“Hear Me…”
Mike Tomlin GOLD 🥇
“It’s not what you are capable of; it’s what you are willing to do. Plenty of people are capable. Fewer people are willing.”
This message is the ultimate TRUTH in sports.
No Deposit - No Return
Why do some sports parents sit alone?
- No Drama
- No Complaining
- They do not like Hearing Ignorance.
- No Badmouthing Coaches & Officials.
- They often just want to relax & Enjoy the Game!
Be a part of the solution.
Not the problem.
Peyton Manning on Leadership.
"It is not just about you…the best teams I played on, the best players practiced the hardest."
Winning FOR each other is contagious.
It is what being a great TEAMMATE is all about.
🎥 Peyton Manning/Notre Dame Football
Dan Campbell said …”belief comes from the work that you put in.”
There are no other secrets to success.
- Success is about Grit.
- Success is about Work Ethic.
- Success is about Consistency.
“No Deposit - No Return.”
🎥 The Winning Difference
Peyton Manning on Leadership.
"It is not just about you."
"The best teams I played on, the best players practiced the hardest."
Winning FOR each other is contagious.
It is what being a great TEAMMATE is all about.
🎥 credit -> Peyton Manning/Notre Dame Football
Nick Saban is the GOAT of college football.
His success is no accident—it’s a product of relentless standards, a refusal to accept mediocrity, and an intense focus on the process.
Here are 10 Reasons that made Saban the GOAT.
1. STANDARDS - Standards Matter. They set the bar
11 Things Great Teammates DON’T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Teammates
Be a Great Teammate.
#LeadershipMatters
#CultureWins
Being a Head Coach is HARD Work.
I have talked to MANY coaches over my long career.
Here are 9 Things Coaches Want Parents to Understand.
1: We CARE about your Child
Even if your child doesn’t get much varsity playing time, we care about them. Nothing is ever personal. We
Nick Saban said, "If you want to make everybody happy, sell ice cream, don't be a leader."
Saban was a great leader.
And he may be the GOAT of college football coaching.
What makes Saban the GOAT? 👇
Being a Head Coach is HARD Work.
Many parents do not understand the work it takes.
I have talked to MANY coaches over my career.
Here are 9 Things Coaches Want Parents to Understand.
[THREAD] 🧵
Life is about CHOICES.
Here are 8 of them.
1. Attitude is a Choice
2. Character is a Choice
3. Work Ethic is a Choice
4. Leadership is a Choice
5. Consistency is a Choice
6. Commitment is a Choice
7. Daily Habits are a Choice
8. Encouragement is a Choice
SUCCESS is a Choice.
What does being “Coachable” look like?
▪️Eye contact
▪️Nodding when listening
▪️Good body language
▪️Always looking to improve
▪️Seek feedback from coach
▪️Growth mindset
▪️No excuses
▪️Leave ego at the door
▪️Being humble
▪️Accept criticism
#CultureWins
Ted Lasso isn’t just a coach; he’s a playbook on leadership.
His infectious positivity and authenticity are a winning formula for any coach.
He reminds us to stay curious, use humor to connect, and always be true to ourselves.
Here are 7 Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso.
11 things Great Teammates DON'T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Their Teammates
Be a GREAT Teammate.
What does being “Coachable” look like?
▪️No excuses
▪️Being humble
▪️Accept criticism
▪️Growth mindset
▪️Listen with your eyes
▪️Good body language
▪️Nodding when listening
▪️Always looking to improve
▪️Leave your ego at the door
▪️Seek feedback from the coach
What else?
Being a Head Coach is HARD Work.
Many parents do not understand the work it takes.
I have talked to MANY coaches over my career.
Here are 9 Things Coaches Want Parents to Understand.
[THREAD] 🧵
Being a Head Coach is Hard.
Most people have no idea.
Unless you have done the job, you don't know.
