You Are Closer Than You Think
“Most debilitating of all—devastating—was a gnawing fear that I didn’t have what it takes to be an NFL head coach. At one point I actually decided to hand in my resignation the next morning; then I changed my mind.”
Bill Walsh – The Score Takes Care of Itself
18 months after finally landing an NFL head coaching job, Bill Walsh was thinking about quitting. His San Francisco 49ers football team had just experienced a crushing defeat to the Miami Dolphins in the middle of his second season as head coach which dropped the team to 3-8 on the season after 8 straight losses. On the 6-hour flight home from Miami, Walsh found himself in tears wondering if he had what it takes to be an NFL head coach. Walsh didn’t quit, but after 2 seasons Walsh’s 49ers had only won 8 games and lost 24.
5 years after being named the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Bill Belichick was fired from his first NFL head coaching job. One winning record over 5 seasons wasn’t enough to keep his job. It would be 5 years before Belichick would get another chance to be a head coach in the NFL when he was hired by the New England Patriots.
Now, many of you know the rest of the story. Walsh’s 49ers would go on to win the Super Bowl in his 3rd season exactly 16 months after he contemplated quitting. He would go on to win a total of 3 Super Bowl’s as head coach of the 49ers.
And Belichick, he recently captured his 6th Super Bowl title and is widely considered the best NFL coach of all time. The success of these two coaches is well documented but we rarely hear about their struggles early on in their careers. Walsh openly questioned whether he had what it took to be an NFL head coach. Belichick was sent the message that he didn’t have what it takes when he was fired by the Cleveland Browns.
What’s Next?
I know many coaches reading this article can relate to wondering if they have what it takes. I just concluded my first season as a men’s college basketball coach with a record of 6-22. As I read Walsh’s account I instantly connected with Walsh’s story. I too, at times this season, wondered if I “have what it takes”.
I’m thankful for the group of young men I got to work with this season. We had fun together. We grew as a team. We laid a foundation for the program moving forward. When it comes to the things that REALLY matter, we did well.
But, it doesn’t make it any easier many days. Regardless of the all the positives going on in the program it’s difficult not to get discouraged by the scoreboard and our record. It’s the tug and the pull between what REALLY matters and what society says matter.
Get Back in the Game – Walsh’s 5 Do’s
We need to equip ourselves with some principles to stay the course and keep our focus on what really matters. Walsh had 5 principles he lived by, especially when faced with challenging circumstances during his coaching career. He called them his 5 Do’s.
- “Do expect defeat”. Losses happen. I can’t let losses affect the way I treat people and live my life. A healthy perspective on losses allows me to not treat my players as a means to an end. I must love and serve my players with excellence regardless of the scoreboard. The scoreboard does not define me as a person or as a coach.
- “Do force yourself to stop looking backward and dwelling on the professional “train wreck” you have just been in”. During the first practice after a tough loss I make sure to get to practice early in order to intentionally connect with my players. I go around to each guy and ask them about their day and how they are doing. We don’t talk about basketball during these interactions. We also plan team meals together at my house where we can relax, enjoy good food , and enjoy each other’s company. I find these things help me remember that I am coaching and mentoring young men and not just trying to win basketball games.
- “Do allow yourself appropriate recovery-grieving-time”. We play most of our games on Friday and Saturday nights. After a frustrating loss I usually allow myself 24 hours of grieving time. My routine after a tough loss or weekend is the following: sleep in, have breakfast with my family, read/journal, go to church, and then family time either playing a board game or movie night. Focusing on the most important things in my life such as my family and faith give me the perspective I need to head back into the work week on Monday, motivated to make it a great week.
- “Do tell yourself, “I am going to stand and fight again,” with the knowledge that often when things are at their worst you’re closer than you can imagine to success”. Walsh won his first Super Bowl 16 months after he contemplated resigning. “We are getting closer.” My assistant and I would remind ourselves this each week. And it was true. It was a challenging season but we have a high return rate next season, recruiting is going well, a strong culture has been established and everyone in the program is looking forward to next season.
- “Do begin planning for your next serious encounter. Plan small steps forward. Focus on the fix”. We are attacking our off-season with optimism and enthusiasm. I am working with a mentor, holding post-season workshops with our returnees, committing to reading 30 mins per day, journaling for 5 minutes each day and habit tracking my weeks.
Take time to reflect upon Walsh’s 5 Do’s. They can help remind you of what really matters and that you are closer than you think you are to where you want to be.
Email – ssowden@briercrest.ca
Twitter – @coachsowden
Podcast – Culture Builders