In five seasons as the head of the Boise State Broncos, Chris Petersen has guided his teams to three undefeated regular seasons, four Western Athletic Conference championships (sharing the title in 2010), as well as national acclaim for what many consider to be a lesser-known school playing “up” with the big boys of college football. Petersen has been named the Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year twice, and also boasts a winning percentage north of 90 with a record of 61-5. Along the way, Petersen has developed a name as an underdog coach who embraces being different as a means of besting his more mainstream and oftentimes better-equipped rivals.
And yet Petersen’s salary is middle of the pack when compared to the rest of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision coaches, and his team operates with a budget that is dwarfed by the competition. So how does a school operating with such a significant handicap manage to contend in the major league of college football while writing one of the most fascinating little-guy stories in recent memory? “A lot of times people will associate bigger being better, “ Petersen says, “but sometimes that will slow you down and doesn’t help you make the best decisions."
Chris Peterson shows a spectacular scope of talent with the recruits that he brings to Boise. If he had instead chosen to be a stock trader instead of a football coach, I believe that he could have been one of those people who always picks the right little company to invest in right before they make it big.
ReplyDeleteHe shows a great talent for both choosing the right boys, and in how to bring them to their potential after acquiring them. His leaders are not the players who have the most talent, but the ones who connect and can be the best influence on the team. I wish most coaches had his philosophy and stopped recruiting the guys who get in bar room brawls every other weekend. I think Peterson deserves a salary right up there with the best of them.
With the success that Chris Petersen has had, it is no surprise the amount of effort he puts into developing and advancing his personal style of leadership. Each component of his leadership philosophy seems to have an important role within his coaching. To have the “Harvard Business Review” in his office seems funny at first, but if you think about it leadership is similar in any situation; it is used to bring success to a group or organization. The next component actually came to me as a shock: “Experience is on the low end of his priority list.” In everything I am involved in experience is necessary and almost always an advantage. I’m not sure that I would agree with Petersen’s approach on this one, but if it works for him (and it seems to be, looking at his records) then by all means. While being a leader seems to have its perks, it is not all about the glory that comes with it. It’s about building up your team and helping them be the best they can be. Finally, creativity and being different allows others to stand out and be recognized. With just these four components, Petersen has been making a fairly significant mark in recent football seasons.
ReplyDeleteAside from his leadership philosophy, he does seem to have promising talent with coaching and choosing the his team. Also, I'm sure it is very rewarding to have players step up as leaders who promote responsibility on and off the field.
It's interesting you bring up the point about experience. In some of my interviews with top-notch team builders in pro sports, many of them suggest that experience isn't what they're looking for - rather, they're looking for how high a guy's ceiling is. Why do you think that's the case? And why does it work?
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question Joe – I think it’s a cost/reward system. Compare it to the upcoming NFL draft, for instance. Guys who have the great experience with the “big boys” of college football, as well as the talent (say, Mark Ingram, Heisman and National Title winner), a team will have to pay a relatively high price (a first round pick) to get him. Meanwhile, a player with less experience compared to Ingram, for example, Jordan Todman of UConn, a team may be able to wait until even the fourth or fifth round. Todman is clearly very talented, but he was only the full-time starter one year and played at a relatively new football program in Connecticut, versus the long time powerhouse that is Alabama.
ReplyDeleteIf you switch it to the college football realm, a young kid who’s been playing since Pop Warner will have a significant advantage over even an extreme athlete who is just learning the sport. The athlete’s ceiling, however, is noticeably higher – assuming they play at even similar levels. From Peterson’s view, he sees the athlete as a good football player, but one that could be great when he is actually taught the game the right way.
And in order for Boise to be successful, they have to continue to do their recruiting with this “diamond in the rough” mentality. They simply don’t have the budget that the larger schools do. Some quick Google-ing found that Florida State, another powerhouse, spends roughly $12 million on its football program, while Peterson and Co are only working with slightly over $5 million.
