Coaching the Identity of the Athlete

In the world of athletics, it’s easy to let performance become the measure of worth. Wins and losses, stats and awards—these metrics often dominate the way athletes view themselves, and as coaches, we can fall into the same trap. But as Christian coaches, our calling goes far deeper than helping athletes improve physically or mentally. We are called to shepherd the hearts of those we lead, and that starts with identity. Before we can help shape the identity of our athletes, we must first understand and embrace our own. Who we are cannot be reduced to our role on the field, the sideline, or in the gym. Coaching is what we do—it is not who we are. Our true identity, like every person’s, is rooted in the unchanging truth that we are made in the image and likeness of God.

This truth is not an opinion or a matter of personal belief—it is a fact revealed in Scripture and central to the Christian life. Genesis 1:27 declares that God created man in His own image, male and female. That identity comes before any title, position, or skill. In a culture that is increasingly confused and distorted about identity, we must boldly reclaim this truth. We are children of God, created to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. That is the foundational identity from which all other aspects of life flow. Even Jesus, before He healed or taught, was first and foremost the Son of God. His ministry flowed from His identity—not the other way around. In the same way, we must help our athletes understand that who they are is not defined by what they do on the field, but by their relationship with their Creator.

Jeremiah 1:5 offers a powerful reminder that our identity was established long before our first breath: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” God doesn’t merely recognize us by our talents or roles—He knows us intimately, and He calls us by name. Isaiah 43:1 echoes this personal, relational truth: “I have called you by name; you are mine.” These words are not abstract theology; they are life-giving truths we must pass on to the athletes we coach. They are not merely competitors or performers. They are sons and daughters of God.

When an athlete’s identity is rooted in Christ, it changes everything about their pursuit of excellence. No longer are they striving for value—they are competing from a place of worth. This kind of rooted identity frees them to focus on the process rather than obsessing over outcomes. It gives them the strength to deal with failure without losing their sense of self. It helps them accept their role—whether on the bench, in a starring position, or going through injury—with trust that God’s plan is still unfolding. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-3, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth… your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Athletes who live from this truth are not easily shaken by the highs and lows of competition. Their identity is anchored in something eternal.

But helping athletes live this way doesn’t happen in a single conversation or one pre-season meeting. Coaching identity is an ongoing process, one that requires intentional repetition and deep commitment. We must recognize that our athletes are constantly being shaped by external voices—through music, media, social media, movies, and even the sports culture itself. These voices often define identity through performance, appearance, popularity, or power. If we don’t consistently speak truth into their lives, the world will fill the silence with lies.

And one of the most sobering truths we must teach is this: excellence in the absence of God can never truly be excellent. The world may call it success, but if God is not at the center, it will always fall short of its intended glory. As coaches, we must live this out ourselves. Our identity in Christ should be evident in how we lead, how we speak, how we correct, and how we encourage. We cannot coach like the rest of the world. We must be different. And our athletes must learn to compete differently—not for applause or approval, but as an act of worship and obedience to the One who created them.

When our athletes understand their identity in Christ, they become free to pursue excellence with clarity, humility, and purpose. Their effort becomes an offering, their discipline an act of faithfulness, and their growth a reflection of God’s ongoing work in their lives. And that is the kind of excellence that lasts. That is the kind of athlete we are called to help shape. Because in the end, what matters most is not what they do—but who they are.