Cignetti Coaching Philosophy

Core Belief

“I’m too young to stop growing.”

This program is built on constant growth, daily improvement, and refusing to accept limits—real or imagined.

We have a blueprint and a plan that has been proven successful and there is no reason it can’t be successful again and again.

Vision & Culture

  • Change the culture, mindset, expectation level, and brand.
  • There are no self-imposed limitations on what we can accomplish.
  • Success is built day by day, by focusing on the present moment and improving as much daily as possible to put yourself in the best position tomorrow.
  • Wanting to be great vs. wanting to be normal… average. Average is the enemy.
  • To be great, you have to have a special focus, a special commitment, and special preparation and discipline and say no to some things.

Leadership & Structure

  • There is one leader in the building—and accountability flows from there.
  • Everyone follows the same standard and the same mindset.
  • One of the keys to success is everyone thinking alike.
  • Staff meetings start with leadership—the plan must be clear before it filters down to the players.
  • Leadership is intentional, organized, and relentless.

The Blueprint

  • We follow a proven plan—there is no reason it can’t be successful again.
  • Learned how to lead and run a program from Nick Saban:
    • A to Z program management
    • Monthly calendars
    • Learn how to lead and manage people
    • How to avoid complacency, day-to-day, minute-to-minute, second-to-second
    • How to practice, how to play the game, how to recruit, how to evaluate, how to staff or re-staff every year
    • Finding the edge, having the edge, and the right mindset, making sure complacency is not setting in.

Standards & Expectations

  • High standards
  • High expectations
  • Accountability
  • Discipline
  • Commitment
  • Toughness
  • Work ethic
  • Pride

Greatness requires:

  • Special focus
  • Special commitment
  • Special preparation
  • Discipline
  • The ability to say “no” to some things

Process Over Outcome

  • It’s a process.
  • We just have to have it right and ready for Game One.
  • No shortcuts.
  • No surprises.
  • What we do works because we do it the same way every day.

Game & Performance Mindset

  • One play at a time.
  • Every play lasts six seconds—each play has a life of its own; from play 1 to 150.
  • Play every snap like it’s 0–0.
  • Full throttle on every play.

Emotional Control

  • No excessive jubilation.
  • No excessive dejection.
  • We expect success—we are not surprised by it.
  • Don’t call attention to yourself.
  • Let your actions and performance speak.

Consistency Under Pressure

  • First play or last play—it’s all done the same way.
  • No moment is too big because nothing changes.
  • No pressure—this is what we always do.
  • Failure does not need your help.
  • Why focus on what you can’t do?

Habits & Discipline

  • Production over potential.
  • You form habits—then your habits form you.
  • Good choices lead to wise decisions.
  • There is freedom of choice—but not freedom from consequences.
  • Discipline, consistency, and sound fundamentals win.

Player Development

  • Mold players into the best person, student, and athlete they can be.
  • Always improving—never neutral:
    • You’re either in drive or reverse
    • Addition or subtraction—never standing still
  • You either get better or worse each day. There’s no staying the same.
  • Emphasis on:
    • Weight room
    • Team meetings
    • The practice field.
    • Retention and development

Recruiting Philosophy

  • Recruit players who fit the program, not stars on paper.
  • Evaluate:
    • Mindset
    • Intangibles
    • Coachability
    • Work ethic
  • Take the right kind of guys and develop them.
  • Build team intangibles intentionally.

Academics & Life Skills

  • Good students with strong study habits.
  • Academic discipline supports athletic discipline.
  • Accountability matters everywhere.

Daily Commitment

  • Fully invested every day.
  • No “I can’t do this” or “I can’t do that.”
  • Work daily to be the best you can be.
  • Consistent preparation leads to consistent performance.

Performance Standard

  • The best players:
    • Listen to the message
    • Apply it daily in practice
    • Compete relentlessly
    • Perform consistently
    • Lay it on the line every game

Summary Statement

This program is built on discipline, consistency, accountability, and relentless daily improvement.
We expect excellence because we prepare for it the same way—every day, every play, every detail.