Football Isn’t Complicated. People Are.

A Proactive Coaching podcast interview with Steve Morton, a 40-year college and professional football assistant coach — with stops at Washington State (twice), Washington, Stanford, USC, Iowa State, San Jose State (offensive coordinator), Nevada, Weber State, Portland State, and the CFL — who now coaches high school football, hosted by Bruce Brown as part of the "Best Coaches You've Probably Never Heard Of" series. Topics covered: getting his start as a graduate assistant at Washington State in 1975; the realities of the assistant coaching life ("walking through Hades with gasoline pants on") and the toll of constant moves on family; mentors from freshman coach Dick Seeler at W.F. West to Jim Sweeney, Jim Walden, Don James, and Dick Tomey, and the common trait of being comfortable in their own skin; lessons from 40 years — discover how to be yourself, don't be a carbon copy, and build relationships at every level; friendships with opposing coaches ("iron sharpens iron") and defending their reputations; the biggest changes in athletics (money and the "football arms race," plus the internet, cell phones, and social media); why medical events that ended his college career became a blessing — "I wasn't finished coaching"; college vs. high school in one word (parents — and football only requires counting to four); advice for aspiring college coaches (hard work only guarantees you a chance, and your family must be on board); and a book list (the Bible, John Wooden, Bo's Lasting Lessons, Quiet Strength, What It Takes to Be #1, Undaunted Courage).