A Season to be Thankful

Some members of the media have asked me how I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving this year, so, I thought I'd share. 

First, I'll wake up and check out some game film from last week. That's usually from 6am to around 9am. I'll gather my notes, call my assistant coaches in for a 9am meeting at the facility to review and augment our game plan for our next opponent. 

After that meeting, which usually runs us to around noon, I'll send out for lunch. This year, we'll probably grab a sandwich and work through lunch. I'm a firm believer in the 'working lunch'. No time for dilly-dally, gentlemen. 

Around 1pm, we'll take a quick break to call our families and wish them a happy Thanksgiving (because, when you think about it, family is 'the reason we do what we do', right?)

At 1:03pm, we'll go back to the film room and re-evaluate our game plan and discuss ways that we can better execute our plan. This will usually take us into the evening hours. 

Around 7pm, we take a dinner break. I'll pop in some microwave pizza rolls and snag a six pack of 7-Up from my office fridge. My assistant coaches are allowed to leave the facility and go spend time with their families (because that's what it's 'all about', right?). 

I'll usually wrap up my Thanksgiving by typing up my notes from the day and returning home around 9pm. I'll help myself to leftovers and probably see if my wife had a nice time with family (because, really, that's 'the most important thing', right?). 

So, happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you spend quality time with you and yours. Because, that's the most important thing and what it's all about and why we do what we do.....right?

On Jackals!

Coach 

It's Just a Game. Let's Never Forget That.

Perspective. 

It comes to many of us in unexpected ways. I got a heavy dose of it last week when my starting running back went down with a torn ACL. I'll admit I was saddened for my team, myself, and, most importantly, for him. 

I was wringing my hands, trying to figure out how we were going to play with our rookie backup. Nothing against our guy, but, I was throwing up in the locker room toilet, sweating like a rhino and farting blood at the prospect of using our inexperienced back. Doomsday! 

At that low point, I pulled myself together enough to turn on the TV in my office. 

I saw a news story about a young man who lost his arm in an accident of some sort. It was heartbreaking! 

This kid was driving, or something, and somebody, like his friend, had a few drinks..and, then, either he...or the driver..slammed the car into something or other, causing injuries...and he was talking about how he didn't have an arm, but, he still had a good attitude because he didn't die. Come to think of it, it might have been the other way around - that his FRIEND lost HIS arm because THAT GUY was driving and HE had a good attitude and....well...

...the point is...it's just a game. 

Perspective. I got it loud and clear. 

If this kid (or his friend) can have a good attitude after losing an ARM, then, why can't I pick up the pieces and turn this into a learning, growing, positive experience for this football team?

Ya know, now that I think some more, it might have been his dad's leg. 

On Jackals!

Coach

Game Day Ritual: Pullin' Pork

A lot of people ask me, "Coach, what is your game-day meal?" (again, I'm not making it up. People ask me these things...a lot).

Well, if it's an early game, I start with a coffee - black. None of this 'sugar' or 'creamer' crap. I usually take down a plate of eggs, bacon and toast and bury it with a gallon of 2%.

If it's an afternoon game, I'll knock out the breakfast, as previously described. Then, for lunch, it's pulled pork sandwich time. I'll Hoover about three of those with Hawaiian bread, inhale a pile of cole slaw and follow it by scarfing down a basket of fries...and guzzle it down with a fountain soda the size of a fat baby.

If it is a night game - breakfast & lunch as described, but, after that, I'll just graze.

Up until game time, it's just lighter fare - carrots, celery, cauliflower, hamburgers, rib tips, meatballs in a bbq glaze, chicken tenders, hot wings, pork tenderloin, mushroom caps filled with crabmeat, lasagna, fettuccine alfredo, fried shrimp, fried cheese, fried chicken...and cucumber sandwiches.

My post-game ritual usually involves 30-40 minutes of shitting my brains out.

On Jackals!
Coach

Nobody Is More Upset Than Me.

Hey, listen, I'm not happy. Believe me. Nobody is more upset than me and those men in the locker room. You may THINK you're upset with our play of late, but, believe me, NObody is as upset as I am.

This, of course, preempts your attempt at criticism because I've already criticized myself. So, no further assessment needed from the fans or media, really.

You know who our quarterback's toughest critic is? Oh, sure, you might guess 'the media' or, maybe 'the fans', but, you'd be wrong. It's...(wait for it).....Himself. (Mind blown? I thought you might not see that coming).

See, what the fans often fail to understand is that a coach or athlete's harshest critic is the one between their ears.

So, when you blame me for calling a five-yard-out pattern on a critical 3rd and 9, your judgment is unnecessary. I've already judged myself. The cascading boos, deafening shouts of violent outrage and cacophony of raucous insults aren't nearly as devastating as the taunting in my head.

I know you've paid over $75 for your upper deck ticket, $50 to park your car, $100 for concessions, $10 per beer, so, yes, you certainly have reason to be feel down in the dumps.

That said, I feel worse. Trust me.

On Jackals!
Coach

I Was the First to Call My Players "Gentlemen".

If I'm not mistaken, I believe I was the first coach to ever use the term "gentlemen" when speaking to my team directly. 

Oh, sure, I'm aware that Vince Lombardo would address his players as 'men' and, many other times, you'd hear Herb Alpert say "come on, boys!" to his Holidays On Ice Miracle hockey team in the 80's, but, I was the first to address my players with the formal 'gentlemen'.

I used it when I wanted them to think things were serious, important and oddly militaristic.  

See, when you're trying to make something sound more important, it's great to use terms like 'gentlemen' and follow it with something vague, yet, pithy. 

Platitudes like "this is your time" or "tonight is your night" are wonderfully empty phrases that SOUND like they mean something important. 

Also, try "Gentlemen, we control our own destiny" - even though, that phrase is a complete paradox of thought, it conveys gravity. Sure, destiny means fate which, by definition, means you have NO control, it's a great motivator to say you do! Especially, when you address it formally! 

Now, gentlemen, let's go out and give 110%!

On Jackals!

Coach