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The right way worked. Schiano and the Scarlet Knights became one of the surprise teams of 2006, finishing 11-2 and defeating
Improving the Scarlet Knights win-loss record was not Schiano’s only accomplishment at
Prior to the season, Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year spokesman and ABC/ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit sat down with Schiano to discuss responsible coaching.
Herbstreit: How do you create a climate at
Schiano: I think it’s our older players passing it down. Our older players talk to our younger players about just letting it fly. All preparation is done in practice and in the meeting room. But when you get out there in the game, just let it fly.
Herbstreit: Here’s a tough one for you: An official makes a questionable call. Your players look up to you as a leader and other youngsters in the community look up to you as the foundation of this program. How do you maintain your cool enough to realize you can’t cross the line even though this guy just made a mistake?
Schiano: I think there are some Big East officials who will read this and laugh. But as I’ve done it longer, I’ve figured out that all eyes are on me. First of all, it’s a person that you’re yelling at, so look at it in that light. And you’re supposed to be setting an example. If I do it now, it is controlled and for a reason. I couldn’t say that my first couple of years as a head coach. I was too emotional, just got too into the game to the point that I wasn’t thinking. I think you’ve always got to be thinking as a head coach.
Herbstreit: Competition makes sports great and individuals better. How do you get your players to compete, but not to the point where they forget that this is a team sport?
Schiano: That’s tricky. I think it all stems back to the relationships you build in your program, the accountability you have in one another and believing that the program is first. When you coach in the NFL, you don’t see that because it’s a business. And let’s face facts, so is college football. But it is neat to see 18-22 year-old kids helping one another even though they’re going out and trying to win the same jobs.
Herbstreit: How do you try to prepare your players to be better citizens when their playing days are over?
Schiano: We try to give them opportunities to get involved in the community. Inevitably I get e-mails, letters and pictures from the community and I always try to praise that model. I’m always going to stand up in front of the team and tell them, “I got this note guys, I’m really proud of you, great job.” You’re learning how to help other people and I think that our kids now do a really good job.
Herbstreit: When young players are facing their first big game, is there anything that can help them cope with their emotions prior to going onto the field?
Schiano: I’m a big believer of staying in the moment. When players buy into the buildup and hype of a big game, they come out and find the game speeding by them. They’re living in the last play. They’re worried about the next play. They can’t stay in the moment. I tell them to stay in the moment, relax and have fun. We train year round to have 12 opportunities to play so when I talk to the team, I say, “All that hard work is so that you can have fun on twelve Saturdays.”
To read more about Coach Schiano and responsible coaching tips he offered to youth and high school coaches, check out the fall issue of USA Football Magazine. A subscription to USA Football Magazine is one of the many benefits of being a USA Football Member. Membership is available here.
