ACTIONS


 * ACTIONS**

Coach Boone sets the tone early in the film regarding his leadership style. The consolidation of schools that led to the creation of T.C. Williams High and the subsequent integration of black and white students was seen as extremely unpopular in the community. Further, the selection of Coach Boone over Coach Yoast to assume the head football coach position further increased racial tensions. As mentioned earlier in the analysis, Coach Boone had two main issues to deal with: a power struggle and racism.

Coach Boone knew he wasn't the popular choice for the head football coach position. However, he knew he was qualified. In terms of a power struggle, Coach Boone had to deal with other coaches, parents, and players trying to get the upper hand on him. It was important for him to establish himself as the leader of the team early and without ambiguity.

Initially Coach Boone was expected to be an assistant football coach under Coach Yoast. Upon learning that he, not Yoast, was going to be the new head football coach, Coach Boone quickly took the high road and requested that Coach Yoast remain on the coaching staff. Coach Yoast initially does not want to join the staff. However, after parents requested him to remain a coach and several white players threatened to quit if Coach Yoast stepped down, he agreed to become an assistant for the benefit of players. Coach Boone had his own coaching style and although he was the one that requested Coach Yoast remain on the coaching staff, he didn't take suggestions from Coach Yoast very well initially. He was intent on making sure the team was run his way and wanted to make it clear to everyone that he was the head football coach, not Coach Yoast.

In relation to the players, Coach Boone quickly makes it known that he's in-charge. During his first meeting with the players, he announces "This is a dictatorship." When one player, Gerry Bertier, attempted to tell Coach Boone that the team would operate under his conditions and not Coach Boone's, Boone immediately singles out Bertier in front of the other players and their parents. This action serves two purposes. First, it embarrasses Bertier and makes him feel very uncomfortable. Second, it shows the other players and their parents that the coach is calling the shots and is not afraid to single out even the most talented players on the team. Boone furthers his message to the players and coaches at training camp when he declares "We will be perfect in every aspect of the game."

In terms of the racism involved, Coach Boone understands that this is going to be an ongoing issue that he will need to deal with. He knows it will not be easy to unite his team, but also knows that it is necessary for the team to be successful.

Again, Boone sets the tone early. Prior to leaving for training camp, the players naturally segregated themselves on the buses. Coach Boone quickly orders all of the players off of the buses and rather than separating them by race, he separates them by offensive and defensive players. He orders all offensive players on one bus and all defensive players on the other. He further directs each player to share a seat on the bus with a teammate of another race. This is the first reinforcement of the value of team unity regardless of skin color. After arriving at camp, Coach Boone further works at breaking down the racial barriers by having racially different teammates room with one another and giving them another directive to spend time each day with a teammate of the opposite race until they get to know every player on the team. When the team still fails to come together, he decides to make camp miserable for all of the players until they do start to mesh with one another. He also leads the team on an early morning run to the fields where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought to explain to them what happens when racism and prejudice are allowed to divide a group.

When racism is directed at Coach Boone, he is quick to defend himself if necessary, but doesn't become the agressor. This is made evident when someone throws a brick through the front window of his house and yells a racial slur. Boone protects his family (and Coach Yoast's daughter who was visiting) and quickly grabs a shotgun as preparation to defend them if necessary. Since Coach Yoast's daughter was involved, Boone uses this incident as an example to Yoast of the things that he and his family have to deal with every day. Further, when opposing coaches make racial comments about Coach Boone and his team, rather than getting into a war of words, Coach Boone lets his actions and the actions of his team on the field speak for him.

Ultimately, Coach Boone is able to overcome the issues of power and racism. His strength and determination as a coach and leader unite his team, his coaches, and eventually the entire community. His actions in terms of leadership can be summarized in three words: firm, decisive, consistent.