Sports has taught many of us life lessons we\u00a0didn’t realize we\u00a0were learning until later in life. \u00a0In this way, the sports we participated in hold a special place in our memories. \u00a0In fact, they have the power to\u00a0take on a life of their own in our daily lives. \u00a0But it’s probably the intense preparation, the journey, that our coaches led us on\u00a0that taught us the most. \u00a0Those incredible individuals\u00a0gave us their best, pushed us to improve & never let us quit on ourselves no matter what.<\/p>\n
During my short college coaching time, our staff had the pleasure of attending a clinic where some successful coaches shared their X’s & O’s & overall philosophies. \u00a0Knowing why, how & what gets these guys out of bed in the morning is powerful knowledge.<\/p>\n
One of the speakers was Marty Schottenheimer; his passion for coaching resonated with all of us. \u00a0An awesome opportunity to hear from a great NFL coach & man.\u00a0 Here are some of his thoughts & some nuggets from 3 other NFL greats.<\/p>\n
MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER<\/p>\n
He is perhaps most famous for coming up just short\u00a0in big games & his pre-game speeches. His English degree served him well in the latter & his winning percentage speaks to his success despite not winning the big one.<\/p>\n
Find out what you do best & do it! \u00a0Throughout his career, his teams ran the ball but he wasn’t afraid to change when the team was better at something else. \u00a0“Marty-ball” meant finding & doing what the teams he led did best. \u00a0He’s the only coach to be fired after going 14-2, you can’t argue with that record.<\/p>\n
Live life one step at a time & play the game one play at a time. \u00a0Don’t let one mistake, one bad play ruin the next one. \u00a0Stay optimistic & have a short memory to move on so you can bring your best on the next play. \u00a0Hard to do but powerful if you can re-focus quickly. \u00a0Their family instituted the “midnight rule” to develop the ability to move on. \u00a0They could complain & re-hash events of the day until midnight then they had to be done with it.<\/p>\n
Never stop coaching. \u00a0In everything he does, he’s always helping make\u00a0people better. \u00a0His approach of treating everyone the same encouraged lifelong learning no matter where they\u00a0were in life’s journey.<\/p>\n
Expect to win! \u00a0He encouraged\u00a0his players to trust their preparation & align\u00a0their expectations on desired results. \u00a0Maintaining a\u00a0positive attitude through tough times with the focus on killing ’em with kindness will be the measure of the dignity you displayed whether you win or lose.<\/p>\n
Leaders say “we”! \u00a0Throughout his presentation, he always included others by stating “we” accomplished it. \u00a0This inclusive mindset develops deep trust as players & coaches\u00a0become\u00a0confident he has their back. \u00a0We don’t do anything by ourselves, we\u00a0always need others to succeed.<\/p>\n
BILL WALSH<\/p>\n
He was nicknamed “The Genius” but perhaps his legacy lies in his relentless pursuit of constant improvement, perfection through precision. \u00a0You don’t just have one chance to succeed in life you have many. \u00a0He seemed to have been kept from a few NFL coaching jobs because it was thought he couldn’t handle the emotional ups & downs. \u00a0History has shown that he figured out how to manage himself to get the best out of his players no matter the cost to him personally. \u00a0That’s leadership!<\/p>\n
Leaders accept responsibility; finding the middle ground between the well being of the people & the achievement of the goal is one of the trickiest aspects of leadership. \u00a0Being ready to take bold risks & stay accountable for the final decisions made is paramount.<\/p>\n
He lived by the “no enemies” rule. \u00a0Spending time getting even empowers enemies to get ahead of you while you’re figuring out how to get ahead of them. \u00a0Look forward & create no enemies, it’s wasted effort!<\/p>\n
His brain-child, the “west-coast” offense was labeled finesse<\/em> but it was hardly that. \u00a0They were tough! \u00a0They lived by the mantra “Beat ’em to the punch” as he prepared his teams for every situation imaginable so the unusual became routine. \u00a0What a concept!<\/p>\n His legacy book “Finding the Winning Edge” has become the coaches “bible” for how to be successful no matter the enterprise. \u00a0If you can find a copy, read it, it’s as amazing as the man who wrote it!<\/p>\n DICK VERMEIL<\/p>\n He might cry every time they open a Wal-Mart but his passion was never questioned. People, patience, passion & hard work were his calling card. \u00a0The son of a mechanic, he knew that no one ever drowned in their own sweat. \u00a0He was a demanding coach & steadfast compassionate person. \u00a0He took the Philadelphia Eagles from worst to first & eventually to an appearance in the SuperBowl. \u00a0He took the knowledge he gained in the broadcast booth into his next coaching job with the St. Louis Rams where he eventually won the big game in one of the best Super Bowls ever played.<\/p>\n He worked with a “no clock” mentality in his first few coaching jobs but it was his ability to adapt that made him develop into his best “leader” self later in his career. \u00a0He began to work smarter instead of harder by\u00a0providing opportunities for others around him to flourish. \u00a0They delivered!<\/p>\n BILL PARCELLS<\/p>\n He loves competition…duh! \u00a0The games wouldn’t mean as much if there wasn’t a scoreboard; it was always about achievement. \u00a0He wasn’t pretentious or phony, he was himself. \u00a0After all, football isn’t a game for the most well-adjusted people. \u00a0Creating turmoil can get attention where it’s needed & can ignite their inner passions.<\/p>\n Diversity is present everyplace we work & you can embrace it to its fullest by finding out if they’re willing to help the team. \u00a0If they are, then come on in for the win!<\/p>\n Those who follow are important & he developed some of the best coaches in NFL history. His philosophy of being hard on the coaches in front of players worked magically. \u00a0The players would always rally around their coach without them feeling demeaned in front of their peers. \u00a0Psychology 101 right there!<\/p>\n You’ll always be the hardest person for yourself to see! \u00a0The players who “got it” became his guys, remained loyal & played hard every play. \u00a0In fact, they thanked him for the life lessons he taught through the tough battles of the NFL.<\/p>\n He tells us in his NFL Network “A Football Life” special that he’s kept this poem with him all these years. \u00a0Hope it serves you as well as it has served him, it’s a great one!<\/p>\n THE MAN IN THE GLASS<\/em><\/p>\n When you get what you want in your struggle for self<\/em><\/p>\n And the world makes you king for a day<\/em><\/p>\n Just go to the mirror and look at yourself<\/em><\/p>\n And see what that man has to say.<\/em><\/p>\n For it isn’t your father or mother or wife<\/em><\/p>\n Whose judgment upon you must pass<\/em><\/p>\n The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life<\/em><\/p>\n Is the one staring back from the glass.<\/em><\/p>\n