Founder of ARETAS: Culture, Leadership, & Coaching
Fmr. Head Coach & Leadership Teacher; 2016 LWSD Outstanding Educator
WA State Champ, PAC-10 Champ, AA Bowl DC
Humbled by the opportunity to speak into this great program and introduce
#ARETAS
to
@HailStateFB
!
I’m excited to see the work these guys do aligning & living their shared purpose while continuing to raise the standard at
#STATE
!
#Praxis
#HailState
🐶
When I was 12, I REALLY wanted a new bike for Christmas. My dad gave me a toolbox & tools instead. I was angry & ungrateful.
He died 6 years later but just gave me another Xmas gift-I used those same tools to build a bike for MY son this Christmas.
Thanks Dad. I understand now.
This is not that difficult. Leadership means sacrificing your personal desires for the needs of the people in your care. It's doing what's difficult & not just what's easy. That's how people know you actually care, and it's embarrassing as a "leader" when you don't.
#ServeTheWork
25 years. 7 schools. 17 as a head coach. 11 at Eastlake. I've written some thoughts I know most won't read, but I'm hoping you'll at least take a look at the start--it will help explain my motives, the work, and the decision.
Thank you to all who have helped along the way.
#WSPS
@TBrianKight
The most entitled generation is not “kids these days” but the old guys who think the world should stay the way they see/understand. They’re just done learning/trying because understanding and changing is hard work.
I used to think my assistants needed a little $ and some gear to stay happy, but I eventually realized what they really needed was to feel like they were members of something special, AND they were growing as individuals by benefit of that membership.
So, that became my purpose.
"Don't yell at your wide receivers for jumping offsides if all your drills start them on sound and not sight." -Dabo
#NikeCOYPDX
Don't blame others for problems you're creating. . .
#BeIntentional
With spring tryouts come spring cuts.
This is how one dad responded when I asked what he said to his son after he didn't make the team this week as a 9th grader.
When people find out where I coach, they usually say something like: "Oh man. That's gotta be tough. I couldn't coach up there--the parents must be really difficult to deal with." I always laugh to myself--the parents are half the reason I came back here! THIS is who they are...
In the social media era, all you have to do is pay the right private trainer in the off-season and @ the right promotors with your "highlights" on Twitter, and people will call you "one of the best"--but at some point you're gonna have to prove it...
Culture>Hype
#WSPS
#1WAE
Got this stuck to my car window Friday & seeing this at 12:30 am after a 43-18 loss, I thought the worst, but I should've known better. I've no idea who wrote this, but I've looked at it every day since & it's helped make my week better & my work intentional. So, thank you!
#WSPS
I see a lot of coaches posting videos, thoughtful tweets, & even telling the rest of us what to do about what. That's easy enough, but some of you have to start with self-reflection. We've seen your actions (likes/retweets/replies) the last 3.5 years. Best message? Live it first.
Longer I coach the more this proves true: If you know more about football than you do about yourself, you're never going to be a great coach.
Much of last 20+ years has been about addressing weaknesses, repairing defects, & eliminating deficiencies so I could be better 4 others
I used to get anxious/stressed about football starting, so I would spend endless hours planning/prepping-it never took those feelings away.
Then I realized it wasn't about football at all. I just dedicate that extra time to connecting w/my wife & kids, & I've never felt better.
Maybe mocking the facilities, dogging out the previous staff to the guys they recruited, singling guys out for wearing SpeedD shirts, & running players off wasn't the best move. Maybe some humility and a little dedication to the art of coaching would've been a better use of time.
If you're a HS coordinator who isn't going to clinics--especially with your position coaches--what message are you sending the staff? 🤫
There's a difference between what you say to people and what you actually communicate.😶
When I first started coaching 25 years ago, guys made fun of me all the time for reading books. Now, coaches I don't know contact me about what books to read.
Makes me proud to see how much coaching has changed & been thinking how it's the best it's ever been-and getting better.
So many powerful emotions after a loss like that to end a season like this. Don't know if I could love a team more than this one. They're incredible, & they make me incredibly proud to have been able to travel this road w/them. Thank you for moving the anchor!
#1WAE
#ARETAS
#WSPS
Feeling compelled to say this:
I’m sitting here right now fully aware of my privilege cuz as I wait—along w/the rest of the country—I’m not thinking about what this means to me, but I am infinitely more concerned with what it means to those who are not me.
