In the first installment, five of Bill Walsh’s beliefs in establishing your coaching philosophy were examined. Here are five more of his precepts that he believed that coaches should include in that philosophy and learn to live by with their teams.
6) Accountability- Head coaches must be accountable to their staff, working harder than any of them. It sets the tone for the whole organization. The head coach must make sure that all of the players are accountable to the team for their work ethic and effort daily. Allowing team members to play and give less than their best will destroy your team from the inside. When difficulties arise, the head coach is ultimately responsible. Walsh says that “deflecting blame is looked at as a sign of weakness by the staff and the players.”
7) Be a Leader- The head coach must develop a vision on how the team should operate and perform, establish strategies to achieve the vision and inspire everyone to carry out the plan successfully.
8) Be Ethical- The head coach must have a strong value system and according to Coach Walsh have “the character to abide by a morally sound code of conduct, regardless of the circumstances.” He believed that as the leader of your team you must “exhibit integrity in all of your dealings with others.”
9) Be Flexible- Head coaches must have the ability to respond and adapt to changing circumstances. Every team is different and the head coach must be able to make changes to his system to take advantage of his available talents and ability.
10) Believe in Yourself- Walsh believed that you had to have the confidence in yourself to sell your program to your staff and to your players. Everyone associated with your team must believe in your plan for success. Your overall plan will be different from others, and you have to sell what you are doing and why to everyone. If you lack confidence in any area, the members of your team will pick up on it in a hurry.
It is always a good idea to put your philosophy on writing and refer to it from year to year as some of your beliefs might change or become more of a priority. Sometimes in the midst of hard times, the coach might want to read his philosophy again. He might find that something that is important has been ignored, and needs to be reemphasized.