Wins, Losses, and Lessons

There You Are

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:05:40 +0000

The thing I've come to notice about famous and powerful people from all professions is that they are, at their core, nice folks. I have played with many great golfers including Arnold Palmer. His attitude is not "Here I am," but "There you are." This isn't a show for Arnold; it's how he behaves with everyone. That's why he is universally recognized as "the King." He has never let his celebrity get in the way of his manners.

Pg 302

Don't Wrestle With Pigs

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:04:16 +0000

Don't ever wrestle with a pig. You both get muddy, but the pig likes it.
-Mark McCormack, Founder of IMG Sports Management Firm

Pg 272

Winners Win

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:02:20 +0000

Coach Lombardi had it right when he said, "Winning is a habit, and, unfortunately, so is losing." A lot of people asked me how you come back from a national championship and keep your team up every week the following year.

The answer is simple: Winners Win.

Pg 268

No Explanation Is Necessary

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:59:36 +0000

The moment I started believing in the spirit of Notre Dame, I started feeling it. And the feeling never left. I am often asked to explain the mystique of Notre Dame. I reply, "If you were there, no explanation is necessary. If you weren't, no explanation is satisfactory."

Pgs 227-228

Winners Are Too Busy Finding Solutions

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:57:51 +0000

Winners don't need to make excuses, they don't have time because they are too busy finding solutions.

Pg 223

It Is Better To Have Players Who Go In The Right Direction

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:55:38 +0000

What I learned as a coach was that it was better to have a slow player running in the right direction than a fast one running the wrong way.

-Pg 214

Questionnaire

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:50:49 +0000

What does Notre Dame mean to you?

What are your most important goals in life?

What do you hope others will say about you when you're gone?

Name the five most important relationships in your life, and explain why.

Pgs 207-208

The 3 Basic Rules

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:48:29 +0000

"I ask each of you to follow three basic rules: Do what is right. Do your very best. Treat others like you'd like to be treated. Those rules answer the three basic questions I'm going to ask of each of you, and I expect you to ask me and the other coaches. The questions are: Can I trust you? Are you committed? And do you care about me? This is what I believe and what I practice."

Pg 207

Titles Come From Above. Leaders Come From Below.

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:45:52 +0000

After he'd hired me, Father Hesburgh had said, "Lou, I can name you the head coach, but I can't name you the leader. Titles come from above. Leaders are selected by those under you. They will follow you if you have a vision and a plan."

Pg 206

Model Coach?

Andy Kaasa — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:42:18 +0000

When asked if I saw myself as the model coach for Notre Dame, I said, "Just look at me: I'm five foot ten, a hundred and fifty-two pounds. I wear glasses, speak with a lisp, and have a physique that makes it appear I've been afflicted with scurvy most of my life. I ranked low in my graduating class of 278 coming out of high school. And here I am, a head football coach at Notre Dame."

Pg 203