MJ is the most competitive athlete that I’ve ever watched in any sport! He played with an unmatched focus and intensity that’s hard to describe, during a time when they tried to take your head off when you drove to the hoop... True 🐐 💯
I was a 9th round pick to the Falcons in ‘91... I was cut 3x, twice by the same team. I didn’t become a full time starter until my 6th year in the league, at a position I never played before. Never stop grinding💯
Most teach their DE’s to wrong-arm or kick the play, but this play by
#44
is next level! He destroys😲 the puller using his hands & getting extension. All this while maintaining inside leverage & coming off to help make the tackle! Love it! 💯
Early in my coaching career a fellow coach whom I respected shared this with me... He said “Ernie if you’re yelling & screaming at kids on game day you didn’t get them prepared during the week. On game day make corrections, but let them play.” Let your kids lock in on game day💯
You’re extremely fortunate if you have an opportunity to compete for an NFL roster spot, no matter how that opportunity came about. Make the most of it!!
#Congrats
#DraftDayTB
This is my 6th year at IMG and every year I have some dawgs that go hunt! No Kool-aid over here, we pumping blood!! Business trip complete with a DUB!!! All ❤️ fellas!!✊🏾💯
Coaching, especially on the middle and high school levels, requires that you REALLY care about kids! Some coaches only criticize. Balance that criticism with love, because many of them look up to us as father figures. You just might be all they have!💯
My man Josh Kaindoh, AKA “Doc,” who’s playing at FSU now with the “Shimmy - Stab - Snatch!!” When you’re passing rushing you have to be able to feel LEVERAGE, in the same manner as wrestlers do!! He leans to much, COUNTER him! 💯
@IMGAFootball
@FSUFootball
💉👨🏾⚕️💼
I’m eighteen years into coaching now. What’s funny is after I finished my playing career I told folks that I wanted nothing to do with coaching! God is the best planner. He’ll put you where you need to be. TRUST HIM!! 💯🙏🏾
Young athletes the transfer portal is a double edged sword, so move wisely! I didn’t become a starter in college until my junior year. I’ve coached kids in college who didn’t start until their junior year or later, then lit it up! Sometimes you need to develop not jump ship 💯
Joshua Griffis was a freshman that Adam Fuller mentioned could see a good amount of playing time in 2020 last night. Here he causes a fumble off the edge.
(Video courtesy of
#FSU
sports information)
If you really want to pull the best out of your players, develop a relationship with them OFF the field! Coaching isn’t just “between the lines,” kids will give you much more of themselves when they know you care about them outside of the game!! 💯
There’s no way around the physicality of football. If you are prone to shy away from contact you need consider playing another sport. We’re 💥KA-KAK-KAK’ing💥 all day long!! 💯
#DemPadsPopping
About to start my 20th season as a football coach… so many memories!! The crazy part is, I used to say I didn’t want anything to do with coaching. God knows what’s best for us! GL to all my fellow coaches this season! 💯👊🏾
Death makes us reflect on how we live our lives, especially when someone famous passes suddenly. The older I get, the more “old man” jokes I get from the younger crowd. It’s a blessing to live long enough to be called “old.” Live each day like it’s your last! 💯
#RIPKOBE
For all the young players with NFL aspirations, remember this… The NFL is a business!! Your character right now could cost you lots of money in the future, maybe even a shot at getting drafted. Yes, they check with your high school coaches, etc about you! Move accordingly! 💯
💥BE OPEN TO PLAYING MULTIPLE POSITIONS!!!💥This is a pic of me heading into my senior year of high school football. I was 6'4" & 205 lbs... 12 years and 85 pounds later I would finish the final 4 years of my NFL career as a 290 pound nose tackle in a 3-man front for the Jets...
I’m extremely grateful to coach a sport I played for 21 years, a sport I love with a passion! It’s a privilege that I don’t take for granted. To all you athletes: high school, college, & pro ~ the game will go on without us, it doesn’t need any 1 particular person. Be grateful💯
Players if you get a camp “invite” try to contact the school to see if they’re truly interested in you & have watched your film. Get your coach to call them. Also, don’t spend the entire summer going from camp to camp, & neglect training for the upcoming season!
#MoneyGrabs
💯
I get this question all the time... “Coach how’s your DL looking?!” My answer most of the time is, “I’m not sure yet, I’ll let you know after we put them pads on.” Ain’t no hiding once them pads come on, the real dawgs show up! 💯
We may have come up a little short , but they felt IMG tonight, believe that! We left it all out on that field! I ❤️ this team. Keep ya heads up men & keep playing like that!
@IMGAFootball
I was a 9th round pick in 1991, but I played 9 seasons. By comparison, the NFL draft is only 7 rounds now. Take your opportunities & run with them!! 💯
#NFLDraft
You’re extremely fortunate if you have an opportunity to compete for an NFL roster spot, no matter how that opportunity came about. Make the most of it!!
#Congrats
#DraftDayTB
When this kid arrived to IMG he was a rugby player, didn’t even know what a 1st down was. He didn’t even play his 1st season on campus, now he’s in the NFL! Congrats
@DanielFaalele_
!! ❤️👊🏾
#KeepGrinding
Coach with all due respect, kids in every state in this country are changing schools every year. It’s not just about “college opportunities” here. There’s a lot more going on & we care about these kids. Come visit, I’ll show you around. Good luck to you this season!