One thing worth mentioning – many people thought Dan Hawkins was the great man behind Boise’s rise to power. He left the program five years ago to take over the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. He posted a 53-11 record with the Broncos before sputtering in Colorado, losing his job last season. Peterson took over, and it quickly became clear he was the man responsible for the success of the past decade, with a 61-5 record over the same time frame.
Love the thoughts, and the additional insights on Hawkins/Peterson. I forgot that Hawkins was involved, and didn't realize that he floundered at Colorado. Sometimes the grass may look greener....
ReplyDeleteNow I don't know much about Boise State football or football in general for that matter but it seems to me Chris Peterson has the best quality for leadership: Money and power are not an issue. It is sad to see people move from team to team when they bring so much potential to that team because they want to make more money or win a championship. This happens a lot in sports and it is nice to know someone cares about their team enough to stay without making the money that he should be making.
ReplyDeleteSo many leaders get power hungry and money hungry enough to ruin what they have going for them. The money or power is not what makes a leader, it is the followers and what you stand for. If you are worried about money or power, then you aren't worried about your followers or team.
Obviously he deserves a salary that other competing coaches are getting. He is good at choosing his players, setting a good example, and giving them potential.
I thought this was an awesome article. I envy coaches in all sports who don't have the bright lights constantly shining on them. I think it makes them more intriguing. There jobs cannot be any easier then say the coaches at Florida or Texas. These coaches do more with less. And by less I mean by less talent.
ReplyDeleteI think Petersen is an excellent figure in leadership because he is able to relay messages from other structures other than sports and make them relevant to his players. Not only that but the man has had one of the best records in football year in and year out and his program still gets recognized as a mid-major. How can a team beat the likes of Oklahoma and have the best record in college football and still be considered a mid major school?
Like I said I think he is a very smart man. He realizes that the fame and glamour doesn't point toward Boise St. But he somehow manages every year to do more with less. I think it's awesome.
While I agree that Peterson staying behind and continuing with the university are great things, I wouldn’t fault him for leaving either. Part of being a leader is building something up to never-before-thought levels – which he has clearly done at Boise. Three undefeated seasons in five years? That’s absurdly good. While the university’s move to the Mountain West Conference may allow them to progress slightly, what more can he really accomplish there? I wouldn’t think less of him as a coach or person if he decided to move on to a struggling school with a great history (Michigan or Tennessee comes to mind). If we are all so amazed by what he can accomplish with half the budget and probably a quarter of the talent, just imagine what he could do when he was at the top of both. A great coach and a great leader will succeed wherever. I imagine at some point in his near future, Peterson will realize that he has done really all he can for Boise, and he’ll move on to a program like I described. That will not only be a great test of his leadership, but also give him the chance to prove doubters that believe he is overrated (namely because of the Dan Hawkins incident).
ReplyDeletePeterson deserves the many accomplishments he has achieved throughout his career. He took the typical role of a college coach and made himself into a manager. His idea that the best players are those who want to prove themselves not those who have already had their time in the spotlight is one I believe in full heartedly. Give a person a chance to shine and they'll light your darkest nights.
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ReplyDeletePeterson's ideas would most likely only work in a small school like the one he's in. In most cases small school, highlighting small school sports here, are full of passion while bigger schools are more for the numbers. He works with what he has and takes the "medium" players and pushes them to greatness. The work hard because they have the passion and the drive for the game and Peterson knows that. As I leader I find him inspiring and someone to mold yourself after. Great article
It will be interesting to see whether Peterson does move on from Boise State, and I'd argue that he hasn't accomplished everything he'd like to accomplish. He has yet to win the national championship, or prove that a non-BCS school can win the national championship. From everything we see, it appears that he maintains that belief - it's now simply a matter of proving it.
ReplyDeleteChris Peterson is an incredible coach for many reasons. People have never compared Boise State to LSU, Florida, Alabama, or other football powerhouses, until recently. Peterson is proving that they can play anyone, it doesn't matter what the team name on the jersey is. Critics hate on Boise State because they say anyone can go undefeated in the WAC. This drives Peterson to success and his determination also drives his players.
