Coach -

When Coach Brad Dixon took over Camp Point Central, he knew building a successful football program wasn’t about following a set recipe. Inspired by unconventional approaches and the mentorship of Coach Tony Holler, Dixon began experimenting with his own methods, facing failures and learning valuable lessons along the way. 

The lesson from his journey reveals an important message for us: success doesn’t come from copying others but from adapting ideas to fit your unique situation.

The Power of Building Your Own House

Dixon’s coaching philosophy draws from the metaphor of “building your own house,” a concept he credits to Josh Medcalf from the book Chop Wood, Carry Water. Dixon explains, “Every day, we’re trying to build our own house, not somebody else’s.” 

“Every day, we’re trying to build our own house, not somebody else’s.” 

This guiding principle allowed him to shape a program that reflects his community's values and the specific needs of his team. Instead of duplicating others’ strategies, Dixon crafted a practice regimen that balances intensity with rest, creating an environment that respects the athletes’ limits.

Embracing Failure as a Tool for Growth

Reflecting on his 22-year coaching career, Dixon openly shares his struggles and setbacks. “This has been a series of screw-ups,” he admits. Rather than viewing mistakes as a roadblock, Dixon transformed them into building blocks for his team’s success. His honesty serves as a reminder that innovation often requires trial and error. Each failure became an opportunity to refine his approach, making his team stronger and more adaptable.

A Personal Approach to Program Building

Dixon’s commitment to authenticity is evident as he warns against blindly copying methods. “You’ve got to be able to handle it,” he says, noting that each coach must decide what aligns with their style and values. 

In short, his advice is to take pieces of wisdom from different mentors and create a plan that resonates with your own philosophy, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Coach Dixon’s story isn’t just about winning games; it’s about building a program from the ground up, with patience, resilience, and a dedication to creating something truly unique.

Video: Building Your Own House

His philosopy and the execution of it has led to a state championship in 2023. Coach Dixon and his team are in the process of defending their championship.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. You can be a part of the 2024 Track-Football Consortium in person. Information is here. I will be there talking with coaches on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast. We also will have the presentations online after the event.

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