Volume 15

Coaching can make or break potential. It’s easy to think of a coach as someone who just gives advice or steers you toward a goal, but finding the right coach—one who truly understands your strengths and tailors their approach to your unique situation—can be transformative. And nowhere is that more evident than in the story of NFL quarterback Sam Darnold.

Here are some key highlights from Sam Darnold's college career at USC:

• Prolific passer: Darnold set the USC single-season record for passing yards with 4,143 yards in 2017.

• Rose Bowl performance: In the 2016 Rose Bowl against Penn State, Darnold set Rose Bowl records for passing touchdowns (5) and total yards (453).

• Archie Griffin Award: He became the first-ever freshman to win the Archie Griffin Award as the nation's most valuable player for the entire season in 2016.

• Pac-12 Championship: In 2017, Darnold threw for over 4,000 yards and earned MVP honors in the Pac-12 Championship Game, leading USC to a 31-28 win over Stanford.

• Career stats: Over his two seasons as USC's starting quarterback, Darnold totaled 7,229 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns, 332 rushing yards, and 7 rushing touchdowns.

• Impressive record: Darnold had a 20-4 career record as USC's starting quarterback.

• All-Pac-12 honors: He was named to the 2017 1st-team All-Pac-12 as a quarterback.

  
  

These accomplishments showed the world that Darnold had star power. He demonstrated leadership, incredible passing ability, mobility, and poise in high-pressure situations. So naturally, when the New York Jets selected him 3rd overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, the expectations were sky-high. But what happened next was a far cry from what anyone could have predicted.

Darnold's transition to the NFL was rocky, to say the least. Despite flashes of brilliance—including setting a Jets franchise record for the highest passer rating by a rookie quarterback—his performance didn’t align with his college dominance. He bounced between teams, including the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, and posted some of the worst stats in the NFL during this period. He ranked near the bottom in passer rating, completion percentage, and team success. Critics labeled him a "bust"—an athlete who failed to live up to his potential. But as any great coach will tell you, failure isn’t a dead end—it’s just feedback.

Fast forward to 2024, and Darnold’s story looks very different. With the Minnesota Vikings and under coach Kevin O’Connell, Sam has finally found his stride. His stats tell the story: a 68.9% completion rate, over 900 yards in just four weeks, 11 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. He’s transformed from a quarterback who couldn’t seem to find his place into one of the most effective and dynamic players in the league.

So what changed? Darnold didn’t suddenly become more talented, nor did he start training harder. The real difference was finding a coach who saw his strengths and built a system that allowed him to thrive. Kevin O'Connell didn’t try to fit Darnold into a rigid scheme—he designed one that complemented Sam’s natural abilities. The right coach saw potential where others saw failure.

The lesson here is clear: not all coaches are created equal. A one-size-fits-all approach can stifle growth, but a coach who takes the time to listen, adapt, and align their strategy with an individual’s strengths can unlock potential that was previously untapped. A great coach is more than just a guide—they're an architect, designing a pathway for success based on who you are, not who they want you to be.

But coaching isn’t just about the coach. It’s a two-way street. Even the best coach in the world can’t help someone who isn’t open to change or willing to put in the work. Darnold’s transformation didn’t happen because O’Connell waved a magic wand. It happened because Sam was willing to embrace new systems, learn from his past mistakes, and grow as both a player and a person. That’s the essence of coaching: the willingness to be better tomorrow than you are today.

When paired with the right coach, a person’s growth can be remarkable. But it’s important to remember that coaching isn’t just about getting better at a task or job. True coaching can enhance self-awareness, build confidence, improve decision-making, and ultimately lead to a more fulfilled and successful life. It’s not just about reaching a goal—it’s about becoming the kind of person who can achieve that goal.

In the end, the magic of coaching lies in the relationship between the coach and the individual. It’s about finding that delicate balance between guidance and growth, where both parties are learning, adapting, and evolving. Sam Darnold’s journey from a forgotten rookie to a dynamic NFL star is a testament to the power of the right coach, and the right mindset, to unlock true potential.

If you’re ready to unlock your potential, maybe it’s time to find the right coach.

“A coach is someone who tells you what you don't want to hear, who has you see what you don't want to see, so you can be who you have always known you could be.”

                                              — Tom Landry