5 Qualities of Great Coaches by Carey Casey, CEO & President of Championship Fathering
“ Every coach is a role model for his players— for good or bad, and whether or not he is intentional about his influence.”
I’ve had the privilege of playing for and being influenced by quite a few coaches who really “got it.” To give a few examples, during my high school years, I was coached by Herman Boone from the Remember the Titans movie. Later, I played football at a basketball school, but while I was at North Carolina, Dean Smith still found ways to invest in me and encourage me. There have been numerous others I have interacted with and learned from through the years, and based on all these experiences, five qualities come to mind that make coaches great. They all happen to start with “L,” so you can remember them: 1 – Light. Great coaches stand out from the crowd. Their character shines; they’re just positive people. I guess they have to be positive in this profession because there are so many ups and downs—whether they’re on the court, in their personal lives, health concerns, money issues, public criticism, and on and on. But despite all that, they’re steady and determined. They keep believing and motivating their team to focus on a positive goal that’s ahead. Circumstances might try to dull their message or quench their spirit, but they keep shining bright. 2 – Listening. Coaches do a lot of talking, and maybe that’s why it’s so important that they listen to their players. A coach who is genuinely interested in his players will listen to learn more about who they are, so he can encourage them, challenge them, and utilize their gifts for the benefit of the team. More than that, great coaches know their role is much bigger than what happens on the court. Many young people today come from difficult backgrounds where they might not feel valued as people, and listening is one great way coaches can do that. So they sit down one-on-one to see how they’re really doing and show interest and concern for what they’re about and what makes them tick.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NABC.
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3 – Learning. Listening will often lead naturally to learning, but this is about much more than taking in information. I’m thinking more about an attitude of learning, where a coach isn’t carrying himself as if he has “arrived.” He’s humble and teachable, and that shows whether he’s listening or speaking or anything else.
Great coaches know they have room to grow. They don’t always have to be “right” or have the final word, and they don’t look down on anyone, especially their players. They’re more concerned about making their players and others feel important and valuable. 4 – Living. How do great coaches live? What do they stand for? What do people say about their character and integrity? Surely there are coaches who have made a lasting impression on you simply because of how they live—how they carry themselves, their character in public and in private, their work ethic, how they treat their bride and their children and servers in restaurants, and maybe even how they dress. Every coach is a role model for his players— for good or bad, and whether or not he is intentional about his influence. The great ones faithfully demonstrate the kind of life they hope their players will follow. 5 – Loving. Why does Michael Jordan still get emotional when talking about Dean Smith and how Coach invested in him and helped to shape him as a man? The great coaches go deeper to show that they care. They are there to help any time and anywhere, even after players have moved on to other stages of life. Even for coaches who aren’t emotionally expressive, the love will come through clearly because it’s really about being committed to the player and his well-being. That young person knows he can call Coach about anything, because he’ll listen and give time and do all he can to help. And over time, a deep loyalty grows that builds the player’s confidence for the near future, and it often becomes a long-lasting friendship. Now, I have usually referred to these great coaches as “they” in this article, but I hope that as you’re reading this, you’re thinking, “That’s me he’s writing about.” Do your best to apply yourself in these five areas with your team and with your family. I know you can be great. Carey Casey is CEO, President, and the author of Championship Fathering. He has also authored the book Championship Grandfathering: How to Build a Winning Legacy and is the general editor of the book 21-Day Dad’s Challenge: Three Weeks to a Better Relationship with Your Kids. Carey and his wife Melanie live in Chicago. They are the parents of four children and have nine grandchildren. www.ChampionshipFathering.org
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