Central Florida went from 0-12 to unbeaten in 2017. It is one of the most incredible turnarounds in college football history. When Scott Frost took the head coaching job, he didn’t think his team would go from winless to flawless within a year. “I don’t think so,” Frost said when asked if he expected the turnaround to occur in two seasons. “I knew this place had unlimited potential; that’s what I said coming in. But this had been an 0-12 program.”

How did the Knights go from a punch line to the only team in history that went from a winless regular season to an undefeated season in only two years? It had to be more than installing a tempo or moving a few players to different positions. In a word—leadership! Frost’s mentors include Tom Osborne, Tony Dungy, and Bill Walsh. Here’s how Frost sees the importance of modeling leadership that he wants his players to see in players: “I think any time you’re a leader, you have to let people see that you’re willing to do some of the things they’re doing and work as hard as they’re doing.”

1 Timothy 5 – Mentoring

Paul also knew the importance of leadership and how crucial it was to model during the early church. He wanted Timothy to understand that an exemplary Christian leader should respect people and show compassion to those who need it while holding themselves to a higher standard than anyone else. The influence of a good mentor like the Apostle Paul had on Timothy is hard to measure. Timothy had ministered side by side with Paul since the second missionary journey. As a result, he received practical guidance from a seasoned spiritual leader.

For all the intellect and giftedness coaches might have, nothing takes the place of loving the people they lead. Paul chose the family analogy in chapter 5 since the same should be true for every church leader or shepherd. They need to enjoy interacting with people as much as preaching God’s Word. And treat people within the church with “kindness.”

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete are concerned with the souls of those they lead by presenting the gospel and leading them to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:14).