Here are the 8 Realities of Being a HEAD COACH:
1: It will consume you - Coaching is more than just a job - it's a way of life. You'll spend countless hours planning
Sports Parents, this is for you.
How you talk to your child matters.
Here are 10 Phrases that All Athletes Need to Hear...
1: “I LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY"
This is a powerful statement to a child. There is no judgment or criticism. Ultimately, this is all you really need to say.
See a ‘Sports Parent’ sitting alone?
There is a reason.
- No drama.
- No negativity.
- No ignorance.
- No complaining.
- No badmouthing coaches or refs.
They just want to enjoy watching their child play.
Be a part of the solution.
Not the problem.
10 WAYS TO EARN PLAYING TIME
1. Be the hardest worker in the room
2. Encourage your teammates
3. Be a relentless competitor
4. Make the hustle plays
5. Have a great attitude
6. Be a great teammate
7. Do the little things
8. Know your role
9. Be coachable
10. Be a leader
Earn It
8 Realities of a High School Coach
1. It will consume you
2. There will be critics
3. You are not in it for the $
4. There is no overnight success
5. You need a supportive spouse
6. You will not make everyone happy
7. You can’t want it more than the kids
8. It is still WORTH it!
11 Things Great Teammates DON’T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Teammates
Be a Great Teammate.
Some WISDOM for Young Coaches.
I was a Head Coach at 26. A Principal at 33. I have been doing both for the last 11.
I have learned a lot about coaching and leadership.
Here are 9 of the most important things I have learned...
1: PLAYERS NOT PLAYS
In pressure situations, do
Guess what?
▪️Getting up for a 6:00 am practice is Hard
▪️Great effort when you are tired is Hard
▪️Challenging your teammates is Hard
▪️Positive energy is Hard
▪️Being vocal in practice is Hard
Do you know what else is Hard?
WINNING.
Choose wisely.
#CultureWins
8 Realities of a High School Coach
1. It will consume you
2. There will be critics
3. You are not in it for the $
4. There is no overnight success
5. You need a supportive spouse
6. You will not make everyone happy
7. You can’t want it more than the kids
8. It is still WORTH it!
🎥 Kobe on Toughness.
"The biggest battle you have is with yourself."
- Be Tough.
- Be Persistent.
- Be Purposeful.
- Compete each day with yourself.
“Don’t talk to yourself in a negative way.”
Video Credit -> Kobe Bryant Highlight
Jay Wright (Villanova) was a Culture KING.
Why?
Here are 5 Jay Wright quotes that shed some light💡.
1: “We have a saying that everyone’s role is different, but everyone’s status is the same. It’s a reminder that no matter how bright the spotlight gets, we are all part of
Assistant coaches are the ROCKS of a program.
What do they do?
- Build great relationships w/players
- Lighten the mood when needed
- Bring positive energy every day
- Support the head coach
- Keep the team focused
- Set the tone
Celebrate your Assistant Coaches! 🙌
Nick Saban GOLD 🥇
What is the key to Team Chemistry?
"Get the right players on the bus and get the wrong players off the bus."
- Mediocre people do not like high achievers.
- High achievers do not like mediocre people.
Team Chemistry Matters.
🎥 Nick Saban
Tom Brady said, "To be great at something, you don't need to be special. You just need to be what most people aren't. Consistent. Determined. Willing to work for it. No shortcuts."
Most people don’t have it.
- Determination
- Consistency
- Work Ethic
No Deposit - No Return!
Holding others ACCOUNTABLE is hard for team leaders.
What do you say?
Below are 9 statements team leaders can use to help hold their teammates ACCOUNTABLE.
[THREAD] 🧵
📣 Coach K said, "You can either lower your goals to match your effort, or you can raise your effort to match your goals."
Everything starts with your commitment level. Are you willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed?
NO Deposit - NO Return!
How do you Kill a Team Culture?
Drip by Drip…
- Skip reps
- Show up late
- Blame others
- Take-off plays
- Negative energy
- No accountability
- Sloppy in practice
- No team cohesion
- No communication
- Bad body language
- Complain about calls
Don't be a culture killer.
