--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are not going to win because you have…" description: "\"We are not going to win because you have a new head coach, any more than you are going to fix a flat tire by changing the driver. We will win the minut..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/lou-holtz-1584_can-t-win_we-are-not-going-to-win-because-you-have_454032.png" --- # We are not going to win because you have a new head coach… ![“We are not going to win because you have a new head coach, any more than you are going to fix a flat tire by changing the driver. We will win the minute all of us get rid of excuses as to why we can't win and stop wallowing in self-pity.” quote by Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/lou-holtz-1584_can-t-win_we-are-not-going-to-win-because-you-have_454032.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/lou-holtz-1584_can-t-win_we-are-not-going-to-win-because-you-have_454032.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/lou-holtz-1584_can-t-win_we-are-not-going-to-win-because-you-have_454032.png) > “We are not going to win because you have a new head coach, any more than you are going to fix a flat tire by changing the driver. We will win the minute all of us get rid of excuses as to why we can't win and stop wallowing in self-pity.” [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success depends on eliminating excuses and self‑pity, not on superficial changes like a new coach or driver. **In simple terms:** Winning requires personal accountability, not blaming external factors. Key Takeaway Remove excuses, focus on effort. Themes accountability motivation teamwork Mood determined encouraging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - sports teams - work projects - personal goals - education - health improvement Key Concepts psychology behavior change leadership Questions to Reflect On - What excuses are you making? - How can you foster a culture of responsibility? A Different Perspective Changing a coach or driver alone won’t fix deeper issues; mindset shift is essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Flat tires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flat-tires/) [Head coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-coach/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pity/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self pity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-pity/) [Tire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tire/) [We will win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/we-will-win/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [We have to get rid of excuses, no matter why you are the way you are, don't let it be an excuse to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/we-have-to-get-rid-of-excuses-no-matter-why-you-are-the-way-you-are/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Don't look for excuses to lose. Look for excuses to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chi-chi-rodriguez/don-t-look-for-excuses-to-lose-look-for-excuses-to-win/) [Chi Chi Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chi-chi-rodriguez/) > [Pretty much since I was 13 or 14, I think I told my coach I was going to be best player in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-rahm/pretty-much-since-i-was-13-or-14-i-think-i-told-my-coach-i-was-going/) [Jon Rahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-rahm/) > [Coach was going to make us do striders today, but I talked him out of it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-smith/coach-was-going-to-make-us-do-striders-today-but-i-talked-him-out-of/) Amanda Smith > [I just bring energy, try to put myself in a good mood, because you're not going to get through practice if you're drowsy, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-adebayo/i-just-bring-energy-try-to-put-myself-in-a-good-mood-because-you-re/) [Bam Adebayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-adebayo/) > [It's the nature of basketball sometimes: every player and coach are going to have run-ins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-the-nature-of-basketball-sometimes-every-player-and-coach-are/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [Unfortunately, from my days as national coach were going backwards in terms of we dont see it as an investment, we see it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelos-postecoglou/unfortunately-from-my-days-as-national-coach-were-going-backwards-in/) [Angelos Postecoglou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelos-postecoglou/) > [I am a positive-energy, enthusiasm type of a coach and I'm going to spread that to everybody that will feel it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-vogel/i-am-a-positive-energy-enthusiasm-type-of-a-coach-and-i-m-going-to/) [Frank Vogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-vogel/) > [When I'm on the field, if something doesn't go exactly as it's planned, I'm going to say something before a coach is going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/when-i-m-on-the-field-if-something-doesn-t-go-exactly-as-it-s-planned/) [Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/) > [I'm a running coach and I am going to continue to run, but I would hope that we are better defensively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-nelson/i-m-a-running-coach-and-i-am-going-to-continue-to-run-but-i-would/) [Don Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-nelson/) > [That's your worry as a head coach: Are you going to go in there, give them everything you've got, and are they going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nurse/that-s-your-worry-as-a-head-coach-are-you-going-to-go-in-there-give/) [Nick Nurse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nurse/) > [You spend a lot of time as a coach going through every possible scenario. That's the kind of level of depth and versatility you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-ellis/you-spend-a-lot-of-time-as-a-coach-going-through-every-possible/) [Jill Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-ellis/) > [Any time you have to get a new quarterback, it's like getting a new coach. There's going to be an acclimation period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/any-time-you-have-to-get-a-new-quarterback-it-s-like-getting-a-new/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) > [I remember being a first-year position coach and going into next season saying 'I should have been better last year, I'm better now.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-flores/i-remember-being-a-first-year-position-coach-and-going-into-next/) [Brian Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-flores/) > [Well, no athlete respects a big, fat coach who's going to stand there and rest the watch on his stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-lydiard/well-no-athlete-respects-a-big-fat-coach-who-s-going-to-stand-there/) [Arthur Lydiard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-lydiard/) ## More by Lou Holtz > [You will never be indecisive if you know your purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/you-will-never-be-indecisive-if-you-know-your-purpose/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [The answers to these questions will determine your success or failure. 1) Can people trust me to do what's right? 