The role of a coach in any sport must not be underestimated in terms of its significance, especially today when high-performance athletes are sacrificing so much of their lives at such a young age.
It is vital that the coach not only be technically strong and capable of bringing out the best sports performance in their students but also be a mentor. They should help build character and virtue through both their example and words. While parents are the main educators and role models for their children, it is important to choose coaches who can reinforce the moral compass you are instilling.
Coaches do not necessarily have to be devout Catholics (although this would be helpful), but there have been some incredible witnesses to the Catholic faith within the professional coaching ranks over the years. Here are some of the most successful Catholic coaches in recent pro sports history:
National Football League
John Harbaugh: Having coached the Baltimore Ravens for 15 years, Harbaugh has one of the longest tenures in the NFL. As a Super Bowl winner, Harbaugh has stated that he sees his players as his sons and offers guidance on how to care for their loved ones. Consider what your thoughts, actions, and choices mean to those around you. Live your life fully and with purpose. Find your faith and allow God to grow your faith.”
He speaks about how every action in our life must be for God and with God. Harbaugh holds a weekly Bible study with his coaches and incorporates Scripture into his pre-game talks. The Rosary also plays a significant role in his daily life. Harbaugh has even met Pope Francis and given him a Ravens jersey. Despite his success, Harbaugh emphasizes to his players the virtue of humility, saying, “humble yourself and raise others up around you.” [Catholic Review]
Herman Edwards: After a long and successful career, mostly with the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards made a transition to becoming a winning coach and later an ESPN commentator. The most significant conversion in his life, however, was when he became Catholic after growing up Baptist. Known for his endurance as a player, having never missed a game for Philadelphia, Edwards encourages persistence in daily life, emphasizing the importance of winning daily battles the way games are won play by play. He has also played a role in building up the Special Olympics movement. “Coaches are teachers, and they should care about your children. We have an obligation to be people of service and humility. Live your life by faith; when you truly believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and saviour then it all works out.” [Catholicphilly.com].
National Basketball Association
Joe Mazzulla: This past season was Mazzulla’s first as a head coach in the NBA, leading the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the league. His faith-filled response to a reporter’s question about playing in front of the British Royal family gained attention. His response was “[Do you mean] Jesus, Mary and Joseph?” When the reporter said “No, the Prince and Princess of Wales,” he said that he did not notice them. “I only know the one royal family.” He states that his identity comes from his faith and purpose. “If you don’t have a compass, it is hard to guide yourself. For my family and I, our faith is really important, and we feel that we have followed God’s plan. I have had players sacrifice for me and I want to do that for my players. I want to know how I can impact people positively.” [Movie Guide]
Lenny Wilkens: Wilkens, the only individual elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in three categories (player, coach, dream team member), has often spoken about the role his faith played in his life. He played 15 illustrious years in the association, mostly with the St. Louis (now Atlanta) Hawks and the Seattle Supersonics. He was one of the rare player/coaches in NBA history, then he continued as just a coach for 27 more years. He won the NBA championship with Seattle in 1979. He is the only individual to be voted No. 1 of the top 50 players and top 10 coaches of all time. An even more beautiful success has been his marriage of almost 65 years to Marilyn Reed. Together they have three children and six grandchildren. Wilkens’ own mother was the biggest influence on his Catholic faith when young. She would not tolerate any of the kids missing Mass and Wilkens recalls the immense amount of time that his mother would pray. He enjoyed his years as an altar boy and his parish priest Father Tom Mannion was a mentor who also helped Wilkens get a scholarship to Providence (a Catholic University in Rhode Island). The Church and Father Mannion were pillars to the Wilkens family. The Dominican priests at Providence also became good friends who had a big influence on Wilkens. “God made all my successes possible; he has smiled on me. My faith is who I am.” [Catholic Sports Radio] Wilkens believes that you don’t always need to be vocally pushing your faith but live it…he tells people to leave the world a better place by your positive example.
Major League Baseball
Tommy Lasorda: The recent anti-Catholic actions of the Los Angeles Dodgers would never have been tolerated by their legendary late manager, who coached two World Series teams, both underdogs, much like Lasorda was an underdog. “The only person that believed in me was my Grade 7 teacher Sister Immaculata,” he told Angelus News. “I was always proud to say that I was Catholic no matter where I was.”
Before Sunday home games Lasorda would have a Catholic priest come in to say Mass for players wishing to attend. He ultimately became godfather to many of his players’ children. He put much effort into fundraising for Catholic projects such as a new convent for the Sisters of Mercy in Nashville and for a priest trying to build a school on a South Dakota Indian reservation. “I believe that God puts us on earth for a reason. I think HE put me on earth to help other people.” [Angelus News]