And the players have listened . In Johnson ’ s first year at Millsap , the Bulldogs won a single game . The second year ? Three wins and a trip to the playoffs . That playoff journey is something the Dawgs have turned into a pretty good habit , extending their seasons three out of the last four years , including a playoff win last year to end the drought .
“ This year , we want to win more than one playoff game ,” he said . “ I don ’ t ever put pressure on the athletes by saying ‘ you have to do this ’ or ‘ you have to win this many games .’ I just say keep us moving forward , keep making our program better , keep focusing on how we do things , and if we do that , the success will take care of itself .”
Even though the players within might change from year to year , the program doesn ’ t .
“ We don ’ t put a team on the field , we put a program on the field ,” Johnson said . “ Now within the program , every year looks a different , every year ’ s team puts its mark on that season , and that does look a little different from year to year . These guys their style will be a little different from last year ’ s . That is part of them coming into their own , them gelling and them meshing and that is something that happens throughout the offseason , but until the pads come on and the hitting starts , that is when the leadership has to really start showing up .” That leadership is imperative , and Johnson notes there is a fine line between being a leader and being a boss .
“ They need to bring people up with them ,” the head coach said . “ I use the example of Tom Brady . That man brings people with him . So what we try to cultivate in our guys is to encourage each other , to encourage your teammates . Let
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So what we try to cultivate in our guys is to encourage each other , to encourage your teammates . Let the coaches do the coaching . Your job is to go and encourage your brothers , lift them up , lift each other up .
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