Winning Without a Championship: Lessons learned from a Non-Championship Coach
June 28, 2024
Jason Bornn is entering his 22nd year as head football coach at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Over the past 21 seasons, Bornn has led Saugus to the playoffs 12 times, with four CIF Semi-Final appearances. With 34 years of coaching experience, Bornn has impacted many lives on and off the field. He recently released a book titled “Winning Without a Championship: Lessons Learned from a Non-Championship Coach.”
HONESTY
Bornn emphasizes the importance of being brutally honest with oneself and staying true to one’s personality and coaching style. Constant self-improvement is crucial; you grow, adapt, and change continuously. Remember, a successful program is about the people within it. Winning games and championships are great, but developing the individuals in your program is a life-changing opportunity that should not be missed.
CULTURE
For a strong culture, you must first establish your program’s vision. For Saugus, the vision is to “be the best version of you.” The goal is for players to become successful husbands, fathers, employers, employees, and citizens through participation in the program. This vision must be consistently reinforced until it becomes second nature to everyone involved.
TEAM BUILDING
Team building is most effective during the off-season, particularly in the weight room where relationships are forged through hard work. Engage your players in non-football activities, such as bowling or paintball, to strengthen team bonds. Leadership must be taught; it is not inherently natural for most people today. Conduct leadership meetings with your players during the off-season to teach them how to lead effectively.
When selecting team captains, start by identifying your “influencers.” Once identified, choose a leadership curriculum and begin training. Have your team leaders develop rules with consequences and place them in leadership positions with ongoing feedback and suggestions.
COMMUNICATION
Effective communication with parents is essential for making them positive assets to your program. Communicate clearly, concisely, and frequently, maintaining a positive tone. Involve parents in non-football decisions and seek help in areas where you lack time. Proactively address potential issues and involve parents in disciplinary matters concerning their sons.
STAFF
Hire coaches that align with your culture, and make the job attractive. Check candidates’ resumes and references, and use a pre-interview questionnaire to assess their fit. During the interview, review the questionnaire, discuss their availability and flexibility, and ask a few football-specific questions. Once hired, provide individual training before integrating them into full staff training and spring/summer practice.
Implementing these strategies successfully requires honest self-assessment and balancing responsibilities to family, work, health, and personal growth. By following these steps, you can help your players become winners in life, which is the true definition of success.
You can order Coach Bornn’s book “Winning Without a Championship” here https://kp-pub.com/books/winning-without-a-championship/
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Jason Bornn is entering his 22nd year as head football coach at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Over the past 21 seasons, Bornn has led Saugus to the playoffs 12 times, with four CIF Semi-Final appearances. With 34 years of coaching experience, Bornn has impacted many lives on and off the field. He recently released a book titled “Winning Without a Championship: Lessons Learned from a Non-Championship Coach.”
HONESTY
Bornn emphasizes the importance of being brutally honest with oneself and staying true to one’s personality and coaching style. Constant self-improvement is crucial; you grow, adapt, and change continuously. Remember, a successful program is about the people within it. Winning games and championships are great, but developing the individuals in your program is a life-changing opportunity that should not be missed.
CULTURE
For a strong culture, you must first establish your program’s vision. For Saugus, the vision is to “be the best version of you.” The goal is for players to become successful husbands, fathers, employers, employees, and citizens through participation in the program. This vision must be consistently reinforced until it becomes second nature to everyone involved.
TEAM BUILDING
Team building is most effective during the off-season, particularly in the weight room where relationships are forged through hard work. Engage your players in non-football activities, such as bowling or paintball, to strengthen team bonds. Leadership must be taught; it is not inherently natural for most people today. Conduct leadership meetings with your players during the off-season to teach them how to lead effectively.
When selecting team captains, start by identifying your “influencers.” Once identified, choose a leadership curriculum and begin training. Have your team leaders develop rules with consequences and place them in leadership positions with ongoing feedback and suggestions.
COMMUNICATION
Effective communication with parents is essential for making them positive assets to your program. Communicate clearly, concisely, and frequently, maintaining a positive tone. Involve parents in non-football decisions and seek help in areas where you lack time. Proactively address potential issues and involve parents in disciplinary matters concerning their sons.
STAFF
Hire coaches that align with your culture, and make the job attractive. Check candidates’ resumes and references, and use a pre-interview questionnaire to assess their fit. During the interview, review the questionnaire, discuss their availability and flexibility, and ask a few football-specific questions. Once hired, provide individual training before integrating them into full staff training and spring/summer practice.
Implementing these strategies successfully requires honest self-assessment and balancing responsibilities to family, work, health, and personal growth. By following these steps, you can help your players become winners in life, which is the true definition of success.
You can order Coach Bornn’s book “Winning Without a Championship” here https://kp-pub.com/books/winning-without-a-championship/
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
