Building a Championship Football Program: Developing the Mindset That Wins
As any seasoned coach knows, success on the football field goes far beyond the playbook. It’s not just about X’s and O’s or who runs the fastest 40-yard dash—it’s about cultivating a mindset that breeds excellence in every part of life. Whether you’re rebuilding from the ground up or stepping into an established program, the journey to becoming a championship team begins long before the first snap.
Winning starts with how you develop your players, how you set expectations, and how you establish the culture in your locker room. This article explores what it really takes to build a championship-caliber football program—one rooted in discipline, mental toughness, and an unrelenting drive to improve every single day.
The Championship Mentality: Laying the Groundwork
“You have to display those behaviors before you actually are going to get to the point where you’re ready to win a championship.” — Jason Eck
Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of daily behaviors and habits that shape the way your athletes train, think, and carry themselves. What separates good teams from great ones isn’t just talent—it’s the attitude they bring to the field, the weight room, and even the classroom.
Coach Jason Eck from the University of New Mexico puts it simply: if you want to be a champion, you have to act like one long before you ever lift a trophy. That means showing up early, doing the little things right, and holding yourself to a high standard—even when no one’s watching.
Setting the tone from day one is essential. Establish clear, firm expectations early in the season. It’s far easier to ease off later if necessary than to try and raise the bar once bad habits have set in. Culture is built through consistency and discipline, and it starts with the first meeting, the first practice, and the first rep.
The Mental Edge: Accountability on and off the Field
“The people who are getting in trouble downtown or skipping class… those are usually the same guys who are jumping off sides on third and one.” — Jason Eck
A team’s success often mirrors the personal habits of its players. Coach Eck, who has a background in psychology, talks about the concept of a “consistent self”—the idea that people tend to behave the same way across all areas of life. If a player is cutting corners off the field, odds are he’s doing it in practice or during critical moments in a game.
That’s why creating a program that emphasizes personal responsibility, discipline, and character is so important. When players are held accountable in their everyday lives, they’re more likely to stay composed under pressure and make smart decisions when it matters most.
Great coaches don’t just train athletes—they develop men. They create environments where expectations are clear, support is strong, and personal growth is a priority. When players buy into that mindset, the team becomes more unified, more focused, and ultimately, more successful.
Measuring Progress: Tangible vs. Intangible Growth
“You want to see progress, and again, you want to see progress that’s kind of the intangible stuff that you’ve got to look for just in your effort, your enthusiasm at practice, your work ethic.” — Jason Eck
Wins and losses will always be a part of the equation, but they don’t tell the whole story. True progress often reveals itself in the details—the way players approach practice, the energy they bring to meetings, the commitment they show in the weight room.
Coach Eck points out that the “intangibles” matter just as much as any box score. Is your team showing up with energy? Are they staying locked in on film study? Are they pushing each other to get better every day? These are the signs of a team that’s headed in the right direction.
Of course, tangible goals still matter—whether it’s reaching six wins, hitting a team GPA benchmark, or making a bowl game. But those goals should be balanced with an ongoing effort to build a healthy, high-performing culture. Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet—it’s in the habits that, over time, lead to sustained success.
Sustaining Success: Staying Focused on the Process
“Football is such a competitive game… there’s half the teams that lose every Friday night.” — Jason Eck
In football, nothing comes easy. No matter how talented your roster is, the margin between winning and losing is razor-thin. That’s why the best programs never stop growing. Even after a big win or a great season, the work doesn’t stop.
Sustaining success means focusing on the process. It means holding players to the same high standards whether you’re on a winning streak or dealing with adversity. And it means reminding your team that championships are built not just by talent, but by toughness, discipline, and relentless effort.
Ultimately, the best teams are the ones that stay grounded. They don’t let the highs get too high or the lows too low. They trust the process, believe in their culture, and stay committed to doing things the right way—day in and day out.
Conclusion: More Than Just Football
Coaching football is about more than teaching plays or calling the right coverage. It’s about shaping young men to become the best versions of themselves—on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
When you build a culture rooted in discipline, accountability, and hard work, winning becomes a byproduct of the process. Your athletes become more than just football players—they become leaders. And that’s how a program goes from good to great.
Because in the end, championships aren’t just won on game day, they are earned in the quiet moments—the early mornings, the tough conversations, the shared commitment to something bigger than any one player. That’s the true foundation of a championship football program.
Related:
Building a Process-Driven Culture
Creating Competition and Confidence – Andy Capone, Head Coach, Weddington High School (NC)