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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


The Best Coach I ever Had

...Players reveal what has made a coach special in their lives.
by: Roxanne Robbins
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Speaking to a group of 750 business executives in Tampa, Fla., NFL Quarterback Trent Dilfer got choked up as he described the profound impact Tampa Bay Head Coach Tony Dungy has had on his life on and off the field.

"Tony Dungy is more than a football coach," Dilfer said. "He's a man whom I look up to because of his faith and character. He is the type of husband and father I hope to be for my family.

"Tony provided an example for me in multiple areas. He helped me better control my temper in the face of adversity. It's easier to change how you react to a situation when you see somebody else reacting to a situation the way you wish you could."

Dungy's wife Lauren believes her husband has a good rapport with the players because he is guided by higher values than public opinion. "Often the public wants to see a coach that storms the field, throws things and yells at people," Lauren Dungy said. "Tony has to come back and say, 'but that's not the way I want to handle that.' He will try to talk to the players, to relate, to understand and then give advice. It's difficult but he does it and I think that is what makes him who he is and gives him the ability to stand strong in all situations."

Though soft spoken, Dungy has a loud presence in the lives of his players and in the Tampa Bay community. After turning around a losing team in his first two season with the Bucs, it was evident Dungy could motivate his players to perform. Even the media, though puzzled by his atypical methods, sings his praises. Sports writer Eric Snider commented in a Weekly Planet News article, "Bucs players connect with their leader. Fabulously. He is, in jock-speak, a 'player's coach' - which means, essentially, the players like and respect him, will run into a concrete wall for him."

Dungy is unique in his approach, but typical in this: he is a coach influencing the lives of his players. All coaches, whether they embrace the responsibility or not, play a role in directing and shaping the men on their team. Coaches either build up or tear players down. They empower or weaken others by their words and the example they set. They create an environment that inspires a person to excel or fail. Coaches demonstrate how to handle success and how to deal with losses ... in short; they set the tone for the team.

Great coaches tap hidden potential and get the best investments on obvious talent. They give their athletes a vision of something larger than themselves and define a mission worth pursuing. They turn doubters into believers. Great coaches are strong leaders and inspire men to achieve desired results.

To learn what coaching methods are most motivational, American Football Coach decided to ask high school, college and professional players what they value most in a coach and which coach has been most significant in their life and sport. Here's what they had to say:

Dewayne Washington, cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers

A player puts so much trust into a coach that it is important that the coach help young men develop as a whole person. They have influence over players to direct them in a positive or negative way on and off the field. Ken Browning, my coach at Northern Durham High in Durham, NC, had a tremendous influence on me. He was a friend and a father figure. He was so straightforward and always let me know where I stood. Coach Browning helped me develop as an athlete and a man. I valued his integrity and the lessons I learned from him.

He also stood by me when I was selecting a college. Obviously, it was one of the biggest choices of my life and therefore a hard decision. He helped me decipher which school would be good for me at that time. He took the time to weigh options with me and to discern the pros and cons. When I felt I had my mind made up, he taught me discipline and discretion to avoid making a hasty decision. Coach Browning's influence carried over to my life today. Because of what he told me back then, I'm still careful not to make impulsive, hasty choices.

Josh Bidwell, punter, Green Bay Packers

Without a question, my coach at Douglas High School in Winston, Ore., Rick Taylor had the biggest influence on my life from a football perspective. He was a good coach. He knew the game and brought out the best in the players. He knew how to get the players to respond day in and day out. He demanded we play with intensity and excellence, but was still personable and approachable.

The biggest factor for me was that he was a strong man of God with a tremendous amount of integrity that I admired. He never compromised his faith - that was first and foremost in his life. I think that spoke louder than anything. On a personal level, he was available to meet with me one-on-one to talk about my growth as a player, a Christian and a person.

Josh Phillips, Yale University cornerback/running back

I value knowing a coach has enough confidence in me to let me make mistakes. If I feel like a coach is going to pull me if I make a mistake, then I can't play freely. I play to avoid screwing up instead of playing to succeed. A coach's vote of confidence goes a long way towards getting something extra or unexpected from a player. For example, last season when St. Louis' Trent Green went down with an injury Rams coach Dick Vermeil said at a press conference, the team would rally around Kurt Warner, and win games with him. Vermeil gave Kurt the sense of loyalty he needed to go out and give all he had, knowing he was going to be able to make mistakes but that he was the man who would lead that team.

