Mark McDonough

Williams College Defensive Coordinator

[Mark McDonough @Coach_MMac]

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#FORCE

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[The Winning Difference @thewinningdiff1]

"I appreciate guys that lay it on the line.
Maybe you're outnumbered.
Maybe you're not the most talented.
Maybe the odds are against you and nobody believes in you.
I respect the hell out of those guys that will fight.
That's what we're about." -Dan Campbell

Winners believe in who they are.

[Williams Football @WilliamsEphsFB]

Great way to end the season. No Tradition Like The Walk! #573

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Let’s go!!!!!!

[TodayInSports @TodayInSportsCo]

Kids today just don’t understand.

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Shout out to our 2024 Ephs captains!!! @JamesHemmer8 @ethansfootball5 @j_dickinson5 @_cjvilfort @TimForth2

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[Ramon Mignott @Coach_Miggs]

Let’s go!!!!!

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Greg Olsen said, "Hard is good. The earlier you can learn to deal with hard, the easier it gets...because hard is coming. Whether we want to shield it from kids now or not, hard is coming."

You can't steal the struggle for other people.

One of the biggest epidemics today is people's "fear of failure."

They're afraid to start because they're afraid to "fail".

When you're afraid to fail, you become paralyzed.

You're too scared to take risks, to try new things, or to put yourself out there.

5 Ways For Them to Overcome Their Fear of Failure:
1. Change the Attitude About Failing - Failure isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of bravery. True growth only happens when you learn from your mistakes. Reframe the language and perception around challenges or "failures", make it exciting and enticing to try new things.

2. Emphasize Effort not "Ability" - Focus on the effort put into a task, rather than the innate ability. Praise the hard work and determination, not the outcome. Cultivating a growth mindset allows children to understand that abilities can be developed through dedication and persistence.

3. Keep Trying New Things - Encourage children to explore new activities and interests. This helps them understand that it's normal not to excel at everything. It also normalizes a "beginner's mindset" when learning and grow. They will understand that the value lies in the experience and learning process, not just in achieving success.

4. Go through Worst-Case Scenarios and Fear-Setting - Fear setting helps you to identify and confront your fears and the potential obstacles that may be holding you back. You think through the worst-case scenario and the steps to mitigate it. The process allows you to put your fears under a microscope and consider the potential benefits of taking action vs. “failing”.

5. Demonstrate Unconditional Support and Love - Children need to feel secure in the knowledge that their value and your love for them are not contingent on their successes or failures. It is not outcome driven. Showing consistent support builds confidence and to allow them to take risks and learn from their experiences without the fear of losing your approval.

There will always be setbacks.
There will be challenges.
But worrying about failure holds you back more than the failure itself ever could.
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[Rob Oviatt @RobOviatt1]

“ Physical strength is respected. Toughness is feared. I worked hard at having both. “
Anthony Munoz

[Carly @carlymersky]

Never gets old

[Footballism @FootbaIIism]

Lamar Jackson shift team certified🤭

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

In 1986, Bruce Smith finished his rookie year with the Buffalo Bills. It was an "ok" year, he had 6.5 sacks.

His coach said he was "overweight, self-indulgent, and had poor practice habits."

Bruce had potential, but he'd have to work for it.

That training camp changed everything for him.

He showed up to minicamp overweight at 310 pounds.

Bruce said, "I thought the scale was broken."

That was his turning point.

He said, "This is not good. I am never going to become the player I want to become unless I make some changes in my life and lifestyle."

So that's what he immediately did.
• He started to work out more to lost weight.
• He started to eat healthier and improved his nutrition.
• He studied the game on how to improve.
• He work on his mindset and mental game.

The changes that he made helped almost immediately. He played the 1986 season at roughly 275 pounds!

Those changes and that mindset would stay with him the rest of his career.

Bruce knew his goals and what he wanted to accomplish. He wasn't going to let not working hard or fear stop him from getting what he wanted, which was greatness.

The intensity in his workouts and nutrition would only increase from that point forward.

His workouts on the Stairmasters became epic. His strength and condition coach said that he would work out so hard on the Stairmasters that, "he would rust the chains."

The rest of his career, he played between 260-265 pounds with 6.1% body fat. That was unheard of for a Defensive End at the time.

Bruce Smith called his workouts a "lifesaver for him".

When he played, he was stronger than a 300 pound lineman and as fast as a linebacker.

That preparation, helped build his success for the rest of his career.

Bruce would go on to have a 19-year career with 200 sacks. He was the model of consistency during that time, he had 13 years with 10 or more sacks.

Takeaway 1: Your work ethic, consistency, and adaptability is what will separate you in life.

Bruce realized that he had to change and he started with his actions and behaviors. He did the work mentally and physically every day to be his best. He recognized his shortcomings and worked hard to overcome them. It was his consistency in his habits and work ethic that made the difference over time, truly an example of a growth-mindset. Success is often a result of continuous hard work, adaptability, and the willingness to go beyond comfort zones.

Takeaway 2: Commitment to excellence means showing up, doing the work, and doing what it takes to be great.

Bruce Smith's career longevity and record-breaking achievements underscore that commitment to excellence is the key to long-term success. His commitment and consistency to physical fitness, skill development, and mental fitness helped propel his success. Success isn't about fleeting victories, but about maintaining high standards and being consistent over time.

"There's no substitute for hard work." - Bruce Smith
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[Joel Sheldon @joel__sheldon]

Miss you, Duke!