In the heart of Baltimore, Greg Olsen, former NFL tight end and now a broadcaster and father of three, shared his transformative journey from a fiercely competitive coach to a supportive mentor in youth sports. Speaking at Johns Hopkins University during the Project Play Summit, Olsen revealed the profound lessons he has learned while coaching his children and provided actionable advice for parents and coaches navigating the complex world of youth sports.
Transition from Competitive Coach to Supportive Mentor
Greg Olsen, who stands at 6-5 and boasts an illustrious NFL career, initially approached youth sports with the same intensity he had on the professional field. He recalled his early days of coaching his seven-year-old son’s baseball team with a win-at-all-costs mentality. However, Olsen soon realized that this approach might not be beneficial for young athletes.
“I learned a lot about maybe the ways that I thought we should approach youth sports might not have been real positive for everyone else,” he admitted. This realization marked the beginning of his journey toward a more balanced and nurturing coaching philosophy.
The Value of Youth Sports Beyond Winning
Olsen emphasized that the true value of youth sports lies not in the sport itself but in the life lessons it imparts. Growing up in the New Jersey suburbs, Olsen was heavily influenced by his father, Chris Olsen, a high school football coach. The lessons of dedication, hard work, and commitment he learned from his father continue to shape his approach to parenting and coaching.
“Everything that we preach in our house is, whether it’s a team I coach or a team someone else coaches, you are fully committed to that team,” Olsen stated. He believes that accountability, coachability, and effort are far more important than winning games. “Whether you win or lose the game is completely secondary,” he added.
Focusing on Development Over Winning
Olsen and other speakers at the Project Play Summit, such as Maryland football coach Mike Locksley, emphasized the importance of focusing on development rather than winning. Locksley shared insights from his time with Nick Saban, highlighting that the process of development naturally leads to winning.
“I think the longer I’ve done it, the more I’ve just become clear that if development drives winning, you’re good,” Olsen explained. He stressed that the goal should be long-term growth and improvement rather than immediate success.
Redefining Success in Youth Sports
Olsen’s own journey through sports was not driven by dreams of professional glory but by a passion for playing and improving. He advises parents to set realistic goals for their children, focusing on personal growth and enjoyment rather than external achievements.
“If you’re doing all this work for your son or daughter under the impression that you’re only doing it for the return on investment, you should stop doing it,” Olsen warned. The emphasis should be on the experiences and lessons learned along the way, rather than the ultimate destination.
Encouraging Resilience and Honesty
One of the core values Olsen instills in his children is the importance of resilience and honesty. He believes that youth sports should be an environment where kids can grow, face challenges, and learn valuable life skills. This includes dealing with failure and receiving honest feedback.
“Put them in environments where they can grow and don’t be afraid for them to every once in a while fail,” Olsen advised. He underscored the importance of finding great coaches who are willing to invest in the kids’ overall development, both in sports and in life.
Greg Olsen’s journey from an intense youth sports coach to a nurturing mentor offers valuable lessons for all parents and coaches. By focusing on development, resilience, and personal growth, we can ensure that youth sports remain a positive and enriching experience for young athletes.
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Photo: Fox Sports
