A great coach embodies some very essential qualities, such as integrity, transparency, skills, authenticity, knowledge, innovation, passion, focus, courage, drive, and above all, that human quality of being able to give of themselves to their players.
Mark Weber, a Cal Lutheran lineman who played from 1977-1979, who is discussed in the present News and Features article of this website as the new Offensive Line Coach at Utah State is a prime example of the quality of player / coaches that have been “incubated” at Cal Lutheran. The interviewer of Mark for this article asks the kind of questions of Mark that solicit what he has learned about the qualities and characteristics that a great coach should have. Mark mentions a number of the characteristics mentioned above, but above all, it is how you treat people in all situations, not just football. A great coach conveys…“who that person is deep down inside, because when adversity hits, that’s who you see.”
It is a fact of life that football encourages those who are born with the size and “physical performance” advantages to excel at the highest level. Of course attitude and discipline, will and intelligence and leadership qualities can often help smaller players advance and succeed, but no matter how much you love football, destiny chooses the path your life will take on the field and thereafter. There is no “written formula” for a person’s life in football, but if you have a passion and a love of football and want to spend your life in this sport, there is certainly a place for you.
Anthony Lugo is a young man presently working with Cal Lutheran’s Athletic Department objectives whose time is being partially supported by the 5th Quarter, and he is presently just beginning to compile a list of football coaches who all played for Cal Lutheran. If any reader of this column knows of a Cal Lutheran player who is presently coaching or has coached and is not on this list, just let us know; all we need is a name or phone or email and we will take it from there.
Here are just a few: |
