Character Coach Profiles

Last week I visited a couple of veteran Nations of Coaches Character Coaches at their universities. I observed these men and their ministries for just a little while, but I was able to get a glimpse of why each of them is so effective in serving their coaches, players, and support staffs. A brief profile of each one is below. I will not list names or universities so that we don’t create a culture of celebrity or encourage foolish comparisons.

Character Coach A – he has been serving at this university for nine years, now with his second coaching staff. The transition from one staff to the next was neither automatic nor easy. It did not, however, take long for the head coach to see the character coach’s gifts and skills. As I talked with the character coach, knowing the nature of the head coach, I saw why he was quickly found to be of great value. The character coach is a tremendous complement to the head coach. The head coach is very driven and intense, but his character coach is incredibly relational and projects no agenda at all. The players love him, therefore the coaches love him. It’s a perfect fit.

Character Coach B – he has also been serving at his university for nine years, all with the same staff. I watched a team meeting with video review, and a practice on one afternoon. Both were very good and during the practice I was able to chat with the character coach. I asked him, “What is the most important key to your service as a character coach?” He said, “Building relationships.” That’s it. Simple. He said further, “Don’t pretend, be genuine, cultivate vulnerability.” The next day I watched shootaround, more video review, a scouting report review, a character moment, and the pregame meal. During a conversation over the pregame meal, I heard the character coach say, “I affirm people. I affirm who they are, what they do well, how they’re gifted, who God has made them to be. I affirm them.”

Bottom line – It’s all about relationships. Both of these veteran character coaches are committed to building relationships and that’s why they are very good in their roles. One is serving well because he is very different from the head coach. The other is serving well because he is perfectly aligned with the head coach’s stated values and goals. Both are excellent because building genuine, vulnerable relationships is at the center of how they serve. Let’s follow their examples and be great at building relationships. Let’s affirm people. Let’s not pretend. Let’s be genuine. Let’s watch the Lord do His great work in all those we serve.