More effective leadership.... more efficient.... serving & helping others

 Interested in a Leadership Training Session that you leave with LESS work to do? Would you like to be more organized and better prioritize what you do each day? May 3rd is the day. Contact me for details at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.

How did the Mercer County Titans become the 1st Xenith Elite Football Program.... ever?

A few weeks ago, Ron Tanner with Xenith walked in my office at Mercer County HS.  After talking a little bit about his days as a Buckeye for Urban Meyer, Xenith helmets, etc. he presented the Xenith Elite program for Mercer County HS. I was stunned. It was a great deal for our program and kids.

I had to ask.... Why Us?  One reason was Xenith knew I was a big fan of theirs because all of our Mason County guys wore their helmets during my time as a Royal. But, the other reason he said was our social media presence. They were impressed with what they saw from Titan Football.

In the summer of 2016, Gabby Banks & Morgan Reed became the digital presence of Mercer County Football. Charlie Cox & Raegan Long have continued that level of excellence.  Here is how it all got started.... and another GREAT example of how surrounding yourself with good people makes all the difference. If the Titan Head Football Coach were in charge of our social media, the only offer we would get would be to wear leather helmets.

Here is how it happened:

21st Century HS Football for Old School Coaches

Alvis Johnson at HIS field

I enjoyed getting to visit with Coach Alvis Johnson today at the Heart of the Bluegrass Track Meet. It is not often you get to talk with a coach at the field that is named after him! Coach Johnson was the king of getting numbers on both sides of the ball. 

Defensively, it was his Tell City Six with blitzing and man coverage. On offense, his Single Wing gave him what is now called the "+1 Run Game."

Read about Coach Johnson in BLACK SHOES & WHITE SHOESTRINGS.... "BUY" button is at the top of this page.

Are they worth a helicopter?

Friday morning, 10/17/14, Mason County Football Field

It turned out, it would be the last home football game I would coach at Mason County. We had senior night (10/17/14) coming up and our field was getting hammered all week with rain.

We had a GREAT turf guy in Chad Asbury. Our field was in very good shape, but the surface was thin from hosting football and soccer all season, and an all day band contest earlier in the fall.

With the amount of water on that field, the game was going to be a mess. And, we would do damage to the field going forward.

To remove some of the water and improve our playing surface, I decided we should bring in a helicopter to dry the field. For Maysville, Ky, this was a radical decision. And, I really appreciated my bosses supporting me in doing so.

We paid for the helicopter with fundraising money. It did not cost the taxpayers a dime. But, not everyone understood that. And, even some of those that did thought it was a waste of money. I was also criticized by those that thought our kids should be tougher, able to play in the mud, I was being soft, etc. It was  not a popular decision and I got a bunch of criticism over it.

We already had a ton of money invested in that field, much of it taxpayer money. I didn't want to do damage that could be avoided. I also wanted our kids to be able to play on the best surface possible, if there was a way to do so.  Often times for me, weather decisions are driven by finances. Mud significantly increases wear and tear on equipment and/or takes an incredible amount of valuable time for cleanup & repair. If I can avoid it, I do so because it saves money and benefits everyone in the athletic program.

The helicopter made a big difference in removing water from the surface. Our field was in much better shape because of the decision we made. Even after leaving Mason County and being at Mercer for 3 years, I still have people bring up the helicopter story.

Besides the reasons listed above, I wanted to send a message to our players. #1- You are important to me. Important enough for me to do something"crazy" like get a helicopter to dry the field. #2- What we do is important. We have much invested. This game coming up matters. Anything I can do, we can do, to help us win, we will do it.  #3- I wanted to communicate to people OUTSIDE of our program that our kids were very important to me. We had lost a tough game and played very poorly the week before. I wanted to make sure EVERYONE knew my kids were important to me and I still believed in them.

In fact, the more criticism that I got, the better. Every time the coach is willing to stick his neck out for his kids, that is a positive for the team.  The kids are smart enough to figure out, our coach is getting blasted for this, but he is doing it for us. If the coach is all in for the players, it encourages the players to be all in for the program and the team.

As the new week approaches, how can you be "radical" for your team?  What are steps you can take that communicate to your student-athletes.... "You are extremely important to me and what we do matters!"

Any time we can do more than everyone thinks we should or is required, it makes our team stronger. Over the years, the most successful people seem to be the ones that don't mind doing things that appear unusual, excessive, over the top, etc.  The easiest way to never be criticized.... never do anything or make a decision... especially something unconventional.

When Monday morning hits, go find a "helicopter" for your team. They are worth it. 

True Leadership.... Transforming Hearts & Minds, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the finest leaders I've ever coached, Donald Smith II at the University of Kentucky with my son Trosper
UK Spring Practice, Tuesday morning, 4/3/18

April 4, 2018 will mark 50 years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in Memphis, Tennessee.  When I first read Dr. King's book, Why We Can't Wait, I viewed it as a Civil Rights Movement textbook. After reading it several times, using his book to teach my history classes,  and as the years passed for me as a head football coach, I realized the same book was also a tremendous LEADERSHIP textbook.

Dr. King did not get America in a headlock and make it change. He did not use force or violence. He knew the only way to bring about lasting change was to change the hearts and minds of Americans. His nonviolent movement transformed the way many Americans thought and it changed what was in their heart.

I have learned the hard way over the years as a leader, the short cut fix to change things, to force your way on others, is not real leadership. As soon as no one is looking, everyone goes back to their old ways. To change a football program and football team, you must change how they think and what is in their heart.

Of course, there is accountability in building a football program. But, if the players and coaches don't begin to buy into the culture and program, no amount of force is going to make a football program successful.

Unfortunately, not everyone leads like Dr. King did. There is certainly a leadership style, still alive in the 21st century, that is built around bullying, entitlement, and arrogance.  I've seen those guys come... and go. I hope they keep moving on. Their methods have results as well. In the short term, they may get what they want. But, I would argue, the long term outcomes of this leadership style are resistance, anger, animosity, and a determination of those they oppose to ultimately remove the leader.  Everyone has consequences for their actions. Everyone. No one is exempt.

Teachers & Professors.... if you want America to be a better place in in the 21st century, have your students read Why We Can't Wait.  Coaches.... lead in a way to change the hearts & minds of your student-athletes. Model for them the right kind of leadership. Corporate, civic and government leaders, please lead in a way that makes others WANT to follow you.

On April 3rd, 1968, Dr. King said God had allowed him to look over the mountain top and see the promised land, even though he might not get there.

The 21st century can be the promised land.  Dr. King's movement was modeled after Gandhi & Jesus Christ. I believe their plan is best. I think I will follow those guys. What about you?