We came across these interesting quotes by some of the most successful sports coaches in the world. You will notice that they rise above the skill of sport and tap from wisdom that is universal. They clearly demonstrate that excellence results from an individual’s personal transformation.
We hope you enjoy them!
Tom Osborne
I celebrate a victory when I start walking off the field. By the time I get to the locker room, I’m done.
Known to be one of the most successful and highly regarded college football coaches and the fastest coach in division 1-A history by winning 250 games in the shortest period of time.
Vince Lombardi
It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.
Legendary American football coach who has his name scripted on the Super Bowl Trophy, eloquently known as the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Mike Dikta
Success isn’t permanent, and failure isn’t fatal
Ditka is one of the only two people to win an NFL title as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach.
Tom Landry
Leadership is the ability to get a person to do what he doesn’t want to do in order to achieve what he wants to achieve…it’s getting the best out of people.
Tom Landry coached 20 consecutive winning games from 1966 to 1985 that headlined the record books. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most innovative American football coaches having invented many new moves.
Pat Riley
A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.
Five-time champion, three-time Coach of the Year, permanent legend in Los Angeles and Miami. Pat Riley only continues his climb toward the upper echelon of basketball prosperity.
Amos Alonzo Stagg
Winning isn’t worthwhile unless one has something finer and nobler behind it.
Word has it that Stagg created the end-around, hidden-ball trick, fake punt, quick-kick, man-in-motion, double reverse, huddle, backfield shift, Statue of Liberty play, padded goal posts and even started the numbers on players’ backs phenomenon. It was Notre Dame great Knute Rockne who once said, “All football comes from Stagg.”
George Halas
Nothing is work unless you’d rather be doing something else.
An inventor, jurist, producer, philanthropist,philatelist and pro baseball player, but it was George Halas’ endless tenure as head coach of the Chicago Town Bears that cemented his legacy as a heroic sportsman. Halas won five championships with the Bears (six overall), along the way becoming the first to have daily practices, the first to study opponents’ game film and the first to have his games broadcast on the radio.
Eddie Robinson
Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them.
Eddie Robinson spent 57 years (1941-1997) dedicating his heart and soul to the Grambling State football program, where he compiled a record of 408-165-15. But Robinson was far more than just another one-dimensional football coach. He also taught at Grambling High School and coached the girls’ basketball team during World War II.
Phil Jackson
Wisdom as always an over match for strength.
A zen master, a holistic innovator and a spiritual genius, Phil Jackson meshed philosophical creativity with a masterful triangle offense to create two differing dynasties, both breathtaking in their own right. Coached great athletes like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman and won six NBA titles between 1989 and 1998.
John Wooden
Ability is a poor man’s wealth.
A motivational figure on the court sidelines during his time at UCLA, John Wooden had a unique way of inspiring his players with just a simple, calm approach to success. As a result, Wooden secured ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period (including seven in a row), an untouchable feat. The Wizard of Westwood was beloved by players and respected by fans. The true definition of a hero.
References:
www.bleacherreport.com, www.wikipedia.com