| PRIVILEGE October 26 |
| by Joe Susan I hope that you and your family are well. The College Football season is moving quickly and conference play makes for some great match-ups at all levels this weekend. One thing that becomes more important is the quality of depth and the health of each team. The best teams I have played on or coached have been blessed with both. As I coach I have always worked to prepare each of the young men I coach in the same manner. This goes far beyond the technical aspects of the game. I was taught by men who showed me the value of treating everyone fairly and with respect. When you work with a group as large as a football team there are many differences that exist among the players. The ability to bring a group this diverse together as a team with a singular vision is a challenge and a privilege. When it works it is something special to be a part of. Young men know when you care. The statement below applies: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John Maxwell Coaching is one of the purest forms of teaching. You teach fundamentals, technique and scheme. You must be able to move from the meeting room to the practice field and ultimately to the game. If you are fortunate your students are with you for four or five years. You have them for the fall, spring and summer semesters. They mature in your system and grow under your watch. When you work with a larger group you must be sensitive to the fact that there are differences in how people learn. The evolution of video technology has made this more efficient and detailed. You have be aware that there are so many ways to present things. You have to adapt your approach to spend the time you have with them in the most efficient manner. We have always had a specific progression that we use when we teach fundamentals, technique and scheme. Spring practice and preseason were detailed. Each game becomes its own season. I feel it is important to maintain a personal relationship with every one of our players. I held this belief whether I was an assistant or head coach. As an assistant I spent more time with my position players but valued getting to know the other position players. The bond that you create is critical to them understanding that you care. As a head coach the relationships that I have with my players were very important to me. This begins during the recruiting process and grows during the time they are in our program. The first year they are with us brings many challenges. We work with them to assist them with time management skills. This applies to their lives on and off the field. As they grow they get better at understanding what it takes to excel as a student athlete. The relationships our coaches have with them is special. I want them to come to my office any time they are in the building. I make it a point to say hello to each of them when we stretch before any team activity. I am always alert to someone who might need extra help. The privilege of working with young men during this time of their lives brings with it the responsibility of knowing when they need your help. This might be related to something specific to football, to their academics or to their life on and off our campus. There are many things that happen in their lives during their time with us. Their trust in us helps them feel comfortable when they confide in us. Often the thing we do best is listening. Our experience provides us with the background to offer them advice. If they need more help than we can provide we understand the resources available to them on our campus. The ability to share ourselves with them helps in their development as men. We are all works in progress. They understand this much better when they have been with us for a while. Some of them are guarded when they first arrive. They learn that we are all working to help them to become the best version of themselves. As they grow they become role models and mentors for the younger players on our team. They carry the vision of the program and the knowledge they have gained by their experience. This is a special reward for our coaches. It makes our job easier. As I have grown in this profession I understand the impact coaches have on their colleagues. The men I have been coached by and those who I have coached with have had a profound impact on me. From the fundamental and scheme perspective to the program specific philosophy I am a product of my interactions with other coaches. I value this and understand the responsibility I have as a part of the coaching profession. This carries over to my philosophy of life. We all have this responsibility as it relates to our lives. The experience we have will provide us with the resources to help other. It is something that we must be willing to pay forward. We all yearn for the ability to do something that lasts. What better than having a positive influence on someone else. It is a privilege that we must live up to. My best to you. Take care, Joe SusanNo Email tomorrow Enjoy your Sunday 😎 Call someone you love Make a difference today, Love Clint |
PRIVILEGE
