The 3 dimensional coach

As the staff of FCA, one of our greatest areas of focus is using the research, resources and collective wisdom of the last 57 years as an organization to support coaches and help them reach their fullest potential, both personally and professionally. What does a coach look like that is reaching their full potential, moving beyond simply teaching the fundamentals? At FCA we would call such an individual a “3 dimensional” coach. This is the coach that not only has a game plan for fundamental instruction (1^st dimension) but has also developed a game plan for coaching the psychology of their athletes (2^nd dimension: confidence, team cohesion, motivation, etc.) and has incorporated strategies for reaching the heart of his/her athletes (3^rd dimension). As I read the sports headlines this past week, one story brilliantly portrayed a 3 dimensional coach.  Rookie NFL/Tampa Bay Bucs and former Rutgers University head coach Greg Schiano grabbed the attention of many following the NFL draft by signing one of his former players Eric Legrand as a rookie free agent. For those unfamiliar with Eric LeGrands story, you may be asking, “What is so special about him being drafted?” Almost 2 years ago Eric was paralyzed from the neck down during a game, his dream of making it to the NFL seemingly gone. While at Rutgers, Coach Schiano’s success was unquestionable as he turned a perennial losing team into a disciplined and consistent contender within their conference. What could be observed during his time at Rutgers was his plan for coaching both fundamentals and the psychology of the game as it translated to on field performance. What was not as observable to those on the outside but came sharply into focus this past week was his game plan for reaching the heart of his athletes. While his signing is primarily a symbolic gesture and he will receive no monetary compensation or play a down of football for the Buccaneers, Eric LeGrand has realized a dream that he could not accomplish in his own strength, only by the grace and influence of his head coach. It is safe to say that Coach Schiano has reached the heart of Eric LeGrand, given him renewed hope in his goals and pursuits (including walking again) and in the process, demonstrated the type of coaching that is so desperately needed in our culture. To all those with the title of “coach”, do you have a game plan for reaching the heart of your athletes? FCA is prepared to help you develop such a plan. For all others reading this, please pray for those coaches in your community, that they would realize their full potential and influence.

Xavier-Cincinnati Brawl

  For all those that underestimate the value or doubt the extent of a coaches influence and how it translates beyond the field or court of competition, I would like to submit this most recent case study as overwhelming proof. Last weekend the ugly side of competitive sports was on display as benches cleared and a brawl ensued during the last ten seconds of the Xavier vs. Cincinnati basketball game. It would be easy to focus in on the physical actions of the athletes because they are disturbing,graphic and grab our attention. However, what was most revealing to me was the post game comments by some of the players that indicate that the coach had no game plan for his team beyond fundamentals and little commitment to developing them as young men. Several players indicated that they felt “disrespected” by comments made by the other team before and during the game and that quote, “if somebody put their hands in your face or try to do something to you, where we from you gonna do something back”. This is an annual rivalry game! One would assume the coach would prepare his team mentally and emotionally for the obvious circumstances that would accompany such a heated contest. However, these comments reveal that the coaches were a miserable failure in preparing their teams to win or lose with integrity and humility. With the subsequent disciplinary actions (or lack thereof) by the universities failing to send the proper message to their student-athletes about real life decisions and consequences and the DA now considering criminal charges against the players involved, one must admit that the influence of a coach has far reaching implications beyond the game. What if these players behaved the same way off the court? Are we coaching to simply win games or to also help young men and women win in life. Mark 8:36 says, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul”. Sadly, poor coaching and the answer to that question were on display for all to see this past weekend. – Josh Q.

Difference Makers

  Over the last couple of months I have met some of the most incredible people. They spend countless hours each week preparing young men and women for athletic competition, many of them going straight from the classroom where they are helping to educate and enrich their students. Many are vastly under-compensated and their investment and sacrifice rarely recognized by anyone. I am of course talking about the coaches in the greater Jacksonville area. These men and women are truly making a difference both on and off the field of competition and it is a tremendous privilege to serve and encourage them on a daily basis. It is difficult to remember with great clarity most of our early life relationships, let alone things that were spoken to us. However, most everyone, whether an athlete or not can remember a PE coach or other from their childhood that was in some way a instrument of influence, and more often than not, can remember something inspirational that they shared with us. Billy Graham once said that, “one coach will influence more people in one year than the average person will do in a lifetime.” Our desire as FCA staff is to continue to influence the influencers, to minister to and through coaches. Would you take a moment today to partner with us and pray for the coaches in your community? Pray that they would be godly coaches with a desire to influence their athletes and students for Jesus Christ. – Josh Q