Another coach that has inspired me is Joe Gibbs. He never coached me, but I used to watch him closely. Gibbs was able to see more in players than athletic ability. He discerned leadership ability and heart. On the personal front, Gibbs always tried to surround himself with people of great character. His sphere of influence helped shape his character and had a positive ripple affect on his players. Gibbs also constructed a team with strong chemistry because he focused on character as well as abilities. Gibbs did it all. I just wish he were still coaching. I would love to play for him.

Jamie Sharpe, linebacker, Baltimore Ravens

The head coach needs to be smart and energetic. He also needs to be a strong listener who is able to adapt to his assistant coaches and players for the betterment of the team. He needs to understand he's the head guy, but be able to work well with the coaches and players and recognize their needs and strengths.

The coach I most admired was Rick Lantz the linebacker coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia. He was able to adapt the defense around the skills of his players and didn't try to squeeze us into a defense. Because he was willing to change up our defense, we won the 1995 ACC Championship becoming the first ACC team to beat Florida State. We were always in the top five in the nation in defense. I'm also grateful for my high school coach who helped me get a scholarship.

Mike Biselli, kicker, Stanford University

I believe a coach needs to be very personable and down-to-earth while still maintaining an authoritarian manner. It's important he knows how to work with each individual player because, especially with football, there are so many different personalities.

My dad, Mike Biselli, though not an official coach, was the most instrumental person in my kicking development. Dad, in the off-season, would go and train with me. He pointed out techniques I needed to improve. He helped me mentally with my confidence by reiterating the positive things I did while still showing where I need to improve. My dad can get the best results out of me. My dad also taught and demonstrated virtues that helped get me to where I am and will serve as a foundation the rest of my life. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing God, family, school and football in that order.

Dick Pierce was one of my high school coaches and the most influential coach I had as a player. He's knows the fine and technical points of kicking and has mastered the art of teaching it. As a result has produced some of the finest kickers in the nation. I was privileged to learn first-hand from him while only in high school.

Kirk Johnson, quarterback, University of Illinois

The most important characteristic in a coach is that he cares about his players as people before he cares about them as athletes. That quality epitomizes my coach in high school, Carlton Flatt. The thing about him that impressed me most was how much he cared about each and every one of us. Whether we were starters or 4th string, he cared about each one the same. He wanted us to grow up to be good men and not just good athletes. He would sit and talk to me and emphasize the importance of what it means to be a man of character on and off the field. I always felt that what he was most proud of was the person I became not just the player I became.

Sean McHugh, Chagrin Falls High School

I respond best to a coach that is somewhat established. It's hard to put a lot of confidence in a brand new coach with no record and that you don't know much about.

My high school coach has been the best - Mark Iammarino. He does an excellent job making a team a team as far as togetherness and closeness of the team. He ignites a strong chemistry with his players. Coach Iammarino also did creative things to help us develop as players and people. Once a month he got together with the senior class for breakfast to talk about the season and thoughts and ideas we had. He also took all us up to watch the University of Michigan's spring practice. Coach Iammarino did a good job coordinating with the other coaches and provided an excellent strength and conditioning off-season program. He made it fun for us to play while we worked extremely hard.

Ryan Schmid, University of Oregon center

I think the quality I admire most in a coach is [someone who values] honesty and being upfront, because you don't want a coach who tells you one thing and acts another. If I'm not doing well, I want a coach to be honest and tell me so I can improve.

Our strength and conditioning coach, Jimmy Radcliff, has modeled those qualities. He never asks you to do anything he wouldn't do himself. He'll call you into his office and tell you what your liabilities and assets are as a player. He'll figure out a program to put you on accordingly.

Jared Wolfgramm, Tempe High School, Defensive End

The most valuable thing in a coach to me is honesty and a person that lives a good life. Strong values are important. A coach needs to be willing to work hard with the team and also to invest in his family. His life off the field gives an example of how you can grow and develop as you set your own goals for the future.

My high school coach, Tim McBurney, is passionate about football but still modeled those qualities in other areas of his life. He was always there for me and provided solid advice. He helped me with family and with school and gave direction as I looked at colleges.

I've learned that I'm a better football player when I'm doing the right things off the field as well because then I'm able to play with a clear mind. By making wise choices in all areas of my life I don't have to worry about anything else and can concentrate fully on the game because I know everything is taken care of.






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