WHY I COACH

As long as I can remember, it has been my goal to coach football at the highest level.  Growing up, my dad coached high school football.  My earliest memories are attending practices, playing catch with my dad’s players, and serving as a ball boy for games.  After my high school playing days were over, instead of pursuing a playing career at a lower level, I made the decision to come to Michigan State to serve as an undergraduate student assistant coach.  Although I knew I would miss playing football, I knew that this was the correct choice to help me achieve my goal of a coaching career.  Upon completion of my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a Sports Administration cognate, I remained on the Michigan State staff as a recruiting assistant, waiting for a graduate assistant position to open.  After one year I was promoted into this spot and enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Education program with a focus in Sport Coaching and Leadership.

Originally, I wanted to become a football coach because I love the sport.  I am a very competitive person, and wanted to make a career out of competing week in and week out.  Additionally, I enjoy strategic and analytical thinking, and football is the most strategic sport there is.  The planning by the coaching staff going into every game is more than anyone outside of the football world can imagine, and I have always liked the thought of out-maneuvering the opposing team.  However, throughout my experiences here at Michigan State, both working in football and from what I have learned in class, my motivations and goals have somewhat changed.  Instead of focusing on the competitive aspect of football, I have gained a greater interest in the impact I have the ability to make on the kids that I am coaching.  As a coach of collegiate athletes, you have the ability to take in young men and help them grow into adults.  It is a formative time for these athletes, and will set them on the path towards future success, whether that be on the field or not.  When I first wanted to become a coach, my main concern was the product on the field.  My graduate school classes, though, have taught me new ways to reach your players that I never thought about.  Additionally, I learned about the positive impact sports can have on an individual’s life. 

Coach Dantonio says that his three main goals as the Michigan State football head coach, in order of importance, are: 1) Graduate all players; 2) Build lifelong relationships; and 3) Win games.  This is something that I will adopt in my future career as a football coach.  Although my goal of becoming a successful coach at the highest level possible remains the same, my motivations and aspirations as a coach have changed.  I will now focus on building up people, as well as building a successful football team.