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Andy Lambert-Sterling College
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There are football ‘turnarounds’ and then there are incredible turnarounds. Andy Lambert and his staff at Sterling College inherited a team that had lost 20 consecutive games starting the 2004 season. Last fall, in his first season at the NAIA college, the Sterling Warriors lost their first four contests-making it 24 straight losses-but then won five of their last six games to finish with a remarkable 5-5 record.

Lambert came ‘home’ to Sterling from Trinity International University in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield. He was an assistant on the staff at TIU for six years and head coach for seven seasons. During his last three years at TIU, the Trojans finished 22-11 and #19 among all NAIA schools in 2003 with n 8-3 record.

Home, though, is more Kansas than Illinois. Although born in Waukegan, IL, Lambert played high school football for legendary coach Roger Barta in Smith Center, KS and then played wide receiver at both Dodge City Community College and TIU. He accepted the position at Sterling College in December, 2003. A year later he was named a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference ‘Co-Coach of the Year.’

We recently spoke to Coach Lambert about Sterling football from his office on campus. More specifically, what it's like being the head coach for SC and what goes on behind the scenes?

AFM: What was it like the first time you stepped into your office knowing you’re now in charge of the Sterling program?
AL: I was still living in Chicago when I accepted the position at Sterling but I was certainly aware of the challenge. We came off a good year at Trinity (8-3) and I was concerned about both resources and support but wanted the challenge. That and wanting a different experience for my family – my wife, Betsy and four daughters – helped me make the decision.

AFM: What was it like the first time you stepped into your office knowing you’re now in charge of the Sterling program?
AL: I was still living in Chicago when I accepted the position at Sterling but I was certainly aware of the challenge. We came off a good year at Trinity (8-3) and I was concerned about both resources and support but wanted the challenge. That and wanting a different experience for my family – my wife, Betsy and four daughters – helped me make the decision.

AFM: Tell me how your office is used. Do you have staff meetings there, do recruits visit, do you use it to watch tape?
AL: I have everything in the office including a treadmill. I meet with my staff there and will constantly be meeting with players, recruits, and their parents. I’m also able to watch tape with a lap top digital projector.

AFM: What coaches have influenced your career over the years?
AL: Frosty Westerling (left), the legendary coach at Pacific Lutheran and John Gagliardi, the head coach at St. John’s of Minnesota (who is the all-time winningest collegiate coach). Both were the creation of a culture that dealt successfully with limited resources. Frosty did his own laundry at PLU and Coach Gagliardi professes to no scrimmaging during the week. In fact, Frosty tells the story that after he picked up a recruit in Tacoma he stopped for gas and asked his recruit for $5 to pay for it!

AFM: If you could invite any three coaches into your office for a philosophical football discussion, who would they be?
AL: Certainly Coach Westerling and Gagliardi – I admire them both. My third would be Patriots coach Bill Belichick. What he has done with his situation regarding both salary cap limitations and free agency is remarkable. I also admire his principles of the team concept.

AFM: What are some of your personal memorabilia and treasured items in your office?
AL: A picture of my wife Betsy and myself, a photo of the chapel at Trinity that is very special to me, and shots of many of my players over the years. I’m a big country music fan and love that kind of music and also have a Time magazine ‘cover’ of Johnny Cash.

AFM: If you could be a GA again and learn from one coach, who would it be?
AL: John Wooden. His approach and attention to detail in the beginning helped lead to what he accomplished.

AFM: What thoughts or advice would you give to the person that will eventually replace you?
AL: I would say it’s important to know who you are as a head coach as well as who the school is and what they represent. It’s important to make sure that the players recruited are the right fit and what you stand for.






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