Coach Carroll expresses his thoughts on the cornerstone philosophy
By Pete Carroll
Head Coach
USC Football
“Win Forever” has been a phrase that has been in my mind for a few years now, but it has really crystallized recently. The concept has become a huge part of who we are, and that is why we want to share it with you as much as we can.
You’ve probably read the “Win Forever” piece that was published a few days ago, and hopefully it can be meaningful in your life, in everything you do, like it has for us. The stuff we do in this program can transcend the game of football and stretch into the arena of life at times, so that is why these philosophies mean so much to us.
We’ve already received a number of e-mails describing the impact the “Win Forever” has had on people from all walks of life — coaches, teachers and businessmen. It is such an honor to know that this philosophy has an influence on people. There is not a more rewarding feeling than knowing you have a positive effect on people.
One fan e-mail especially hit home for me. It’s from Joe Wellman, a basketball coach at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif. I wanted to share it with you (see below) because Coach Wellman, his fellow coaches and his players really grasp what “Win Forever” means. They went 35-1 and won the California state championship for the first time in school history, and there’s an even brighter future in store because of their commitment to competing, improving and “Winning Forever.”
We also want to ask you to share your stories and thoughts surrounding the “Win Forever” philosophy. It’d be great if we could get a “Win Forever” dialogue of sorts started to encourage us all about the power of always competing and aiming to “Win Forever.”
Please send your thoughts on “Win Forever” to Ben Malcolmson at Ben@PeteCarroll.com and we’ll publish them soon.
Fight on and Win Forever!
FROM: Coach Joey Wellman of Citrus College
DATE: March 24, 2008
I am an assistant basketball coach at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., and as a team and staff we have looked to Coach Carroll for inspiration and motivation, often implementing the same phrases and vocabulary into our program. I have been a USC fan my whole life. When Coach Carroll was hired my passion for the program increased ten-fold...his enthusiasm and passion have inspired me to become more passionate and give more of myself to my players and my program. This year was a special year. We had a great team with great kids. Kids with high character and an extreme passion for the game.
Our motto all season long with this group we borrowed from Coach Carroll, “Win Forever.” At the junior college level this is an especially relevant idea. We often have troubled kids that come from bad backgrounds, had bad academic careers in high school, and are struggling to become great members of society which is why we embraced the idea of “Win Forever” as a staff. You see we stressed to our guys all year that “Win Forever” meant more than just winning games, but was a lifestyle. Showing up for class, helping a friend and the community, doing your homework, maxing out in practice was all part of “Win Forever.” It is a lifestyle; it is a way of living.
Using this motto as our focus all year our program has seen great improvements in the classroom as well as the basketball court. Our players really embraced the idea and it has been nothing short of magical to watch. We also stressed “Always Competing,” another term Coach Carroll uses all the time. We stressed everyday on the court, in the classroom, watching film, doing homework to always do your best... to “Always Compete.” Our players really took to this as well...and their ability to compete in all aspects of life again was nothing short of magical.
Lastly we always chanted, “Let It Rip,” a phrase Coach Carroll often uses and refers to...we believe that players make plays and they cannot be afraid to go all out for the greater good of the team...to never second guess themselves or try to be too cool...but to “Let It Rip.”
Coach Carroll not only has inspired me to be a better person and coach but all our coaches on staff as well. Indirectly his philosophies and teachings have affected the lives of 13 players on our team and because of that I am forever grateful. I truly believe without his teachings and philosophies our team would not have been able to achieve the success we did this year. You see, our team finished 35-1, won our first Conference title, and this past weekend won the first State Championship in school history...but it is our 8 players on Honor Roll, and all our guys leaving with AA’s that has truly been special. Everyday when I see our guys walking around in shirts that say “Win Forever” on the back, I think of all the things we have accomplished and the role Coach Carroll had in it.
Coach Carroll deserves to know the impact he has had on me, our coaches, and players.
Thanks for your time,
Coach Joe Wellman
Recruiting Coordinator and Director of Basketball Operations
Citrus College
