Factor 2: Eliminate the “Me First” Attitude
It would be interesting to know if a study has ever been conducted to determine how many 5 Star athletes were the baby’s in their family – or grew up as “Momma’s boys”. Kids, who started out life in that position or environment, can develop a sense of entitlement. But then again, gifted athletes, in general, from an early age are introduced to a life of special consideration; and many quickly come to expect and demand preferential treatment not afforded peers – even other family members.
A successful football team is a team chocked full of role players and interchangeable players. When one player determines the success or failure of a team; the team is not built on a solid foundation. And even while that team is winning, the team is not a “good” football team; rather a FORTUNATE team.
Many top recruits, due to their supreme athletic abilities, are coddled into this “Me First” attitude. This self-gratification attitude should be apparent to any responsible college recruiting coordinator early in the recruiting process. And if a coach is unwilling or unable to address this brash nature in the kid, that coach has not business inserting the burden of this type of poisonous mindset upon the team.
With that being said, most kids are flexible, can be re-molded, and eventually with the proper guidance will embrace positive attitude adjustments. If a strong senior class is in place as discussed in the previous article (Senior Leadership), the reformation and change in attitude should transpire much easier. However, it is the coaching staff’s responsibility to identify and prepare the young man for the fact that his personal goals and achievements can not supersede the team’s goals or achievements, should he choose to become a member of the program. If “team over self” is a problem, the coaching staff should advise the kid that he should strongly consider his other options. A die-hard “Me First” kid will make the choice on the spot.
Elite players can come together and form great championship winning teams. The 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team is a perfect example of superstars taking on the character of role player and share the spotlight with their fellow teammates. The team was a union of 11 future NBA Hall of Famer’s and three future Hall of Fame coaches. To these players and coaches, winning the gold for the U S was more important than self gratification or personal glory. As a side note, Michael Jordan, a key element in pulling this team together, was rumored to have threatened to withdraw from the team if Isiah Thomas was inserted as the final player on the team. Jordan, along with several other individuals involved in the selection process, did not believe Thomas would willingly accept a role, outside the spotlight.
UGA coaches should impose a similar stance, regarding player attitude. For as long as a “Me First” attitude is nurtured and tolerated by teammates and the UGA coaching staff, a championship caliber team will not take the field between the Hedges at Sanford Stadium on any given Saturday – for a very long time.