ReplyDeleteI believe mass amounts money causes more problems when being applied to NCAA Sports Teams. The more money the more incentives these kids get, the more likely they are to take money for playing, etc. The article asks how does Boise do it? They play their hearts out and actually have a drive as where other schools are in the lime light and get great incentives to play, thus impacting their play on the field. Boise State is a great team and Chris Peterson is a great coach and his determination and drive helps the players want to perform better for the not just themselves but for the coach.
ReplyDeleteEach season Boise St. is considered a top team in the country. Coach Petersen is one of the main reasons why. The thing I love about the guy is that most coaches would use this position as a stepping stone to further their career with a major university, but Chris Petersen is happy with his job at Boise State and it's nice to see someone stay with a program especially one at the "mid major" level. He is a very creative coach and the evidence is the plays he runs on the field. Against Oklahoma, he ran the statue of liberty and the hook n' ladder. This was a huge game for him and his program and in key situations he called these plays. The man can coach and watch out if he gets top talented kids because he's doing this with middle of the pack talent.
ReplyDeleteQuick question - what if those plays had been unsuccessful? Would there have been an immediate outcry for his ouster, or would he still be viewed as a creative leader and a coach who gets his teams to play above their level?
ReplyDeleteThat question, to me, is intriguing because, rightfully so, leaders are judged by results. But the outcome of those plays don't necessarily change who Chris Petersen is. But a different outcome can dramatically change the perception of Chris Petersen.
I think it is nice to see a leader who is for once "happy" with their job and not looking to move up and away from where they are. Chris Peterson does a good job at Boise as a coach and in return is able to find good kinds with good talent to come play for him. To me this means the guys are out there getting in trouble and getting violations placed on them every other week saying they can't play, to me this shows great leadership in their coach and great leadership in the players.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that Chris Peterson's star is only going to keep rising. He seems like an incredible inventive, but also loyal guy who is truly invested in his team and Boise State. We'll see, but as of now he's one of the few guys setting a bar for loyalty, determination and success in college sports.
ReplyDeleteYes, Coach Peterson is smart and I agree that he deserves all of his accolades. But give this a thought - We know that he loves his BSU and he loves the life he and his family have here in Idaho. This is a fantastic place to live and raise a family. Coach Peterson just might be "happy" to live here. I don't see him as a "high maintainance" type of man. The media might see him as a high profile figure, but he certainly does not involve himself with the limelight. He could but he clearly chooses not to. Folks, you have to admire that quality. Most folks around here are humble, decent, and honest. Peterson reflects these qualitites and consistently models them and hold them as expectations for the kids he works with. I believe he has hung around this long because he likes it here and is around like minded people. Plain and simple!
ReplyDeleteWell stated, and an obvious attraction. To be in a region that is both comfortable and stimulating, to share in an incredible experience with people who are both encouraging and appreciative, and to be dedicated to institution that is supportive makes a lot of sense. - Nice points, and well stated!
