Smells Like Old . . .

Last night’s College Football Playoff game was so boring that I fell asleep in the third quarter. Passed our on the couch. Snoozing. 

Indiana dispatched Oregon and it looked like they didn’t break a sweat. 

This is after handing Alabama their worst loss since the early or pre-Saban era. 

I love college football. 

But I cannot get over the Curt Cignetti story. The Indiana head coach has turned around one of the most historically bad programs in College Football history. 

In just two years.

More impressive than his team’s performance on the field, is the mental tenacity he demonstrated before arriving at this moment. 

1983 - Started his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at Pitt. 

2007 - Coached for Alabama under Nick Saban. Left at age 50 

2008 - Head Coach for Indiana University of Pennsylvania. What now? Who? 

2017 - Head Coach for Elon. Again, who? Where? 

2019 - Head Coach for James Madison. 

Current - One win away from a National Championship and undefeated season. 

Think about the mental and emotional fight this man went through. I’d have to overcome some serious head trash to go from Saban to IUP to Indiana — all while sustaining success. 

I don’t pretend to know Cignetti’s mind, but I do know my own. Here’s what my thoughts would have been:

• I can never be Saban. Or as good as him. 

• I’m too old. I’ve been coaching since the 80s. I may never be a head coach. That ship has sailed. 

• IUP is a huge step back. Nobody even knows they have a football program. Their stadium is smaller than an average Texas high school. 

• Another no-name program? And then another? And another? Am I crazy? Is this all leading somewhere? 

• I don’t have the swagger of a head coach. I just mean mug everyone in a Forrest Gump stance. 

Curt Cignetti - if he did have any of these thoughts - persevered. 

And here we are and I’m rooting for . . . Indiana to win it all? Lee Corso would be proud. 

Back to parenting . . . How many times do we let our thoughts win? 

Are they even true? Are they helpful? Do they provide clarity or peace? If the answer is “no” then you need to reframe your mind. 

As a special needs parent, when our mind and anxiety is working overtime. 

When we can’t see progress. 

When we’ve taken a step backward. 

When it’s been months, or years, between milestones. 

It’s important to remember it’s never too late.

Stay consistent. 

Stay strong. 

Replace those negative and anxious thoughts (or, better yet, give them to God).

Put one foot in front of the other. 

And win. 

Just like Curt Cignetti. 

Google him . . .