Hoping I’m not alone.
Honest question: What would kids do if every single sports team enforced the same high standards of attendance, practice/weight training, behavior, academics, effort, athletic code, etc.?
Would they all rise to the occasion? Or not participate at all knowing there was no "easy"?
In 2013 we committed to creating a culture by design--not by default. At Eastlake, we believe that through intentional actions we can create an environment where people feel safe, appreciated, & loved. That's our
#Credo
& our purpose.
#WhatsInTheWoods
? Wolves--in
#ThePack
#WSPS
5 yrs ago, we decided to mesh our Defensive goals with our pursuit of ELITE & started charting "ELITE Possessions" on Defense (3&Out, Takeaway, or TOD). 60% is standard 70% is ELITE.
In '23 our D was ELITE finishing @ 70%.
Alignment is crucial to program culture & productivity.
This is my LB. I wouldn’t trade him for another. He’s been coached hard, challenged, & humbled yet remained convicted-strong-relentless. In 2019 he was the heart & soul of our team & helped lead a defense w/only 3 returning starters to the KingCo title game & a 9-2 record
#Leader
Talent will always
#1
but whether a kid can come in humble, hungry, & ready to compete is way more essential. U guys crying about recruiting in-state are actually poisoning the well. Your private coaching, gym hype, & transfer assistance buries those traits more than builds them.
Do not ask: "Will I have an impact?"
Ask instead: "What impact am I having?"
We all have an impact--positive and negative--in building and breaking down--by absence or presence--what we do, what we don't, how, and why.
Conclusion: we are what you are.
#OwnYourImpact
#WSPS
Yesterday was a great start to the
#AppleCup
weekend! Thankful I got to see these two and share the moment with my family. Beyond grateful & excited to be in the house to watch my guy
@ppelluer47
get after it tonight! Love you Brother! Go get your trophy!
#3FC
#SpeedD
#GoCougs
!
My 4th grade daughter watched the breaking news, shouted "Dad! I know her!", ran upstairs to grab her "Rebel Girls" book, opened it to the RGB page & began reading it--again.
She may not understand all that this means, but learning about RGB was def huge for her.
That's impact.
Coach Leach gave my students a Wazzu that was electric
He gave my guys a home, a brotherhood, & surrounded them with incredible mentors
He gave me some incredible friendships
In the end, he gave us all a pride & a connection that will endure
#RIPCoach
🏴☠️
#GoCougs
#HailState
As a young coach, I mistakenly saw the value of my clinic talks by how many people came to them. Now, it's actually all about WHO. It was humbling to see so many guys I respect sitting in on my sessions yesterday. Thank you fellas! & thank you
@GlazierClinics
for the opportunity!
As a guy who's been dismissed with this label by people who never worked with me, I think "player's coach" was created by folks who didn't believe coaching works if it isn't authoritarian & punitive. Learn about human development & motivation; we should all be "player's coaches".
I know it sounds cliché, but it's true: this is a staff award. We have the best crew we've ever had here, & I have the pleasure of giving more and more to each of them because they are so good. So, in a way, it's ironic that I get this the year I've done less than I ever have...
We were supposed to start spring football June 1, but instead, I met with each class online yesterday. Yes, I outlined our plan for fall FB, but the real purpose was to address our expectations of them during this difficult time. I gave them 5 action items to help them. (thread)
Keys to success from Dabo Swinney:
1. Prepare for your opportunities
2. Bloom where you're planted
3. Be willing to take steps (doesn't happen in leaps and bounds)
4. Stay focused on why you started
#Uncommon
#NikeCOYPDX
Looking at this picture from last night, I'm reminded that Eastlake will never be that building. It will always be who you are, what you built inside yourself while you were here, & the light you shine on this world as a result. We love you c/o 2020! Let's finish STRONG!
#WSPS
Here they come!
Today's the day! 130 athletes starving for football, 13 coaches who can't wait to run around with them, 3 different teams, all in 1 program that gets to do the work of giving them all what they need!
Beyond excited for this season of
@wolvesfb
!
#SetIt
#WSPS
Put myself in a different spot during offensive practice yesterday-pulled back & just watched our coaches & players work. I was instantly humbled. The intention & purpose-driven focus are obvious. Beyond fortunate to have a such dedicated team to work with in our
#FightForElite
.