See a ‘Sports Parent’ sitting alone?
There is a reason.
- No drama.
- No negativity.
- No ignorance.
- No complaining.
- No badmouthing coaches or refs.
They just want to enjoy watching their child play.
Be a part of the solution this fall sports season.
11 Things Great Teammates DON’T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Teammates
Be a Great Teammate.
"I am a huge believer in being coached." - Peyton Manning
Coaching is about feedback, growth, and improvement.
- The great ones are coachable.
- They want to be coached
- They want to be challenged
- They want to learn
Be Coachable!
🎥 Credit: Tennessee Football
11 Things Great Teammates DON’T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Teammates
Be a Great Teammate.
5 Questions to Ask your Child After a Game.
1. Did you have fun?
2. Did you do your best?
3. Did you support your teammates?
4. Were you a positive leader?
5. What did you learn?
And wrap it up by telling them…
“I Love Watching You Play!”
#LeadershipMatters
#CultureWins
What is the Cost of Leadership?
It costs $0 to say “hello.”
It costs $0 to pick up trash
It costs $0 to say “please.”
It costs $0 to be kind
It costs $0 to say “thank you.”
It costs $0 to encourage others
It costs $0 to smile
Lead by Example.
It costs nothing.
🎥 Peyton Manning on being a Leader.
- Lead by example.
- Be the 1st in and last to leave.
- Be the hardest worker on the team.
- Be accountable to your teammates.
- Blame yourself before you blame others.
All Leadership begins with Self-Leadership.
PARENTS: You are your child’s most important teacher.
- If you Blame others, your child will.
- If you Complain, your child will.
- If you Make Excuses, your child will.
- If you Point Fingers, your child will.
If you Accept Responsibility, your child will.
Saban GOLD🥇
The best players make their teammates better. Do you?
"To be a good player on your team, you have to affect someone else on the team. You have to cause them to play better by the way you play."
- Nick Saban
What is the Cost of Leadership?
It costs $0 to say “hello.”
It costs $0 to pick up trash
It costs $0 to say “please.”
It costs $0 to be kind
It costs $0 to say “thank you.”
It costs $0 to encourage others
It costs $0 to smile
Lead by Example.
It costs nothing.
Why is Coach Saban the GOAT? 📣
His approach to Excellence.
"Get the right players on the bus and get the wrong players off the bus."
- Mediocre people do not like high achievers.
- High achievers do not like mediocre people.
Team Chemistry Matters.
🎥-> Nick Saban
Adversity is guaranteed.
How do you regulate your emotions when it happens?
Your ability to “get out of the bucket” quickly ultimately determines your success.
This is a great tool to use with athletes.
Stephen Gonzalez video GOLD 🥇
8 Realities of a High School Coach
1. It will consume you
2. There will be critics
3. You are not in it for the $
4. There is no overnight success
5. You need a supportive spouse
6. You will not make everyone happy
7. You can’t want it more than the kids
8. It is still WORTH it!
You only get one chance to play High School Sports.
Make the moments matter.
Make memories and play with "No Regrets."
Here are 7 Ways to Do It.
[THREAD] 🧵
Wooden’s Famous Two Sets of Threes from Bill Walton….
1. Don’t lie
2. Don’t cheat
3. Don’t steal
And
1. Don’t whine
2. Don’t complain
3. Don’t make excuses
It is really pretty simple, isn’t it?
RIP Bill Walton 🙏
Committed Players:
- Practice with a purpose
- Listen with their eyes
- Do the little things
- Are energy givers
- Accept coaching
- Show up early
- Give 100%
- Stay late
- Work
- WIN!
Are you Committed?
It only takes ONE.
- One Teammate can set the Tone
- One Teammate can be the Leader
- One Teammate can be the Anchor
- One Teammate can Set the Standard
- One Teammate can be the Missing Link
- One Teammate can make ALL the Difference
Be this person for your team.
