Coach: Transfer the Passion

I think one of the toughest challenges that a high school football coach has is motivating the team. How does one inspire? How does the coach transfer the passion
that he has for the game and for winning.....to his players. It can be done. It can be done harshly, gently, loud, or quietly but it can be done. It has to be done.
It has to be done or you don't win football games. (let alone championships) The coach prepares his offense, defense and special teams. He selects his starters and his backups. He has drilled them, practiced them, run them. He works with his assistants to get the team prepared for Friday night. He has talented players. He has players who know what is required for their respective positions. Then, all of a sudden; the coach hears some bad news. No, it is not an injury. Five of his starters are ineligible due to bad grades. To make matters worse; some of the players are ineligible due to low grades both in scholarship and citizenship. It may sound strange; but this is a passion matter. It is a love matter. Why bother to "strap on" that uniform if he doesn't love the game. Why bother to make the sacrifice of going to practice Monday through Thursday if there isn't enough passion for the game to conduct himself properly in and out of the classroom? The responsibility of the coach begins to take a different dimension/direction. He needs to convince, persuade, inspire, and motivate. He needs to transfer the passion that he has for football, to his players. It may be a challenge, but it can be done. It must be done.