(Photo via nfl.com)

As 2017 comes to a close, the USA Football staff is republishing the 10 most widely read blogs of the year. Here's a look back at No. 2. See links to Nos. 3 through 10 below.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians leaves no room for gray area in his approach to a healthy work-life balance for coaches on his staff.

In a recent interview with SiriusXM, Arians made it clear that coaches on his staff need to prioritize their family—or face stiff consequences.

"For our coaches, I tell them, if you miss a recital or a football game or a basketball game, I'll fire you," Arians told SiriusXM NFL radio, via TheScore. "You can always come back and work. Those kids are not going to be there forever. They're going to grow up and be gone."

RELATED CONTENT: No. 10 Blog of 2017: 15 life lessons from football that should not be overlooked

RELATED CONTENT: No. 9 Blog of 2017: 3 reasons why your child should play youth football

Arians’ policy was shaped by an experience he had as an assistant coach under Marty Schottenheimer, who had a strict policy on coaches being present in the office.

Offensive coordinator Joe Pendry helped develop a creative workaround to help Arians leave the office to see his son Jake’s game.

“He said, 'Well, I'll tell him you went jogging. Just, when you get back, throw some water on your face,” Arians said.

RELATED CONTENT: No. 8 Blog of 2017: The longest current high school football winning streak in every state

RELATED CONTENT: No. 7 Blog of 2017: 9 lessons from an old school dad

Arians’ words resonate beyond the NFL. If a head coach of a professional football team can deliver such a strong message on the importance of making time for family, shouldn’t college and high school head coaches be able to do the same?

There’s no question that coaching is a very demanding profession and often requires an understanding and flexible family. But as Arians recognizes, finding time for family is critical—and it’s up to the head coach to establish that expectation for the coaching staff.

This is an updated version of a blog that originally posted July 27, 2017.

RELATED CONTENT: No. 6 Blog of 2017: How Scott Frost evolved Chip Kelly’s offense at Central Florida

RELATED CONTENT: No. 5 Blog of 2017: There is nothing like high school football, and we need to remember that

RELATED CONTENT: No. 4 Blog of 2017: 20 bad sports parenting habits that will ruin your child’s season

RELATED CONTENT: No. 3 Blog of 2017: College coach issues powerful message to HS players on transferring for recruiting purposes