339. Lawrence Johnson - Building A New Culture Through Adversity

In this inspiring episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, we hear from Coach Lawrence Johnson, the Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach at Wichita Falls Legacy High School. Taking on the challenge of merging three schools into one unified program, Coach Johnson shares a raw, powerful account of what it takes to build culture, character, and unity in the face of adversity.

With a new campus, a new team, and no shortage of challenges—including an 0-10 season—Coach Johnson offers a masterclass in leadership through hardship. Rather than focusing on the scoreboard, he turns his attention to the character of his athletes, teaching them to believe, compete, and serve each other through a values-driven framework he calls the ABCDs. For any coach navigating change, struggle, or a rebuild, this conversation is essential listening.

 

Key Takeaways from the Lawrence Johnson Interview

• Adversity is a classroom: Coach Johnson believes tough seasons teach the most powerful life lessons—resilience, humility, and belief.
• Start with values: His team is built on ABCDS—Accountability, Brotherhood, Compete, Discipline, and Selflessness—as daily standards, not just slogans.
• Merge through relationships: Bringing together students from three schools, Coach prioritized bonding, trust, and shared experiences over immediate wins.
• Leadership is modeled, not mandated: Johnson emphasizes showing love through actions, creating spaces for student-led leadership like Unity Councils.
• Celebrate others: Selflessness is taught through intentional acts—cheering teammates, community service, and authentic encouragement.
• 1-0 mindset every day: After a winless season, the rally cry is simple: win today. In the classroom, the weight room, in effort, and attitude.
• Coaching is about belief: "Believe in your head and your heart" became a foundational mantra to help athletes push forward.
• Love first, coach second: Johnson challenges coaches to know kids beyond the field—who their siblings are, what they’re going through, what matters to them.

 

The Highlight Reel – The top quote-worthy moments from the episode.

• “You can’t ask for discounts when you're trying to win. You’ve got to pay full price for it.”
• “You control your response to adversity. Don’t let it control you.”
• “I told the kids, ‘Don’t believe what I say. Let me show you that I love you.’”
• “You can’t overcome adversity until you overcome your biggest excuse.”
• “The scoreboard isn’t the only way to win—life is happening between the lines.”
• “Even in success, discipline matters. Celebrate with control. Lead with purpose.”
• “Believe—believe it in your head, and believe it in your heart.”
• “If a kid knows you love them unconditionally, they’ll run through a wall for you.”

 

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