This is a wicked world that we live in. Be careful who you share your successes with, because not all are happy for you. While they plan & plot, God is the best planner. He sees all that they do! 💯
Never look past an opponent. Show respect and talk them up. Every coach I’ve ever played for has used an opponent’s negative comments as a motivational tool. Keep ya mouth shut & let ya pads do the talking!! #💥Ka-kak-kak💥
Coaches on every level leave for “better” job opportunities all the time. Should it be any different for players? If kids & their parents want to leave for what they perceive as a “better opportunity” & you REALLY care about them, pat them on the back & wish them well💯
We’re living in a different 🌎 when young folks you’re trying to help or reach out to will totally ignore you, but you see them 5 minutes later interacting with strangers on social media. Youngsters take a hard look at who’s/what’s really important in your life!! 💯
Youngbucks embrace competition!! Don’t shy away, step your game up if you really want it. It’s not gonna be easy because there’s cats fighting for the same thing you are. Don’t let that scare you though... GO GET IT!!! 💯
People tend to forget the “Person” behind the athlete. You root for, you criticize, you judge, etc... but do you really know the person wearing that uniform? A lot of them are BETTER PEOPLE outside of their athletic talent! Keep that in mind as you enjoy the games 💯
Sometimes it’s tough to stay true to who you are. As you go through life you will be tested... Tested over & over again. Be kind, be respectful, be caring but always be you. Don’t let them change you 💯
For u youngsters taking college visits, make sure u ask ur potential position coach questions about schemes & how u’ll be used. Also ask them about what they teach as far as technique goes. Make them be as DETAILED as possible with their answers. Bad technique will set u back!💯
Youngbucks listen to & observe those adults around you giving sound advice & direction. We’ve experienced a lot & care enough about you to try to steer you clear of the mistakes that we’ve made. Which of you will truly benefit from it though? Kill the pride, ego, etc & learn! 💯
Yea new drills are cool but the main thing I’d tell a young coach is to learn how to “connect” with ur players. Dealing with kids of different races, backgrounds, family situations, & personalities will require you to be flexible in ur coaching style. You can’t 🍪-cutter coach💯
If you’re a father with a son build him up! Be firm & push him, but also guide & encourage. Young males want their fathers to be proud of them at the end of the day. As coaches we need a balanced approach when coaching as well. A lot of kids hang on every word we say!💯
Most don’t know this but the NFL draft used to be 12 rounds instead of 7. I was the 3rd pick of the 9th round (
#226
overall). Having less rounds allows you to chose the best fit for you to make a team. Also 2day’s practice squad is 16 players. It was 3-6 when I played!
#GoGetIt
💯
🚨Recruits🚨: If you can contact a college & tell them “Yes I accept your offer,” show courage, respect, and the decency to contact the college(s) that you turned down. Learning how to say no in a respectful manner is something will benefit you as you go through life! 💯
If you’re a student/athlete PLEASE UNDERSTAND... The offers you’re receiving are contingent on your ACADEMICS!! If you’ve received offers & your GPA & test scores are extremely low, those offers don’t mean ANYTHING!! Get those 📚 straight!💯
I truly appreciate all those who reached out to say “happy birthday.” I reflect back on my life on this earth and think about God’s mercy on me. I pray for all those who are less fortunate, as I think about how we all could be better in our everyday lives 💯
#Thankful
On each level that you advance to, you find more & more highly motivated, competitive individuals. If you aren’t self motivated and you’re always depending on your coaches to get you going, you’re gonna get left behind at some point. It’s just the nature of the beast! 💯
I know there’s kids out there with only one, or even no parents in their lives... I grew up the same way. Youngsters let me say this... You are extremely blessed if you have both your parents involved in your lives! We need to work on making that the norm💯
I hear some coaches say “Ernie times have changed, the kids these days aren’t as dedicated as we were.” I don’t believe that. There were cats who didn’t want it then, just like now. Those who want it separate themselves & go get it, irregardless of the time period💯
I watched a kid a few years ago preparing for the NFL draft who couldn’t draw up a “Power” play after 7-8 years of HS & college ball! 🏈 is more than just skill/tech development, your coaches should be teaching you formations, fronts, personnel groups, proper film study, etc!💯
For all you youngsters with aspirations of playing college ball, all you need is for one school to believe in you... ONE!!! Anything after that is gravy💯
Social media has changed the way we interact. Everything has to be shared so everybody knows. Be DIFFERENT!! Love in silence, donate in silence, help in silence, congratulate in silence, celebrate in silence, grieve in silence, move in silence… Everyone doesn’t need to know! 💯
Young athletes... Don’t get misguided by likes or retweets. Those who are truly in your corner aren’t just communicating with you on Twitter. Keep focus on those who really care about you, those who are truly in your “circle!!” 💯
Talent alone will not get you there. Are you coachable? Are you instinctive? Are you a team player? Can you listen and then execute the techniques you’re given? Do you play smart or are you a liability to the team? Keep it 💯 & look in that mirror!!
Instead of wondering why someone might be on a street corner begging for food or money, think about how God will view you for opening up your ❤️ to give. The blessing is in giving, what they do with it is between them & God...
This young man right here forever changed the way I look at “specialists.” Not only is he elite at what he does, he’s as good of a leader as any kid I’ve been around! Proud of you
@longsnapfletch
, keep swinging boss!! 👊🏾💯
Most high school players no matter how talented they are, are still raw in a technical sense & can improve. I’ve coached kids though who have “natural” ability (like pass rushing), & I didn’t have to teach them much. Yes kids can be taught, but some kids make coaches look good!💯
Some folks dislike you becaz you’re everything they are not. They look at how you move, how you interact with people, how folks are drawn towards you, how real you are…They don’t have these things becaz folks see their true colors. Jealousy is real folks but God is in control!💯