As many of you know I recently heard the words “You’re Fired”. Having never been fired before all I could picture was Donald Trump on the Apprentice saying those famous words. I have had a couple of days and nights to reflect on what it means to be “Let Go” and have learned 5 things:
- You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It To: Coaches who are pissed about getting fired when there is a lack of success are typically the ones that expect to automatically advance when there is success. You can’t have it both ways. You must accept that if you are going to move on with success you give up your right to security. If one of the coaches that I have worked for were to go 12-0 and get offered the Green Bay Packers job, I would expect to go with him. Therefore I must be willing to accept that if we go 0-12 I may get let go.
- Must Be Excited About the Road Ahead: It is easy to get caught up in the negativity that goes along with being fired. It is such a tight community and most of your life revolves around your position. Everywhere you turn family, coworkers, or friends are upset. You must not allow those emotions to cause you to be negative. It is in those moments you must look to the future and the optimism it brings.
- You Learn Who Your Friends Are: In the coaching world it is not uncommon for you to go weeks, months, sometimes years without talking to close friends. It sounds crazy to the “normal” person, but that is how our world operates. We are so busy that you don’t have time for chit chat. However, when things go south friends go out of there way to make sure you are okay. That could be support, encouragement, or help finding your next position. I must warn you though, you also learn who your friends aren’t.
- Money for a Rainy Day: Years ago my wife and I decided to go through a course by Dave Ramsey called Financial Peace University and read his book Total Money Makeover. Ramsey has a great way of communicating the obvious, but forcing it to stick in you. In his course and his books he talks about the importance of savings and an emergency fund. Since then we have tried to keep several months worth of bills in savings along with a $2,000 emergency fund in the bank for rainy days. It is important to understand the volatility of our profession and how important planning for the worst is. Thanks Dave!
On a side note, I have had a chance to meet Dave Ramsey twice at UT. He is a Alumni/Board Member (Thanks for letting me go Dave, Just Kidding!) and would do a chapel service for our team each of the last two seasons. I thought it was a cool moment when I caught him before a chapel and introduced myself and he stated “that he had seen my work and was looking forward to meeting me”. Here was a guy that I had read 3 of his books and I wanted to meet, looking forward to meeting me. It’s funny how the world works!
- Lots of Time to Reflect: You think about a lot of things as you are sitting up late at night or up early in the morning keeping your normal schedule. You reflect about what you did right, what you did wrong, and what you could have done better. You question the volatility and demands of your career. You think about your mortality in it. Understand this is healthy. As coaches we very rarely have the time to sit back and dive into some great quality control. I already have pages of notes. It is also important to understand that this business is tough and gets harder to stay in. I recently spoke at the CSCCA National Convention and asked a question to the round table discussion I was leading “How many of you can name 5 Strength Coaches that have retired being strength coaches?”. Maybe 5-10 people out of 300+ could. At 36 years old I know I will rebound from this position, but what if I was 46 or 56? It is important that we think about our mortality in this business and how we can make it better or what are some alternative to it.
I hope that my experience may provide insight to those that may be going through the same thing, or prove to be a resource to those who may still. The ole’ adage is true “you are not a real coach until you have been fired”. Please provide comments below with lessons you may have learned.
photo by:
Gage Skidmore
Coach Mac,
All very good advice and realistic points, thanks. As always, you’re a great friend and a respected professional colleague. I’m confident that nothing but success is in your future. Onward and upward my friend.
My best,
Greg
Hey Ron, my name is Mark, I’m one of Angie’s cousins (I think that we met briefly at the Florida-South Florida game in the Swamp a couple of years ago). I’m an avid College Football fan and know the quality of your work…so needless to say I have absolute faith that you’ll land on your feet in a quality program where you’re appreciated! All of those cliche’s come into play right now (“when one door closes, another one opens”, “everything happens for a reason”, etc)….but thankfully MOST of them tend to be true! Good luck and like I told Ang: if there’s anything that I can do to help just let me know (not sure what that could be; but hey, the offer is definitely out there…LoL)!
Great piece, Coach. I’d just like to say that I’m sorry about the recent events, but I’m comforted that you have your faith and worth in the right place. I think one of the mistakes people make is to dwell too long (although there is a definitely time for reflection) on how well things had been going before. “How can I be in this situation when only last week everything was going so well?” I’ve discovered that it doesn’t matter what our reality was 2 weeks ago, or yesterday for that matter. The rest of the world isn’t stopping, and neither can we. Keep your close circle of friends close, keep your worth and significance in God, and be willing to be surprised by where He wants to take you next. That last part is huge for me. Not a single plan I had 5 years ago came true. It’s been way better.
I hear ya Coach. Although as young as I am in this field having the chance to work under guys like Mike Barwis, Brian Remington and yourself even if only for brief stints I was preparing myself for the 1st day I heard those words…and when they came, thanks mainly in part to talks with you, I knew that no matter what I was gonna be ok. Turned out to be a major blessing in disguise for me, and I am confident this will be the same for you. God bless you Coach Mac. Thank you for everything!
Good luck to you and your family Coach
Wonderful insight into the coaching profession and financial stewardship. Your positive outlook on life is truly refreshing. Thank you for the time you have spent in Knoxville and the work you put into the football team. I pray that God will bless you with many opportunities to do what you love.
As a UT fan, I’m sorry that you were released. Thank you for your contributions. Good luck in your next stop.
I’m sorry you were let go. It was obvious that you were doing a great job. I don’t think you’ll be out of work long. Good luck
Coach Mac,
Thank you for all your hard work at Tennessee. I’m certain you’ll land on your feet and hit the ground running wherever you land.
I liked your team building exercises, specifically the Mt LeConte climb. Unit integrity is critical.
Wilcox leaving after year two, in my opinion, doomed the Dooley era. I think you did a solid job, fwiw.
Thank you for you hard work at Tennessee. Like many other Vol fans I hoped you would be able to remain with the program, but as you stated this is just a part of the profession. Good luck going forward, I’m sure you will another great opportunity in the near future.
Coach,
Thank you for your hard work at UT. I, too, admire Dave Ramsey. You offer some great advice as well. Trust God, He has a plan for our lives.
God bless,
Don, a Missouri Vol
One thing I have learned from a similar circumstance is that sometimes something good has to die for something better to be born (John 12:24). Praying for eyes to see the better. Thanks for your investment in the lives of young men at Tennessee.
CRM,
Thanks for “giving your all for Tennessee” every day. As a fan I can only see the periphery, but from all accounts you were a great asset – I appreciate that.
Best wishes for success in the future.
Michael
Hey Ron- my name is Andy Crews and I’m a former Univ of Tennessee athlete and lifelong Vol fan. We don’t know each other but I’d heard only good things about your work through the network. I just wanted to say that I was really impressed with your reflections and perspective and really appreciate you sharing! I wish you nothing but success moving forward and I look forward to seeing all you accomplish. It’s more than evident that you will see lots of it in the future!
Andy
I lost my job in retail at the age of 50. I wish I had your insight when this happened to me. Good luck ,
Mike
I hate to see you go. You are very good at what you do. Our God has a plan for you. Nothing has ever fought God by surprise.
Pastor Jax
Coach Mac,
Thank you for a great post and for all of your hard work with the Tennessee Football team. I am sorry to see you leave, but I believe strongly that you will land on your feet very quickly. Thank you also for your service to our country and SOAR. I highly respect what you have done.
Coach,
This post and your reputation at UT show that you are a man steeped in hard work and integrity. Thank you so much for your candor and willingness to shape the lives of young men. Should you ever need help on your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Vol fans. You’re part of the family now.
Best wishes,
Zack
Coach Mac,
I’d like to say thank you for all you’ve done for UT since you’ve been in Knoxville and I wish you and your family the best of luck with whatever the future holds for y’all. I hated to see you go, but you’ll always be a VFL in my book.
You are welcome to come over to UCF. Our coaching staff needs a tune up and some character.
As a UT Football letterman, I want to thank you for your commitment and service to the UT Football program. You did a good job with the guys, and that is obvious to anyone that’s paid attention. As usual, with change in leadership at the top, there is change in leadership at other levels as well. I wish you and your family nothing but the best in your future, and once again thank you for your time with the Vols.
Thanks for your investment at UT. I was impressed by your attitude, by your work, and by your results. You have left a great imprint, and I am glad to say that we were associated, even if for only a little while. I would have loved to have gotten to know you in person, even if for only a little while. I have no doubt you will land on your feet, and will be a success. Thanks for your sacrifices and your hard work. You show what it means to be a true volunteer.
You are the one hire I hate to see go. The pics of the changes you made in the players were amazing. Best of luck, wish you were still a Vol.
Vol fan TC
You had me at “You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too”.
Too many folks, both in and out of sports, have an entitlement mentality that says “I deserve the rewards, but not the risks that go along with it.”
I’ve been fired twice in my life. Both times felt like curses at the time but look like blessings looking back. So to those who have been fired, I say “Hang in there”.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this particular matter. Losing your job can be a scary thing. But it is how life is. I want to wish you and your family the best in your future endeavors.
Amen!
Coach Mac,
I am sorry to hear things did not work out in TN. Ron, you will move on to Bigger and Better things. You are A Great COACH! God Bless you and your Family.Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Coach Josh(JT)Taylor
Thanks JT, tell the family I said Happy Holidays as well.
Great comments! Great article! I am sure things will workout for the best. God bless and Merry Christmas!
Thanks Nate, hope all is well.
Coach, great points in “You’re Fired.” The true measure of a man is what it takes to bring him down. Thanks for using this opportunity as a teaching tool. You are such a motivation and great role model. Thanks for being so approachable and willing to assist us high school coaches. UT would have to get up early and stay up late to find anyone near your caliber. You’ll land on your feet in a much better situation.
Thanks Justin for the kind words. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Merry Christmas
Sorry to hear it. You are one of several friends who lost jobs. I hate it. As Chris Carlisle once said, this is a great profession, but a rotten business. A Major college FB strength coach enters a high risk-high reward arena. We all understand, fully, what we are getting into, but this a labor of love for all of us who love coaching. All any of us can do is to put our very best foot forward, every single day, in training our athletes, and then be accountable, and, keep politics out of it. Your situation could, or has already happened, to many of us. This profession is full of some of the most successful coaches in the country, who themselves were at some point fired in their career. We are all in this together, and let me know if I can ever help. Johnny Parker always told me, there is always a way, you just have to find it. Your perspective gives you a great start in this direction, Ron. Regroup, re-evaluate, and get a plan together when the next opportunity knocks. In spite of what has happened, you have many people in your corner. We all have blessing’s in our lives to count, and be thankful for. All the best!
Rob,
Thanks for the kind words and great advice. They say you never have really coached until you have been fired. I have tried to always work my tail off and allow my actions to speak more loudly than my words. I agree one hundred percent with this is a fantastic profession, but rotten career. To many great strength coaches are not retiring being strength coaches. I truly believe this needs to be our laser focus in our governing organizations (NSCA/CSCCA). My personal opinion is that we need to create an academic program, and look to hire strength coaches in those academic programs when they are ready to move out of the competitive environment, but still continue to teach. After all that is what we are “teachers”. I appreciate you and all you have done for our profession and continue to do. Have a very blessed Christmas.
Coach Ron,
Congratulations on your positive attitude and outlook for your future. Keep believing in yourself and remain positive. I am certain that you will land on your feet. I am sure you have been telling your athletes throughout the years how to deal with adversity on the playing field. That also is true with real life experiences. Best of luck to you and your family. A more important opportunity is around the corner for you.
Could not agree more. Thanks David for all the kind words and words of encouragement.
Give me a call, only if and when convenient. 509 432 6362. You raise some great points, that are worthy for discussion by our professional organization’s. Again, focus on family and cl
Sorry, focus on family and close friend’s; the opinion’s that count the most. You will get through this. The system needs fixed, you don’t. Hold your head high!
Coach Mac,
I believe God has a GREAT plan for your life, and thank you for sharing what He is teaching you through this situation with all of us. Thank you for everything, and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Sorry, a little out of touch with the college world. If you have some time and want to visit Boston the invitation is open.
Thanks Mike, I was actually going to reach out. If I don’t land somewhere soon, I was going to head up that way after the New Year. I will give you a call when I finalize my plans. Thanks for checking out the blog.