Reflections from a First Year Football Coach

First and foremost.. The game is simple.. if you cannot block and tackle better than the other team.. YOU LOSE!!

Being a HC actually has very little to do with X's and O's..

You give me the best X's and O's guy and put him in a situation where he is not capable of dealing with the nuances of the situation around him.. and he will not be successful..

You have to have assistants you can trust.. not only trust to be on your side.. but trust to do what is asked of them.. and to be capable of doing what is asked of them.. They don't have to be the best coaches in the world.. but they have to be willing to do what is expected of them.. If not.. you will fail..

There are 3 components of a GOOD football player..

1. Football IQ.. he doesn't have to be the smartest person in the world.. but he needs to KNOW his assignment and be able to think within the confines of what you expect him to do. YOU as a staff have to make sure he KNOWS what and how to do his job.

2. Will and Determination.. You have to have players who want to win day in and day out.. if they do not want to win.. if its not important to them.. then its just a hobby for them.. you don't need those kind of players.. they will be the first to lay down when the going gets tough.. Always choose a football player over an athlete.

3. Physical ability.. Strength and Speed can be developed.. but there is a process.. Potential will always remain potential if not developed.. You have to work to get faster and stronger.. it doesn't just happen.. and if you are playing teams who are working while you are not.. then you will LOSE.

Never underestimate the importance of the little things.. Always ASSUME your players have NO idea about what you are saying.. break it down.. accentuate the positives and fix the negatives..

Yelling doesn't make it better.. learning has to be facilitated.. yelling at a player only puts distance between him and yourself.. you will need to bring him back in to facilitate that learning.. Keep him close by TALKING to him.. and teach him..

Only keep people around who care as much or as little as you do.. If you are there every Saturday, then your assistants need to be willing to do the same.. If you don't want to work on weekends and after hours.. then don't hire guys who do want to be up there.. you are only holding them back from being successful..

You don't have to like the people you work for.. but you do need to respect them.. this is a two way street.. and as a HC you do not have to try to earn being liked by your assistants.. but you do need to do things that they will respect.

Never gripe about a problem that you yourself do not have a solution to. Griping for the benefit of griping is what fans do.. not coaches..

Kids are impressionable.. They will do as you do.. and say as you say.. that can be a good thing or a bad thing.. you choose..

and finally..

when you are up to your eyeballs in crap.. keep your mouth closed!!