Unified Focused + Leadership

I was on the football team at Julia Richman High School (New York, NY) in the late-1980s. We struggled as many squads had more numbers and size than us. Plus, we found ways to beat ourselves. And after many years of thinking back and knowing certain things now- it’s clear to me. We weren’t totally unified. We had talent, yes, but lacked complete discipline from everyone. Penalties, blown assignments, not being accountable to one another.. Football is a game that demands all of that. You can’t be following your own course out there. That work that has to be implemented from the start and reinforced. It helps a whole lot if you have talented, mature and dependable players who can echo the message. Naturally, these players will likely be your captains. Losing teams have a lot of people pulling in their own direction. On winning teams everyone is going one way together. What kind of players make up your roster?

Efficient Adjustments

In anything, sports, life, you name it we will have to adjust based on the feedback we get in a given situation. Seven-time national championship coach Nick Saban was known for stifling defenses and offenses that were conservative and run-heavy. After some tough losses exposing ‘Bama in key games Coach Saban adjusted. In 2014, Lane Kiffin joined Saban’s University of Alabama staff as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Through installing a modern offensive system, it created more opportunities for his athletes to thrive which led to more championship success. Additionally, make sure these changes still fit your personnel and/or situation moving forward. Adjusting will usually be uncomfortable, but as we know it’s necessary to our growth. Yes, it’s early in the season, besides trying to hire Lane who’s pretty busy these days, what if any adjustments can you make to help your program?

Employing Your Edge

In any endeavor we’ll learn things we didn’t realize at the outset. In 2001, I was the junior varsity head coach for George Washington High School (New York, NY). Ironically, a bitter rival of the school I attended. A bit weird at first, but I got over it.. Anyway at G Dubs we had a freshman running back who was sensational. Small, but tough, quick and highly-skilled. He showed out at fall camp and we were all excited to have him contribute to the JV squad. I wanted to employ a balanced offense. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have all the necessary pieces. But that freshman back gave us a explosive potential numerous times. We found different ways to get him the ball. He became our edge and we leaned into it. Find out what your players can do and employ that as your edge. Are you using your edge in the best manner? Like getting your best player as many touches as possible per game.

Make sure your staff, captains and everyone else including the one you’re looking at in the mirror are all on the same page. Best of luck this season, Coaches.

Victory Formation: I thank my HS coaches, Ron Berggren and Richard Remsen, for their influence. As a kid raised by a single mother during the ‘80s NYC, I needed positive activities and male figures to interact with. I know.. sounds cliche, but being on the football team helped in numerous ways. It gave me more purpose, discipline and a brotherhood to be a part of. During my junior year, Coach Berggren took me to my first NFL game in ‘88. We saw the Jets beat the Indianapolis Colts (see below) at the old Giants Stadium. Super cold day, low attendance as both teams were middle of the pack. My butt was literally frozen 😄, we kept moving up from section to section as the game progressed and the crowd thinned. Fun time.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9