Lou
Holtz retired with a career record of 249-132-7, which ranks him sixth all-time
in NCAA football victories. He has taken six schools to bowl games within two
years of arriving as coach and he is the only coach to lead four schools to
top-20 finishes. He has written three New York Times best sellers, including
The Fighting Spirit, which tells the story of Notre Dame’s 1988 championship
season.
Three Simple Rules – as shared by Coach Lou Holtz
Rule #1 – Do the right thing.
I think it’s the right thing to be on time. I think it’s the right thing to be truthful. I think it’s the right thing to be accountable. We all have our own personal guidelines, but whatever your guidelines may be, every decision you make must come from the same place – do the right thing.
Rule #2 – Do everything to the best of your ability with the time you are given.
The truth is that everyone has a special talent or talents. The secret is to utilize those talents to the best of your ability – try, try, try. We live in a finite world, a world where there’s a beginning and an ending. All we ask of you is that you do the best you can; not only with our team, but also with everything you do, whether it’s school, your home life, your friendships, or whatever it may be.
Rule #3 – Show people you care.
This is the golden rule – treat others as you wish to be treated.
The reason why there are only three simple rules is because the people you meet have only three basic questions.
Question #1: Can I trust you?
Without trust, there is no relationship and the only way you can ever gain trust is: Do the right thing.
Question #2: Are you committed to excellence?
People want to know that you’re committed to becoming better, to doing whatever you can to deliver as the best teammate or as the best partner. The only way you can show people you are committed is: Do everything to the best of your ability with the time you are given.
Question #3: Do you care about me?
Caring about people is not about making their life easy. Caring about people is not about words alone – it’s also about actions. Caring about people is enabling them to be successful. How do you do this? You show them: Show people you care.
Trust. Commitment. Care.
We can. We will. We are.