Lessons from a National Champion

Lessons from a National Champion

I’m not a huge college football fan. I didn’t go to college and it wasn’t a huge deal when I grew up in Boston. Seeing that LSU won and some of the old takes being exposed about when they hired their head coach, I couldn’t help but google to see what the story was.

Six years ago Ed Orgeron was passed over for an opportunity because he didn’t fit the image of the school where he was the interim head coach. “Because of his giant lineman frame and emotional sideline demeanor, USC thought he didn’t have the sophisticated appearance of a Trojans head coach. Because of his deep and sometime unintelligible Cajun voice, USC thought he didn’t sound like a Trojans head coach.” Bill Plaschke wrote in the LA Times. The story continues and shares the devastation that the coach faced back then. He obviously moved on from that devastating day and from a distance, it looks like he found a place to appreciate his unique style and empowered him to double down on his strengths! The results speak for themselves.

In moments like last night, I always enjoy when people post “old takes exposed” because in today’s tweet first ask questions later society, I really enjoy seeing those takes later (right or wrong honestly). This tweet by Dan Wolken of USA Today was the tweet that I saw making the rounds tonight and it is what motivated me to look into Orgeron’s history.

Ed Orgeron had just landed a big time College football head coaching job, that he worked his whole career for and this National Columnist not only laughed at him, but needed to make sure the whole world knew he laughed at him. What an amazing reaction to someone’s hard work and the opportunity that they now had in front of him. I’m not writing this a shot at this particular writer, I must mention that he did what so many never do, he owned that tweet. It’s still up and even tweeted this:

I appreciate that tweet and understand that he is doing his job by offering his opinion. It’s his job to offer his opinion and share it, but it has to be your mission to not let other people's opinions distract you from what you are trying to achieve.

I’m writing about this because I like to find lessons in every situation. I started this personal quest to help more people find happiness because of a quote by Gary Vaynerchuk, challenging more people to share and encourage happiness, especially on social media. So when I saw these old tweets and the story of why Orgeron was let go from USC I thought it was important to point out the lessons I gleaned from last night.

1. When one door closes, the right door for you will open.

2. Double down on your strengths and always bet on YOU.

3. Do not try to be someone else to stay in a role, even if you love it. Evolution is ok, but do not change who you are as a person.

4. Let them laugh today! Go achieve your goal and you will have the last laugh.

5. Sometimes it takes someone who is a little unconventional to achieve something that is unbelievable.

I’m sure there are plenty of lessons to be taken away from tonight’s game and the entire season that LSU had. I’d love to hear some more from you.

Last thought from me: There are always lessons to be learned, it’s on you to find them.

#LSU #NationalChampionship #BrandedHappy #Happiness #BeDifferent #EdOrgeron #Happy #BeYou #LastLaugh #GaryVeeChallenge #Coach #OldTakesExposed