I have coached in the state of Wisconsin for 35 years. I have coached wrestling, boys track, and football. I was a head football coach for 28 years and a head boys track coach for 14 years.

Over the years I observed many coaching styles and heard many coaches speak at clinics I attended. I also read many books on coaching by successful coaches at all levels.

Things I have learned about successful coaching in our modern era.

1. In the old days you could treat almost all of the players the same and just tell them to do something and they did it with out question. In general you had the parents backing as to playing time and starting position.

2. Now days you must treat every player as an individual. Even in Lombardi’s day , he recognized which players he could climb all over and which ones he had better not yell at to much. One tight end asked Coach Lombardi why he was always chewing him out and not the other tight end. Lombardi, said ” I know you can take it and make yourself better. The other end can’t.”

3. Even pro coaches bring a player into their office if they feel they have to address a personal problem about attitude or work ethic.. Strong coaching on the field is still acceptable. Personal comments on a individual player should be done in private, or in the Coach’s office.

4. Now days players like to know why they are doing a drill or running a particular offense or defense. When you can explain and show how each drill will make them a better player; they will buy into it. When they can see how a particular offense or defense fits in with the type of players on the team, they will accept it much better.

5.I now feel you need to show agape love. This is the type of love that shows respect to each individual player and lets them know you care about them as a player and a person.

6. Team Chemistry is essential at any level of play. Players must practice agape love as well. They must care about each other and treat each other with respect. When the team gets the credit, instead of an individual player; everyone benefits.

7.You must have a passion for your sport and be enthusiastic. If you aren’t excited about your sport and are not just alive with energy to get started, your players will show it.

8.You must be as positive as possible. Constant negative coaching will tear your players down and will result in a self full filling prophecy. If you constantly tell a player he sucks, is lousy, and he stinks. Eventually it will set in his mind like cement and he will play that way. I have found I can take an average player and get him to play above his ability level with honest, positive, comments.

9. Players love to play for a coach that they know cares about them, knows their names and checks up on them. You can be very tough on your teams when they understand why you are doing something and that you really do have their best interest at heart.

10. Parents are harder to deal with now then ever before. Their son or daughter is the most important person in their lives. It seems that now a days, all parents think their child should start and be the star of the team. Communication is key. Right at the start of the season the coach must be very clear and up front about what is expected of each player and the parents involvement. Make the parents feel a part of the team and get them to help by doing the right things for the team. Let them know that every position on the team is important and that every reserve player is a part of the team and needs to do their part with encouragement and being ready to go in the game at a moments notice.

11. I have found that by going to other events in your school and community helps a lot. You get to know parents and people in your community away from the sport you coach. They begin to realize that you do care about all the students, sports, and the community as well. They are far more forgiving during your sport when they know you are a real part of the community.

12..To days youth are crying out for role models. Nobody is perfect, but player look up to coaches. You have the opportunity to make a real difference for good in the lives of every player you coach. Wins are great, and you must strive for that at all times. But helping a young athlete graduate, and develop as a mature and responsible adult is just as a important.

13. When players come back to you years later, and thank you for the positive way you coached and how you taught them the right way to live, and work, it will be worth it all. You will know then that you have developed a First Class program, with discipline, and respect for all.

Coaching is a tough, but very rewarding career. You become a molder of dreams and you can touch a whole school and community with pride and a sense of accomplishment. Just by the way you choose to coach!