Vince Lombardi Essays

Vince Lombardi Essays Vince Lombardi Paper Vince Lombardi Paper Vince Lombardi is regarded as one of the most legendary and greatest coaches of all time. Not only did he create winning teams, his philosophy and motivational skills were key factors to his success as a high school, college, and professional football coach. Vince was Italian and grew up in Brooklyn. His father owned a meat shop, and he made sure that Vince was a responsible young man and had him do work for him when he was not in school. Much of Vines philosophy and discipline as a coach was learned from his father in his younger years. His father told him as a young man that There was only one right and wrong, and he believed that you only did the right thing all the time (OBrien, 1987, p. 23). Vince began playing football at the age of 15 and later got a scholarship to play at Fordham university. Although he did not have much playing time at the beginning of his career because there were players who had priority over him and the fact that he incurred several injuries in college football. He was among the linemen that became known as the Seven Blocks of Granite in his later college years. Vince believed in winning, and did not ever take losing lightly. While he was In college, he did well, but not above average In academics. He was a devout Catholic, and he did spend many hours studying to Improve his academic scores. After Fordham, Vince played on several semi-professional football teams, but his small stature did not prove him to be a successful football player in the pros. Afterward, he accepted a Job as an assistant football coach at SST. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey. This was the start of a long coaching career that would prove Vince Lombardi to be one of the greatest coaches in history. Vince was a oddball coach and teacher at SST. Cecilia High School from 1939 to 1947, Although he had never had any coaching or teaching experience. He felt this was his time to prove himself successful. Although he was only an assistant coach, he worked hard with head coach Andy Paula and together they formed a very successful football team. Vince used the same philosophy that his father taught him about when you do something, do it right the first time. He learned quickly that young athletes needed more time to let the plays and facts of the game sink in, so he had to adjust his expectations to their level. He lacked patience and often scolded players for making mistakes, but would always apologize and praise them privately. He had a burning desire to make his players successful and perfect in playing. A sportswriter once wrote that he demands perfection and gets it because his boys are willing to work for and with him (p. 59). In the classroom, Vince was very organized and demanding just as he was in practice. Although he wanted to move at a fast pace, Vince stated that he learned in the classroom that you cant travel faster than your slowest pupil (OBrien, p. 59). In 1942, Paula resigned as head coach leaving Vince to take over the team and have a shot at his first head coaching job in football. Although many had doubts as well as Vince himself, he took his first team to a winning season. His great preparation and innovative ideas of the game helped lead his team to many victories. Vince took an authoritarian approach to coaching the high school players. He told them that as long as he did the thinking and they did exactly what he told them to do then they would win. He had the mind of a winner and he made sure his players Ana ten same easels to win as nee 10 Vince Ana a willing record every year he coached the Saints of SST. Cecilia. Finally, he got a better offer to be assistant football coach and director of Physical Education at his alma mater, Fordham University. At Fordham, Vince worked under Deed Downward. Vince had hoped to learn a lot from him, but instead he ended up teaching himself most things he learned about football at the college level. Fordham lost all but one game that season and Vince was not happy with the lackadaisical approach Downward took toward coaching his players. The next year Vince became the offensive coach, and instead of working with Downward, he began to teach the players new plays to improve their game. Also, he took it upon himself to learn from many of the best coaches in football by meeting them at clinics or even talking to them on the phone. His desire for learning all aspects of the game showed that he had a strong will to coach football. Vince was very determined for his team to be successful and he knew he had to do whatever it took to find a way for them to win. Vince left Fordham in 1948 after only two years of coaching because of the corrupt businessmen trying to fire the head coach and replacing him with Vince without him knowing. In 1949, Vince got an offer to become an assistant coach at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. At West Point, Vince worked under Colonel Earl Black. Black helped Vince to develop more of a coaching philosophy. He taught Vince that as long as you keep it simple, but repeatedly practice each play, that the team would succeed. Black was a coach that had the strong desire to win as well. While Vince was there, he worked long periods of time with no vacation. The coaches spent many hours after practice and games to analyze each and every aspect of their players as well as watch videos of other teams to understand how to defend them in a game situation. Together, they made a great pair because they worked so hard to fulfill their desires of winning. The team endured great success until in 1951, the Academy expelled 90 students, including 32 of the football players for cheating. This devastated the coaches and the team. Although they had a tough following year, they bounced back and won the east championship the next year. Although the team seemed to be on a new path to success once again, Vince took a Job as an assistant coach at the professional level for the New York Giants in 1958. Before Vines arrival at the New York Giants, the team was losing and the then coach was replaced with Jim Lee Howell. Vince was hired as the offensive coordinator of the team and along with Tom Laundry, helped the New York Giants overcome their slump and did not have a losing season throughout his entire career. Vince had to make several adjustments to perform his coaching effectively at the professional level. To sharpen his skills, he watched endless amounts of film and even became close with the team players to learn each of their strengths and weaknesses. Although Vince loved his Job with the New York Giants he till longed for the head coaching title he felt he deserved. He received that title in 1958 when he was hired as the head football coach of the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin. Green Bay was known for its loyal fans and the recent poor performance of the team caused the management to find a new head coach. After much research and many interviews, they believed that Vince Lombardi, with his strong desire and confidence to win and his great coaching abilities, was the perfect selection. The Packers Ana to aureole their self-confidence. Most of the players were rumored to be wild and uncaring award their team and their fans. When Vince arrived for practice, he showed them that he meant business and laid down rules for them the first day. Those who did not play by his rules and did not display their full ability to practice to perfection, were not allowed to play for his team. Vince was famous for his exceptional pep talks. Also, his players knew he was the single reason for their newfound success. Linebacker Tom Betties stated that they were not expected to win in earlier games, but that with Vince We were trained to win. The the whose psychology was aimed that way. We got inference and spirit and we did win (OBrien, p. 151). During his reign at head coach at Green Bay, he led the team to six division titles, five NFG championships, and two Super Bowls. By instilling confidence in his players and showing them that they had what it took to win, he formed one of the best football teams for years to come. Vince had become a legend in town, and everyone thought he was one of the greatest coaches ever. Vince retired from Green Bay in 1967. Two years after his retirement, Vince decided to come out of retirement and became the head coach of the Washington Redskins. After leading them to a winning season in 1969, he found out that he had intestinal cancer in 1970 and passed away ten weeks later in September. Many people came for his funeral and many of his former players that had a tough appearance wept openly and mourned his death. Vince had left behind a great legacy, and had set the standards of excellence for professional football for years to come. While some of Lombardi coaching techniques and philosophy are similar to mine, there are also several differences. Vince had a loud, echoing voice and often lost his temper when he became impatient. On the other hand, have a lower voice and try to stay calm at all times. I would not want to be too overpowering to discourage players. He believed in criticizing players publicly and giving praise privately. As a coach, I would praise the players to give them more confidence in themselves. Instead of criticizing each player, I would recommend tips on how to improve and practice routines that ended in mistakes over and over. Vince had a strong will to win and used every resource possible to be able to improve his teams performance. I would do the same such as talk to other experienced coaches, watch films, and attend clinics and sports camps to become a more successful coach. Just as Lombardi, no matter what the situation may be, I will always have confidence in myself as a coach. Being confident in what he did as a coach was the reason for most of his success. I hope to one day be Just as level headed, organized, successful, and have the same burning desire to win as a volleyball coach as Vince Lombardi was as a football coach. Reference Page OBrien, Michael. (1987). Vince: A Personal Biography of Vince Lombardi. New York: Morrow.