Why Do You Coach?

“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”

You’ve heard that before, right? This quote, often attributed to Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi, is said to have actually originated with Henry Russell “Red” Sanders, who coached UCLA football during a run of dominance in the 1950s, including the 1954 national championship.

It’s a common mindset in sports. Those who want to win above all else, so the thinking goes, possess the heart of “a true competitor” … “a real champion.”

Consider these thoughts on winning from other well-known sports figures:

●       “Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.” –Kobe Bryant

●       “Winning solves everything.” –Tiger Woods

●       “The person that said, ‘Winning isn’t everything’ never won anything.” –Mia Hamm

●       “I used to think that losing made you more hungry and determined, but after my success at the Olympics and the U.S. Open, I realize           that winning is the biggest motivation.” –Andy Murray

●       “I’m a mad dog whose only concern is winning.” –Charles Barkley

Clearly, winning is the ultimate goal for many who coach and play sports—and it has been for some time. And let’s be honest: Winning is important—for job security, if nothing else! Today’s sub-.500 coach is tomorrow’s employment applicant.

Yet from a biblical perspective, winning indeed isn’t everything, and it’s not the only thing. In fact, it’s relatively insignificant. The Bible never measures success by human standards.

So why do you coach? What’s your “why”?

As we reflect on this, let’s consider 2 Timothy 1:9:

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”

While you probably won’t find this verse on many locker room placards or coaching coffee mugs, it powerfully speaks of God’s purpose, which in turn should inform ours.

The apostle Paul here lists two reasons why God saved us from our sins and called us to walk in faith and obedience: His purpose and grace. God’s grace is His unmerited favor toward us. We did nothing to deserve His love, His forgiveness or the eternal life He offers. It’s all grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In fact, if you are His child, He bestowed this indescribable, sin-shattering, death-defying grace upon you “before the beginning of time.” The Ancient of Days wrote your name in His book before you were born. The Lord God Almighty chose you before you drew breath.  Call timeout and reflect on that.

In addition to God’s grace, Paul also talks about God’s purpose in saving us. What is this purpose? While Paul doesn’t elaborate on it much here, we see elsewhere in Scripture that God’s ultimate purpose in everything is to bring glory to Himself. This always results in our good!

God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7), and He saves us for His glory (Romans 9:22-24). It’s clear, then, that the life He calls us to is also for His glory. This includes everything we put our hands to, including coaching. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Today, remember God’s glory. The next time you pick up the clipboard, put on the headset or loop the whistle around your neck, remember God’s glory. Our gracious God set His affection upon us in eternity past, sent His perfect Son to redeem us from sin and death, and lovingly called us into His forever kingdom. This amazing truth should pervade everything we do, including the way we lead the athletes in our charge. As coaches who follow Christ, we are defined—and should be motivated—by something far greater than wins and losses in competition.

Perhaps, then, we can amend that well-known phrase about winning to something more accurate. For every coach who seeks God’s kingdom, “Winning isn’t everything, but God’s glory is.”

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” –Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV

Question: Why do you What does winning mean to you? What do you think God’s view of winning and success is?

Challenge: Seek God’s Kingdom through prayer, Bible study and community. It will help you coach with a Kingdom mindset.

CTA: What’s your why for coaching? Take a deeper look into your coaching motivation through FCA’s 360 Coaching Course: https://360coach.fca.org/

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible. 



Photo courtesy of YK Photography