Running a football Program 365 Days

A football program’s overall success relies heavily on mastering the craft of planning. Moreover, it is the Head coach’s responsibility to have the logistical ability to compartmentalize practices to implement the four distinct phases of his program. From a broader perspective, this writer believes that the approach a coach must undertake, is like that of a CEO of a large corporation. Coaches must have the ability to sit back with a broader, global perspective in mind, and plan out the who is, what’s, when’s, where’s, and how’s of his overall organization. One of the most important elements is during the planning phase. A coach must keep in mind that he shall never sacrifice his values for convenience. Establishing the relationships within the program, and sustaining those relationships, must be of the highest priority. While plotting the course of the program, coaches must ensure that the Mission, Vision, Expectations, and Scheduling are clearly defined, communicated, understood, and implemented by everyone associated with the program.


Coaching is all about relationships; the values and traditions behind establishing them, and the practices and means that bolster and preserve them. This is extremely important to keep in mind during the implementation of a coach’s program. Within the pages of “InsideOut Coaching” author Joe Ehrmann gives an insight on concepts that help better understand, define, and ultimately shape the way coaches utilize and view coaching practices. Regarding procuring these relationships within implementing a coach’s system Ehrmann states, “I began to realize a fundamental truth about sports, coaches, and athletes: Players will do what they are told by a coach, but they will only truly follow someone whom they believe in and who believes in them. Coaching is all about relationships. It does not happen on chalkboards, with titles, or in newspaper articles. Transformational coaching occurs only when people believe in you and choose to follow you because they know that you believe in them, too” (Ehrmann, 2011, pgs. 59-60).


This writer agrees with Ehrmann that coaching is all about relationships. This writer also believes that it is how you build those relationships; it is the process that will test how those relationships are fostered and how they are sustained. If a coach exhibits passion towards the person that fills the jersey, rather than the numbers that fill the scoreboard; then, basically that coach is building a foundation of trust, respect, inspiration, and admiration. Lastly, regarding Ehrmann’s thesis, this writer believes that if coaches welcome this perspective, and labor to develop a fervor for their athletes’ individual improvement, then coaches will instill the confidence needed in their players to compete, as well establish a substantial bond that will last a lifetime. Based on this belief and principle, for coaches to remain successful, they must ensure that the importance of building relationships is secreted and intertwined within the methodologies and practices selected when planning and structuring their organization.


Another important aspect in the implementation of a coach’s program, are the principles and values the coach holds near and dear to his heart. These principles and values shape the Mission and Vision of the program. These important values are passed on through a well-defined, clearly communicated process that is embodied by staff, parents, and athletes. This transmission process must be incorporated in every phase of the program. Moreover, a coach must also clearly define what he is not willing to accept within his program as well. A coach must set the boundaries of what will not be tolerated while shaping the fundamental values of what will be tolerated in the program. Within Bruce Brown’s book, Teaching Character Through Sport, Brown (2003) said,



When it comes to the shaping phase of teaching a value, the overriding truth is that by

not confronting a behavior that is inappropriate, the coach is sending a message of

acceptance. As a coach, you get whatever you accept and whatever you reward. By

not confronting an unacceptable behavior, you are, in fact, rewarding it. (p.69)

This statement fully exemplifies exactly what a coach should practice and emulate through those that he entrusts to facilitate those values, such as assistant coaches and parents.


The core of the program are the essential beliefs and values the system is founded upon. Surrounding those beliefs and values are multiple layers of philosophies and expectations. The expectations that a coach has must also embody the values a coach has shaped within his Mission and Vision. The most important element to establishing expectations is having the ability to communicate properly to all those that are associated with the program. It can be exceedingly difficult to implement a system, as it is to also ensure it operates effectively and efficiently. Establishing a system of communication that incorporates highlighting the expectations of everyone associated with your program is a daunting task. Digressing back to planning, this is the most vital component in deciding what system or systems of communication will be utilized within the program. Coaches, players, parents, and school staff must continually be informed. This aspect is completely on the shoulders of the head coach and must be totally included by the staff.


When installing an offense and defense, it is imperative that the philosophies mirror the values that the program is built upon. There should be no room for error, planning and compartmentalizing the building blocks of character for each philosophy should be self-explanatory. Student athletes respond much more positively to philosophies that give the athlete a stake in the program’s future. If the program values the player, the player will value the program. The philosophies that are implemented and practiced within the program must always be highlighted in every aspect of the program. This is where roles and expectations must be clearly defined and emphasized through the system. Roles and expectations of parents, players, coaches, and administrators must be communicated and understood. If the system within the program, as well as the philosophies contained therein, are accentuated in the offense, defense, special teams, and scheduling, then a program, will function properly.


In summary, a successful, effective, and successful program must be meticulously planned and constructed. During the planning of the philosophies and expectations a coach must never lose sight of the virtues and beliefs that will be the bedrock of his program. Any outsider looking in, such as parents, must be able to see every building block of character, substantive moral, and virtues that the program consists of. Coaches and players must emulate these virtues through their clearly communicated roles within the system. Scheduling is just as important as expectations, roles, and philosophies. A coach must possess the ability to have the foresight to see into the future and observe what the program will look like once the system is implemented. Planning and anticipating what could possibly negatively affect the program, as well as, planning out what the program will not tolerate, will prevent negative situations from occurring. Plan, plan, plan some more, and continually revise, as the system progresses. Use the positive to displace the negative, so that a program, such as this, will continually be successful and will sustain for future generations to come.