For about three years, I taught Sports Management at the high school I serve. I really enjoyed the class because I had the freedom to teach what I wanted and give my students something different from what I thought they were getting. In the last semester, I started to hear about LinkedIn from several different people in my life, and the comments were about how popular and trendy it had become again. After some research, I found that what I thought was a tool to search for jobs was so much more, and I was missing out. 

Not only did I have a professional come in and speak to my class, but I was also selfishly super excited to learn and grow myself. My push now is to use LinkedIn as a platform to increase the Christian coaching community while training athletes to start building their network early. Below are several reasons to get on board and change how you learn and communicate more effectively as a coach. 

Building Connections 

For sports coaches, building connections with other professionals in the sports industry, including fellow coaches, sports administrators, agents, and sports scientists, can open doors to new opportunities. Networking on LinkedIn allows coaches to share and receive insights, collaborate on projects, and discuss best practices with peers. Establishing a strong network can lead to job referrals, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities, all of which can be crucial for career advancement.

Showcase Expertise 

Coaches can create detailed professional profiles highlighting their qualifications, certifications, coaching philosophy, and past achievements. This visibility can attract potential employers, clients, and collaborators who are searching for experienced and capable coaches. Regularly updating the profile with new certifications, skills, and success stories keeps the profile dynamic and engaging, thereby enhancing the coach's reputation within the sports community.

Engage & Learn

Coaches can stay informed about the latest trends, research, and best practices in sports coaching and management by following relevant influencers and joining industry groups. This continuous learning and engagement help coaches stay competitive and knowledgeable, which is vital in a field where new strategies and technologies frequently emerge.

Share Content / Build Community

By writing articles, posting updates, and sharing relevant content, coaches can position themselves as thought leaders and subject matter experts. This not only increases their visibility but also helps build credibility and authority in their field. For instance, a coach who regularly shares insights on training techniques, game strategies, or athlete development can attract attention from media, other coaches, and potential employers. Coaches can participate in discussions, offer advice, and contribute to industry conversations, which can lead to new relationships and opportunities. The platform's focus on professional development and career growth aligns well with the ambitions of sports coaches who are looking to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact in the sports world.

Job Search When Needed

Coaches can explore job postings, research potential employers, and apply for positions directly through the platform. For those looking to hire coaches, LinkedIn’s advanced search features make it easier to find candidates with specific qualifications and experience. The ability to view recommendations and endorsements from past colleagues and employers further aids in evaluating a coach's suitability for a role.

At this point I hope that you would agree that LinkedIn has so much to offer the sports coaching industry and finding a new job is only one aspect. If I learned anything as my guest spoke to my class it was how I could be using the LinkedIn platform to build a great network, discover new ideas, and seek to help others along the way. I am inviting you to jump onboard and get excited about being on this platform and finding new ways to grow. If we are truly mission-driven, the goal should be to share new ideas while seeking to be the best coach God is calling us to be. 

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Growing up, we looked forward to the Olympics and gathered around the TV to watch the best athletes in the world compete for honor and glory. While I do know the Olympic Games have had moments where athletes or entire countries have used the platform to take a political stance, what we saw in the opening ceremonies this year in Paris was disturbing and disappointing for Christians all over the world. Unless you have been off the grid and not paying attention, you must know what I am referring to: the controversial Last Supper mockery that was a part of the opening ceremonies in Paris. 

The social media world responded, and it did not take long for people on both sides to offer their opinions. Instead of reacting immediately, I took some time and scrolled through many platforms and news sites to try and figure out what was happening. What I think I saw in the images from the opening ceremonies was probably how most Christians felt, but the opposing views chose to double down or try and explain away what the rest of the world watched with some intellectual jargon that also slammed Christians in the process. 

Meet Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Paris Olympic opening ceremonies. On Saturday, when asked about the controversy, he did not deny what we saw but responded by praising France for allowing artistic freedom and the choice to love how they want. By Sunday, however, he and the Olympic Committee quickly tried to spin the reality in their favor amongst the outrage of groups worldwide. 

So, how should we respond? My gut response was to declare that we wouldn't be watching the Olympics because I can not support anything that would come close to openly mocking the Lord in that way. My wife, in her calm response, challenged me with a question: "Is that fair to the athletes who worked hard and had zero input on what went on?" 

Sports have a major impact on the world around us, and in many cases, they do not align with Christian values. While one response is to distance ourselves from anything that does not move us toward being more like Jesus, to take this response often would be to prevent us from being the city on the hill that God calls us to be. Instead, what if we embraced the condemnation of Christianity with love and sought to glorify Christ in all we do? 

The mission of B3rd Athletics is to help athletes, coaches, and spectators become more mission-driven in a world that does not accept our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sports is a great platform to not only spread the gospel message but learn how to pursue excellence while God uses our hard work and sacrifice to become saints. So after taking the time to think and not just respond, I have decided that we will continue to watch the Olympics to support the hard work of athletes around the world that truly might put God first in their life. But this does not mean I will stand by and allow anyone to mock the Lord in that way. What we saw was against the spirit of the Olympic tradition and it was and should be condemed. 

Coach Field

When the Unites States of America was formed, the founding fathers were very intentional in making sure each citizen had religious freedom. The question is, what does this mean and how should it impact my coaching?

Freedom of Religion is the right of every person to live out their faith as they choose. It's not simply the freedom to worship, but the freedom to have our faith impact how we raise our kids, run our business, or for us coaches, how we coach.

Over the years in coaching, I feel we have become afraid of social acceptance and muted our Christian beliefs in the manner in which we coach. Part of becoming a B3rd coach is truly living your life where God is number one. If God is number one, He should be fully alive in everything that we do. This does not mean we have to be like a sidewalk preacher when coaching, but the young people we coach should know we are people of faith.

So what are some ways that our Christian faith can be present in our coaching, especially if we work at a public institution where it's often more difficult? One of my favorite authors and speakers (Matthew Kelly), says, "we should be walking billboards to the Christian life. " If you have a player that has no faith, do they want to be like you? Are you modeling what it means to be a follower of Jesus?

I know at times I struggle greatly in this practice. I get frustrated during the day and by the time I get to my players, all the joy I had in the morning is gone. Or other times my competitive nature takes over and my actions don't reflect my belief. This will happen to all of us, and while we want to work hard to grow and get better, these times can also be great teaching lessons for our players. Seeing an adult humbly apologize for poor actions, could be some of the best lessons they ever get.

Being a B3rd coach does not mean you have to be a pushover, toughness is a biblical truth. Being a B3rd coach means that you are required to live out your faith in every aspect of your life, especially in the way you teach and coach. Don't take for granted the religious freedom you have, the founding fathers were intentional about giving it to you.

Coach Field

Founder of B3rd Athletics