Often times, we are asked to lead a coaches training session at a church prior to a season beginning. We often we use some curriculum we’ve developed called ‘Why Does God Want You to Coach?‘ At the beginning of the training, we will ask coaches why they are coaching. Coaches respond with some typical answers:
- To spend more time with my child
- I love the sport
- For fun
If these are the reasons why coaches coach, then why is there so much anger? Why is there arguing with referees? Why are there confrontations with parents? Why is there so much yelling?
I have never seen a coach enraged with a parent because God’s glory wasn’t be spread enough. I have never seen a coach angry with himself because he wasn’t spending enough time with his child. I have never seen a coach yell at a referee because the kids on the court weren’t having enough fun.
So, why so much anger? Why the yelling? Why the arguing?
There is anger, yelling, and arguing because winning is the veiled desire of coaches.
Most coaches won’t admit it but winning is the reason why they’re coaching. Winning, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. When it’s made an idol though, as it often is, it becomes detrimental.
Anger is the result of a blocked goal. If you have a league full of coaches who have made an idol of winning, then you’ll have a league full of angry coaches. Why? Only one team can win a game and only one team can win a championship. Only one coach is ultimately going to get what they want.
There are no easy, quick-fixes to the idolatry of winning among your coaches but a good first step is just to acknowledge the desire to win. Acknowledge that our hearts are idol-factories and most coaches struggle with the idol of winning. When people become aware of their sin, it opens their heart for God to move in a mighty way.
For more on this subject, check out the following links:
Why Does God Want You to Coach?
