Coach Ink

“I told them” isn’t leadership. Did they understand? Did I teach it? Did I listen? Did I adjust? Standards should be stubborn. Methods shouldn’t be. If I’m leading it, I own it. That’s on me. substack.com/@samincandela/n…

The game is hard. The standards shouldn’t be. What team are we really preparing them for? samincandela.substack.com/p/…

A former player once told me:“Playing for you was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done & the most fun I’ve ever had.” High standards & fun aren’t opposites. So why do we so often coach like they are? Today’s 1 Thing ⬇️ Can it be hard and still be fun? samincandela.substack.com/p/…

We tell kids they don’t have to be perfect. Then we build systems around them that seem to demand it. Sports. School. College admissions. Even us as parents. Maybe we’re asking kids to have a healthier relationship with failure than the adults around them.

Indiana won 52–16—and people were disappointed. Three years ago, Bloomington might’ve thrown a parade. When did a 36-point win stop being enough? And happy 19th anniversary to my wife, Lyndsey. ❤️ #OneThingWorthTalkingAbout

We talk about culture constantly in sports. Family. Brotherhood. Sisterhood. Commitment. Loyalty. Team first. College football's latest mess got me thinking. What happens when winning tests everything you say you believe? And I'm not sure I know the answer. Today's 1 Thing

Wanting to win and wanting to be on a wining team are two very different things. And apparently Bill Belton cares enough about the first one to tear his Achilles celebrating. Today's One Thing: How excited can you get for somebody else's success?