To listen to Ron Brown's interview with Skip Holtz on Sharing the Victory Radio, click here.

Heart of a Coach
November 2008

Skip Holtz
Head Football Coach
East Carolina University

Chosen Attribute: Positive Attitude

Dictionary definition: “Emphasizing what is laudable, hopeful or to the good.”

My definition: “An outlook one takes toward daily challenges and obstacles.”

Who or what helps me maintain a positive attitude: “My parents, my wife and some of the experiences that I have had. It is during your trials and  tribulations that you learn the most.”

Favorite Scripture that deals with staying positive: Romans 5:3 (NLT) – “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.”

Why I chose this passage: “It talks about the problems and trials we have, to not let them get us down. We can’t get discouraged, disgruntled or negative about them because they are the very things that help us learn to endure. God puts us through difficult times because that is when we learn—when we are the most alert and listening for advice.”

“God puts us through difficult times because that is when we learn.”

How I remain positive in my life: “I try and read a chapter of Proverbs every day. I ask for God to give me wisdom, to help me understand, to open my eyes and to expand my horizons. And the thing that helps me to accept God’s plan for my life is the old adage that says if you ever want to make God laugh, tell Him the plans you have for your own life. Because He has more variables involved than we know.

“I also think being a father and working with 18- to 22-year-old men helps me keep a positive attitude. When you are dealing with young people, you have such an influence in their lives. So trying to be positive and upbeat and not let things drag you down is huge in making sure that you are maintaining a young person’s attention.”

How I remain positive while coaching: “There is no doubt that your quiet time has a lot to do with keeping a positive attitude. As coaches, we can get so involved with scheming and watching film, and, as a head football coach, my own quiet time has really helped me keep it all in perspective.

“This year we had a great start, but we came out of our third weekend’s victory with major injuries to three senior starters. How do you remain optimistic? It was a challenge to not throw up our arms and say, ‘We are beat! How do we overcome this?’ I chose a positive attitude because I think so much of being successful in life is just making sure you stay positive and learn from the trials that come your way. You endure it, and you learn to push through them.”  

About the Coach
Hometown: Willimantic, Conn.
College: University of Notre Dame

Coaching Career:
•Began coaching in 1987.
•Took over head coaching position at East Carolina in 2004.
•Set ECU school records with eight conference wins and 403 total points scored in 2007.
•Upset two top-20 teams to start the 2008 season: Virginia Tech (17th) and West Virginia (8th).
•Has earned seven bowl titles in eight appearances.

FCA Involvement:
Holtz’s FCA involvement stretches back to his high school days when he was an athlete in Fayetteville, Ark., and he has remained connected with the ministry throughout his coaching career. Now in Greenville, N.C., the Pirates’ head coach is working with FCA Area Director David Wall.

“David has been great,” Holtz said. “We all need encouragement, and we all lose our way at times. That is why I think having relationships with guys like David goes a long way in keeping focused.”


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Photos courtesy of ECU Media Relations.