🎥 Brad Stevens said, “You got a choice - you either come in & let your circumstances control your attitude - or you let your attitude control your circumstances.”
- Attitude matters.
- Mindset Matters.
-Your choices matter.
This is why Attitude Matters.
Master Your Mind.
Saban GOLD 🥇
Truth. Honesty. Success.
“If you’re an average player, you want to be left alone because you want to be able to slide by. If you’re a good player, you want to be coached. If you’re a great player, you want the coach to tell you the truth every day."
- Nick Saban
Great Programs Have Great Assistant Coaches.
We often celebrate the incredible athletes and head coaches in sports.
We also need to also recognize the value of the Assistant Coach.
Here are 5 Attributes of Great Assistant Coaches.
1: The GLUE - Assistant coaches are the
Guess what?
▪️Getting up for a 6:00 am practice is Hard
▪️Great effort when you are tired is Hard
▪️Challenging your teammates is Hard
▪️Positive energy is Hard
▪️Being vocal in practice is Hard
Do you know what else is Hard?
WINNING.
Choose wisely.
Coaches are getting harder to find.
And the role of the Assistant Coach is more important than ever.
They are often the GLUE of the program.
Celebrate, develop, and thank your assistant coaches!
How do you Kill a Team Culture?
Drip by Drip…
▪️Skip reps
▪️Show up late
▪️Blame others
▪️Take-off plays
▪️Negative energy
▪️No accountability
▪️Sloppy in practice
▪️No communication
▪️Bad body language
▪️Complain about calls
What else?
🎥 Tom Brady GOLD
"I was a backup quarterback on a 0-8 Freshman football team!"
- Never Give Up
- Lead by Example
- Believe in Yourself
- Be Confident in What you Do.
The best players always play with a "chip" on their shoulders.
What is your chip?
Why do some programs WIN year after year?
Been fortunate to be a part of a few…
Here are 5 Reasons Why Successful Programs Win Year after Year…
[🧵 thread]
What do Mentally TOUGH Players do?
▪️They are never a victim
▪️They never feel sorry for themselves
▪️They are NOT entitled
▪️They do not complain
▪️They do not cast blame
▪️They are not afraid to confront or challenge
▪️They celebrate their teammates successes
🎥 Nick Saban says, "How many guys on the team need to be led?"
Player Led Teams WIN.
The more guys you have on a team that do not NEED to be led, the better.
This is the power of "Collective Leadership."
Be a Leader by Example.
Set the TONE.
It only takes ONE.
- One Teammate can be the Glue
- One Teammate can set the Tone
- One Teammate can be the Leader
- One Teammate can Set the Standard
- One Teammate can be the Missing Link
- One Teammate can make ALL the Difference
Be the ONE for your Team!
What do GREAT Parents Do?
- Stay Positive
- Trust the Process
- Support their Child
- Be a Fan of the TEAM
- Don’t Compare your Child
- Say: “I Love Watching you Play”
- Accept the Struggle of Team Sports
- Always remember, it is your Child’s Experience, not yours.
Be GREAT!
🎥 Brad Stevens said, “You got a choice - you either come in & let your circumstances control your attitude - or you let your attitude control your circumstances.”
- Attitude matters.
- Mindset Matters.
- Your choices matter.
Be a Master of Your Mind.
Bobby Knight did not give praise easily.
Yet in 1984, before be played an NBA game, he said Michael Jordan was the best basketball player he had ever seen.
- Competitiveness
- Athleticism
- Skill
He had it all.
And he was right.
8 Realities of a High School Coach
1. It will consume you
2. There will be critics
3. You are not in it for the $
4. There is no overnight success
5. You need a supportive spouse
6. You will not make everyone happy
7. You can’t want it more than the kids
8. It is still WORTH it!
Boats don't SINK because of the water around them.
They SINK because of the water that gets INSIDE of them.
