John Gagliardi is a football (American style) coach who I have been following for years because of his success and unique style. He coaches at NCAA III St. Johns in Minnesota and his practices are characterized by no-contact, no wearing pads, no compulsory lifting, no bed checks, no curfews and no addressing him as "coach".
I don't endorse all of his techniques, and as far as I can tell, he is not a believer and so does not included biblical discipleship as one of his goals for his student-athletes. However, I did find some parts of the article to be instructive for those who desire to coach. Here are some excerpts:
“He has shown there are many different ways to have success. He’s
innovative, constantly changing to meet the talent of his team,” Stock said.
“His style has worked, his philosphy has worked. He’s proven there are many
different ways to win football games."
Gagliardi says,
“You’ve got to have good players. I coach a lot better with good players,”he
said. “They’re the ones out there doing the job. We’re very good at
graduating people and every year we graduate irreplaceable players. But
fortunately for me, more irreplaceable players show up every year.”
His athletic director states:
“The one key thing that I have observed in him through the years is his
commitment to do the things that he believes are best for the student-athletes,”
Teaff said. “He’s a humble person, he is unassuming. The ‘big time’ for him is
not as important as the time he spends with the players.”
That coaching philosophy fits well within Division III, which strives
to highlight athletics as part of the overall college experience and as an
activity more for the development of the participants than for the entertainment
of onlookers.
This is how I feel, except for the part about bishops. . .
Gagliardi said being a part of Division III has been a rewarding aspect of his career. Many of his former student-athletes have gone on to be surgeons and
bishops and lawyers and create lives of great accomplishment. “(In Division III), you’ve got real, bona fide student-athletes who can’t get in (to the school) or stay in unless they are really good students. They are good guys from
great families,” he said. “I’ve seen guys become college presidents, go into
every field you can think of. It’s amazing what they can do. It’s hard to
believe they go on to do so many different things, and I’m still at the same
job.”
You can read the entire article here. - C
11 comments:
Ahem. "Not a believer"? ".. except for bishops.."?
Interesting judgments. Both are wrong. Remember that Christ left a Church, not a Book. Christ's Church wrote that.
There are many ways to teach the Gospel. Many Saints have said to use words if you must. John teaches the Gospel through example. His players live this.
A former player
Actually, Christ did leave a Book and the church is to conform itself to that Book.
I am not sure if John is a believer and expressed that in the piece. I do not know him personally and have never read where he responded to such a question.
I have no doubt that Coach Gagliardi is a good man. I believe his philosophy of coaching is a good one, but propositional (words) truth is necessary to communicate the Gospel. That is why the apostles spent most of their time writing and preaching, not simply "living". Furthermore, Christ did not simply "live", He was contstantly communicating truth.
Thanks for stopping by. I am glad that you were able to play for him.
except for bishops?
Here is how YOU are different than John Gagliardi:
He would never make a comment like that about any religious group. He is a man of integrity. Despite being Catholic, he would never look down on any other religion. He is a Christ-like man. Christ spent his days on this earth with all kinds of people--poor, weatlthy, sinners, future saints...
ANd I doubt seriously that God spends his "time" only with the members of one church.
John would warmly greet and befriend a Luthern, Catholic, Jewish or Buddist in the same way.
John is an amazingly wonderful man. He would be proud to have an old player become a Bishop or a high leader in any other religion. He is just proud to watch his player succeed in whatever worthy field they go into.
I find it interesting that anyone would find it necessary to add the comment "except for Bishop" that is strangly odd, even if you are not a memeber of the Catholic church.
"I don't endorse all of his techniques, and as far as I can tell, he is not a believer and so does not included biblical discipleship as one of his goals for his student-athletes..."
In the future, use someone else to discuss your phylosophy of coaching. After a comment like the above, you don't even deserve to have your name in the same article as John...
You are all about talk, talk, talk... and talkers seldom succeed. They just babble. John is successful because he "Does." ANd one thing he does NOT do is say things like "as far as I can tell he is not a believer...."
John is kind and nonjudgemental... John is a good man, and not only a believer, but the kind of person that would never write a quote like you did.
If you are a coach, you have a lot to learn, you must be very young, and you must have a huge ego.
You should visit John sometime. The man would welcome you like you have never been welcomed any where. And you would learn what humility looks like and what makes some people successful. You could learn so much.
