Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Coach Goltra reminds the team one last time of the keys to success on defense.
Now it is my turn, I try to eloquently hit the tree points necessary for us to be
successful on offense; establish the Power by getting a play side push from our
offensive line, be able to protect the play action, and make sure that we play
our “up” tempo style of no huddle. “Gentlemen, play fast tonight, if you are
more physical than them then you will win this game. Remember focus and
intensity, but focus comes first! All right now, let’s pray.” I usually pick a player
to lead the prayer, they sometimes fumble through it or seem very nervous, but
I am always encouraged by the sincerity of the prayer. When the players finish
praying we always do one last thing. “Okay guys we have prepared you all week
and we will coach our butts off tonight for you, we are going to head to the
field, this is your time, players only breakdown as soon as we are out the door.
Remember, 3 minutes till we have to be on the field.” As we walk out the door I
make a point to shake the hand of all my assistants. Up the stairs and down the
hall to the doors, the players follow. “Two lines, helmets on, hold hands,
seniors in the front”. Once we have everyone lined up, we start the walk out
the door, “No talking, get focused”. It is not a long walk out the end of the high
school, down the sidewalk, across the drive that runs in front of the stadium
and through the pass gate, down the hill, across the mats laid out on the track
to west end zone. I go ahead and jog across the field to our sideline; we are on
the sidelines opposite the stands, one of the best coaching moves I have made
since coming to Center. The players break it down one last time, through the
tunnel of cheerleaders and drum majors. The band strikes up the fight song and
here comes the Yellowjackets.
It is an awesome feeling and just writing about it gets me fired up. I love Friday
Night football. And I was about to write this line, “it is what I live for”. As a
passionate high school football coach it is easy to get consumed; consumed by
the desire to win, the “need” to prepare my team in off season, consumed by
watching film, going to clinics, coaches meetings, and all the things that are
necessary to be a successful high school football coach. The next thing you
know, you are “doing” all the things it takes to “win” football games and are
probably even experiencing success on the football field, but at what cost. I
speak from experience and I know most of you can relate. The bottom line is
that my priorities are often way out of line. Joe Gibbs write in his book Racing
to Win, “Success on the playing field or in business doesn’t necessarily make
me a success in life.” Is the thrill of Friday Night football really what I live for?
Put God first and as King James puts it all these things will be added to you. I
will end this paragraph with a question; Where do your priorities lie and how
will they be judged when Friday night lights have long faded?
Coaching Point # 1:
When you put things in place—by putting God first—God can move because He
does not have to “compete” with the things you put before him.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am as competitive as the next guy. I want to win
and I am going to do my best on Friday nights to score more points than you
and I do not apologize for it. It says the meek shall inherit the Earth, not the
weak shall inherit the Earth. Jesus is our ultimate role model and if you truly
study him you figure out real quick this guy is as meek as they come and as
strong as they come. You didn’t see anyone standing up in the Temple to stop
him from turning over the money changers tables. He demanded respect and he
is authority. As Christian football coaches if we do anything less than
excellence at our job we are hurting our witness. For us to be true walking
testimonies for Christ, we should be examples of excellence. Excellence to me
is defined as not necessarily being perfect, but to excel means to go beyond
the normal or what would be acceptable. I am to do that in my walk with
Christ and as leader of my football program.
Coaching Point # 2:
I believe that it was God who placed in me a desire and passion to coach
football. It was He promoted me to the position of Athletic Director and Head
Football Coach. It is He who gifted me to be able to do the job. And the job
should be done for His glory. In order for me to be able to glorify Him, it is His
desire that I achieve excellence and prosper before men. If I have put Him in
His proper place in my life, then when I am lifted up before men than He will
be lifted up before men. Of course we must protect against pride and the “look
what I did” syndrome and give credit where credit is due.
Of course we know that actions speak louder than words. We should live a life
that Christ has called us and it should be evident to those around us that we
are a Christian. The best coaching analogy I can think of this. As coaches we
are always talking about judging players based on performance and not on
potential. We all have the potential to live a Godly life, but does our
performance live up to the hype. Also, give some thought to who your best
players are. Your best players are those who perform with consistency. We all
have those players who show “flashes” of greatness, but are just as likely to
disappoint us. Consistent players are the ones we can count on and are a
blessing to our football team, likewise, consistent Christians are the ones God
can count on and are a blessing to God.
Coaching Point # 3
What makes a Man of God great is that they do the things of God all the time
and not just when they feel like it.
In daily terms, it all boils down to choices. In order to have a relationship with
Jesus, you must make time for Him. In order to be a good husband or father
you must work at those relationships. In order to be a successful football coach
you must have a plan and a vision and work that plan to make your vision a
reality. You must choose to spend time daily in prayer and in God’s Word. You
must choose to schedule time with your family. You must choose to become an
active member and supporter of a local Bible believing and Bible teaching
church. You must choose to walk as an example for you athletes of what it
means to be a man of integrity. You must choose to follow a Biblical world view
in which the Bible is still the source of right or wrong.
Coaching Point # 5
Do It Now
Clean Up
Get Rid of Excuses
Change Bad Habits
I will share with you my football coaching prayer. I try to pray this over my
team every day. I have not always been consistent with that but I do believe
this is a God inspired prayer that helps me to remained focus and acts as a
blessing for my football team and my football program.
Father God,
I come before you in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Father lead and guide me as I coach. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me. And if I put God first, the desires of my heart will be given to
me. I speak blessings and favor for this football team because I am a child of
God by the blood of the lamb. Father, use me to impact lives in a positive
Godly manner as I coach today. Let my actions speak for me Father, and let my
tongue be used in a manner that will glorify you. I pray for the coaching staff
and players. Let us remain injury free and let everything that is done be
pleasing to you. You are my source and my strength and let me not forget who I
am in you. Let me walk in a way that is worthy of my calling. I will walk
victoriously both on and off the field because you are my strength. We pray
these things in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen
If you are like me the following statement has been true much of your Christian
life. Even though I am a Christian, God has not been in charge of my life, I am.
Therefore an appropriate ending is with this prayer:
Father God,
From here on out, I am going to quit trying to do this myself. I’m going to trust
you. I’ll work as hard as I can, but You’re the boss from now on.
In Jesus Name Amen
Philippians 4:13
Proverbs 17:1
Proverbs 28:25
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 16:20
Proverbs 27:17
Hebrews 12:1
1 Corinthians 9:24
Romans 12:1-2