Sunday, July 13, 2008

Coaching is all about relationships

Reading a story recently about Dallas Cowboys assistant Dave Campo reminded me that life is about relationships.

If you recall, Campo was an assistant in Dallas with Jimmy Johnson when the team won three Super Bowls in the '90s. He then served as head coach of the Cowboys for three seasons (2000-2002). Now, he's back with the Cowboys.

"There were things that happened and it didn't work out (as a head coach) a few years ago. I'm just appreciative to have another chance to be back. There were never any hard feelings. [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] gave me an opportunity back in 1989. And I'll always be grateful for that. To me, coaching is all about relationships. And you build relationships with different people throughout your life and your career. And you never know when you're going to go back to a place or coach with someone again. But you can't really do that if you don't form that trust with the guys you go to work with."

Two interesting points about Coach Campo's quote. First, even though things didn't go as planned while he was head coach in Dallas, he makes it clear that he appreciated the opportunity.
Second, in coaching, as in other professions, the relationships you form earlier in your career often play a role in opportunities later in life.

In the words of Lou Holtz:

"The only thing that’s going to change you from where you are now to where you’ll be five years from now are the people you meet, the books you read, and the dreams you dream."