When people see a championship team holding up a trophy, they often focus on the final moment—the celebration, the score, the confetti. But anyone who has coached knows that championships aren’t won on game day. They’re built in the months—sometimes years—of work that come before it.
I’ve been fortunate to coach teams that reached the top: a high school team that won the CIF Championship in 2013 and a college squad that captured the California State Championship in 2023. Both were incredible experiences, but not because of the trophies. What made them special was watching young athletes commit to a process, come together as a team, and grow into something bigger than themselves.
The wins were the result. The habits were the reason.
It Starts with Culture
Before you talk strategy, before the first practice, before the first pitch—you have to establish a culture. A winning culture doesn’t just mean you want to win. Every team wants that. Culture is about how you show up, how you treat each other, and what you hold each other accountable to, every single day.
With both championship teams, we made it clear from the start: this wasn’t going to be about individual stats or personal attention. It was about doing things the right way—showing up early, respecting the game, supporting your teammates, and always putting the team first.
And when players started living those values without needing to be reminded, I knew we had something special.
Discipline Beats Motivation
Anyone can be motivated for a week. But it’s the athletes who stick to their routine when it’s not exciting—those are the ones who become champions.
Our teams had early mornings, long practices, and plenty of setbacks. But we made discipline the backbone of everything we did. We had consistent practice habits, self-disciplined players, detailed game prep, and clear standards of performance. If someone slacked, they didn’t just hear it from a coach—they heard it from their teammates.
Motivation might get you started. But discipline gets you to the finish line.
Embrace the Role
One of the biggest differences between good teams and great ones is that everyone knows—and embraces—their role. That’s not always easy. Not everyone’s the starting pitcher or the cleanup hitter.
But what made both our CIF and State Championship teams so powerful was that every player bought in. The bench guys were just as engaged as the starters. The pitchers charted games like it mattered to them. The bullpen gave each other constant feedback. The guys who didn’t show up in the box score were still the first ones cheering in the dugout.
When everyone knows their role matters, and takes pride in it, the team becomes unstoppable.
Responding to Adversity
No championship season is smooth. We had injuries, tough losses, slumps, and moments where things could’ve unraveled. What set our teams apart was how they responded.
We didn’t panic. We didn’t point fingers. We leaned on each other.
As a coach, I always remind my players: you can’t control everything, but you can control how you respond. And those habits—resilience, focus, and trust—are what carry you through the hard innings and late-game pressure.
Those championship runs weren’t defined by blowout wins. They were built in the moments we rallied together after things went wrong.
Consistency Over Flash
Everyone loves the highlight-reel plays. But championships are built on the little things done right over and over again.
Backing up bases. Taking extra reps after practice. Running out every ground ball. Holding each other to a standard.
Our title teams weren’t the most talented rosters I’ve ever coached. But they were the most consistent. They showed up the same way whether it was a preseason scrimmage or a playoff game. That level of consistency is what separates contenders from champions.
Leadership Comes from Everywhere
You don’t need a “C” on your jersey to lead. Some of the best leaders I’ve coached weren’t the loudest or the most talented. They were the guys who showed up early, stayed late, picked up their teammates, and led by example.
During both title runs, we had leaders in every part of the dugout. Starters led. Role players led. Seniors led. Underclassmen stepped up too. You don’t need a title to be a leader.
When leadership is shared, the pressure doesn’t fall on one or two people. Everyone feels responsible for the group’s success. And that’s powerful.
The Real Win
Winning a championship is unforgettable. But what stays with me most isn’t the final score. It’s the transformation. Watching a group of young men buy into something bigger than themselves, make sacrifices, and achieve what most teams only dream about—that’s what makes coaching so meaningful.
And here’s the best part: those same championship habits—discipline, teamwork, resilience, leadership—stick with them for life.
They’ll use those habits as students, professionals, husbands, and fathers.
Because once you’ve built a winner from the inside out, that mindset doesn’t go away.
Final Thoughts
Coaching has given me some of my proudest moments—not because of the titles, but because of the people.
Every team is different. Every season has its own challenges. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from coaching championship teams, it’s this: habits win.
The right culture, the right discipline, and the right mindset don’t just lead to wins on the field. They build winners in life.
And that’s the real championship.