Growing up, my father coached me in basketball for years. He was often
harder on me than on the other players. After a particularly tough practice, I
asked him why he was so hard on me. He replied, "I'm hard on you because
one day I won't be your coach, and someone who doesn't love you as much
as I do will be even harder on you, and it won't come from the same place." I
didn't understand his message at the time, but throughout my career as a
division I football player and an eight-year professional football player, it
became clear.
“The best coaches were those who built
personal relationships with their players,
blending toughness and discipline with
empathy and humility.”
As I transition into a career in coaching and psychology, I often reflect on the
great coaches I had and the lessons I learned from those I didn't connect with.
Some coaches took the time to ask about my family or how my day was going,
while others only acknowledged me when they were yelling or giving a nod in
passing. Interestingly, the best coaches were those who built personal
relationships with their players, blending toughness and discipline with
empathy and humility.
Thinking about my coaching style, I aim to inspire my athletes to reach their full
potential and demand their best every day. They will know that they are more
than athletes and that I mentor them because their growth as individuals is
important to me.
Comentários