There are few things I love more than listening to great leaders talk leadership. This is the reason Urban Meyer’s presence on Fox Sports College Football Preview show each Saturday morning is appointment television. Few people can pack as much quality content into such few words. Coach Meyer is a master of brevity and this past Saturday was a clinic.
I would also like to add his book Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Program is one of The Top 10 Football Books Leaders Should Read.
The following are 4 leadership quotes from Coach Urban Meyer during Saturday’s show:
- How To Approach Rivalry Games – “There’s two very different ways to handle rivalry (games). One, I hear people say it’s a faceless opponent. It’s another game on the schedule… I’ve never believed in that… This is part of your DNA. You have to live this thing for a whole year… This is not just another faceless opponent. And as the great Woody Hayes said, ‘If you lose this thing you have to eat it for 365.’ This is a big-time game. This is not another game on the schedule.”
- The Importance Of Practice, Preparation And Bye Weeks – “The most prepared team wins the game always. This time of year preparation is all about practice which you have to take in effect in two counts – one is the health of your team. Number two is who did you play the week before… A bye-week you have to give players off.” – Meyer on playing an inferior opponent prior to a big game. They get an extra weeks worth of practice.
- You Need Toughness To Win On The Road – “When you go on the road, pack your toughest and run the ball.”
- Great Coaches Recognize And Admire Other Great Coaches – “Jeff Tedford is one of the best quarterback coaches of all-time. Six first-round draft picks.”
But where Coach Meyer really showed his brilliance was teaching the viewers the 5 qualities of a great quarterback. They are:
- Competitive Spirit – “He never loses.” Coach Meyer later added, “Jalen Hurts is 31-2 as a starting quarterback. The number one characteristic to becoming a great quarterback is competitive spirit.”
- Toughness – “Is he a tough guy? The ultimate job of the quarterback is to get the first down.” Joel Klatt added how effective they must be in short yardage.
- Leadership – “Can he raise the level of play around him.”
- Intelligence – Brady Quinn added do they have the ability to process information.
- Ability To Extend Plays – Klatt added, “This is the most demoralizing thing to a defense. It creates explosion plays in the passing game. It also allows you to move the chains when the defense has done everything right. When they’ve done everything right as a defense and you rise above the Xs and Os and make them wrong, that’s what crushes their spirits and creates win.”
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.