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Jack Welch
It is hard to realize there are coaches in your program that do not have loyalty. If the truth would be known, some coaches and players even want the team to fail. Some assistant coaches and players are concerned only about their future.
Having served in the coaching profession for over forty years, it is obvious to me, championship programs need to have everyone on the same page. From the administration to the players, and all employees in between, it is vital for everyone to share the same vision.
I have served with some great leaders. Great leadership values employees thinking outside the box. Great coaches find ways to help programs grow. They focus on staying true to the overall mission. Having shared vision among the coaches, players, and administration motivates everyone involved to perform to their full potential.
NFL legendary coach Bill Parcells said the toughest challenge is taking a team that is performing poorly and turning it around. I have discovered in my coaching career the best way to change people in a program is to be transparent and let everyone know what is expected. Coaches and players’ performances need to be thoroughly evaluated. If people are doing wrong, they need to know what is expected of them.
I have been fortunate to have served in several turnaround programs. The turnarounds really focused on leadership. It is important to get the right people in the program and eliminate the ones that do not fit. This provides a positive team culture.
Team culture starts with leadership. Many coaches say culture will beat schemes every day. Culture is something created by a head coach and staff. It is probably the most important ingredient in building a successful program. It is a topic everyone needs to get a hold of because it will either build your program or it will destroy it.
Andy Reid, head coach of the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, 2023, and 2024, was fired following what was statistically the worst season in franchise history in 2012 from the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been the head coach since 2013 of the Chiefs. What made the difference for Reid and his Kansas City teams? I believe it is the culture surrounding the program.
Travis Kelce said Reid is the greatest leader of men he has ever seen. Having the right program leadership from top to bottom, look what can happen. Reid has built a championship culture in Kansas City but could not in Philadelphia. I wager to say it is because not everyone was on the same mission and shared the same vision.
Where you find strong, successful programs, you find a culture supporting the program. Culture is not something that changes overnight. It will take time and lots of effort, but the head coach must ensure team culture is implemented.
Players want to be part of a great program. Great programs have high visibility. Abiding by the rules is a must. Actions in everything you do is a must.
Look at the world today and you will see division. People do not love each other. Get in a locker room and see what happens when players love each other. The world goes away, and the upcoming battle is the focus in the room. A team loving its members will fight to a bitter end. This type of team has a never quit attitude. Consequently, their team culture is a culture of love.
Thought for the week: “The culture precedes positive results. It doesn’t get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand. Champions behave like champions before they are champions: they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners.” Bill Walsh
Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.