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**narek** · 01-20-2008, 04:54 AM

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Much water has passed under the bridge since Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson dined with Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl and then-coach Chris Ford at Mader's restaurant more than 11 years ago, yet Woodson still has vivid memories.

And why shouldn't he?

"This is where it all started for me," said Woodson, seated alone in the visiting coaches' room at the Bradley Center before the Hawks game against the Bucks last week.

Back in the summer of 1996, Kohl had hired Ford as the new Bucks coach and they were going through the process of filling Ford's staff. Woodson's name was high on their list of candidates.

Woodson was hired by the Bucks in August 1996 and now, in his fourth season as the Hawks' head coach, remains grateful for the door that was opened for him in Milwaukee.

"Sen. Kohl gave me my first opportunity to coach, along with Chris Ford, and it's gotten me to this point," said Woodson. "Back then, I was just a young coach trying to figure it out. I clearly remember the interview with Sen. Kohl and Chris Ford. When they offered me the job, I was like a kid in a candy store. So it's fond memories here for me."

Woodson admits to being on edge for that dinner meeting.

"I was a little bit nervous," he said. "I had interviewed with Chris earlier in the summer during the Los Angeles summer league, but I had never had an opportunity to interview with the owner. But Sen. Kohl made it very comfortable for me."

Woodson worked under Ford for two seasons and then stayed on when George Karl took over as coach for the 1998-'99 season. Woodson then spent two seasons on Randy Wittman's staff in Cleveland and two more under Larry Brown in Philadelphia, before following Brown to Detroit, where the Pistons won the 2004 championship.

Woodson then replaced Terry Stotts as the coach in Atlanta and the Hawks' record has improved every season under Woodson, who says he took much with him from his formative years in Milwaukee.

"It humbled me," he said. "It taught me discipline early, in terms of dealing with players. It's totally different from when you play. It's like now you're wearing a different uniform but you're living your fantasies through the players. That sometimes can be nerve-wracking, but that's just how it is as a coach.

"You learn to deal with personalities. You're talking about 12 or 13 players and everybody has their own agenda. As a coach you have to try and find and push the right buttons to get those guys going. It taught me a lot."

The Hawks, perhaps the most athletic team in the league, have hovered around the .500 mark and in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, although a difficult schedule lies ahead. Woodson said his young Hawks were coming of age.

"We're growing up," he said. "And it's that time. I've got guys now that have been with me for four years and the stakes are higher for all of us. I hold guys more accountable. I hold myself accountable, even more now, because I know the stakes are higher as far as us making the playoffs."

Woodson paid dues with Bucks

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