WHILE NO ONE expects coaches and players to be on the same page all the time, there are certain ways to let your players know what’s expected. Lay this groundwork before the season starts so that your team members will be prepared for whatever the coaches throw at them.
Tell Them The Rules. If your boss tells you to wear a shirt and tie to work everyday, that’s what you do. Show your players the same respect and tell them what will and won’t be tolerated in your program. Just don’t overload them with so many rules that it’s impossible to follow them all.
Been There Before. One difference between coaches and players is that you have been in the players’ position before. You’ve been 18, 19 or 20 years old, but they’ve never been 45 or 60. There’s a certain amount of credibility that comes with experience.
I’m Your Coach, Not Your Buddy. Some coaches try to get too close to the players. It’s the same thing as being a father. Draw a line so the kids respect what you are saying.
Same Lies, Different Faces. After 34 years of coaching, there are only about 10 lies that players tell me. From year to year the lies don’t change, just the faces that tell them to you. How many times have you heard, “My mom forgot to wake me up,” or “My car broke down?”
Birds Of A Feather Flock Together. If a player wants to know what other players or coaches think of him, tell him to look at who he has chosen as friends. He may not be lazy and untalented, but if his crowd portrays that attitude, he’ll be lumped with the rest of them.
The Team Is Bigger Than Any Individual. Tell your players that there was football at your school before they arrived and the program will carry on after they graduate. The same holds true for coaches. There isn’t one person in our program who is more important than Iowa football as a whole.
Defense Is Like The Fire Department. The defensive players shouldn’t complain about any situation they’ve been given. If the offense turns the ball over on its own 15-yard line, the defense must take the field and put out the fire.
50/50 Deal. Players deserve the coaches’ best effort and you deserve the players’ best effort. No one can slack off and expect greatness to come from others.
Smile. No one can stand a sad sack. The game should be fun. Coaching should be fun. No matter what happens on the field, the sun will come up tomorrow.
No But’s. Don’t accept any excuses. Tell your players to take care of it on the field.
Just A Brick In The Wall. No player is more important than anybody else. This holds true on the football field and in life as well. Don’t keep arrogant players or arrogant coaches on your staff.
Starters Give You The Best Chance To Win. The only reason to select a starter is to pick the person who gives your other 10 players the best chance to be successful. Coaches don’t pick the starters. It’s up to the players to earn a spot.
Take Getting Beat, Don’t Take Getting Beat Up. You must develop an attitude of toughness throughout your team. Stress to them that toughness is still the name of the game. You can easily bounce back from a loss, but not a loss when you were physically dominated by another team.
Keep An Open Mind. It’s fair to change your mind about your personnel, game plans or coaching philosophy. You have to respond to what is happening around your team. Two years ago we had guys who we never thought would see a down of football and last year they started for us.