Holding Back

“….for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 1 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) Too often, we are tempted to hold back. I can remember when my oldest son wanted to play organized football for the first time. He liked the game and wanted to be...

Who Can You Depend On

“….for he (Jesus) has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me.’” - Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV) To those who follow college football, Coach Tom Osborne is a legend. He coached...

Gratitude

“Give thanks for all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) The reality of what we had just witnessed left us stunned! A simple run around the right side had given our opponent the win. Regulation had ended in...
Quitting

Quitting

“For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, ‘They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished.”’ - Nehemiah 6:9 As practice was about to begin two coaches watched the players come out of the locker room and begin walking to the field....

Gear Up!

Gear Up!

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” - Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) In sports, having the proper equipment is crucial. Too often, when we watch youth sports, we see athletes using...

Distractions

Distractions

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. – Psalm 119:15 (ESV) One of the great problems in leadership is becoming distracted. How often as coaches do we find ourselves getting off the main road and meandering down rabbit holes? When we’re...

Expectations

Expectations

“As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ….” - Luke 3:15 (ESV) As coaches, we know all too well about expectations. An expectation is defined as “a strong belief that something will...

The Value of Today

The Value of Today

“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 (ESV) “To live in the past and future is easy. To live in the present is like threading a needle.” These words by Walker...

New Beginnings

New Beginnings

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Each new season brings new players, new chemistry, new goals and new experiences. No matter how long we’ve been coaching,...

Team

Team

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)   It’s not easy to build a TEAM. As coaches, we are asked to take a group of individuals and mold them into a...

Never Quit

Never Quit

“And David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”’ – 1 Samuel 17:32 (ESV) How do you know you’re defeated? When do you quit? On April 26, 2003, mountain-climber Aron Ralston found himself in a...

Sharpen the Ax

Sharpen the Ax

“Be ready and keep ready…..” – Ezekiel 38:7 (ESV) Details, little things, how often we skip over them to get on with the job at hand. Abraham Lincoln, our nation’s 16th President, is known for his wisdom and wit. He is quoted as having said, “If you have been given...

God Gave Me Work to Do

God Gave Me Work to Do

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) It’s been seven years since Alzheimer’s took the life of Coach Pat Summitt. Who can forget the...

Criticism

Criticism

“By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.” – Proverbs 11:11 (ESV) If you have been coaching very long, you have probably developed a thick skin. It’s not easy being in the line of fire for criticism that can...

Words That Last

Words That Last

“For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. – 1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) For every athlete, the passing of time forces an inevitable reality check. The...