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Brian Kelly- New Age Leadership(February 2009 from OHSFCA Clinic)

7 Steps of Leadership:

1. Character

You better walk the walk when you are a coach

Coaches need high character because: players need someone to follow when things get tough

A person of high character models the right decisions and eliminates uncertainty

Demand good character from the youngest to the older in your program

2. Create Collaborative Cohesion

Everyone on staff has input and give your players the opportunity to express input on the program

Coaches must have a plan to create a buy-in of the vision by players and coaches

During teaching moments (practice, film meetings, position group meetings, staff meetings, etc.),

Seek to stimulate, create, and excite those individuals

When every player and coach understands and more importantly takes pride their role in the

program, success will follow

No talk in front of players on whos starting next season

Head Coaches must remember that everyone is seeking self validation for their work.

3. Morale

Ask yourself, what are you selling (body language, verbal and non verbal communication)?

Unexpected and appreciated changes can boost morale (short practice, t-shirts, food, cards, phone

calls/text messages saying good job today

Understand and promote that you must be able to delegate to others to get things done

4. Know What Youre Good At All leaders have similar goals but may reach them based on their own personal strengths

Know what your staffs strengths are and then delegate to them (i.e. Assistant Coach Smith is

very technology smart and you trust him to handle video responsibilities for the team)

5. Have A Change-Ready Mentality

Good football teams have the ability to adapt to sudden change

Good head coaches are willing to change the way things are done (no more but thats how we

always did it)

6. The Head Coach

Leaders are no longer commanders, but maestros and visionaries

Head coaches are the person who puts all the pieces together to create a team

Coach up your staffs (in private) to improve the overall coaching ability of your staff

7. Creative Thinker

A head coach must be willing to challenge the status quo

Whether you are a head coach or coordinator, you should not be afraid of being innovative

Creativity separates great coaches from good coaches

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Bearcat Team Commandments:

1. Treat women with respect

2. Dont steal

3. Dont lie4. Dont cheat

Mission Statement: We will develop our players in the 5 most important areas of football but more

importantly life:

1. Intellectual Development: school is high priority, hold players to a higher standard than the

average college student

2. Spiritual Development: Offer Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meetings or Bible Study

as optional services to the student athletes

3. Social Development: number one priority is to develop accountability to the team and your

friends on the team.

4. Skill Development: What is your plan to succeed? Coach should review histories of each play

and assess them as accurate as possible

5. Physical Development: Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle

Bearcat Creed:

The pride and tradition of Bearcat football will not be left to the (mentally) weak, timid, or non

committed. Both coaches and players must be willing to step out of their comfort zone

Final Thought:

Make sure that there is a clear message for the team on a day to day basis