Whether at the youth, high school, college or professional level, coaches at all levels can possess wisdom that transcends the playing field.

That's definitely true of the football coaches who are finalists for the Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double-Goal Coach® Award Presented by TeamSnap. The awards program – named for coaches who pursue winning and the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports – drew more than 2,000 nominations.

These coaches from across the country, at the youth and high school level, have different insights but share the big picture perspective of coaching.

Here are their quotes:

“The bottom line is that kids are the most important thing in the world, and they’re all going on to be leaders in this country, we hope, or pursuing different jobs. These are their four years. We do some great togetherness things, travel a lot and teach them little things, like how to politely sit and wait for their meal, how to treat women, and how to learn from some of the issues that come out of the NFL.” - Bob Johnson, Mission Viejo (Calif.)

“My No. 1 goal is to help these kids be successful. I was much like many of these kids growing up and had great mentors in my life. I instill in them hard work, the importance of academics, and just doing whatever we can to find success. Understanding that hard work and discipline will pay off transfers to being successful as an adult. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing kids transform their lives, to see that little moment when it clicks for them and they believe in themselves.” - Tony McGreary, Provo (Utah)

"I use football to teach them leadership. Even if they are not the quarterback or the star, they’re still leaders. Most of the problems with youth today come from following, from peer pressure. I grew up without a father, and I use that to teach them – because some of them don’t have fathers around – that they can make it. One of my main objectives is to keep kids out of police cars. I’ve arrested many kids, and it saddens me, because I think that down the line, there could have been a coach that taught them something different.” - Jari McPherson, K-Town Raptors (youth), Killeen, Texas

“Players play, coaches coach, and parents cheer. I believe in giving undivided and complete attention. We don’t yell at kids. There’s absolutely no profanity, because we don’t want to demoralize anybody. We want to build them up and have them grasp how to build for their future.” - Wardell Jones, Texas Heat (youth), Katy, Texas

“Football has got to be fun. If it’s not fun, kids are not going to play. Our kids are so busy that football may not even be in the top ten of some of our kids’ priorities. My number-one thing is how to make it positive, rewarding and fun and get those kids who are on the bubble to come out and join." - Gus Ornstein, The Fieldston School (Bronx, N.Y.)

“As a coach, you’re always looking for an edge for your players. Above Xs and Os, it’s about instilling leadership and confidence in the kids. Because of the life lessons the game helped me with growing up, becoming a man, I want to instill that in my players. I’m always looking for ways to incorporate the mind and meditating.” - Tim Racki, Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park, Ill.)

“Football happens to be a unique touchpoint, where we have these kids from different backgrounds all interacting together. It’s a chance to give a transformative experience to the kids. A lot of these kids probably wouldn’t interact with each other if it wasn’t for sports. They learn an ability to rely on each other, and getting those guys to spend a lot of time together means a lot to their personal growth. It helps us bridge those divides, and we’ve seen some really special relationships come out of that.” - Adhir Ravipati, Menlo-Atherton (Calif.)

"Never give up, even if you are outmatched. It’s not about wins and losses. It’s about camaraderie and teamwork, because once they get out of here, they’ll have to know how to work with other people. We can accomplish great things together if we are not concerned with who gets the credit, whether in football or in the rest of our lives.” - Henry Thomas, Gainesville State School (Texas)

“In team sports, you’re trying to teach the concept of accountability and that you’re responsible for something outside of just your own personal needs. There’s a great benefit, satisfaction and enrichment that comes from doing something selflessly.” - Jamie Young, St. Mary’s School (Medford, Ore.)