Across the country, many football coaches are in the midst of twelve, sixteen and even twenty-hour workdays as training camps are in full swing among various levels. At colleges and high schools all over, taking meals and sleeping in the office have become the norm for a number of coaches. This work ethic, or what many dub as the grind, does not come without side effects. Many coaches and family members of coaches are deeply impacted by these schedules. What if there was another way? 

Current Army offensive assistant and former head football coach at Kansas Wesleyan University Matt Drinkall shared some thoughts on Kansas Wesleyan coach Matt Drinkall talks running game and tempo

Part of the reason behind this approach was the fact that two of Drinkall’s full-time assistant coaches had new babies at home. Instead of demanding they stay in the office until midnight, Kansas Wesleyan coaches were able to tag their partners out of at-home and parental duties, which Drinkall credits for the overall positive attitude and outstanding work ethic displayed by his coaching staff. Positivity is contagious and the trickle-down effect of this work environment inevitably makes its way to the players. The most important goal of any football program should be that it provides a great experience for all involved. This belief is at the heart of Drinkall’s philosophy. An approach such as this shows respect and consideration for assistant coaches and their family members. When family members feel valued, coaches feel free to confidently put forth great effort and are more likely to display genuine positive attitudes.

This approach does not only benefit the coaches and their families. With the goal in mind that all members of the program have a great experience, players also stand to benefit a great deal from this compensation of time. Sundays would typically include a review of 15 or 20 snaps from the previous game on film, an introduction to the next opponent and a team lift. Players were out of the facility on Sundays in time to watch the full slate of NFL games, relax and study. Mondays were a mandated off day and Tuesdays were typically a light work day for players, which gave them ample time to recover from Saturday’s game.

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The grind has become romanticized and unfortunately, this can take a heavy toll on coaches. Even Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians has been vocal about the importance of his staff attending their children’s sporting events and dance recitals. A vision like this has to come from the top down, and it’s refreshing to see elements of a family-centered approach being utilized at the highest level of football. Every head coach wants to manufacture success and for their players and coaches to have a great experience. The thoughtful approach illustrated by Coach Drinkall offers some perspective that center on notions of smarter work and some non-monetary forms of compensation that have yielded outstanding results.