Speaking

“Most importantly, what I want people to experience when I talk to a group is me. We’ll laugh, we’ll joke, we’ll talk a little football and I don’t shy away from controversial issues. I believe in challenging people to reach their potential. That’s the approach I took with my players and that’s the approach I take when I speak to churches, businesses, or any other group. I definitely believe God is leading me to do more speaking and deliver a message of hope to people who might be struggling with the ups and downs of life and career. ”

How You Can Use Mike Gottfried

Men’s Event / Retreat
Target Audience: Men & Boys of any age
Description:
Content: Relying on anecdotal material from over 20 years of coaching and sports broadcasting experience, Coach has a unique ability to speak to men in a way that is both entertaining and engaging, at the same time inspirational and meaningful. He is someone who encourages us to stretch, to practice, to play by the rules, to assist others, to celebrate victory-in our personal lives. From his own experience, Coach is someone who can put defeat or set backs in perspective by challenging us with the truth that ultimate joy and victory is found in knowing God and enjoying his presence in our daily lives.

Teamwork Seminar
Target Audience: Pastors, Ministry Staff, Employees, Athletic Teams
Content: Mike delivers a message or series of messages on Teamwork principles for family, church , or business application. Identifying your role and playing it, listening to the coach, humility, courage, communication, having the same goal, etc. Coach will deliver the information & inspiration to apply these principals in all areas of life.

Fall Youth Rally
Target Audience: Students, Coaches, Athletes, Cheerleaders, Youth Pastors & Sponsors
Content: An outreach designed to bring together people from the entire community where “Mike Gottfried­the voice of College Football on ESPN“­would talk with, inspire & pray for players, coaches, students, and share some inspirational thoughts and present the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Can you imagine it? Students, teachers, coaches, etc. from all different public and private schools in your area coming together­ WEARING THEIR SCHOOLS’ COLORS­for one event?)

Father & Son Night / Breakfast
Target Audience: Fathers, Sons, Mentors, Boys Growing Up Without Dads
Content: Coach Gottfried founded Team Focus (Mobile AL) in 1999. Mike lost his father when he was 11 years old and considers it the defining moment in his life. His foundation seeks to provide life guidance, leadership training, and mentors for young men growing up without fathers. Mike has a powerful message to fathers and sons concerning their relationship. He is passionate about fatherhood and offers practical challenges for current fathers to impact their sons, and for men to consider mentoring young men who may be growing up without a dad in the picture of their lives.

KICKOFF Event
Target Audience: Everyone–the entire Church, Company, Team, etc.
Content: Do you have a strategic change that is going to be initiated at your organization? Mike can participate by interacting with your leadership staff on what changes you seek to make and then be present on the ’kick­off’ day to deliver an inspiring message that motivates your people to get on the same page with your leadership's vision.

About Mike

Mike Gottfried’s Career Highlights
• 1966 - becomes head coach at Roseville (Ohio) High School
• 1978-1980 - head coach at Murray State
• 1981-1982 - head coach at Cincinnati
• 1983-1985 - head coach at Kansas
• 1986-1989 - head coach at Pittsburgh
• Record as college head football coach - 77-56-6
• 1990-Present - ESPN college football analyst
• 1999 - Helps implement GMAC Bowl in Mobile, AL
• 2000 – Founded Team Focus

A Game of Numbers
Football is a game of numbers. Total yards, time of possession, and third down efficiency are often measures of success or failure. For coach Mike Gottfried, the most important and motivating numbers in his life are four, three, and 56, and they have nothing to do with football.

“Those numbers are a date, April 3, 1956, the day my father died. I was 11 years old,” he remembers. “My whole life changed. We were three boys and a mother looking at each other after the funeral and wondering where we go from here.” Gottfried’s journey through life would eventually lead him to national prominence as a college football coach. He would spend 12 successful seasons as head coach at Murray State, Cincinnati, Kansas and Pittsburgh. During his four years at Pitt, he would win 26 games and defeat NCAA powerhouses Notre Dame, Penn State and West Virginia. He would finish his coaching career with 77 victories and parlay that success into a job as lead college football analyst for ESPN. Yet, when Mike Gottfried looks at his life, the wins and losses, the hirings and firings, April 3, 1956 is never far from view.