Former Eagles coach Vermeil motivates Glen Mills students
THORNBURY » Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil gave 600 students, staff and visitors at Glen Mills School tips on what it takes to be successful.
And the Super Bowl-winning coach said it’s simple: Humans complicate it – and that anybody could do it.
“Young people that learn to use common sense and pair it with good judgement and a good positive work ethic, they can be very successful,” Vermeil told them.
The coach was invited to talk at the residential school for troubled youth on Thursday as part of its 4-year-old Character & Leadership Development series program. He joined a former roster of speakers such as judges, NBA officials, Vicki Otmani who rowed across the Pacific Ocean and Philadelphia Eagle long snapper/magician Jon Dorenbos.
“We’re bringing in people from all different backgrounds to expose our kids so they can learn,” Randy Ireson, Glen Mills executive director, said.
Vermeil outlined characteristics he from his decades of
“The number one attribute of successful people – they have learned to care,” he said. “How simple is that? They have learned to care. If you care about something, you get it done.”
He said caring isn’t always easy.
“When a person really cares about another person, they listen,” he said. “They a few culled coaching. listen to tough words, they listen to the tough explanation of why you’re in trouble.”
Number two, Vermeil said was be a good example and seek good examples.
“Let your words and deeds be examples to everybody out there,” he said, adding that following bad examples leads to trouble with the law, family or school.
“The better example you are as a person, the more good examples you’re going to find around you,” Vermeil said. “It’s unbelievable.”
He said he prided himself on having a locker room full of men who were good examples to each other.
Number three, Vermeil said, was helping to create an atmosphere that is fun to be in.
“When you enjoy the environment that you’re in, you do it better,” he said.
He told them he’s never taken over a winning football team – all three were losing and the environment of them was a losing one that had to be gradually changed.
Fourth, he told them, “Define your vision. Define your value system. Define your process.”
Vermeil told them to ask themselves what do they really want to be – a great father or husband, someone who makes money and had a secure job, someone who makes a contribution.
“You’ve got to draw a map for yourself,” he said. “If you do ... the map will take you where you want to go.”
Vermeil warned, “Now, the road might be a little tough from time to time. The road to the Super Bowl is always under construction, the same thing in your life.” Fifth, he said work hard. “Hard work is a solution, hard work is a problem solver,” he said. “Hard work can be a life saver ... There’s a close correlation between a superior work ethic and success in life.”
Finally, he said to be sincere and truthful and to treat people the way you want to be treated.
Vermeil’s message resonated with Glen Mills student Prince Greene.
“Being able to be motivated by somebody who did something as great as what he did,” the 17-year-old Baltimore, Md., native said, “it was a different experience and I enjoyed it.”
Coming from a poor socio-economic background, Greene said at least one of Vermeil’s wisdoms will stay with him.
“The main key point that he gave me was, ‘Always make tomorrow better than yesterday,’” the student said, adding that his own past “doesn’t mean that’s my whole life story.”