“If you want to win, just go somewhere with talent, work 16 hours a day, and don’t set any boundaries. But that’s not hard. Playing with limits is the harder game.” – Thad Wells (48:00)
Every coach wants to win. But what’s the cost?
Grind culture—the belief that nonstop work equals success—has taken hold of football. Coaches wear exhaustion like a badge. Sleeping in the office, endless staff meetings, and film study at all hours have become the norm. Somewhere along the line, the job stopped rewarding balance and started glorifying burnout.
It’s time to call it what it is: a problem.
Grind culture is hurting coaches. It’s hurting families. And it’s hurting the teams we’re trying to lead.
The Real Cost of the 16-Hour Day
Most coaches start with the right mindset. You want to lead, teach, and build something that lasts. But slowly, the job takes more than it should. You miss dinners, stay up too late, and tell yourself this is what it takes.
Tony Holler called it like it is:
“Football coaches talk about God, family, country more than anybody else… because they are the biggest abusers of [those values].” (41:44)
That kind of grind doesn’t just wear you down—it spills over. Your staff feels it, Your players see it, and most importantly your family lives with it. As coaches, we set the example. If we praise burnout, they’ll chase it too.
Here’s the truth: you can run a successful program without losing your health, your time, or your people.
Why Doing Less Can Lead to More
Working with limits isn’t soft—it’s smart. Thad Wells found out what happens when you stop trying to out-grind everyone:
“Everybody else is doing this in 14 hours. I’ve got to do it in 8. What do I have to do?” (39:41)
That pressure didn’t water down his process—it sharpened it. He cut the fluff, tightened the systems, and started coaching with real purpose. He didn’t slow down—he got better.
Coaching isn’t about stacking hours. It’s about getting to the point—and getting it right.
“Everybody else is doing this in 14 hours. I’ve got to do it in 8. What do I have to do?” (39:41)
That question led him to better systems and clearer priorities. He focused on what mattered and cut the noise. He didn’t coast—he became sharper. Rest didn’t make him soft. It made him sustainable.
Smart coaching isn’t about staying busy. It’s about staying effective.
How to Break Free from the Hustle Trap
Escaping the grind doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention and discipline. Here’s how to start:
Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries
Draw the line—and protect it. Guard your evenings. Stop treating office weekends like a trophy.
Make Better Decisions, Not More of Them
Wells uses the 4D Game Plan: Discover, Discern, Decide, Do. Don’t just stay busy—stay focused.
Lead With Courage
“You’ve got to have the courage to turn down jobs if you feel like they’re going to call you out on [having a life].” (55:53)
Don’t chase roles that demand everything. Look for ones that align with your values.
Model Balance
Live the priorities you preach. Show your team what it looks like to succeed without sacrificing what matters.
Redefine Toughness
Toughness isn’t about sleep deprivation or 90-hour weeks. It’s about having the strength to live by your values in a profession that often rewards overwork.
You don’t need to grind yourself into the ground to be a great coach, you don’t need to miss birthdays to build a strong program, and you don’t need to live in the office to earn respect.
If you want to win in football—and stay healthy doing it—step out of the grind. Your team, your family, and your future self will thank you.
Related:
Time Well Spent – How Less Practice Time Led to Better Performance
Craig Stutzmann, Staying Mentally Fresh During the Grind – San Jose State, Offensive Coordinator
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