In today's Skull Session, DJ Byrnes (the master of words, giver of hot takes and caretaker of cats) wrote the following:
Does the fact Urban Meyer didn't peel this blue shirt off Lou Holtz's flabby back make me worried OSU's frontman has gone soft?
[...]
Probably still spying for Notre Dame. Not that that would be enough to rescue the Irish from mediocrity, but I wouldn't be surprised. (The file of "people who can actually remember Lou Holtz being relevant and want to defend him" starts down the hallway and to the left.)
I will gladly begin the defense of Urban Meyer's mentor and friend Lou Holtz.
Lou Holtz can wear any color shirt he wants.
Lou Holtz was the keynote speaker at the Ohio State Coaches Clinic in March of 2013. During his speech it was very apparent that Holtz and Urban Meyer have a close and special relationship. Coach Holtz's passion for football, and more importantly people, came shining through during the two hours that he spoke.
Holtz sprinkled in great stories from his life with football wisdom and ideologies. The man's charisma was immense and his compassion for players and his fellow man legit. Lou Holtz is a great football coach, but an even better human.
At the end of his speech, Lou Holtz let us know how much Urban Meyer meant to him and his family. Holtz informed us that it was his wife's birthday and she told him to attend the clinic because it was for Urban.
Below you will find the notes I took when Mr. Holtz was sharing his wisdom on coaching young men:
LOU HOLTZ'S WORDS OF WISDOM
- Have fun and enjoy what you do.
- Don't let other people control your attitude.
- What's the difference between me and a golf pro? A golf pro gives tips.
PASSION TO WIN
Sacrifice
- Get rid of all excuses
- Quitting is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
- Take a bad job and make it better.
- Focus on why you can do something not on why you can't.
- Focus on your purpose.
FIVE POINTS TO WIN
- Out tough the competition
- Be the best fundamental team
- Win the turnover battle
- Togetherness
- Believe-Don't flinch
Out Tough The Competition
- Have a sense of pride
- Know how to hit
- Out hit the competition
- Be more physical
- Make a better football player (not a better athlete)
Be The Best Fundamental Team
- Tell them what to do
- Tell them how to do it
- Tell them why they need to do it
Win The Turnover Battle
- Teams that win the turnover battle win 71% of the time
- Fumbling is an act of God...The act of a God damn fool who will not carry the ball at Ohio State.
- You must protect the football.
- You cannot give up big plays
- Big plays happen when there is a missed assignment, missed tackle and/or lack of fundamentals.
- Discipline, fundamentals and tackling prevent big plays.
- No stupid penalties
- No missed assignments- Keep the gameplan simple
- Do not have negative yardage plays
- Goalline- You must be tough
- Kicking Game- One out of every six plays is a kick
Togetherness
- The athlete needs you more than you need him.
- Play players that care.
Believe- Don't Flinch
YOU NEED FOUR THINGS
- Something to do
- Something to love
- (I missed this one)
- Something to achieve
DREAMS
- What talent do I need
- Who do I need to get there
- What do I need
- Plan
- Show everyone
- Don't just maintain: You are either growing or you are dying
BUILD A TEAM
Three Rules
- Make good choices
- Trust
- Do right
COMMITMENT/EXCELLENCE
Do everything to the best of your ability
LOVE
Show people you care.
