Towson University head football coach Rob Ambrose and his staff hope to do more than coach their players to wins in 2015. While that may be the ultimate goal of all college football programs, Ambrose sees a greater need among the players who walk in and out of the Towson locker room.
Ambrose said the current generation of college students are cultivating in a society that lacks real leadership, which is something he's seen within his own locker room.
After having discussions about that during the last few years, the Tigers' coaching staff established a new leadership structure for the team.
Prior to the 2015 season, Ambrose had a leadership system in place called "Tiger Accountability." Ambrose said his staff took that and "injected it with some legal steroids and nutritional elements to make it a lot bigger." That led to a new hierarchy for Towson in which six "kings," not team captains, lead the team.
The system is based on three criteria. The first is doing things right, or at least trying to do things right all the time. The second is selflessness, and the third is to have the courage of your convictions, which Ambrose said is the most important. He said the courage to stand up for what's important and hold teammates accountable when they're wrong.
If a Towson football player is recognized as possessing all of those criteria, they are appointed a king. The Tigers' six kings this season are linebackers Bryton Barr and Eric Handy, defensive lineman Jon Desir, quarterback Connor Frazier, fullback Emmanuel Holder and running back Darius Victor.
But like most titles, these roles can be taken away if another player demonstrates he's deserving of the crown. While that can breed competition among players, there has also been a positive dynamic that has developed between the kings and those working their way up the ranks.
Ambrose said players who spend their entire collegiate career at Towson and finish as a king will be remembered fondly.
Ambrose also said the hierarchy is meant to teach student-athletes how to lead while serving as mentors to their peers.
Underneath the kings are "sentinel warriors" who are charged with watching over all things Towson football. Those are players who possess two of the three established leadership criteria. Following them are soldiers, who are necessary to function but have yet to develop into leaders.
That chemistry, the coaching staff hopes, will continue to build a new culture of leadership as Towson grows. Ambrose said he's seen more success in the program's history when his players have seized control of the team's culture.