This is a quote from the commenters website:
Understand, the process of "molding" is not always pretty and it is not always a good time, but it is always worth it. As we talked in one of my recent coaching soccer classes: success is fun. I believe that learning to do something well provides satisfaction. We live in a culture that promotes passive entertainment. "Fun" that does not require participation. I believe that this type of "fun" is empty and hollow. Kind of like eating a jelly-filled donut: I love it while I am biting into it, but I always regret it later. I appreciate and admire individuals who get up and participate in life. They are the ones who find joy. I don't want tickets for the 50 yard line - I came to play! A favorite saying of mine (actually I probably got it from my dad...) is "What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger" - and I believe it. Maranatha is not always fun - it's college. However, with the right attitude, you can have the time of your life.-C
After reading this, I really question what you find interesting about John Gagliardi. You are at oppostite poles. He would not agree with any of what you are saying.
1. He doesn't think he is "molding" He believes he is getting good people to begin with. He has a famous line about how he has been blessed to have great people playing for him for years.
You seem to think you start with people that need you to change (mold) them.
2. "Molding is not always a good time" John tries to make everything about his football a "good time" as much as he can.
Did you know he has many starters each year that cannot go to several pracitces a week because they have labs/classes? Did you know that before a National championship game he dismissed a player from practices because the player had an interview at his future medical school--and John still started him in the game?
John understands what is important in life. He has his priorities. Football is a game, an interview for medical school is important.
John doesn't see his role as one to mold his players. He assumes they were good kids before he came into their lives, and they will be good kids while on the team, and will be successful people after they leave.
3.John, in his 81 years, doesn't think people have changed. He still sees them as good and not "people that love passive fun." He has a far more positive outlook on the world.
4.not everyone can play, coach. That is why he gets 12,000 fans at his game. But he does not cut, and lets them all be on the team. The world needs players and watchers. Sometimes we play, sometimes we watch. but hopefully we never place judgement....
5. "What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger" Wow this has nothing, and I mean nothing to do with John's football.
You need a new role model, John isn't your man!
http://www.mccfootball.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your opinion.
I was simply pointing out that I tend to use the term "pastor" rather than bishop.
You and I have many areas of disagreement, you are welcome to your opinion and you are obviously passionate about John.
I cannot say that I would be proud to have a Maranatha soccer player become a Buddhist.
I will say that athletics can and should mold players. Good coaches helped me to become a better person.
What exactly would make me assume that John is a believer in Christ? I have never spoken to the man, just read about him from afar. I never said he was not a believer - I just didn't know.
Are you a believer in Christ?
My name is not in the article.
The attitudes that I like about John are the following:
a willingness to innovate and create,
a focus on the player's impact on success - college sports are not about the coach
and his decision to do what is best for the student-athlete.
Those are exctly the quotes I pulled from the article.
I hope and pray that by simply indicating a couple of points of disagreement with John that I don't communicate an attitude of pride. That was not my intent. I hope you don't think that I am young have a huge ego based on one little blog entry.
It sounds like you learned much from John.
"What exactly would make me assume that John is a believer in Christ? I have never spoken to the man, just read about him from afar. I never said he was not a believer -"
"I don't endorse all of his techniques, and as far as I can tell, he is not a believer and so does not included biblical discipleship as one of his goals for his student-athletes."
You contradict yourself.
You DID say he is not a believer. Look back. I am a different poster than the other ones. It just comes up as anonymous. I think there are several of us posting.
You did say you think he is a nonbeliever. One of the posters copied you quote directly.
Just don't lie and say you didn't say he was a non believer. And just don't talk about him any more. Stop in and visit him like a previous poster suggested.
And remember when you use John Gagliardi's name, you will find your writing read...his name is Google searched frequently
I cannot say that I would be proud to have a Maranatha soccer player become a Buddhist.
St John's has a monestary and has invited a Buddist priest to live among them twice. Who is more Christ like YOU TALKERS OR THE DOERS
"I hope you don't think that I am young have a huge ego based on one little blog entry."
You give away so much sa fast.
"I was simply pointing out that I tend to use the term "pastor" rather than bishop."
Gags would be proud to have a player become a minister (if he was a good minister)...
just no reffs (inside joke)
I agree with the poster that suggested that you meet Gags.
I honestly don't know if John is a believer in Christ. Christ said "I am the way, the truth and the live, no man comes to the Father, but by me." If John believes this verse, he is a believer.
If a Buddhist monk believes this verse, then he is a believer as well - but then he might not be a very good Buddhist then, would he?
I have nothing against John. I respect him as an incredibly successful coach. I would certainly enjoy a conversation with him.
I just happen to believe that there is only one way to heaven, through Jesus Christ. From all of the comments, I am sure that John would accept my beliefs and not judge. I hope the rest of you will extend me a similar courtesy. I hope my players someday hold me with the same affection that you hold John.
Hey Coach....good stuff. Thanks for your stand and teaching. :)
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