--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a head coach, you're on two lists…" description: "\"As a head coach, you're on two lists. You're the guy that might get fired, or you're the guy who might go somewhere.\" — Mike Leach" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/mike-leach-5229_coach_as-a-head-coach-you-re-on-two-lists-you_2365305.jpg" --- # As a head coach, you're on two lists. You're the guy that… ![“As a head coach, you're on two lists. You're the guy that might get fired, or you're the guy who might go somewhere.” quote by Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/mike-leach-5229_coach_as-a-head-coach-you-re-on-two-lists-you_2365305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/mike-leach-5229_coach_as-a-head-coach-you-re-on-two-lists-you_2365305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65a/mike-leach-5229_coach_as-a-head-coach-you-re-on-two-lists-you_2365305.jpg) > “As a head coach, you're on two lists. You're the guy that might get fired, or you're the guy who might go somewhere.” [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A head coach faces two outcomes: being fired or moving to a better opportunity **In simple terms:** Coaching is a gamble between dismissal and advancement Key Takeaway Embrace risk and aim for growth Themes career risk leadership Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - team performance - career decisions - public scrutiny Key Concepts Opportunity cost professional volatility Questions to Reflect On - What risk are you willing to take for advancement? - How do you handle the fear of being fired? A Different Perspective Success is not guaranteed; external factors matter ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coach/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Head coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-coach/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) ## Related quotes > [I have to thank the guy who fired me because he was also the guy who hired me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-savard/i-have-to-thank-the-guy-who-fired-me-because-he-was-also-the-guy-who/) Serge Savard > [Maybe I'll write an episode of 'Black-ish' about a guy being fired in late-night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilmore/maybe-i-ll-write-an-episode-of-black-ish-about-a-guy-being-fired-in/) [Larry Wilmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilmore/) > [I was a 52-year-old coach. But people don't realize I had 25 years as a head coach. Most coaches my age only had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ara-parseghian/i-was-a-52-year-old-coach-but-people-don-t-realize-i-had-25-years-as/) [Ara Parseghian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ara-parseghian/) > [In 16, 17 years as a pro I was used to the head coach doing it alone. He might have asked his people for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klinsmann/in-16-17-years-as-a-pro-i-was-used-to-the-head-coach-doing-it-alone/) [Jurgen Klinsmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klinsmann/) > [Think like a head coach, but act like an assistant coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-amaker/think-like-a-head-coach-but-act-like-an-assistant-coach/) Tommy Amaker > [A lot of guys talk like they want to do it, and they think it would be cool to be in a nice suit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/a-lot-of-guys-talk-like-they-want-to-do-it-and-they-think-it-would-be/) [Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/) > [I will miss the ladies and the passion of the Sun fans. I was proud to serve as their head coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-donovan/i-will-miss-the-ladies-and-the-passion-of-the-sun-fans-i-was-proud-to/) [Anne Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-donovan/) > [As a head coach you need a strong leadership group behind you and that is exactly what we have with Stuart Webber and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-farke/as-a-head-coach-you-need-a-strong-leadership-group-behind-you-and/) [Daniel Farke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-farke/) > [It's been a dream of mine to become a head coach in the NFL.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ryan/it-s-been-a-dream-of-mine-to-become-a-head-coach-in-the-nfl/) [Rex Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ryan/) > [I think Ozil, he's a very calm, sweet man, so don't judge him too quickly. 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This club had a clear picture of what I would bring, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-farke/each-and-every-head-coach-has-their-own-ideas-and-philosophy-this/) [Daniel Farke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-farke/) > [I learned a tremendous amount about what was important to me as a head coach in that I was not in charge. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-carroll/i-learned-a-tremendous-amount-about-what-was-important-to-me-as-a/) [Pete Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-carroll/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) ## More by Mike Leach > [I'm proud to say I had a bet with a guy from Chicago who said Chicago is windier and colder than Wyoming. Wyoming dominated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-m-proud-to-say-i-had-a-bet-with-a-guy-from-chicago-who-said-chicago/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [I know that in Ames, Iowa, they fancy themselves being experts on the wind, but in Lubbock, Texas, we'll put our wind up against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-know-that-in-ames-iowa-they-fancy-themselves-being-experts-on-the/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [You go out and do the best you can and hope it works. You just try to improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/you-go-out-and-do-the-best-you-can-and-hope-it-works-you-just-try-to/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [You know, I'll tell who's really embraced football is Austria. Austria's really embraced football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/you-know-i-ll-tell-who-s-really-embraced-football-is-austria-austria/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [I figured I'd coach two or three years at the most and go back and be an attorney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-figured-i-d-coach-two-or-three-years-at-the-most-and-go-back-and-be/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [Everybody says marriage is 'til death do you part - and I've been married 29 years - but a book is really 'til death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/everybody-says-marriage-is-til-death-do-you-part-and-i-ve-been/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [Washington State is great. I'm completely happy at Washington State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/washington-state-is-great-i-m-completely-happy-at-washington-state/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [Atlanta might have snow and Macon might have good weather, and they're not really far apart. But there's a period of time in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/atlanta-might-have-snow-and-macon-might-have-good-weather-and-they-re/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [It's a good idea to shave for TV games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/it-s-a-good-idea-to-shave-for-tv-games/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [Playing someone difficult is tough and can be discouraging, but if you beat them the payoff is huge!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/playing-someone-difficult-is-tough-and-can-be-discouraging-but-if-you/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [The government shutdown, we all know that's a sham. I mean, are they really going to just go to the entire Army and Navy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/the-government-shutdown-we-all-know-that-s-a-sham-i-mean-are-they/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [I've directly contributed to losses, but likewise, I'd like to think I contributed to a lot of wins and a lot of good play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-ve-directly-contributed-to-losses-but-likewise-i-d-like-to-think-i/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [In golf, you keep trying to score well when you're ahead. In basketball, they don't quit shooting when they're ahead. In hockey, they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/in-golf-you-keep-trying-to-score-well-when-you-re-ahead-in-basketball/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [If you get into a fight, don't take your helmet off. We're looking for smart football players, not dumb ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/if-you-get-into-a-fight-don-t-take-your-helmet-off-we-re-looking-for/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [I'm a big movie guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-m-a-big-movie-guy/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) [Explore all 102 Mike Leach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) ## 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": "As a head coach, you're on two lists. 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