Coach Lawson III: Case Study

“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will, and a lack to change”-Vince Lombardi. Central Dewitt’s football program usually has a tradition of great success and excellent morals. Unfortunately, in the 2014 and 2015 football season they have a combined record of 5-13, which does not live up to the standards of the DeWitt community. There are many problems circulating the football program, but most involve the lack of experience in coaching. Central Dewitt ‘s losing football record for the past two seasons can be solved by coaches properly developing their athletes, incorporating new offensive and defensive strategies, and increasing player participation.

With the right influence, communication and skill development is the key to a valuable coach. Without my two outstanding high school coaches, I wouldn’t have the love for basketball and track the way I do today. They have taught me everything I needed to know for the present, along with tips for the future. Coach Lewis and Coach Kohler have done more for me than what I’ve ever deserved and I will never be able to pay them back for all their help and encouragement. But I hope they have understanding of how much of a change they can make on someone's life, someone's life like my

Coach Dix believes that this style of coaching helps him motivate his young team. Being that crazy, funny, heady, and intense coach gets the young teens pumped and ready to run through a wall for him. When we talked about the difficult situations he has had to endure while coaching, Dix described two situations that occurred during his tenure at East Hall; Coach Dix mentioned a time when his star player who happened to win the Georgia Player of the year the previous year, kicked a ball during practice and broke out a window in the gym. He stated this was a difficult and sticky situation because the team played its big rival in two days. He said he did not sleep well the next few nights because of the impact a suspension would have on his squad. Another situation Dix had to deal with was a parent during a game, walked to the bench, grabbed their son and told the player to get dressed, we’re transferring from this school. Dix said that this was new territory for him and at that time he did not know what to do. To conclude the interview, I asked Dix two final questions. I asked him what were his ultimate goals for his team and what advice would he give to a first year coach? “Championships and graduation,” Coach Dix stated. As for advice for a first year coach, Dix said “Preparation was KEY.” “Great coaches are always prepared for anything and everything!”

Bobby’s coaching career began in 1954 as an assistant coach at Howard College. After working as an assistant coach at Howard for two years he was offered a head coaching position at South Georgia Junior College. Bobby stayed with South Georgia for two years pulling double duty as head coach of the football team and athletic director. Bobby

It all started with an email seeking freshman male in his coaching and administration program. The 2012 graduate of UConn’s Sport Administration and coaching program, William Aloia, says this future success as the Associate Athletic Director for The College of St. Rose started out by almost” falling into his lap”. The New Jersey native began his undergraduate experience with two Division-I parents, and like an abundance of people he knew that working in sport was something he wanted to do. Previously a part of the Kinesiology department under the late Joe Marrone, Will jumped on the opportunity posted through an email and started his freshman year as a basketball manager for the very successful UConn’s basketball program. He explains how this experience “opened his door up”. Will states; “once I started at UConn working with the women’s basketball program and being around collegiate athletics at such a high level it’s really something in itself, and unbelievable experience. I knew it was for me, I didn’t know which part for sure, but I knew this was something I wanted to do.” What Will realized very quickly realized about working in sport is that often times it is a thankless job. However, that did not stop him from finishing his undergraduate career as a four-year manager for the basketball team. The motivation for Will early in his career has been a two-dimensional illustration of success.

Dr. Camden Wood Selig is the athletic director for Old Dominion University. Dr. Selig was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina but grew up right here in Norfolk, Virginia. He’s in his sixth year as ODU’s athletic director and his impact has already been felt. At first glance, his nonchalant attitude doesn’t strike me as a college athletic director. I expected an upbeat, go-getter persona, after all he is in one of the highest professions in college sports. But I don’t think he necessarily doesn’t have that side to him. His “Championship Effort” motto that he has introduced to his athletic program can be shown through his accomplishments, ultimately he is a “doctor”.

He is a terrific Defensive Line coach where he pushes kids to the best of their abilities. When I got hurt last year, Coach Payne was the first to visit. He also then assisted me in my pursuit of a coaching career. He taught me everything I needed to know in order to embark on my journey. He also has assisted me and so many others in loving the game of football. One way he gets players to love the game is simply by having a voice for the players. He will always tell you how he truly feels about your situation and how to exceed the limitations you have. His attitude and voice will always push you to the maximum of your abilities. One such moment was against Iowa Central, He comes in and says the prayer before the game. Normal stuff until he says a few key words after we break. He said, “Are you ready to earn a bowl game. Are you ready to win this rivalry?” At this time the team in unison, “Yes sir!”

So many Coaches have talent and dedication for what they do. I 'm proud to play for one that has a spectacular history of coaching. That coach is Dennis Lorio, who Graduated from LSU (Louisiana State University) with an economic degree and played baseball. “I love the intensity and the relationship in football” Coach Lorio explaining with a passionate expression. I can see it in his eyes that he is very dedicated and hardworking coach. As of now he is 62 years old and still willing to coach. “It’s not the same without coaching. The joy and the sorrow I feel during the season has been addicted to me. I’ve been in this game almost all my life and that is a very long time.”

John Robert Thompson Jr. (born September 2, 1941) was an American college basketball coach for the Georgetown Hoyas. His wife was Gwendolyn Thompson until she died in 1999. He has three children: John Thompson III, Ronny Thompson, and Tiffany Thompson. John is now a radio and TV sports commentator. In 1984, he became the first African-American head coach to win a major college basketball championship. He coached the team that win the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, defeated the University of Houston. The final score was 84-79. Thompson was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and is a practicing Catholic. As a child, his mother insisted on sending him to Catholic schools for the educational opportunities

years in a row the AFCA Regional Coach of the Year awards. At one point, Devaney joked around and told the press, “I don’t expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I want to win enough to warrant an investigation” (“Bob Devaney Quotes”). In 1970 and 1971 his team won back to back national championships and he took his team to nine bowl games. He won three Orange Bowl games in a row, Bob Devaney definitely took the Nebraska Cornhuskers to new heights on the football field, so there was some apprehension when Devaney retired and his assistant coach Tom Osborne took over, but Osborne created his own positive changes and legacy. Osborne's type of coaching was a bit of a change from Devaney's.

He admits that he expects a time where he’ll probably get the itch to coach again and joked he’s been bored the last two days since he hasn’t had to run a practice. There hasn’t been more than a month in the last 15 years where he hasn’t coached.

Without Coach Josh, my teammates and I would have not had the motivation to keep going and to not give up on our goal.

Coach & Athletic Director “As more eyes open to the athlete’s challenges and struggles, more

The coach is visionary and lives life by adhering to core values. He should have very real strength of character and commitment to personal integrity and honesty.

In reading the first article Coach Knight: The Will to Win, I found the article found Coach Knight to be very offensive and mean to his players. Coach Knight did not display good leadership skills. According to the article, Coach Knight’s drive and passion for excellence was not always received as well as his record of wins and losses Snook, Per low, Delacey, 2005).