Expect to Win

Coach Steve SarkisianUniversity of Washington

Attitude Part 1

ATTITUDE

• The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

• It is more important than the past, than education, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or do.

• It is more important than appearance, talent, or skill.

Attitude Part 2

• The remarkable thing is ---- we have a choice everyday of our lives regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.

• We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

Attitude Part 3

• The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude…

• I’m convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.

• We are in charge of our attitudes.

“Expect to Win”

History - 1st day on the job

– Interview– Press Conference– Team Meeting– Donor Welcome– *Advice from Pete Carroll – Be You!!!!

“Expect to Win”

Changing a Culture

– Think– Act– Walk– Talk– Dress

“Expect to Win”

Must Have a Philosophy

“Do things better than they’ve ever been done before!”

Firm Belief

“Expect to Win!”

• It is not about ‘want to’, it is who you really

are and what you represent!

“Expect to Win”

UW Football Philosophy –– a) Belief – Expect to Win!– b) Style – Play with Great Energy!– c) Football – It’s all about the Ball! – The

Dawg Claw…– d) Rules

» i) Protect The Team (Develop a conscience)

» ii) No Whining, No Complaining, No Excuses (Creates mental toughness)

» iii) Be Early» iv) Communicate» v) Need to recognize those not

living by these rules! Bring them with us, or cut them loose!

“Expect to Win”

Understanding Goals (Washington Staff structure – How goals get developed)

– a) Organization’s Goals (Team)

– b) Division’s Goals (Offense / Defense / Special Teams)

– c) Personal Goals (Coach / Offensive Coordinator / QB)

– *Keep goals consistent & aligned

“Expect to Win”Recruiting (The backbone of our organization)a) We are looking for great competitors! (On & off the

field) Guys that compete at everything they do!b) People with special qualities! (ex. Great speed, hands,

size, football awareness, etc.)c) High character kids! (Representing UW, our families,

their own families, coaches, etc.)d) Students – Standards have increased not only at UW,

but also by the NCAA. A kid’s background is critical to understand. (ex. What type of school? What type of household? Have they been pushed?)

“Expect to Win”

Recruiting Continued

e) Need to develop relationships with the coaches in the area to get an accurate assessment of the players.

f) Develop a personal relationship not only with the recruits, but also their parents and extended family members.

g) Need to find the “Champion” (who does the kid respect/listen to?)

h) Be relentless in our efforts!

i) The assembly of highly talented people creates an environment that fuels each and everyone of us! i.e. Matt Cassel

“Expect to Win”Practice is Everything! We are continually trying to prove to the coaches and

players that they are worthy of winning. (Skill, scheme, preparation, & effort) Always critique effort first!

– a) We never use the term “We have to get up for this one”. They should be good enough to perform the way they always perform. (Tuesday is no different than Saturday!)

– b) Ex. Final Drive vs. Cal– c) Ex. Final Drive vs. USC– d) We expect to do well!

“Expect to Win”

Daily Themes• “Tell the Truth Monday” – Review & what lies ahead

• “Competition Tuesday” – Base Gameplan & Install

• “Turnover Wednesday” – 3rd Down / S.Y. & G.L.

• “No Repeat Thursday” – RedZone / Fringe / Backed Up

• “Friday Routine” – 1st-15 plays

“Expect to Win”

Practice Special Situations *1st & 10 *2-Minute

*2nd & Long *4-Minute

*Short Yardage *Sudden Change

*Goal Line *Overtime

*Fringe *2 pt. plays

*Redzone *Last 2 Plays

*Backed Up *Special Teams

“Expect to Win”

Leaders….• ….motivate a group a people to work towards & ultimately

achieve a common goal.

• ….have the ability to be admired.

• ….are smart enough to know when they are wrong.

• ….are humble enough to take advice.

• ….are strong enough to praise others.

“Expect to Win”

Concept of Credibility – Understand the power is in the Learner (Accept / Reject) *Coaching * Recruiting

– a)How are you similar to me? (Did you ever play?)

– b)Have you ever coached someone to success that is like me? (History/Track Record)

– c)Do you know what you are talking about? (Knowledge)

“Expect to Win”

Contingency Planning– There are always situations in games that do not go the way we expect...

– a)We need to have the ability to fall back “on who we are” when those moments arise. i.e. Half time adjustments

– b)Utilize our strengths, the things we do well.

– c)The last thing we want to do is become desperate and make “stuff up.” i.e. Attempt things that are not sound fundamentally nor schematically.

“Expect to Win”

Mental Toughness– Dealing with adversity...

– a)Adversity comes in all different shapes, forms, styles, colors, etc.

– b)How we deal with that adversity is critical.

– c)Developing mental toughness is a key component to creating our identity.

– d) It is not about what just happened, it is about what we are going to do about it and where we are headed!

“Expect to Win”

1) Preparation – It will set you free!

2) UW Football has a Knowing that we are going to win!

3) It’s all in your ATTITUDE!!