In football, playbooks and schemes don’t win by themselves—relationships matter just as much. Building real connections off the field can open doors, sharpen your craft, and shape your career in ways no game plan ever could.
Charles Bankins, Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at North Carolina Central, doesn’t just believe that—he lives it. His approach is simple, consistent, and brutally effective: The 2-a-Week Rule.
Build Your Network with Purpose
Networking doesn’t need to be flashy—it just needs to be steady. Coach Bankins keeps it simple.
“I try to hit up two people a week that are in those outside of my normal circle… It doesn’t take that much effort.” (1:32)
Even in the thick of the season, he carves out time each week to check in with coaches beyond his usual circle. It’s not about hunting for the next job or pushing an agenda. It’s about staying connected, trading ideas, and keeping relationships alive.
Once the season ends, he turns up the volume—two coaches a day. A quick message, a short Zoom, even a comment on social media—it all counts. The key is rhythm.
Make It Real, Not Transactional
Too many coaches get this part wrong. They treat networking like a cold call—asking for favors before they’ve built trust.
“What they get wrong is they’re always asking for something. They’re not building the relationship. It’s transactional.” (4:00)
Bankins flips that approach. Instead of taking, he gives—praise after a win, encouragement after a loss, or just a genuine check-in. Small gestures stack up. Over time, they build something far more powerful than a professional contact list: real community.
Be Consistent—That’s How People Remember You
With texts, DMs, and calls just a thumb away, connecting has never been easier. But if everyone’s reaching out, how do you stand out?
You stay consistent. You stay real.
“Later he called me back, probably about a month later and said, do you wanna come work with me… in the NFL?” (6:45)
That opportunity didn’t come from a résumé or a reference letter. It came from a simple follow-up—timed right, sent with purpose, and backed by a real relationship.
Final Whistle
Want to grow your circle? Follow the 2-a-Week Rule.
Two coaches a week during the season. Two a day in the offseason. Stay consistent. Stay real. Show people who you are—not just what you want.
You don’t need to work the room or chase big names. Just keep showing up, one connection at a time. Let the rest take care of itself.
Related:
Creating Consistent Performance, Featuring Matt Jones, OL Coach, Tennessee Martin
Creating a Consistent Player – Adam Cushing, Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach, Duke University