--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm especially thankful for being able to…" description: "\"I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many talented young men over my 18 years here. It has been so rewarding to see these players come to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/bob-stoops-8326_coach_i-m-especially-thankful-for-being-able-t_1811380.jpg" --- # I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many… ![“I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many talented young men over my 18 years here. It has been so rewarding to see these players come to OU and mature over a four- or five-year career, and not just on the field. To play a small part in their growth is what I will always cherish the…” quote by Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/bob-stoops-8326_coach_i-m-especially-thankful-for-being-able-t_1811380.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/bob-stoops-8326_coach_i-m-especially-thankful-for-being-able-t_1811380.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/bob-stoops-8326_coach_i-m-especially-thankful-for-being-able-t_1811380.jpg) > “I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many talented young men over my 18 years here. It has been so rewarding to see these players come to OU and mature over a four- or five-year career, and not just on the field. To play a small part in their growth is what I will always cherish the most.” [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He values mentoring young athletes, seeing their growth beyond sports, and cherishes his role in their development. **In simple terms:** Coaching young players is rewarding beyond the game. Key Takeaway Cherish mentorship roles. Themes mentorship growth sports leadership Mood grateful proud reflective Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - college athletics - career counseling - community outreach - team building - player development Key Concepts personal development team dynamics long‑term impact Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal expectations with athletes’ aspirations? - What lasting values do you hope to instill? A Different Perspective Impact may be limited to those who stay in the program. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach/) [Coach Talented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach-talented-2117823/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Growth Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth-cherish-2117824/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Rewarding Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewarding-players-2117825/) [Thankful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thankful/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) [Years Rewarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-rewarding-430754/) [Young men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-men/) ## Related quotes > [Old age may have its limitations and challenges, but in spite of them, our latter years can be some of the most rewarding and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/old-age-may-have-its-limitations-and-challenges-but-in-spite-of-them/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [I think its nice to know that people in the industry are paying attention to all of the hard work youve done throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-smalls/i-think-its-nice-to-know-that-people-in-the-industry-are-paying/) [Joan Smalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-smalls/) > [No, my profile has leaped over recent years, so has my life experience, and I look forward to the next 30 years being even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-king/no-my-profile-has-leaped-over-recent-years-so-has-my-life-experience/) [Jonathan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-king/) > [I think it's nice to know that people in the industry are paying attention to all of the hard work you've done throughout the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-smalls/i-think-it-s-nice-to-know-that-people-in-the-industry-are-paying/) [Joan Smalls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-smalls/) > [“Home is the best place to teach young men and women about God’s kind of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/home-is-the-best-place-to-teach-young-men-and-women-about-god-s-kind/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [“Frenchie spoke: 'Captain, you should have seen my lieutenant. He was magnificent.' It wasn't the word magnificent that meant so much. It was what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-north/frenchie-spoke-captain-you-should-have-seen-my-lieutenant-he-was/) [Oliver North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-north/) > [“Though these young men unhappily fail to understand that the sacrifice of life is, in many cases, the easiest of all sacrifices, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/though-these-young-men-unhappily-fail-to-understand-that-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“U.S. government infrastructure. I am concerned about the growing number of Americans who have been recruited to Islam. They are usually angry young men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-c-rosenberg/u-s-government-infrastructure-i-am-concerned-about-the-growing-number/) [Joel C. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-c-rosenberg/) > [It is well for young men to have a model, but let them draw the curtain over it while they are painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gauguin/it-is-well-for-young-men-to-have-a-model-but-let-them-draw-the/) [Paul Gauguin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gauguin/) > [The game business arose from computer programs that were written by and for young men in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-laurel/the-game-business-arose-from-computer-programs-that-were-written-by/) [Brenda Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-laurel/) > [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesketh-pearson/d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-which-is-another-name-for/) [Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesketh-pearson/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [We have the power, as lawmakers, to find ways to support our young men and identify solutions to the hardships they regularly experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-mcbath/we-have-the-power-as-lawmakers-to-find-ways-to-support-our-young-men/) [Lucy McBath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-mcbath/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) ## More by Bob Stoops > [Spend a day around my players, around my African-American players, my Hispanic players, my Polynesian players, and you'll see the true beauty of who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/spend-a-day-around-my-players-around-my-african-american-players-my/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Team chemistry is what really matters, your team chemistry and team toughness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/team-chemistry-is-what-really-matters-your-team-chemistry-and-team/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [I think every league is good. Every league is pretty much the same: You got your top teams that are all very good, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/i-think-every-league-is-good-every-league-is-pretty-much-the-same-you/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [I have this routine where on Fridays I sign balls that need to be autographed. One time, after my fortieth or fiftieth ball, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/i-have-this-routine-where-on-fridays-i-sign-balls-that-need-to-be/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [I've always believed if a young guy has a chance to play, why would you explain where his weakness is? The only reason would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/i-ve-always-believed-if-a-young-guy-has-a-chance-to-play-why-would/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Everyone has to earn their money one way or the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/everyone-has-to-earn-their-money-one-way-or-the-other/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Our players are educated. They know. If you knowingly break the rules, we're going to move on. We'll find someone else to play quarterback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/our-players-are-educated-they-know-if-you-knowingly-break-the-rules/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Any time you experience adversity, whether you lose a game or maybe have an official who makes a poor call that costs you the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/any-time-you-experience-adversity-whether-you-lose-a-game-or-maybe/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [I think proximity in recruiting matters the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/i-think-proximity-in-recruiting-matters-the-most/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [You've got to put the work in every week. You can't take anything for granted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/you-ve-got-to-put-the-work-in-every-week-you-can-t-take-anything-for/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [The characteristic that every college football coach should look for in a wife is independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/the-characteristic-that-every-college-football-coach-should-look-for/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [I thought one of the best things I ever did in my career was getting my first staff together at OU... That's exciting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/i-thought-one-of-the-best-things-i-ever-did-in-my-career-was-getting/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [No one wants to hear that, but life changes. If it changes, you have to change with it, to whatever degree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/no-one-wants-to-hear-that-but-life-changes-if-it-changes-you-have-to/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Football is all about repetition. The trick for a coach is to be innovative when you ask for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/football-is-all-about-repetition-the-trick-for-a-coach-is-to-be/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) > [Sometimes people want change just to change. It doesn't mean it's going to be better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-stoops/sometimes-people-want-change-just-to-change-it-doesn-t-mean-it-s/) [Bob Stoops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) [Explore all 81 Bob Stoops quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-stoops/) ## More Coach quotes > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarcus-aldridge/my-coach-robert-allen-helped-me-a-lot-he-had-more-influence-on-my/) [LaMarcus Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarcus-aldridge/) > [I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/i-don-t-look-at-myself-as-a-basketball-coach-i-look-at-myself-as-a/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Every coach in the league does an unbelievable job, and they're prepared and think you're going to outcoach people, or you think that you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-d-antoni/every-coach-in-the-league-does-an-unbelievable-job-and-they-re/) [Mike D'Antoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-d-antoni/) > [Everything I have experienced and learned in football led me towards one day becoming a coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/everything-i-have-experienced-and-learned-in-football-led-me-towards/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [Often, organizations don't know how good they have it with a player or coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-gundy/often-organizations-don-t-know-how-good-they-have-it-with-a-player-or/) [Jeff Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-gundy/) > [I was just putting way too much pressure on myself. I was just trying to get that validation from my dad. It got so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-griffey-jr/i-was-just-putting-way-too-much-pressure-on-myself-i-was-just-trying/) [Ken Griffey Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-griffey-jr/) > [A lot of the kids gave a lot of positive feedback about if I ever became a coach, they would love to play in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/a-lot-of-the-kids-gave-a-lot-of-positive-feedback-about-if-i-ever/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [I think it's very important to have contact with the players that I will coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerardo-martino/i-think-it-s-very-important-to-have-contact-with-the-players-that-i/) [Gerardo Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerardo-martino/) > [Of course, it's always fun when you're winning and you have a great coach, great organization, great trainers, great strength staff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-gurley/of-course-it-s-always-fun-when-you-re-winning-and-you-have-a-great/) [Todd Gurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-gurley/) > [No one likes a change of coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-azpilicueta/no-one-likes-a-change-of-coach/) [Cesar Azpilicueta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-azpilicueta/) > [As far as being a coach, it's always fascinated me. It's a greater responsibility than most people give it credit for because you're dealing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-prefontaine/as-far-as-being-a-coach-it-s-always-fascinated-me-it-s-a-greater/) [Steve Prefontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-prefontaine/) > [Mourinho is a great coach. He has told me he believes in me, both in person but also publicly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/memphis-depay/mourinho-is-a-great-coach-he-has-told-me-he-believes-in-me-both-in/) [Memphis Depay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/memphis-depay/) > [I've grown up playing for some incredible coaches, and I don't think anybody's ever been as fortunate as I have in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-brown/i-ve-grown-up-playing-for-some-incredible-coaches-and-i-don-t-think/) [Larry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-brown/) [Browse all 2,963 Coach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm especially thankful for being able to coach so many talented young men over my 18 years here. It has been so rewarding to see these players come to OU and mature over a four- or five-year career, and not just on the field. 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