

If those guys do those things, we'll end up having a decent year. I have really enjoyed our team. I have great admiration and respect for how they've handled this entire situation. Let's face it. I'm not Lute. I'm a different personality. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know. I just am.