According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Tom Coughlin’s farewell news conference reminded everyone what a coach should be. Coughlin had a message, and he delivered it with military-grade energy and precision. “While the two Super Bowl trophies out here are incredible accomplishments, and I’m very proud of them, don’t get me wrong,” Coughlin said at the climax of his pulpit-pounding speech, “I believe it is the unbreakable bond between coach and player that defines me as a coach and any humble success we might have had here as New York Giants coaches. It is the job of the head coach to get the technical football right, to make sure the Xs and Os are efficient, and that the players have a great plan and a chance to win games. It is our duty to equip these men with the virtues that will last a lifetime—values like honesty, trust, responsibility, respect, service, and integrity. Those are the things that we teach, in addition to football.”

Joshua 23-24 – Lasting Legacy

Chapters 9-22 of Joshua describe the Israelites’ conquest of the promised land. The book ends with Joshua’s farewell address to the people. While Coach Coughlin reminded reporters of the importance of the bond between coach and player, Joshua reminded his people of God’s unbreakable bond with His people.

Few of God’s men in Scripture finished strong in this battle called “life.” Most failed the Lord in some way. Not Joshua! Whoever wrote the last sentences of Joshua’s book recorded his complete faithfulness. As a result, Israel served God throughout his lifetime and during the lives of his contemporaries.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete remain strong in their efforts to serve the Lord until the end. Like Paul, they hope to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).