For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body —so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (Holman Christian Standard) While talking with a group of coaches recently, someone made the statement that players today are better than ever, but teams are not. Though I didn’t want to admit it, I knew it was true.
“Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life.” – Proverbs 11:5 (The Message) Do athletics build character? Many of us might laugh and say, “It must, because I sure have a lot of characters on my team!” But let’s get serious for a minute. As a coach, is building character an important part of your program?
“I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.” – Psalm 32:8 The most important profession in the world is parenting, the second is teaching. As coaches, that statement should stop us in our tracks every time we see it. To me, coaching is teaching.
“I will praise God’s name with song and praise Him with thanksgiving.” – Psalm 69:30 (Holman Christian Standard) Dear God, thank you for the opportunities and challenges you have blessed me with. Help me to love my family, my friends, teammates and opponents as You love me. Help me to sacrifice my personal welfare for others as You did for me, and help me to utilize my gifts to glorify Your name.
For I know the plans I have for you—this is the Lord’s declaration—plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (Holman Christian Standard) Nick Saban has been called “The Most Underpaid, Highest-Paid Coach in the Country”. Over an 18-year career at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama, Saban has compiled a record of 169-55-1.