Dear Coach,

I would like to personally commend you on your commitment to becoming a coach for the upcoming football season!  It is an exciting opportunity and one you will surely excel at.  You are following the lines of some outstanding people who have also had the privilege and responsibility of being called “coach.”  The great ones we all know and admire for their successes and ability to lead young men, are found in the history books of this great game we coach.  They cross all levels and I find myself contentiously looking toward them for personal growth and development.  From the past, Vince Lombardi, Joe Gibbs, Tony Dungy and Frosty Westering come to mind.  Today there are so many great coaches that inspire me like Dabo Sweeney and Mark Riecht.  And of course I will never forget all my childhood and high school coaches that have left a permanent impression on my life.

Your players and I, will consider you in the same ranks as these outstanding individuals and are hoping that you will be their “Tony Dungy.”  You have the opportunity to be that man who makes an impact on the hearts and lives of everyone you coach and mentor.   I say this not to suggest that you should become a “Tony Dungy,” I’m merely trying to convey that we need to seriously uphold the responsibility to create a special legacy as a coach!  Being remembered, not by our wins and losses, but moreover by how we cared and loved our players; which should always be our number one objective.  From personal experience, we win far more games when we put loving our team our top priority!

So, good coaches, please take care and continue sharpening your tools, and hearts, for the upcoming season!  If there is any way that I may be able to assist you, your coaches and/or the team; please feel free to reach out.  Until then, I want you to know that I will be praying for you and your team regularly, and want to encourage you to ramp up for next fall!

Sincerely,

Coach Rick Sneade