Recap: The 2019 USA Football National Conference
The USA Football National Conference is one of the premier educational opportunities for football coaches at the youth and high school levels. Coach & Athletic Director attended the February event and was fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to some of the featured speakers.
This year’s group of speakers included Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt, and Focus 3 CEO Brian Kight. We live-tweeted some of the best comments from breakout sessions and archived them below for anyone who may have missed the event.
Read more about USA Football’s National ConferenceWe’re at the USA Football National Conference this week! Excellent list of speakers over the next 3 days. If you’re here in Orlando, stop by and see us at booth 223. pic.twitter.com/hN6uyn0naa
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
USA Football always has first-class speakers. Just look at these names. We’ll be sharing some tips from these speakers over the next couple days. Stay tuned! #USAFootball19 pic.twitter.com/aXmBdrDq8h
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Session 1 — Hot Topics: Current Issues and Best Practices
This session took a wide look at major issues in coaching and athletic administration. It was led by Cherry Creek School District (Colorado) Director of Athletics and Activities Larry Bull; Dallas Center-Grimes High School (Iowa) football coach Scott Heitland; and Dr. Michael Koester, who is chair of the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and chair of the Oregon School Activities Association’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
Beginning a session on hot topics: first question about retaining good coaches. Find people who are great with kids and teach them to coach the sport they love. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Heitland: “Give your coaches ownership in something so that they want to stay. Give them something to do that’s an important part of your success.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
On greater demands for a coach’s time, especially with certifications. “Be mindful of the commitments you’re asking coaches to do. Get your plan out there early,” Heitland says. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Dr. Koester re sport specialization: it doesn’t just mean kids playing a single sport, but some kids playing the same sport year round. Something to avoid for better physical/mental health. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Bull calls mental health a national crisis. “There’s a stigma that it’s not OK to ask for help. We need to change that, and provide resources.” Dr Koester says NCAA regularly does welfare checks on athletes. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Dr. Koester says we also need to pay attention to mental health of coaches. Burnout becoming an issue, among young and old coaches. What can coaches do to support one another? #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Heitland: you have responsibilities at home outside of your sport. You need to strike a good balance and do what you can to take care of yourself to avoid burnout #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Question about how coaches deal w/ concussions without resources like an AT. Heitland: all coaches should take online free courses, and when in doubt, pull that kid out. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Dr. Koester: There’s a paradigm shift in concussion mgmt. Not the best idea to keep kids in a dark room or keep them out of school for a week. In most cases, want them up/active (back in school, not on field) in a couple days. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Re youth tackle football: a lot of parents are thinking twice now about putting their kids in these programs. Heitland’s community doesn’t have tackle football until 5th grade. Flag becoming more popular. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Larry Bull ends the session by emphasizing that all schools must adopt/study their emergency action plans. Need help? This article is a great guide. https://t.co/uMYByfgAaB #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Session 2 — Setting High Expectations: From 12 players to 14-0
Wendell Phillips Academy head football coach Troy McAllister shows how he built a depleted program into a perennial winner, with lessons on leadership and relationship building.
McAllister’s school in 2010 was rated 2nd worst in Illinois. His first football practice drew 12 players. He’s going to discuss how they turned it around. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister: a lot of the success we’ve had came from changes in our school and culture. “You absolutely need to have a supportive administration to be successful.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister’s core values: Family, strong men, peer accountability. “We use the word ‘love’ a lot in our program. It’s a word we want people to know about.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister: trust has to be a priority. Being real might hurt them initially, but in the end it’s best to be honest and develop trust with players. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister: Always check-in on players, especially during the off-season. Let them know that you’re there. Don’t assume everything is OK. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister: Have at minimum a monthly team meeting. Just informational, gives coaches a chance to check in on players. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister shares a quote from John Maxwell: “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister: “I would prefer a coach with limited experience and a good man than the opposite. It’s easier to teach someone to be a good coach.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
“If you are building a culture where honest expectations are communicated and peer accountability is the norm, then the group will address poor performances and attitudes.” McAllister shares this Henry Cloud quote #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister calls peer accountability the main reason for his program’s turnaround. Teammates hold each other accountable on behavior, performance, academics, etc. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister developed a leadership committee. Selects 5 people from each class. They discuss issues within the team and help make decisions. Helps foster trust in the team. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister brought in Navy SEALs to talk to players. One thing they said that resonated: “Leading by example is not leadership. That’s just doing what you’re supposed to do.” #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
McAllister on sustaining a winning program: Make practices safer, more efficient. Only practice in shells, no tackling to the ground. Practices are 1 hour, 40 min long. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Gen. Odierno speaking now at the opening keynote. His message: it’s up to football coaches to adopt best practices and instill confidence in parents that football is the best sport for their children. #USAFootball19 pic.twitter.com/IHtscNEjKl
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck discussing growth strategies for youth football. Includes short-sided games; equipment grants/participation funds; and female participation. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Hallenbeck says 16% of flag football participation is girls. They want to make a greater effort to keep them involved and draw more interest from young girls. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019
Retired Navy SEAL and leadership professor Mark Divine speaking now. Says all coaches must practice imagery with their teams. What does a win look like to you? Help players see it. #USAFootball19
— Coach & AD Magazine (@coach_ad) February 22, 2019