A Five-Day Masterclass: The Ripple Effect of Reverence and Respect

What I Learned Over 15 Years of Coaching, I Experienced in Just Five Days of Breading Chicken—Here Are Those Lessons in Under Five Minutes.

There’s a rot in college sports, and it’s not what you think. It’s not the million-dollar coaching contracts, the staggering sums some athletes pocket, or the illusion that we’re here to deliver an education. The real problem? We’ve sold our souls to the binary. Win, or you’re worthless. Lose, and you may as well disappear.

This “win-at-all-costs” culture has become the invisible hand that shapes our teams, our programs, and—ultimately—our futures. It distorts our values, leaving a trail of broken dreams and compromised integrity. Well-intentioned coaches fall prey to it, unwittingly fostering a system that demands victories while quietly eroding the foundation of everything else that matters: relationships, character, and long-term growth.

In my 15 years of college coaching, I’ve watched this play out again and again. And yet, in five short days of breading chicken—yes, chicken—I uncovered a truth so transformative, that it shifted everything I thought I knew about leadership. The success we’re all chasing doesn’t come from squeezing out every win. It comes from reverence for something greater and respect for the people around us. When these values take the lead, the victories start to feel different—they ripple outward in ways far beyond a scoreboard.

The Rot of Results-Based Recklessness

In the past five days of serving chicken sandwiches with a smile, I’ve been reflecting on something profound: leadership—done well—looks the same in the business world as it does in athletics. While cooking chicken may seem miles away from the high-stakes world of college sports, I’ve learned as much about leading with integrity, respect, and purpose in these five days as I did in my first 15 years as an NCAA coach. This realization has made me question: What happens when leadership in sports is done recklessly?

The Problem with Winning at All Costs

It starts small—prioritizing winning at all costs, cutting corners, or favoring certain athletes based on biases. At first, it seems harmless, but this creates the first ripple, eroding trust from the outset. The favored athletes might bask in the temporary glow of being “the chosen ones,” but even they eventually lose respect for us when they realize favoritism is a shortcut. As their respect fades, their motivation drops, sending ripples through the team. The trust we’ve built weakens, and the team culture—the cornerstone of any successful program—begins to crumble. Internal conflict rises, unity fades, and before long, you’re left with a fractured team chasing hollow victories, unaware of the rot spreading beneath the surface.

The Rot of Avoiding Discipline

The ripple effect continues. In an attempt to maintain harmony, we might avoid conflict by confusing leniency with compassion. I’ve been guilty of letting athletes off the hook for skipping practices with weak excuses, telling myself I was being kind by avoiding punishment. But this kind of “tolerance” allows the rot to creep further into the team’s core. As standards slip, so does commitment, and soon enough, even the athletes who care deeply about the team start to feel frustrated. Their enthusiasm wanes, and some even leave. The rot creeps, spreading from player to player, creating a culture of apathy that’s difficult to correct. True discipline, rooted in respect for both the athlete and the sport, builds a team that thrives on accountability—not favoritism.

Trusting the Process vs. Avoiding the Problems

As the rot continues to spread, we might find ourselves relying on empty platitudes like “trust the process.” But when this phrase becomes an excuse to ignore glaring issues, we’re not trusting any process—we’re avoiding reality. After a losing streak or a series of poor performances, if we fail to address specific weaknesses and make strategic adjustments, we’ve let the rot fester further. Athletes sense the lack of real corrective action behind the “process,” and their motivation plummets. Confidence crumbles. The frustration spreads like ripples in still water, and soon, failure begins to compound itself. Left unaddressed, the team’s culture disintegrates as more losses and disillusionment with leadership stack up.

Burnout: When We Ignore the Human Element

Perhaps the most destructive ripple of all comes when we ignore the emotional and mental well-being of our athletes. Pushing them to be unshakable, unemotional, and ready to play through pain—without acknowledging the mental stress they face—isolates them further. The rot here is subtler but more corrosive, slowly eating away at their confidence and emotional health. I’ve seen athletes physically injured and mentally overwhelmed, yet still expected to soldier on. This expectation leaves them feeling unsupported and misunderstood, which eventually leads to emotional burnout, frustration, and quitting the team altogether. When emotional well-being is neglected, athletes lose not only their performance edge but also their sense of belonging within the team.

Athletes are more than physical performers; they are human beings with emotions that require just as much attention as their athletic abilities. Without an emotional connection, our teams will always fall short of their true potential. Each ripple of neglect, whether of discipline or emotional care, only pushes the team further into disarray.

Breaking the Fourth Wall: A Week of Reflections

Let me let you in on a little secret: I've only been posting on Substack for about seven days. Yep, just one week. I’m in the midst of a professional transition—looking to take what I’ve learned from leadership roles in the classroom and athletics, and see what it looks like in the world of business, specifically the service industry. In this new space, I’ve mastered counting 5, 8, and 12 pieces of nuggets, while trying to navigate what comes next—all with one simple routine guiding me.