Far and away, the
#1
Love Language of high school students is quality time, so if we want to truly impact them in the most productive ways, we have to be intentional about giving them time with the people they need to see and hear from the most--on a daily basis.
It's official! Headed to
@WeAreAFCA
in Nashville! Speaking about
#leadership
and
@wolvesfb
! Excited to have the opportunity to share and looking forward to connecting with some of the best!
#WSPS
This is my QB. I wouldn’t trade him for any others. He’s been challenged & coached hard & done a lot of growing over the last 4 yrs. This year he was the heart of our offense & helped lead that crew-with only 2 returning starters-to the KingCo title game & a 9-2 record.
#Grateful
This is absolutely outstanding. This is why football is such an incredible game. This is why football is the ultimate team game. This is how the greatest become the greatest. It's never about you. It's always about us.
PS I hate the cowboys but I love this
College coaches! I hope you're paying attention to how much emphasis HS coaches are putting on character & culture in our programs. We're educating these guys on the value of culture & instilling life-long principles, & it's going to directly impact how they see you/your program.
I hope people understand what an incredible impact this man has had on our community the past 5 years. Proud to say I have the honor of coaching alongside you
@CoachKyleSnell
. What you have done for us already has been amazing but what you did tonight will echo through lifetimes.
Something I’d like to repeat from yesterday.:
Let’s stop talking about “buy-in” and start talking about “readiness”.
Buy-in is on others, but readiness empowers me to do what I can to get people ready to be successful in our culture—just like we prep them for success in games.
Nashville, Sunday, 3:00, Delta Ballroom C,
@WeAreAFCA
Let's talk about what
#ServantLeadership
really is & how it can shape the culture of a program--and an entire school.
*(BONUS: includes the latest work by
@NikoCarste
!)
You won't want to miss it!
#FFE
#WSPS
#ARETAS
As a football coach & a teacher, I really only want 3 things for our guys:
1-To be proud of the program & coaches they play for
2-To be proud of where they go to school
3-To be proud of who they become as a result
It's really that simple, but I know not everyone gets all 3.
#WSPS
In the end, it's all about relationships. It's tough to get people to understand, but we support those we have relationships with. If you want people to come to your game/event & support you, then build a relationship outside of your team/group long before the big night arrives.
If you are a football person please join the challenge of posting a football photo. Just one picture, no description. Please copy the text in your status, post a picture, and look at some great pictures.
Coaching is accountability: assessing accurately and acting effectively.
Coaching doesn't mean talking.
Thus, coaching is actually knowing when to talk/not and what exactly needs to be said and how/much.
Coaching is being above the moment and in front of the game.
Arriving 6 years ago, Homecoming was focused on royalty & dress-up days; & only 200 kids showed up to the dance. Now, it's about culture, celebrating character, & giving-not asking; so 1000 kids came to dance! You gotta love this place!
#BEastlake
#WSPS
Coaches! Don't believe the lie that you can be a "culture" guy more than a "X&O" guy. Or an "X&O" guy more than a "culture" guy.
THEY ARE THE SAME THING!
Culture is behavior! On & off the field. What you ask your players/coaches to do before/during/after a game IS your culture!
I am incredibly grateful to have a school I am this proud of and students I love as much as these! What an incredible end to Wolf Strong Week 2019!
Superfans ☑️
Band☑️
Cheer☑️
Packed gym☑️
Unified Basketball Heroes☑️
Thank you Eastlake for being so imPACKtful!
#WSPS
It's time to get real about this pic & tell the whole truth. WHAT is happening is not nearly as important as WHY and WHAT'S NEXT.
This distance is not the difference--the response is
The real distance b/t winning/losing here is TIME: how long will it take leaders to correct it?
LWSD is starting the year going fully remote...Looks like
#TheGarage
will be back and better than ever!
Excited to meet my next crew of students, but now it's time to get to work on giving them what they'll need!
We are going to get something out of this-I promise!
E+R=O
#WSPS
Coaches, we can't give a passionate halftime speech & beat Covid. (This isn't even incredibly effective during an actual game). All the emotional pleas, hyperbole, false equivalents, & logical fallacies don't help. You know what does? Accurate assessments & effective action.
Coaching & teaching changed for me when I stopped believing my job was to “save” kids & realized it’s to “serve” their legitimate needs. My focus became prepping them to share the world with us—to be intelligent, confident, empathetic neighbors. Now they’re just that—in my ‘hood!
