Cooper McCaw: The Progress
9/29/2022 10:53:15 AM | Football
(Feature Story for the Flames Illustrated football game day program on September 24, 2022)
There's a saying in football that good teams are led by coaches, but great ones are led by players.
In my five years at Liberty University, I can honestly say that I believe that to be true now.
There was a point when we were the team finishing with the 6-6 record, you know? Even though we had an incredible coaching staff, there were a lot of guys who weren't satisfied with that.
I believe our shift as a program is when the team really bought into the culture that the coaches were preaching to us, especially in the last three years.
It brought us closer together.
And by close, I don't mean just on the football field.
It wasn't a situation where we'd just show up, work out, and go our separate ways.
We became close both on and off the field.
Those are the relationships that really propel you as a team. They're the ones that allow you to do things you never thought you could.
Forming the Culture Council
A big reason for that culture shift was due to us having great leaders in the locker room, especially in the offensive line group.
Now, I might be a bit biased as one of the boys, but I know with absolute certainty the guys in that group are going to be my friends for life.
Just growing those relationships and having those teammates that are going to push you to be better each and every day makes you stronger.
And each individual makes the team stronger.
Another factor has been the Culture Council.
Over the summer, Coach Freeze brought up the idea of everyone nominating a few players on each side of the ball to be representatives of the team.
And they legitimately have a big say in many of the decisions that are being made
Honestly, having a group like that, I believe it allows us to take that next step to having our voices heard.
It's a direct bridge to the coaching staff to take the time to really listen to our thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
Grit over talent
But there's some responsibility that comes with that sort of power, too. It allows us to be truthful with each other, even in times when it's not easy.
When someone isn't doing what they're supposed to be doing, it's about having those guys that can hold you accountable.
There was a perfect example of that two weeks ago, when we faced off against Southern Mississippi in a game that wasn't pretty.
It actually ended up going into four overtimes before we were finally able to pull it out.
I think part of that win can be attributed to having those leaders on the field, but it can also be attributed to having those guys on the sidelines that weren't even in the game still holding each other accountable.
That matchup didn't come down to strength, talent or speed.
By the end of the game, it was all about grit, you know?
Which team was in better shape?
Who had the most grit?
It was us on that day.
Why I came back
The kind of determination it takes to win like that comes from experience, and we have plenty of it on this team. I'm not surprised that something like the Culture Council works here because there's so much wisdom and maturity in the locker room.
We have 23 post-graduate players on our team, which is the second-highest number in the country.
So many of our guys have returned after COVID and redshirt seasons.
I think having these guys that have been around for a long time definitely helps give those newer guys that extra shoulder to lean on when they need help.
It gives them someone to look up to.
There are a lot of guys who are very vocal and outspoken in helping these younger players with the experiences they're facing. They can go back and look at the things they've gone through and help them with that.
As one of those older guys, it means a lot to have those kinds of responsibilities, you know?
And I embrace that role, and frankly, it's also one of the main reasons I decided to come back for a sixth year.
You learn so much about yourself when playing football.
There are life lessons here that I'm never going to get again.
I owe it to myself to make the most of it.
A new chapter
This has been my dream from the very beginning. I was no different than every other kid growing up and wishing to play football at the college level.
My dad played Division II football, so it was kind of cool to follow in his footsteps as a student-athlete.
I signed with Liberty back in February 2017, and even to this day, that moment means everything to me.
It hasn't always been easy, you know?
Nothing worth working hard for ever truly is.
But I can say without question that it's been one of the best decisions of my life.
In December, I'll transition to a new chapter in life and focus on job hunting. My ultimate goal hasn't always been to play in the NFL.
I mean, if the opportunity presents itself, then that'd be great.
But that's never really been my true goal.
I want to get into the real estate development field.
Whether that's in construction with houses, developments, commercial things — whatever it is — I'm going to start looking for jobs in that industry.
Football has given me 18 years of pure joy to the point where I'm ready to say goodbye, if I have to after this season ends.
I'm ready to turn the page.
But for now, it's all eyes on this final season here with Liberty.
We got some work to do!
