I announced my retirement from collegiate soccer this fall and it made me reflect on what my legacy will be.
I reminded me of a quote in a Tim Keller sermon: “When I looked back at my life, I had only plowed water.” Think about it—plowing water. All that work. All that energy. And yet… no mark. No fruit. Nothing lasting.
Chasing Trophies or Building People? The quote reminded me of a question I was once asked during a coaching course: “Are you a user of players, or a developer of players?” In coaching—and in leadership—it’s easy to get caught up chasing wins, recognition, and those shiny trophies that eventually collect dust. But Jesus warned us about this very thing: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19–20 (ESV). As coaches, we need to ask ourselves: Are we shaping lives, or just stacking stats and wins?
The Only Legacy That Matters
The truth is, the only way to avoid looking back with regret is to invest in transformation—not just in what our players do, but in who they’re becoming. That kind of transformation doesn’t come from control but vulnerability and humility. From leading like Jesus: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Mark 10:43 (ESV). And when we lead from humility—when we serve with eternity in mind—we stop plowing water and start creating ripple effects that reach far beyond us.
4 Questions Every Coach Must Ask – Joe Ehrmann’s book InsideOut Coaching gives us a framework to reflect and lead intentionally. Four questions that help shape a legacy:
- Why do I coach?
- Why do I coach the way I do?
- What does it feel like to be coached by me?
- How do I define success?
If we can’t answer these with clarity and conviction, we may be drifting into shallow waters—making noise but leaving no wake.
Let the Fruit Speak for Itself – Legacy isn’t measured in trophies. It’s measured in lives changed. So the next time someone asks, “Have you been a successful coach?”—here’s a better answer: “Ask me in 15–20 years, when I see what the people I’ve coached have done with their lives.” Because the real win isn’t what happens on the scoreboard. It’s what echoes after the season ends.
Final Reflection: Are you plowing water… or are you creating ripples that will outlast you?
