A Coaching Mindset

When I came up with the idea for this post, I was originally going to write about my thoughts on Jackson's MMA. I came to the realization that if I did, many people may miss the point of this, and take it as me taking my frustration out on Greg Jackson. Not the case, so here goes:

While there are two entirely different meanings behind training and coaching, I have come to realize one thing; While you can have an incredible training program, you can significantly lack in the way you coach, aka coaching your fighters to not lose, rather than to fight for the win.
As strange as it may sound, it's true. I've been watching Greg Jackson over the years take may explosive and talented fighters, and turn them in to boring, decision winning fighters. Great for you win column, but you're strategically taking the fight out of the fight. But, a win is a win, I guess.
My beef with this whole coaching mindset is that if focuses on complacency. Be conservative, don't take risks, and do what you have to do not to lose. I strongly believe that deep down in every humans heart is that deep seated desire to win, and to win by any means necessary. Coaches who teach this mindset are literally taking the fight out of the fighter.
Sure, they get in the cage, sure they "fight", but are they truly fighting? My answer is no.
If our armed forces fought no to lose we have a much longer list of defeats, and a devastatingly longer list of casualties in war. Not going to hold back on this one, but the last decade in the middle east, we fought with much that same mindset, not to lose. look what happened... we'll save that rant for another time and place.
I mean, really, is that the American way now, slide by and hope that we looked okay in the process? I should hope not.
In the words of Dana White, "Never leave your fight in the hands of the judges." Sure, if you controlled the guy for the fight, you'll most likely win. But do you really want to take that chance, especially as a professional athlete and your paycheck depends a lot on those win/loss columns? Not me. If I'm fighting, I'm fighting to win. Every time. There will be no doubt that win or lose, I gave it all I had. Period.