It remains a constant source of debate. There are many differing opinions as to what the best approach is when it comes to team building and establishing a work culture. This is a principle that holds true across multiple fields.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day, as shared by ESPN on X, used his guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show to explain what he looks for in his Buckeye team throughout the season.

His commentary included words that could be useful for many walks of life. A theme that the OSU HC emphasized was selflessness. Coach Day acknowledged that the various players will come to Columbus for various reasons.

Naturally, the reasoning can tend to be rather self-absorbed in nature. Players want to start for one of the top programs in the nation. There is also the aspect of looking ahead and trying to put on enough good tape to warrant consideration from scouts at the next level.

Coach Day, however, is asking for a different internal approach.

He is, instead, asking for teammates to look to their left and their right and to be willing to sacrifice and put in the work for the collective as a whole.

This can be a tough sell at times. This becomes particularly true when the item being asked of someone requires a lesser role or demotion of some kind.

An example of this would be a starter being asked to come off the bench. If, however, a player is truly about the team’s needs, then taking a backseat for the better matchup or tactical decision should, in fact, be a rather easy concession to make.

It is, then, also, important for the player in question to work their hardest to show that they too could be in the starting role. As with anything, there needs to be balance.

Having the willingness, though, to genuinely do what is best for the team and the team’s season is a quality that not many possess. It is something that coaches like coach Day attempt to pull out of their program everyday, hoping to achieve collective success.