Every morning, I wake up, read a bit from the Book of Proverbs or Psalms, go for a walk to reflect, and then head to work. My new uniform—complete with a hair net—goes on, and I head out to find where these practical pieces of wisdom will show up throughout my day. And at the end of each day, I come home, take it all in, and write about it here.

If you’re reading this, thank you for taking a moment to share in this journey with me. And if you feel inspired, I’d love for you to comment or even share it with others who might find some value in these reflections too.

Today passage comes from Psalm 112. It’s a short psalm—takes about 90 seconds to read—but it packs a punch when it comes to offering timeless wisdom. So, here it is:

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    their righteousness endures forever;
    their horn will be lifted high in honor.
…

Guidelines for Greatness

Psalm 112 offers encouragement and instruction for the faithful, emphasizing the blessings that come from reverence (often translated as "fear of the Lord") and righteous living. It is a blueprint for integrity, generosity, and unwavering trust in something greater than oneself. Written to guide and inspire the children of Israel, the psalm outlines how those who live in reverence and respect will be blessed, with their legacy extending beyond themselves into their families and communities. These blessings include wealth, stability, and honor, not just in material terms but in how their lives positively impact others.

As leaders—whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities—Psalm 112 provides a framework for living with integrity. It urges leaders to be compassionate, fair, and generous, assuring them that their actions will ripple out, leading to long-lasting success and a positive reputation. This psalm also encourages an attitude of fearlessness in the face of adversity, teaching that strong leadership comes from a place of deep-rooted trust and wisdom, which then radiates to those they lead.

Applying these principles in the modern world of athletics or business means fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and generosity. It means focusing not just on results—like wins or profit margins—but on how those in leadership positions can help develop the character and well-being of the people under their care. My observations about the leadership found at "The Happy Little Chicken Factory" align with this psalm’s teaching: leadership that upholds reverence for higher principles and respect for individuals creates a healthy and thriving environment. Similarly, in athletics, when leaders prioritize righteousness over mere victories, it leads to a culture where success is measured not just in trophies, but in the overall growth and well-being of the team.

The Ripple Effect of Reverence and Respect

So on my break today, I learned that Psalm 112 is an acrostic—written this way to make its message of encouragement and instruction easy to remember and pass down through generations.

In that same spirit, I’ve come up with an acrostic of what I’ve learned as a coach, leader, and maker of finely crafted chicken sandwiches. It’s taken me exactly 15 years and 5 days to figure it all out, but now, it’s my pleasure to offer it to you, maybe you can pass it along to someone else too.

A – Accountability breeds trust. Be transparent with your decisions and maintain fairness to inspire respect.
B – Build character over winning. Winning at all costs erodes the core values your team needs for long-term success.
C – Compassion matters. Acknowledge athletes’ struggles and foster a supportive environment where teammates care for each other.
D – Discipline isn't punishment; it’s a tool for growth. Correct with fairness and always aim to improve your athletes, not diminish them.
E – Effort and consistency are within your control. Teach your athletes to focus on these, especially when facing adversity.
F – Fairness in decision-making builds trust. Ensure that every athlete feels they are playing on a level field, where merit is rewarded.
G – Generosity extends beyond skills. Encourage athletes to share their time, knowledge, and support with teammates, promoting unity.
H – Humanity is key. Remember, you’re coaching people, not just athletes. Recognize their individuality, on and off the field.
I – Integrity is the foundation of leadership. Leading with honesty sets a standard that athletes will respect and emulate.
J – Justice in leadership means making decisions that are ethical, fair, and unbiased. Athletes thrive in environments where justice prevails.
K – Kindness in leadership is not a weakness. Show empathy towards your athletes, especially during difficult times.
L – Legacy is more than trophies. Foster a culture that instills values of integrity, teamwork, and resilience, which will last beyond seasons.
M – Mental toughness is built through adversity. Train athletes to embrace setbacks as part of their growth, not something to fear.
N – Nurture leadership in your athletes. Give them roles where they can lead by example, shaping the next generation of team leaders.
O – Openness fosters trust. Be transparent about your processes, decisions, and team dynamics to build a united group.
P – Process over results. Teach your athletes to trust the process, focusing on daily effort, growth, and resilience, rather than immediate wins.
Q – Quiet composure under pressure. Help athletes manage stress and maintain focus during critical moments through mental training and mindfulness.
R – Resilience is essential. Encourage your team to push through adversity and trust in their preparation even when things go wrong.
S – Sportsmanship goes beyond competition. Teach athletes to respect their opponents and carry themselves with honor, reflecting the true spirit of the game.
T – Teamwork over individualism. Build a culture where athletes understand the importance of supporting one another and working towards collective success.