ReplyDeleteI am a big believer of truth, and the truth always comes out at the end of the day. If the truths of Boise State and their coach are that they play great football and they are winners than it will be known. I don't believe in making excuses, money isn't an excuse for bad football or coaching, if you are truly good it will shine through the budget and all the other nonsense. Yet if you use it as a handicap than people will see that and treat you accordingly. Plus it's not always about right now in the moment, in this case it is also about the legacy he will leave behind at the university and the size shoes the next coach has to fill (metaphorically). More power to him for proving people wrong and asking more of his players and supporters.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up good points. Lots of us, including myself, fall victim to accepted "truths", or assumptions that are all around us that dictate what we can and can't achieve. For Boise State, the accepted truths were that you had to have an SEC type budget, or be a part of a BCS conference in order to be national contenders at the FBS level. They questioned these assumptions, found them to be untrue, and have built a powerhouse program around their new truths. Fascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe sad truth, in my opinion, is that no matter what types of successes Coach Peterson or Boise State sees, will they ever be given that chance to compete for a national title? Will Coach Peterson ever be able to "prove" a small school deserves to be in the big game. I mean he has already had undefeated seasons and was not able to say Boise is the best in the country. Here is a program that could win every game and still not be considered for a title shot and I am baffled by that. Look at the University of Houston in this current year, a team that is undefeated and even if LSU lost and there were no teams left undefeated, would still not be given a chance given the BCS ranking system and coaches poll.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to me that a team could win all the games on their schedule and the response is "well they play nobody". They will win a BCS bowl game against a prominent opponent (Oklahoma) and be considered "lucky". I guess I am wondering if Coach Peterson has a chip on his shoulder that he will never get to remove? I have to sympathize with him because it is hard being in a leadership role where you do all that is asked of you only to never reach the ultimate goal you have in mind.
Whether you love or hate a team like Boise State, at some point we are going to have to ask ourselves, "Can they actually do it?"
The thing about Chris Petersen is that he could have taken ANY job that had opened over the past few years. BCS schools would have loved to have him. So maybe he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder, and maybe he defines success a little bit differently than others? Perhaps to Petersen, success is getting full potential out of each one of his athletes? In response to your final question, maybe the challenge for him is actually going to a title game and proving that a relatively small school CAN do it...
ReplyDeleteBut I agree - and it's a different conversation - but the college football system is really messed up.
I think Peterson is what every working American should be, noble. He loves his job and is content at Boise making the salary he has, with the organization he strives to improve. He says experience is at the bottom of the list when recruiting; commitment, passion and heart is at the top. He believes that experience can be learned and the drive to learn is the most important factor in a successful athlete and athletic program. He can prove to be someone to look up to by many people because he has a great deal of zeal in his profession and he doesn't let the corporate ladder cloud his job choices.
ReplyDeleteTheres no doubt about it that Chris Peterson is great at what he does. With the accompanying accolades and the professionalism that he instills into the program and university, the frequent question of why does he have a "middle of the pack" salary arises. Well business is business and Boise State University just doesn't have the financial weapons in their aresenal as other big time colleges. So how do they compete? Well belive it or not, Boise State isn't some team out west that does well in their conference,they are recognized on national scale as a big time football program. I think the handicap topic needs to dissapate. It's been going on for 5 years now. I'm sure the school is getting big time recruits. If certain players around the country are looking for a BSC National Championship, Boise State serves as the perfect launching pad. Peterson recruits winners and serves as a great leader, mentor and coach for these type of players. They're are attracted to his style of coaching and I think thats what makes them such a success.
ReplyDeleteChris Peterson is an impressive coach, who after reading this article only became more impressive to me. A great leader will continue to work through It is surprising he has not left BSU to head to a more prominent football job yet, but you can tell that he is trying his hardest to get BSU to a more respected level of football, knowing that his football team is held back because they do not have an automatic BCS bid.
ReplyDeleteChris Petersen has been the head coach of Boise State and "coincidentally" Boise State has been in the top 10 BCS Rankings for the past 4 years. And like you said, Boise State isn't necessarily a big football school. They're not Alabama, LSU, or Florida. And even though they've been very good recently, I still don't believe they get the absolute best recruits every year. You have to give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for making due with what they have. Sometimes being a good leader isn't about being better than this team or business, it's about doing the best you can with what you have.
ReplyDeleteChris Peterson and his Boise State Broncos are known to most sports fans pretty much as "the little engine that could." They are a small program that has burst onto the scene in recent years and has done well to stay there. Reading this article about Peterson, it is obviously no fluke. In football, a team can be successful only if every player does his part. A team such as this that values integrity and helping out your teammates obviously embraces the concept that a chain is only as good as its weakest link and looks to not have one or two super players, but an entire squad of reliable, mentally strong ones, an approach that I feel is vastly underappreciated in sports today.
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