Importance of Culture
Culture is a term that is often used when describing successful football programs...what is it and how can you develop it?
I imagine many of you are busy with off-season weight training and working with next years team! I always found this time of year especially valuable in not only developing your players physically but equally important, building team chemistry and having you players develop a sense of urgency about what lies ahead! This month’s Playbook features thoughts on:
the importance of creating and developing a strong culture within your program
things to consider as you help your players navigate the recruiting process… a conversation with George Fox University Head Coach Chris Casey provides valuable insight on this topic and more
things to consider when deciding to go for it on 4th down…..something that has been on display in this past college and NFL seasons
another Subscriber Spotlight in the Breaking the Huddle section, this month featuring long time Pac-12 referee Dan Hill
I am really enjoying the process of putting the Playbook together each month and the interactions I have had with so many of you. With over 200 readers, I want to continue to add more coaches to the distribution list so please help spread the word! I would also ask you to consider the $5 / subscription. The previous ten editions are all archived and accessible to paid subscribers. You can find the subscription bar a bit lower in this month’s edition!
JM
Culture – What Does it Mean and How Do you Build It
“This team has a great culture”, “this program needs a culture change”, or “they are looking for a coach who can change the culture” are some phrases that are often used to describe teams and organizations in today’s world but often without an explanation of what culture is. I believe that a team’s culture is an almost tangible presence that can be felt and that bonds the players and coaches in their pursuit of success. It is very noticeable to outside observers and I once heard a coach describe a team’s culture as something “you can’t really put your finger on but you definitely know it when you see it. ”
Every team and organization will face tough times and adversity. A strong, positive culture will hold teams together when things get tough, and help them persevere and ultimately have a chance at achieving their goals. In 2021, our young Mountainside football team had a challenging schedule and lost our first three games to open the season. Starting a season 0-3 can be a recipe for disaster in high school football as teams can fracture and begin pointing fingers. Fortunately, our 2021 team went on a 5-game winning streak, ultimately made the playoffs, and won a road playoff game before losing to the eventual state champion. We didn’t change our offensive or defensive scheme or suddenly get new players. Rather we stuck together, were able to have positive and frank conversations about how to turn the tide, and ultimately found success. This turnaround was only possible because of the culture that we had built.
There are many trains of thought on how to create positive culture, but in my experience, I have narrowed it down to a few key elements. First off, a positive culture is based upon real relationships between the players and coaches on your team. These relationships need to be real, genuine and fostered over a long period of time working toward a common goal. You can’t “one-stop shop” for positive relationships, rather you have to be purposeful creating situations where these can occur. As coach, your players will take their lead from you, if you truly care and invest the time in genuinely getting to know your players, they will do the same with one another. For me, real relationships are formed in hard work that is difficult but done together (for example, off-season conditioning or running a football camp for the local youth football league). If players can look at each other and know that each guy has put in the same amount of blood, sweat, and tears, it makes these relationships real and creates a true level of respect between each and every player. It is in this environment that accountability to one another can occur.
The second key ingredient is trust. Each player must feel valued and know that they are as important as everyone else. You can’t have a star system where players receive different levels of attention or treatment. If certain players receive special treatment or are held to a different standard, it can very quickly erode team chemistry. For example, when we award helmet stickers after a game, everyone receives the same: one for a win, one for no turnovers by the offense, one if we hold the other team to less than 150 yards, and one for a special teams score or turnover. My belief is that since the entire team works hard together and every player contributes to our success, our helmets should reflect that. I also try to find ways to spotlight and compliment different guys in practice and film sessions. Even the simplest comment or encouragement to a player will let them know you are watching and care. Players must trust the coaches and each other, and that begins with all players feeling valued and important.
Finally, I believe that as a program you need to identify what is most important, and make that the focal point our your culture. Since I was at Foothill High School in the 90’s and later Silverton and Mountainside, our identity was always that of a scrappy team that hustles all over the field and battles for 48 minutes. We run on and off the field, we run into the locker room at halftime, and we sprint from the offensive huddle to the LOS. With your team doing these daily in practice and then on Friday nights, it will become your identity and a source of pride not only for your team but your community as well.
Once you have built these three elements into your team, then consistency becomes the key. Your coaches and players have to remain focused on these values and continually foster them. I am constantly reminding the team of how important our culture is and how it will directly help us get over the hump in tight games. If it was easy, then everyone would have a positive culture but the reality is that it is not. You must be focused and aware of the culture you are trying to build because it will become the foundation of your program. Teams may experience a bad stretch or even a tough season, but if you never have a bad year with your team’s culture, you will always have chance to be successful.
Conversation with George Fox University Head Coach Chris Casey with thoughts on the recruiting process, preparing your players for college football and more
Chris Casey is a longtime fixture in both high school and college football in the Northwest. Chris spent twenty years as an assistant coach at Linfield University and Whitworth University before becoming the Head Coach at Aloha High School and leading the Warriors to the 6A State Championship in 2010. Chris was named Head Coach at George Fox University in 2013 when the school brought back their football program and has led the Bruins since their inaugural season in 2014. Chris has the utmost respect from high school and college coaches throughout the Northwest for the unmatched character and integrity that he models for his players and brings to his program. Thank you Chris for your sharing your insight!
Question: With your experience at your coaching stops, is there a particular foundational piece that you feel is essential to a winning football program ?
CC: First of all, Coach Rutschman had a tremendous, tremendous impact on my life as a person, player, and coach. Much of my philosophy was learned from him. Some people will call it culture, brand, process, core values, etc. We call it identity. What identifies us makes us who we are, how we operate, and what defines us. The whole thing I see coaching both high school and college for me is: #1 build championship people and #2 build a championship program. At the top of the pyramid wherever I have been is to build championship people. I don’t know of a better place in all of education for developing young men to become future husbands, fathers, citizens, community members, and employees than football. If you build championship people then you can build a championship program.