Lou Holtz did a great deal to influence his assistants. He was the only head coach I worked for who handed out a manual that detailed the polices and expectations for coaching, recruiting, player relationships and relationships with the university and the community. In the "practice" section, the first statement was, "DO NOT CURSE at the players or situation." If a coach used obscenities, Holtz would say, "It's time you look for another job." The manual had many other terrific thoughts for assistants to become exceptional coaches.
Among them: "Strive to improve your coaching constantly. Strive to make your group the best on the field. Don't argue or discuss problems on the field with other coaches. Players must respect you to play hard. This can only be done if they have a feeling for you."
Holtz also passed this humorous concept to the staff: "When you get an athlete, he's got to be motivated, and he's got to be committed. It's like the kamikaze pilot who flew 54 missions -- he was involved, but not committed."
By Larry Beckish (former Holtz Assistant Coach)
