Over the course of the last few months, we’ve been deep into the season of coaches moving to other schools, hirings, firings, etc. Usually, football coaches handle the process the right way. Unfortunately, sometimes they don’t. The entire process is something I’ve spent a lot of time observing and thinking about. This month, I’d like to share a few of my personal thoughts, as well as some advice. I doubt anything you read here will be any kind of shocking revelation, but I do think it’s an important part of our profession, and I’d be remiss to not share some of the things I believe.
Coaches, especially football coaches, are ambitious by nature. I don’t think this is a bad thing. However, I think it’s critical that we do not allow our ambition to cloud our judgment. Too many times, coaches spend a lot of time thinking about the next job. Frankly, a lot of guys have achieved a lot of success thinking this way, but I don’t think it’s the correct way to go about things. I’ve spent some time this spring reading Bo Schembechler’s book on leadership, and it appears that he and I agree on a lot of things. One of those things is that, rather than worry about your next job, work hard and do things right at your current job. People will notice! I’ve coached college football for 12 years now, and while I’ve only been employed at two different institutions, this theory has already proven itself to be true. My first college coaching job was at my alma mater, working for the man I played for. When he chose to step down, I wasn’t quite sure what my future held. I was very fortunate to be offered 4 jobs (thankfully, in short order), and not one of those jobs had I applied for! Those coaches contacted me because I had either worked camps with them, coached against them, or networked with them or members of their staff. In no way do I say this as any kind of boast, but rather as evidence that my theory works. Work hard, conduct yourself the right way, and opportunities will find you. If you’re already thinking of the next job, how can you do the current job well?
There are many, many football programs, from the NFL to high school. In my experience, there isn’t a single program where every aspect of the program is done the “perfect” way for every member of the coaching staff. There is always something you disagree with; that’s the nature of working for someone else! Don’t – DO NOT – be the guy who complains about every single thing which you don’t like. Instead, take notes. Whether it’s a physical list, or just a running list in your head, make a note of what you like and don’t like. When, finally, you’re in charge, take what you like, and change what you don’t. The irony here is, when you’re running the show, your assistants will be making the same list! Now, if it gets to a point where you’re no longer able to “go along”, leave! It’s much healthier, for your current program as well as your reputation, to move on than it is for you to complain and/or undermine your current boss. Word gets around, and no one wants to hire that guy.
If you decide to leave your current staff, make sure you go about it the right way. Head coaches, while they may not want to see you go, will appreciate your honesty and openness. Simply stating that you’re looking into another opportunity will go a long way. It’s a lot harder for a head coach to respect the guy who sneaks around and applies for a ton of jobs, and then walks in to tell him that he is leaving. You never want to burn bridges, especially in this field, and honest communication often prevents any major problems. Conversely, if you’re a head coach, and you’re “doing it right”, you should want your assistants to be successful. It’s a positive reflection on you! I’ve heard too many horror stories of guys telling assistants not to go on interviews, or chewing them out when they take another job. If you’re this guy, no one will want to work for you.
My final thought for this month is only loosely related. However, it’s something that really resonates with me. I recently read a great story about the treatment of graduate assistants, and how you never know where that GA is going to end up. Essentially, the story was that a coach met with a staff years ago, and he was very respectful to all members of the staff, and treated the GA’s the same way he treated the head coach. After the meeting, everyone went their separate ways. One of the GA’s went on to become an athletic director, and the coach who visited him all those years ago now works for him. It was a great story, and the response to it, from coaches, was terrific. I’m sorry, but I think a lot of that response was bologna. I spend time observing coaches, and their interactions, and GA’s are deemed “unimportant” by a lot of coaches. Put your money where your mouth is, and treat these young guys the way you should: as football coaches. After all, that GA could end up being your boss someday.
Thanks for reading. As always, I welcome any feedback, questions, concerns, or criticisms. I can be reached at wrussel1@norwich.edu.