“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – William Arthur Ward
The holiday season has a way of forcing a pause—sometimes the first real pause coaches take all year. The practices slow down, recruiting calendars loosen slightly, and for a brief moment, there’s space to reflect.
Christmas is often talked about as a season of giving, and coaching is no different. The impact you make this time of year won’t show up in a stat sheet or recruiting class ranking—but it will show up in relationships, culture, and long-term trust.
Here are three meaningful gifts every coach can give this holiday season—gifts that matter far beyond the season.
🎁 To Your Family
Give them presence and gratitude. Be where your feet are, even if only for a little while. Put the phone down, protect some time, and let them feel how much they matter to you—not just hear it in passing.
Coaching is demanding, and families often carry more of that weight than anyone realizes. Showing up fully during the holidays isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership at home.
🎁 To Your Assistants & Support Staff
Give them trust and appreciation. Empower them to lead, recognize their work publicly, and acknowledge the energy they pour into your program behind the scenes.
Strong programs aren’t built by one voice—they’re built by aligned teams. When assistants and support staff feel trusted and valued, culture strengthens and everyone wins.
🎁 To Your Student-Athletes
Give them consistency and care. Be clear with expectations, intentional with communication, and mindful of the academic, emotional, and social pressures they’re navigating this time of year.
Athletes don’t need perfection from their coaches—they need steadiness. Your ability to lead with standards and empathy during the holidays leaves a lasting impression.
🎁 Bonus Gift: The Gift of Significance
Give yourself permission to coach with intention. Significance isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most. It’s leadership that removes chance from culture, from communication, and from how people experience your program.
Remember your ‘why’ over the next few days. Remember why you chose this vocation or maybe why it chose you. No matter how you got to this position, you have the ability to be an agent of change. You have the ability to change lives no matter what the scoreboard says. I look forward to seeing you grow your joy in 2026!
🎄 Merry Christmas. I’m cheering for you! Use this season to reset, reflect, and recommit to the version of coach—and leader—you want to be.
If you’re a coach or administrator looking for support, perspective, or help building healthier and more effective programs, know that you don’t have to navigate that work alone. You have a trusted resource whenever you need it at CoachMattRogers.com.