2) Am I committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/the-answers-to-these-questions-will-determine-your-success-or-failure/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/if-what-you-did-yesterday-seems-big-you-haven-t-done-anything-today/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [You always have to prepare for the obstacles that are going to come. Consequently, when they do come, it doesn't affect you mentally near…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/you-always-have-to-prepare-for-the-obstacles-that-are-going-to-come/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Remember this. Bear Bryant retired at age 69, and he died 28 days after he stopped coaching. If you don't have something, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/remember-this-bear-bryant-retired-at-age-69-and-he-died-28-days-after/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [The freedom to do your own thing ends when you have obligations and responsibilities. If you want to fail yourself - you can -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/the-freedom-to-do-your-own-thing-ends-when-you-have-obligations-and/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [People eyeing you as a potential leader tend to ask three questions: Are you committed? Do you care about me? Can I trust you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/people-eyeing-you-as-a-potential-leader-tend-to-ask-three-questions/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [“never tell your problems to any1...20% donot care and 80% are glad to have them...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/never-tell-your-problems-to-any1-20-donot-care-and-80-are-glad-to/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Our cellar home had a kitchen and a combination bedroom and half bath, which meant we had a sink next to the bed. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/our-cellar-home-had-a-kitchen-and-a-combination-bedroom-and-half-bath/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [I was raised a Catholic on both sides of the family. I went to a Catholic grade school and thought everybody in the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/i-was-raised-a-catholic-on-both-sides-of-the-family-i-went-to-a/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [Everyone wants to win on Saturday afternoon when the game is played. It’s what you do the other six days that decides the outcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/everyone-wants-to-win-on-saturday-afternoon-when-the-game-is-played/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [At age nine, I got a paper route. Sixty-six papers had to be delivered to sixty-six families every day. I also had to collect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/at-age-nine-i-got-a-paper-route-sixty-six-papers-had-to-be-delivered/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [What you are capable of achieving is determined by your talent and ability. What you attempt to do is determined by your motivation. How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/what-you-are-capable-of-achieving-is-determined-by-your-talent-and/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [God answers prayers, but he doesn't always answer it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/god-answers-prayers-but-he-doesn-t-always-answer-it-your-way/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [If you burn your neighbors house down, it doesn't make your house look any better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/if-you-burn-your-neighbors-house-down-it-doesn-t-make-your-house-look/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) [Explore all 226 Lou Holtz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) ## More Can't win quotes > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [We can't win the struggle for high standards if we just talk a good game . . . we've got to play a good game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/price-pritchett/we-can-t-win-the-struggle-for-high-standards-if-we-just-talk-a-good/) [Price Pritchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/price-pritchett/) > [You can't win 'til you're not afraid to lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-win-til-you-re-not-afraid-to-lose/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hate games I can't win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/i-hate-games-i-can-t-win/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [Well you can't win the lottery if you don't have a ticket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/well-you-can-t-win-the-lottery-if-you-don-t-have-a-ticket/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [The people that can't win elections, outside of Barack Obama, the people on the Democrat side who cannot win elections, who do not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-people-that-can-t-win-elections-outside-of-barack-obama-the/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't know how you change that. There's hardly anybody left like me in the Democratic Party in Congress. These districts have been so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/collin-peterson/i-don-t-know-how-you-change-that-there-s-hardly-anybody-left-like-me/) [Collin Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/collin-peterson/) > [Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/oh-the-places-you-ll-go-there-is-fun-to-be-done-there-are-points-to/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [Italians can't win the game against you, but you can lose the game against the Italians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruijff/italians-can-t-win-the-game-against-you-but-you-can-lose-the-game/) [Johan Cruijff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruijff/) > [Self-esteem can’t win you a race if you’re not in shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/self-esteem-can-t-win-you-a-race-if-you-re-not-in-shape/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet you can't win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/certainly-the-game-is-rigged-don-t-let-that-stop-you-if-you-don-t-bet/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [You can't win for losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakim/you-can-t-win-for-losing/) [Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakim/) > [Ball so hard that you can't win it. So much money bank can't fit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/ball-so-hard-that-you-can-t-win-it-so-much-money-bank-can-t-fit-it/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [People are already talking about the next presidential election. There's stories all over about who might run. At a recent speech, a prominent Democrat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/people-are-already-talking-about-the-next-presidential-election-there/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [All my life, the naysayers have told me that I can't win because I'm a progressive... because I'm a woman... even because I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-baldwin/all-my-life-the-naysayers-have-told-me-that-i-can-t-win-because-i-m-a/) [Tammy Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-baldwin/) Browse all 156 Can't win quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are not going to win because you have a new head coach, any more than you are going to fix a flat tire by changing the driver. 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