Podcast Name: Practicing the Art of Faithful PresenceEpisode 18: Rick Chamberlin, University of Dayton Head Football Coach

In this episode, podcast host Dr. David Wright speaks with University of Dayton head football coach, Rick Chamberlin. Coach Chamberlin has led the football program for 13 years, and served as an assistant coach for the previous 29. He graduated from the University of Dayton following a very successful career as a player on the field.

It is evident from the outset that Coach Chamberlin loves coaching football, and he loves coaching football at his alma mater. He explains the uniqueness of the University of Dayton football program that offers no athletic scholarships. His players who receive aid qualify based on need or academics. They are students who simply love the game – and they are smart. They also love being part of a winning program. Coach explains the impact of his toughest opponent yet – COVID-19 – on the University of Dayton football program. Their entire 2020 season has been cancelled but they are approaching conditioning and practicing with safety as their first priority. He adds that their players have had great attitudes through it all.

Coach provides his insights on how playing the game of football during college impacts the men who play on his team. It helps them learn to work with others. They have to be very disciplined people to play this game. They gain something more than just winning – they are learning about themselves and they are connected to something bigger than themselves. The coaches, alumni and players of University of Dayton football are a family.

Dr. Wright asks Coach Chamberlin to share his testimony and to explain how it works to be a person of faith and a head football coach. Coach begins with the fact that his life has always been special – he was adopted. He grew up in a loving family with a Christian mother. The seeds of the gospel were planted from an early age. He married, had children, began coaching and explained what a perfect life he had at age 23. The Chamberlains visited a Wesleyan church where they saw people who exemplified the joy of serving the Lord. He said he looked at his wife and said “I want that.” That night they committed their lives to the Lord together.

Coach answers questions about how playing football, a rough and tumble game, can be compatible with being a Christian. He describes how he perceives this generation of young men. Where previous generations simply ‘did what the coach said’, this generation needs a reason why. He sees a generation that really wants something of substance to hold onto – something they can truly count on.

The conversation ends with Coach sharing his wisdom on leadership and the thing he would tell himself if he could speak to his 20-year-old self. Most of all, he would tell the young Rick Chamberlain to take everything in – to listen to everyone around you. There is so much to learn in life.

 

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