I'm thankful for the experience and to be able to coach other

When Dabo Swinney declares, “I’m thankful for the experience and to be able to coach other young people on their journey through college football. It’s a privilege,” he speaks as one who has discovered the noblest calling of leadership. His words are not the boast of a man who holds power, but the humble recognition of a steward entrusted with shaping lives. To coach is more than to command on the field; it is to guide, to teach, to inspire, and to set the foundation for men who will carry their lessons far beyond the game.

The essence of his statement lies in his view of experience as a gift. Dabo Swinney did not arrive at his role without trial. His early life was marked with hardship, his coaching path filled with obstacles and doubt. Yet in his eyes, every step, whether bitter or sweet, was a necessary stone in the road that led him to his purpose. He does not see these experiences as burdens, but as blessings, for they gave him the wisdom to guide others. To be thankful is to recognize that even struggles are transformed into tools for service.

History recalls many such figures who treated leadership not as dominion, but as privilege. Think of Plato’s philosopher-kings, who ruled not for self, but for the good of the people. Or reflect on John Wooden, the great basketball coach, who measured success not by championships but by the character of the men his players became. Like them, Swinney embraces coaching as a sacred trust, one in which the shaping of young people is the truest victory.

The word privilege is critical. Many take positions of influence for granted, wielding authority as if it were their right. But Swinney names it as something precious, something undeserved, something to be cherished with humility. Such a mindset transforms leadership from self-serving ambition into self-giving responsibility. Gratitude is the anchor that keeps authority from drifting into pride.

In his words we also hear the timeless call of mentorship. To guide young people through the battleground of college football is to prepare them for the larger battles of life—discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. The game itself becomes a mirror for existence, and the coach a shepherd of souls. The lessons learned in the sweat of practice and the roar of the stadium carry forward into careers, families, and communities. This is why Swinney calls it a privilege: he knows the echoes of his work will resound long after the final whistle.

The teaching here is clear: whatever experience life grants you, transform it into wisdom for others. Do not hoard your knowledge or your victories. Share them, as Swinney shares his, with gratitude and with a sense of duty. Recognize that to guide another is not your entitlement, but your honor. For in lifting others on their journey, you fulfill the highest purpose of your own.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: when life grants you the chance to lead, to teach, or to coach, treat it as Dabo Swinney has—as a privilege. Be thankful for your experiences, both joyful and painful, and turn them into stepping stones for those who walk behind you. For leadership is not measured by trophies or titles, but by the lives you touch, the hope you inspire, and the wisdom you pass on to future generations.