Coach ,

There is a famous Peter Drucker quote that says that "culture eats strategy for breakfast". This implies that the culture of your team always determines success regardless of how effective your strategies may be.

When Drucker said that culture eats strategy for breakfast, he pointed out the importance of the human factor in any organization. 

No matter how detailed and solid your X&O systems and strategies are, if the people executing it don't buy-in to the culture, your team will fail.

We are excited to share the most upvoted Culture talks of this past clinic season overall along with notable talks from each clinic. 

Each image shares an impactful segment. Click on the images for video.

#1 Critically Important Aspects of Building a Program - Greg Schiano, Rutgers

Presented at Lauren’s First and Goal, Coach Schiano gave a heartfelt talk on the ideas about building a program at any level that he has learned over his career.  

He shares what he calls the “Law of Three” in this video (click image);

#2 Coaching at Every Level - Sean Payton, Head Coach, New Orleans Saints

At the Louisiana Football Coaches Association Clinic, Coach Payton talked about his experiences from coaching youth football to being a Super Bowl Champion.  

In this video Coach Payton talks about “pedigree” at every level and how it impacts your career.

#3 Clifton Style - Luke Fickell, Head Coach, Cincinnati

We all want more for our program, and while we certainly should work towards those goals, it starts with embracing what we do have and that is exactly what Coach Fickell explains in his talk “Clifton Style” given at Lauren’s First and Goal.

In this segment, coach shares his philosophy on their style of football at Cincinnati:

#4 Developing Relationships with Your Players -  Terry Joseph, Secondary Coach, Texas

As mentioned, if the people executing it don't buy-in to the culture, your team will fail. Building relationships are critical for success, which is what Coach Joseph covered in his presentation.

Coach Joseph shares his tool for building relationships which he calls his “33 Percent Performance Chart” in this video:

#5 All Gas, No Brakes - Steve Sarkisian, Head Coach, Texas

A simple idea can create buy-in which is the idea behind Coach Sarkisian’s  “All Gas, No Brakes” mantra. Coach shared this at the Louisiana Football Coaches Association Clinic.

In this video he explains the four pillars of his program. Be sure to watch the video that follows where he explains the mantra.

#6 Q&A with Nick Saban, Head Coach, Alabama

The Q&A with the GOAT at both Alabama Football Coaches Association Clinic and Louisiana Football Coaches Association Clinic was as entertaining as it was informative.

Coach Saban fielded questions from the audience, like this one on wanting “and” players instead of “but” players.  This is an idea you will want to share with your own players.

#7 (tie) Building a Winning Culture - Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Iowa State

At the Iowa Football Coaches Association Clinic, Coach Campbell delivered a presentation on the 10 steps they take to help players develop their full potential.  

A culture built on the foundation of development of each individual is one that inherently creates buy-in.  In this video Coach Campbell shares their main focus at Iowa State:

#7 (tie) From Two Wins to the Orange Bowl in Two Years - Mack Brown, Head Coach North Carolina

Coach Brown delivered this talk at Lauren’s First and Goal and the Maryland Football Foundation Clinics, sharing their blueprint for a quick turnaround for the Tar Heels.

Coach Brown talks about how they create an edge in every practice in this video:

#9 Building a Winning Culture- James Franklin, Head Coach, Penn State

Coach Franklin gave multiple talks this past off season including LFG, PSFC, THSCA, and NYSHSFCA.

In this video he shares the importance of having “Culture drivers” within your program:

#10 Coaching Generation Z: Honor the Relationships - Brian Polian, Associate HC, Notre Dame

Coach Polian delivered this powerful presentation at LFG, SoCal, and Maryland clinics.

Coach explains a theory called “self determination” and how it plays into developing meaningful relationships with the players we coach. Ultimately, the relationships are the reward of the job we do as coaches as he explains here:

#11 Changing the Culture at IU - Tom Allen, Head Coach, Indiana

Coach Allen spoke at the Illinois Football Coaches Association Clinic and Southern California Football Coaches Association Clinic on how they changed the culture at IU. He shares simple ideas and a deep conviction for those ideas which anyone can implement.

In this video he shares their one word for 2020 which was “relentless”:

It is a fun time of year when school is out and we can focus our work solely on our football program. In the midst of all the X&O’s don’t forget to develop your people systems and the culture that will push you through adversity under the lights!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski