This man is one of the winningest football coaches ever. • He won...
Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness@coachajkings
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Sep 23, 2025
~2 min read
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This man is one of the winningest football coaches ever.
• He won 11 NCAA D-III Championships.
• He coached Nick Sirianni and Matt Campbell.
• He built a culture and dynasty that lasted beyond him.
Here are Larry Kehres' culture principles that any team could use:🧵
• He won 11 NCAA D-III Championships.
• He coached Nick Sirianni and Matt Campbell.
• He built a culture and dynasty that lasted beyond him.
Here are Larry Kehres' culture principles that any team could use:🧵
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1: Adaptability
Larry Kehres emphasized problem solving.
He wanted to, "fix potential problems before they become problems."
In 2005, he brought back his former coach Matt Campbell to install a spread offense because their offense was getting stale - "they lost a game or two."
Larry Kehres emphasized problem solving.
He wanted to, "fix potential problems before they become problems."
In 2005, he brought back his former coach Matt Campbell to install a spread offense because their offense was getting stale - "they lost a game or two."
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2: Communication stems from knowledge
Kehres would spend time understanding his team to motivate them.
He taught coaches to be specific with praise and criticism. He taught them how to study behavior and listen.
Effective communication is built on trust and understanding.
Kehres would spend time understanding his team to motivate them.
He taught coaches to be specific with praise and criticism. He taught them how to study behavior and listen.
Effective communication is built on trust and understanding.
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3: Keep the priorities simple
Below are the program's core principles: Work, Commitment, Loyalty, Hope.
Kehres made these principles broad because he wanted to drive a consistent mindset on what is important.
When you know your WHY, you always know what you're working for.
Below are the program's core principles: Work, Commitment, Loyalty, Hope.
Kehres made these principles broad because he wanted to drive a consistent mindset on what is important.
When you know your WHY, you always know what you're working for.
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4: You’re only as good as your details
Kehres addressed everything with championship-level detail.
From recruiting to team travel, he wanted to make sure their team could gain an edge anywhere. Anything that would help the team grow and win.
Development is in the details!
Kehres addressed everything with championship-level detail.
From recruiting to team travel, he wanted to make sure their team could gain an edge anywhere. Anything that would help the team grow and win.
Development is in the details!
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5: Be Inquisitive and Passionate
Kehres built a culture that thrived on bringing energy, asking questions, and continuous growth.
•They devoured game film.
•They hung around the office all day.
•They wouldn’t practice and just leave.
When you bring energy, it's contagious.
Kehres built a culture that thrived on bringing energy, asking questions, and continuous growth.
•They devoured game film.
•They hung around the office all day.
•They wouldn’t practice and just leave.
When you bring energy, it's contagious.
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6: Be The Example
Kehres knew that players always look to you to see how you respond to pressure.
He said, “Good examples of appropriate behavior. Promptness. Attentiveness. Respect.”
To lead the way, you need to lead from the front. Be the example of how it needs to get done.
Kehres knew that players always look to you to see how you respond to pressure.
He said, “Good examples of appropriate behavior. Promptness. Attentiveness. Respect.”
To lead the way, you need to lead from the front. Be the example of how it needs to get done.
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7: Be a good teacher
Teaching is at the foundation of leadership and coaching.
Kehres would ask his coaches:
• How are you teaching them?
• What are you communicating?
A good teacher instills values and focuses on development.
Teaching sets the tone for overall growth.
Teaching is at the foundation of leadership and coaching.
Kehres would ask his coaches:
• How are you teaching them?
• What are you communicating?
A good teacher instills values and focuses on development.
Teaching sets the tone for overall growth.
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8: It's about caring for the people
At the heart of everything is was serving others.
Kehres would talk about his relationships for decades and how you coach the person through understanding.
When you build relationships, you care more about their = growth than the outcome.
At the heart of everything is was serving others.
Kehres would talk about his relationships for decades and how you coach the person through understanding.
When you build relationships, you care more about their = growth than the outcome.
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Great teams know their culture is founded on people, relationships, and behaviors.
1. Adaptability
2. Communication
3. Core Values
4. Details
5. Curiosity
6. Lead by example
7. Teach
8. Care
Your culture is reinforced daily.
x.com/cfbhall/status…
1. Adaptability
2. Communication
3. Core Values
4. Details
5. Curiosity
6. Lead by example
7. Teach
8. Care
Your culture is reinforced daily.
x.com/cfbhall/status…
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Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness@coachajkings
This man is one of the winningest football coaches ever.
• He won 11 NCAA D-III Championships.
• He coached Nick Sirianni and Matt Campbell.
• He built a culture and dynasty that lasted beyond him.
Here are Larry Kehres' culture principles that any team could use:🧵
• He won 11 NCAA D-III Championships.
• He coached Nick Sirianni and Matt Campbell.
• He built a culture and dynasty that lasted beyond him.
Here are Larry Kehres' culture principles that any team could use:🧵
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