3 Traits of Standout Sport Coaches

When you think of a successful coach, who comes to mind?

You could answer this with Vince Lombardi, Mike Tomlin, Greg Popovich, Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley, or other successful coaches. But what do they have in common?

Successful coaches possess a wide range of characteristics that make them unique from other coaches. While some coaches are great leaders, some are great speakers, some have wide connections, and so on. Even with differences and uniqueness between coaches, there are 3 traits that almost every successful coach possesses. These traits are not the end-all be-all to be an incredible coach, though, and some great coaches are absent one or more of the traits. That said, when an overwhelming majority of successful coaches possess a trait, it is likely important to the profession in some way. 

1. Confidence

Arguably, the biggest trait successful coaches possess is confidence. This comes in several forms and is often not presented similarly. Coaches like Mike Tomlin may show confidence by benching a starter who has discipline issues, while Phil Jackson might allow his team captain to draw up the final play. Confidence is crucial in coaching because it allows for team buy-in. One of the most difficult challenges a coach can face is a team that will not subscribe fully to the program. When a coach is confident, that confidence bleeds into the team and promotes a championship mindset.

If your coach is confident in the team and its abilities, why wouldn’t the players do the same?

Although confidence can be presented verbally, some of the best coaches show confidence through their actions. One moment I can think of is the “Philly Special”. In 2018, during the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles faced off against the reigning powerhouse New England Patriots. On a critical fourth down at the end of the first half, coach Doug Pederson elected to forgo what was essentially an automatic field goal and attempt a trick play. This play was the stepping stone en route to a 41-33 victory and the Eagles’ first Super Bowl in 57 years. 

But why is this such a good indicator of confidence being an important trait of coaches?

NFL Films described this moment as “a play that the Eagles had never called before, run on 4th down by an undrafted rookie running back pitching the football to a third-string tight end who had never attempted an NFL pass before, throwing to a backup quarterback who had never caught an NFL (or college) pass before, on the biggest football stage”. Coach Pederson had so much confidence in his team that, despite the inexperience of the players and the play itself, he elected to run what would be one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl History. ¹

2. Leadership

Leadership is a quality that is essential in all aspects of life, but in particular, coaching. Some of the best coaches are regarded by their players or peers as great leaders. Leadership, like coaching, comes in many forms and presents itself in many ways. Some coaches are leaders through their actions, remaining role models even in losses, while some leaders are far more vocal. Regardless of the type of leadership, this is a key characteristic that almost every successful coach possesses.

Does a leader need to be vocal to see benefits, or can leadership be something silent?

Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential coaches of all time, John Wooden was far from silent about his coaching style. While the way he coached is often what is talked about, who he was outside of basketball was far more influential and makes the case for how great of a leader he was. One characteristic of leadership he possessed was his ability to reinforce others. While on the court, he constantly sought improvement and pushed his players to be the best they could through encouragement and intentional coaching. Former LSU coach Dale Brown regarded Coach Wooden as a “Legend in basketball, but more important, he is a legend in serving mankind. He was a master teacher and mentor to so many of us”. As a leader, Wooden also recognized the importance of forgiveness and teaching lessons through empathy. While he was a tough coach and possessed the ability to push his players, he sought failures to teach and not punish. One final quote that exemplifies why leadership is a quality that shapes great coaches is from Cori Close, the current UCLA women’s basketball coach. She spoke about Wooden saying, “He reminded me it was just not enough to have trophies and win championships; we have to shape others.” ²

Leadership can, and should, be vocal at times. This creates discipline and reinforces habits.

Hands-on leadership is essential for several reasons. It not only proves that a coach cares about their athletes but also builds positive habits and helps get rid of poor ones. Pat Summit, a long-time women’s basketball coach, had a hands-on approach that many try to replicate. Her approach was simple, instruction and feedback as athletes were performing skills, and ensuring that feedback was constructive and created space for improvement. Her focus on small wins created bigger successes, garnered her much praise, as practices and even wins were always stacked toward the ultimate prize – a championship. Finally, what cemented her as a great leader was her ability to remain steadfast and focused on how she led. She advocated for her players on and off the court, whether arguing a call to a referee or advocating for women’s sports. ³

3. Consistency

Consistency is not only important in life, but in coaching as well. A consistent coach not only sets the tone for standards and rules but also ensures that players see the same coach most of the time. Inconsistency often leads to a misunderstanding of the expectations set forth and can bleed into competition or practices as well. Consistency is established through practice and meetings, but also through coaching style and delivery. 

Consistency doesn’t just come in the form of wins, but also in the process of establishing those wins. 

One of the most consistent coaches of all time is Nick Saban. Coach Saban was in coaching for 50 years, amassing a collegiate coaching record of 292-71-1. Wins aside, his coaching philosophy was predicated on process over outcome. When things are consistently done correctly and intently, progress starts to build, which translates to long-term success. Coach Saban, about “The Process”, was quoted as saying, “We try to define the standard that we want everybody to sort of work toward, adhere to, and do it consistently. And the things that I talked about before, being responsible for your self-determination, having a positive attitude, having great work ethic, having discipline to be able to execute consistently, whatever it is you’re trying to do, those are the things that we try to focus on, and we don’t try to focus as much on the outcomes as we do on being all that you can be”. Focusing on small wins instead of long-term success creates excitement and reward in the short term, instead of waiting months or years for a certain result to take place. The consistency of chasing small dreams is what creates long-term success, especially if the coach is encouraging this consistency.

Consistency also comes in the way players are coached; No one is above another.

Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the most direct, harsh, and standards-oriented coaches in soccer history. His entire approach as a coach was based on core values and management that did not change from year to year. Qualities of punctuality, high work ethic, and professionalism were required of every athlete he coached, and any threats to the team were addressed regardless of the individual. He was always team first, and his ability to craft his vision consistently through the years is what made his Manchester United team so successful. Coach Ferguson recruited and coached players not based on talent alone, but also character and mindset. He also had a large role in the development of young athletes, having a direct impact on the development pipeline of the club. His values of consistency, effort, and respect were fully implemented throughout the pipeline, and this ensured that his vision would remain through each level of development. Through an interview with Harvard Business School, Ferguson referred to this pipeline, saying, “I wanted to build right from the bottom. That was to create fluency and a continuity of supply to the first team. [T]he players all grow up together, producing a bond that, in turn, creates a spirit.... Winning a game is only a short-term gain.... Building a club brings stability and consistency”.  ⁴

Summary

Even though these traits are indicators of successful coaches, they are not the end-all-be-all of coaching. Bringing your flair to your coaching is what truly sets coaches apart. Possessing the traits of confidence, leadership, and consistency is a great foundation to build your program on, and introducing your style will only heighten those traits. Most of all, care for your athletes and be a role model for others, and success will follow.

 ¹ NFL Films (2018, February 12.) Super Bowl LII Like You Have Never Seen it Before | Eagles vs. Patriots | NFL Films Presents. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_RHOB9xkqo&t=404s&ab_channel=NFLFilms

 ²Impelman, C. (2023, October 18). John Wooden’s Leadership Legacy. Coach John Wooden. https://www.thewoodeneffect.com/john-wooden-leadership-legacy/

³Kotter. (2016, July 8). What I learned about leadership from Pat Summitt. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkotter/2016/07/08/what-i-learned-about-leadership-from-pat-summitt/

 ⁴Adams, S. (2014, June 18). Leadership lessons from Manchester United’s legendary coach Alex Ferguson. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/18/leadership-lessons-from-manchester-uniteds-legendary-coach/