Why Do You Coach?

One of my players committed a costly turnover during a basketball game, and I screamed, “How could he be so stupid?” I had officially hit rock bottom as a coach. Winning games had become so important to me that I publicly demeaned a player. My will as a coach needed to be broken and conformed to God’s will. So I spent some time with God and asked Him, “Should I still be coaching?” God graciously provided the answer in Jeremiah 7:3, “Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place.” When I knew that God wanted me to coach, I needed to ask “Why do I coach?” Was it for the wins or my personal glory? Or was it to have an impact for Christ?

The answer to my question, “Why do I coach?” came from Les Steckel, the president and CEO of FCA. Coach Steckel shared that he had gone through a similar struggle in his coaching career. He eventually learned that his coaching needed to be “all about the relationships.”

As coaches, we hold one of the most influential positions in our society today. Athletes look to us to provide leadership, encouragement, love, and guidance. Imagine the eternal impact your coaching would have if it were “all about the relationships.”