Leadership is the topic of the day

Being the head football coach the expectations that assistants would have to meet:

Lead by Example: I believe the best a person can do for the younger generations is do well for themselves to show others a great model on how to be in life. In turn, others can do well for themselves after seeing consistent model. In coaching there's no difference. An assistant coach needs to do everything that he expects from his players, at the bare minimum. If what you preach is not modeled consistently through your actions, then your words hold no validity. Being able to earn the respect and trust with your athletes ties directly toward how they view you morally.


Be Reliable: As an assistant coach on the BUHS coaching staff there is a need for reliability. A coach must be a person that his fellow assistants, the head coach, and his players can rely on. What that entails is showing up for meetings at the designated time, sticking to your commitments, and showing up everyday for the betterment of the team. This team requires coaches to be there for the athletes as people first. This could mean being there for an athlete as a mentor on and off the field.


Trust/Loyalty: On a team and in life in general the main way to connect is by strengthening relationships. The whole team should be comfortable enough to trust one another. This trust is the glue that holds the relationship together. Coaches need to be able to make bonds with their players. Knowing and understanding them as people before athletes. This takes time and consistency. As a coach we should continue to strengthen our relationships with our players and our peers. Loyalty is a product of trust. Once trust is established in a relationship Loyalty to that is reciprocated in the relationship. The stronger the bond between players and players, coaches and coaches, and players and coaches the greater the loyalty to one another as the trust has already been established. Coaches must trust their players, and vice versa. Once a player trusts and is loyal to you they are eager to learn from you and do their best for the whole of the program. For a player the main reason they play is by being trusted to make the correct decisions on the field. Another form of loyalty expected from the assistant coach is to the program. There should be no other ulterior motives besides wanting to be the best coach they can be for the sake of the players and the program. A coach for himself only is a coach for no one. Trust and Loyalty are vital skills needed to be a successful coach and tem in general.

Passion: In order to connect to fellow coaches and players an assistant must be passionate about his position. A coach should come to work everyday for the simple fact that they love their job, their life, and of course football. Let the excitement be shown through every word spoken. Athletes feed off this energy. It's infectious when a coach as good energy and thoroughly enjoys his job. This speaks volume to all around. Show up everyday with love and enthusiasm.


Prepared: In order to be a coach on this staff there must be a focus on the fine details. Preparation is held in a high regard. The more prepared team usually comes out on top at the end of the game. For a coach knowing your role and being confident in the work being put in weekly is essential. If a coach is prepared it makes it easier to get the athletes prepared. There cannot be any slacking or missing keys on film. Preparation is what wins games and helps the whole team come together when striving for a common goal.


2. Expectations of an Assistant Coach & the Importance of Loyalty


As the head high school football coach I outline the following expectations of my assistant coaches regardless of level (HS or MS) or title on staff…


1. Be the champion for your position!

1. This is probably the number 1 thing I demand from my assistants. I want them to be the biggest advocate for all the players in their position group. I want them to build professional, positive relationships with their players. They are working to build up (confidence, skills, behavior, etc) the athletes in their charge. Let me, as the head coach, be the “bad cop”, they are always to be the “good cop.”


2. No “Yes Men” wanted but must be a good teammate!

1. I tell all my assistants that I intentionally hire people with different personalities, beliefs, and skills for a reason. I want and expect them to see things differently than me. I want fresh, new, exciting ideas. I want different views on problems and many ideas on how to solve them. To me this is the biggest area where an assistant coach adds value to the staff. However, only 1 decision can be made and once it is made “we” as a staff made it. Everyone supports it, buys into, and owns the results that come from it. Undermining, blaming others, or “passing the buck” will not be tolerated.


3. Be Present!

1. I ask my assistant coaches to be present as much as possible. Make an effort to be at off-season workouts, often this were the foundation of player-coach relationships start. There is less pressure and demand on the athlete and the coaches, which allows for a more natural relationship to form. I ask them to go see their players in other activities as well. Go to a wrestling match, basketball game, or track meet. Your presence shows our players that you are invested in their success as a person, more than just their performance on the football field. In season, you are present at everything (practices, meetings, games, etc) and giving your best to the players in your charge (being their champion and coaching your tail off).


4. One Voice, One Message!

1. Finally, all coaches must be on board with the vision and mission of the football program set forth by the head coach. All coaches must be teaching the principles and values that allow players to build habits that lead to success in all areas of their life. These messages are the same from the youth program to the middle school program, and finally cemented at the high school level. All coaches must know the core values of the program and consistently deliver the same messages every time.


5. Be a Servant!

1. We as coaches are here to serve our players and help serve one another. Don’t ignore potential problems with your athletes. Address potential problems early, don’t let things fester. You also serve your athletes by giving them your best every day. Be here on time, be prepared, and constantly give feedback. You must also look for ways to serve each other. If you see a job that needs done, do it. Don’t wait to be asked, take the initiative.


6. Be Passionate!

1. Coach with passion! Let your love of football and your players come through in your coaching. You should also be a football junky! You should let your passion drive your knowledge by gaining new ideas, new drills, or new techniques.


7. Loyalty Is Vital!

1. Nothing deteriorates trust between two people than a breach of loyalty. This is the same between any relationship on this team (player-coach, assistant coach-assistant coach, assistant coach-head coach). As a team it is important we stand together in everything we do. We win together, we lose together. Loyalty is also the key element to allow the flow of open, honest communication and collaboration. Finally, loyalty does not mean a lack of accountability. Problems and negative behaviors will not be overlooked or dismissed using loyalty as a scapegoat.