Education Extra
Coach Fred Yancey’s win percentage as a high school head coach was an exceptional 74.5%. Yancey coached the Lions at Briarwood Christian High School for twenty-nine seasons and his record ranks fourth in the state for wins at a single school. In September, I sat down with the Coach at his home in Dunnavant Valley for a discussion about sportsmanship.
We started with Coach Yancey’s experience as a team captain in high school- Messick in Memphis. “At Messick, I was taught to be competitive- to care deeply about winning- balanced with an emphasis on playing with class.” This philosophy was the frame for his years of coaching. According to Coach Yancey, sportsmanship begins with respect for the other team: both teams need to be able to hold their heads up. He explained that the coach sets the tone. “In a way, the coach walks a tightrope- he trains his players to be the most competitive team the opposition will ever see, yet, at the same time, to do it in a way respected by all. We knock ‘em down, and then help ‘em up.” The players must execute good, tough football but never rub it in. After a score or a good play, his players were trained to celebrate on the sidelines, not “showboat.” But principles taught must also be enforced. “Some boys come into the program thinking the coach expects them to be the meanest player on the field. And even great kids can get out of line.” Yancey explained that the coaching staff used practice sessions to convince players that bad behavior was “not worth it.” Coach Yancey gave an example of how he tried to demonstrate good sportsmanship. By halftime in a certain game, it was clear the score was insurmountable by the opposing team. So, Briarwood put in its younger players to give them experience. The final score was the same as it was at halftime and still a convincing win. At the end of the game, the opposing team’s coach sprinted across the field to shake Yancey’s hand. He said, “That was the classiest thing I have ever seen.” The two coaches developed a lasting friendship.
As for fans, Yancey noted it is human nature to like attention, that is, to make our mark in front of people. “When the fans are vocal, the boys love it,” he said, “and they also notice when the fans are not into the game.” Fans should always be enthusiastic and supportive particularly when the team is struggling. During the heat of summer practice in an empty stadium, Yancey motivated players by helping them look ahead to the full stands of fall. He told them they wanted to be ready. Coach Yancey pointed out a key difference in fan dynamics between high school and college. In college stadiums, the fans make generic noise because of their distance from the field. But in high school, the fans are much closer- individual voices can be heard on the field. He encourages fans to “watch your language and your temper. You will be heard in a high school stadium. Don’t have regrets.”
Coach Yancey’s approach to sportsmanship has roots in his Christian faith. He views how the game is played as both an obligation to the God he serves and as an opportunity to express his spiritual life to others. This positive message impacted the thousands of individuals he coached in football and track. During his tenure, Briarwood won three state titles- 1998, 1999, and 2003- and played in the state championship game in three additional seasons- 2007, 2010, and 2017. Numerous Briarwood Lions played at the college level. Three of his players competed professionally: Tim and Simeon Castille (NFL) and Michael Hires (CFL). Former Briarwood quarterback Barrett Trotter was an NFL offensive coach. Coach Yancey retired in 2019 and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. His winning legacy validates that sportsmanship is not some add-on, not some afterthought to getting the job done. Sportsmanship is the opening kick-off for success on the playing field. And throughout life.
-Bill Norton