Team Captains and Leaders:
▪️Keep a pulse of the team
▪️Put out the small fires
▪️Be proactive
▪️Talk to your coach
▪️Keep the water out of your boat
Team Culture is Fragile.
It takes daily attention.
Here are 10 things that can DESTROY a Team Culture
Drip by Drip.
1: Showing up Late
Being late tells your team that ME > WE. This is a dangerous place to go. Respect your teammate's time. Respect your coach's time. Be on
Coaching is all about Relationships.
- Love them
- Push them
- Trust them
- Be genuine
- Talk to them
- Listen to them
- Believe in them
- Encourage them
- Laugh with them
- Hold them accountable
Choose to Coach.
Nick Saban once said...
“If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader; sell ice cream.”
Leadership is hard. It is earned. It is an inside-out process.
What are the Traits of the Best Team Leaders?
Here are 9 of them.
1: Commitment Level
Everything in team success
Coaching isn't a job.
It is a calling.
One that few will ever understand.
Here are 10 Truths of Being a COACH.
1: Spousal Support is Crucial - Coaching can strain family life. A supportive spouse is a must. There is no other way.
2: It's a 24/7 Commitment - Coaching is
What do Coaches Love in a Player?
Here are 11 of them...
1. Hustle
2. Stay late
3. Work Hard
4. Be committed
5. Be coachable
6. Show up early
7. Lead by example
8. Encourage others
9. Bring positive energy
10. Be a good teammate
11. Have an optimistic attitude
Sean McVay said, “Winning is a habit; let’s make it ours.”
Winning is a lifestyle. It is how you do things.
What habits make winning possible?
Here are the 6 Habits of Winners.
1. Keep Stacking Days
Winners show up every day. It’s not about going all out once in a while but
ATHLETES: Talent opens the door to the next level.
But once the door is open, what do coaches look for?
Here is a list of 7 traits next-level coaches look for in athletes.
[THREAD] 🧵
The 8 Realities of a HS Coach
1. It will consume you
2. There will be critics
3. You are not in it for the $
4. There is no overnight success
5. You need a supportive spouse
6. You will not make everyone happy
7. You can’t want it more than the kids
8. It is still WORTH it!
11 Things Great Teammates DON’T Do:
1. Quit
2. Blame
3. Complain
4. Bring Drama
5. Point Fingers
6. Show Up Late
7. Make Excuses
8. Make Poor Choices
9. Run From a Challenge
10. Bring Negative Energy
11. Badmouth Teammates
Be a Great Teammate.
6 Ted Talks ALL Coaches Should Watch and Share.
- 100% Bookmark
- Repost and share with your audience
- Follow and subscribe to my Free Newsletter for Coaches
Check them out below...
[THREAD] 🧵
The Eagle vs. the Crow.
A great lesson and reminder for coaches who live their life in “the arena.”
Don’t waste your time with the crows.
Simply fly higher.
Multi-Sport Athletes WIN.
Why?
- They have fewer injuries
- They play with greater poise
- They are more well-balanced
- They are more mentally tough
- They have a team-first mindset
- They have improved athleticism
- They have greater leadership potential
Being a Sports Parent is Hard.
Raising an Athlete is Hard.
Parents: As you start this fall sports season, remember...
- What you do matters.
- What you say matters.
- How you parent matters.
As a parent, you impact the culture of the team!
Here are 5 Critical Lessons for
🎥 Peyton Manning on Leadership
"Leadership is Influence, and if you cannot influence a team, you cannot lead the team."
Leadership is earned, and it is earned through trust.
3 Steps to Lead Others:
1. Choose to Lead
2. Lead by Example
3. Lead Out-Loud
Great Assistant Coaches:
1. Are loyal
2. Support the head coach
3. Stay poised and composed
4. Are willing to put in the time
5. Are not afraid to share their voice
6. Do the little things to help the team
7. Have good relationships with all players
What would you add?