This is the very definition of E+R=O (for our entire student body!)
Event: bleachers won't extend
Response: see this as a challenge, inform students, & direct them to sit in groups on the floor
Outcome: 1st EHS BSU-led MLK assembly was a success!
Damn, I love these kids!
#WSPS
FYI, if you're losing "hundreds" of followers for speaking out against what is obvious injustice, you might want to ask yourselves what content you were posting to bring those people to you in the first place.
#SelfReflect
Almost 2 months ago, we suffered a huge loss to not only the class of 2020 but to the entire EHS community when Sam Roos passed suddenly. Today is his birthday, so I wanted to share some words from his girlfriend Allie that speak to who Sam was & why he meant so much to so many.
Nothing quite like the life that coaching gives you.
Today, I got to take my son to his first NFL game, and my guys showed up in big ways to make it an awesome experience for us both.
Humbled and proud to have these men continue to speak into our lives!
#TXVI
#WSPS
#ANAX
I love recruiting season! You can tell everything you need to know about a staff by how they recruit. Do they make appointments? Do they keep them? Do they respect coaches' time? Do their relationships change when you do/don't have a kid for them? Always good to see who they are.
Can’t stop thinking about what this actually says:
-we have no standards
-what standards we do have only apply when we have our best playing
-coaches communicated this attitude to players for 11 days prior
-this is a talent only program, so if best guys get hurt, we’re in trouble
Florida coach Dan Mullen tonight after getting embarrassed:
“The last game this 2020 team played was 11 days ago.”
“We didn’t have to play.”
“I thought our scout team guys played well.”
Didn’t think it was possible, but his quotes are more embarrassing than his teams play
Really needed to hear this today:
If I could no longer say "I don't have time for that", and, instead, I had to admit "That's not a priority for me"; how would things change?
We all need to be honest about what our priorities actually are.
Thanks for the reminder
@johnnorlin
.
22 years into this career & feel like I work at the best school; with the best coaches, players, & parents; & I enjoy the rewards of a network of incredible coaches. I'm finally coming to a place where I know what I don't know, can admit it, & am inspired to evolve.
#ServeTheWork
I get it-it's not always easy being @ Eastlake. Academics are difficult, expectations are high, & being a FB player is incredibly demanding; but when u succeed here, u earn a confidence that will make u successful no matter where u go/what u do bcuz of who you became as a result.
What a gr8 class! You're all gr8 competitors with bright futures! Hopefully, you feel you've developed the skills needed to build real confidence & create success at the next level while @ Eastlake! Thank you for all you did to make
@WolvesSports
elite! We're proud of you!
#WSPS
Thankful to have someone with a vision we can share in, & grateful
@CoachDickert
seems to know what it will take to build champions at WSU by hiring men like Pete Kaligas who are experienced at doing just that.
Excited to see the next additions to this incredible staff!
#GoCougs
“We’re gonna have champions here at Washington State, and they’re gonna be champion people first and foremost.”
🗣️
@WSUCougarFB
head coach
@CoachDickert
has a vision for his Cougs.
#GoCougs
|
#Pac12FB
Absolutely loved our banquet last night. Always humbling to sit & listen to our coaches talk about our players & hear our players describe the impact those coaches have had on their lives. This is such a great profession-rewarding in so many ways-I'm a rich man today.
#WSPS
There's only one way to celebrate Homecoming Week 2018--with the annual family picture! 2000+ students & staff braved the weather to make this happen!
#WolfStrong
#EHSHoCo2018
Things are just a little different here at
#BEastlake
!
This is home.
This is family.
#WSPS
Happy Birthday to one the best! Can’t express how grateful I am for the journey we’ve been able to share & the impact you continue to have on me, our program & players! Thank you
@ppelluer47
for your low ego, high output approach to the game & life!
#EarnTheEyeBlack
#SpeedD
#WSPS
I hope all these folks talking how love is the answer realize that it's not just a feeling but a verb--unconditional & action-based. If u sincerely want change, it means you'll have to actually do something principled on behalf of those you may not know, understand, or even like.
Our 5th Annual Wolf Strong Week got off to a great start today!
Why do we do it?
Because we want a culture by design not default.
Because what we believe unifies us.
Because it's easier to be accountable when we understand what's expected.
Because we want to
#OwnOurImpact
#WSPS