As an Athletic Director, you better learn quickly that if you don’t understand your school’s foundation is academics, you will constantly face internal struggles with teachers and other administrators.
At the same time, the best schools also understand that athletics is the front porch of the school. It is often the first thing prospective families see and experience.
When schools intentionally invest in both academics and athletics, everyone benefits. Strong academics build the mission of the school, while strong athletic programs build community, school pride, visibility, and relationships that extend far beyond the playing field.
The schools that truly excel are the ones that stop viewing academics and athletics as competing priorities and instead recognize that they are partners in creating an exceptional student experience.
Great schools don’t choose one over the other. They commit to both.
Recruits, I want to be clear about something:
If you aren't committed in the classroom, then I'm 100% convinced you aren't fully committed to your craft.
I've heard too many of you confidently say that a 2.7 or 2.8 GPA is enough to play college football. Today, I spoke with Dartmouth, and their requirements are a 3.6 GPA, a minimum ACT score of 25, and a minimum SAT score of 1200.
Guys, listen—this is bigger than football.
If you don't take school seriously, you'll end up at home talking about what you could have done, should have done, and would have done. I come from the "mess around and find out" era. School matters. Education matters.
At the Mercer camp today, I saw schools that couldn't even consider offering some athletes because of their GPA. Not because of their talent. Not because of their athletic ability. Because of their grades.
So I'm asking you—young student-athletes—do your job in the classroom first.
Football isn't forever, but your degree is. Football is a privilege, and it can be taken away quickly if you don't handle your responsibilities off the field.
Take your academics seriously. Hold yourself accountable. Get your grades up. Give yourself every opportunity to succeed, both on the field and in life.
Please, get it right.
Bill Cowher shares the 3 things he told his 3 daughters - and his 53 players.
"Number one - choices and consequences."
"You can control your choice. But once you make a choice, it controls you...Just understand - with every decision you make, there's a consequence that goes with that."
Your choices and actions matter.
"Number two - it's about the people you surround yourself with."
"Are they people that are purpose-driven? Or are they people that are just trying to feed off of who you are?"
"I want people around me that are purpose-driven. People focused on doing something impactful and meaningful."
"And the third thing - nothing good happens after midnight. Nothing."
Three rules. A lifetime of wisdom.
Your choices control you. Your circle defines you. Your habits protect you.
(🎥Ray Lewis Show: @raylewis)
Recruits: Sometimes the sport you love isn’t going to pick you back. A lot of 6’3” hoopers that will never get D1 interest, but if they just make a switch and commit to football, they become a hot commodity with the increased scholarship opportunities!
Read your KEYS and play FAST!!!🚨🚨🚨
Cincinnati Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict #55 does a great job reading the pulling guard and reacts fast on the snap spilling his man allowing Nick Virgil #59 to scrape over the top fast while keeping his shoulders squared to make the tackle! They both do a great job reading their keys and trusting their eyes, playing on a string!🔥
Sat in a recruiting meeting once where the conversation about a kid lasted 45 seconds.
His film was good. His measurables checked every box. His grades were fine.
The position coach put his name up, two assistants said "I have heard he is a problem," and the head coach said move on.
45 seconds.
That kid never knew why the offer he expected never came. He spent his whole senior year wondering
what happened.
Coaches are not just building rosters. They are building locker rooms. Every offer is a bet on who you are as a person, not just as a player.
Act accordingly.