Southeast football coach Tom Matukewicz shows leadership skills on and off the field

Tom Matukewicz took over as the Southeast Missouri State University's football team's coach on Dec. 18 and he has begun to rebuild the program "brick by brick," which is the team's motto. Last year the team was 1-5 in its first six games, but this year the team is 4-2 and are undefeated at 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

The team only won four games each of the last three years, but so far the Redhawks have already won three games under Matukewicz and this new staff. Matukewicz said that the one characteristic that he believes every leader should have is the ability to inspire.

What are the most important values and ethics that you demonstrate to your team as a leader each day?

I try to be everything that I want my team to be. That's really the main point of leadership is to lead from the front and the things you ask them to do, you demonstrate on a daily basis.

What was the hardest part about transitioning as being a leader as an assistant coach to being a leader as a head coach?

It was a difficult transition. Everybody else [on the coaching staff] has the same roles they've ever had, but this is the first time I've ever been a head coach. I've prepared for that opportunity my whole life, so I was ready for it, but there's definitely some growing pains there. I think the most important thing you do is you have a crystal clear message and how you present your program is really important. It's clear so that they exactly know the expectations.

What do you feel is the biggest leadership challenge every coach faces and how do you overcome that challenge?

I think [the key is to] focus on the process rather than results. At the end of the day we are judged by our results, but as an organization if we only focus on results then those won't come. So you have to focus on the process on a daily basis, and so that's the hardest part and that's a daily process. I have to remind myself daily to not focus on results but focus on the process.

Before and after each game, how do you address your team in the locker room?

Give them keys to victory, reminders about sideline control and just afterwards recap the game. Tell them I'm proud of them and remind them that the image of one is the image of all, so when you go out that night or do whatever you're going to do, the logo never comes off. You represent me, your family, your school, your region and everything you do, respect that.

How have you influenced and persuaded your players to commit to this team?

I think they know that I care about them and we're not just out here as a football factory. They know I'm extremely serious about their grades and about the person, the man that they are becoming. I feel like they let me in here (taps heart), and with that you can lead them a little farther.

How does it feel to not only lead your players, but your coaching staff as well?

That's the fun thing about coaching, is the staff. I'm so proud of those guys and what they've done in the short amount of time is amazing. I think it starts with caring about each other.

You told me that you believe the one characteristic that every leader should have is the ability to inspire. Why is that?

That's what leaders do is try to move towards a common goal, and so you've got to get people to buy in. You can't pull them along, you can't push them along, they've just got to voluntarily join, so that's what I mean by that. Inspire them towards greatness and I just feel like that's the main goal. It's complicated, but let's start there.

What are you doing to continue to grow as a leader?

I talk to our leadership council a lot, I talk to our players a lot. I call it "The Noticer" -- I just walk around and I'm trying to notice things and it could be a guy down, it could be a guy maybe too up, and I'm just trying to get a gauge for everybody. Just try to communicate where I've been, what I've done and what it takes to be successful.