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College Coach Spotlight: Tim Brewster
It is not without embarrassment that I admit I am more familiar with ‘80s popular music than other, more enlightening subjects. Is it so bad that I am more comfortable discussing the life of Diamond Dave (of Van Halen) than King David (of vs. Goliath)? Probably. But if there were a monthly 2 a.m. rerun of “Behind the Book: David” airing on VH1 Classic, I would feel much worse about my biblical ineptitude. But what is life but a never-ending search of knowledge?
Bethel University’s mission is to educate men and women for excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. Bethel strives to prepare students to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the gospel. In short, Bethel students are taking steps to change the world. Lofty expectations are nothing new for Bethel students, but high hopes are somewhat of a new thing for Bethel football.
Heading into his 20th season at the helm of the Bethel football program, Steve Johnson faces his greatest expectations. Not only are the Royals a local and regional power, they have built a reputation nationally. The two-time defending MIAC champions are returning 12 starters to a team that made the program’s first appearance in the Division III national semifinals in 2007. The Royals have advanced to the NCAA National Playoffs in five of the last eight years, and Johnson, the five-time MIAC Coach of the Year, was named the 2007 West Region Coach of the Year.For Bethel and Johnson, the personal and program accolades are adding up faster than mullets at a Def Leppard show.
The philosophies that drive the University in the classroom are very much applicable to Johnson and his staff on the football field.
“Because we are committed to one another, we hold each other accountable for great effort toward spiritual, academic, and athletic growth,” Johnson says. “Toughness and self-discipline are a result of accepting this correction and encouragement from our football family members over a period of time. Football becomes a vehicle to help each player develop a faithful, consistent, goal-oriented life.”
What does it take to build a successful program, made up of such inspired and dedicated student athletes? In addition to prayer, Coach Johnson and his staff have built the program by offering football-family focus and vision of excellence in the classroom, the playing field, and the world beyond. This winning program has had no trouble attracting talented athletes from VikingLand and beyond.
Johnson’s philosophy on recruiting is simple: Find outstanding athletes who are great students and share a strong faith. One may expect these expectations to limit the number of quality football players that fit the mold of the Bethel program, but in fact it only helps build a successful program. Because Bethel provides a unique atmosphere where academics, athletics, and spirituality are intertwined like make-up, spandex, and hairspray in a Poison music video, there are a limited number of schools where student athletes can succeed as much as they do at the faith-entrenched Bethel.
Johnson’s greatest attribute as a coach is his ability to teach. He takes great pride in his knowledge of technique and strategy, but defines success by his ability to pass along what he has learned to his staff and players. He has created an environment in which everyone can rely on their neighbor for love and support on the field, in the classroom, or anywhere that life may bring them. The feeling around the Bethel program is that the coaches are more than teachers of the game, they are mentors for life.
It is Coach Johnson and his staff’s goal to produce great men – great men who also happen to be great football players. The relationship between the staff and the players can best be summarized by the words of Jon Bon Jovi:
We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot
We're halfway there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer
The family atmosphere of Bethel continues off campus as well for Coach Johnson and his wife, Susan. They have three children who attend Bethel and the parents reside close to the campus in Arden Hills. Their son, Cornell, is a junior, and twin daughters Katie and Maddie are both sophomores. Johnson remains busy with football all year, but he enjoys getting away to fish with friends when time allows. In the boat, expectations are not nearly as high for the coach.
Bethel Update
The Royals are 1-0 after defeating Concordia – Wisconsin 38-10 in the season opener last week. This week, a greater challenge presents itself as Bethel is traveling to face Wheaton College (Ill.) in a matchup of nationally ranked teams. The #17 Thunder will host the #5 Royals this Saturday, September 13, at 1:00 p.m.
You can follow Coach Johnson and the Royals this week and the entire season at http://athletics.bethel.edu/
Comments, questions, suggestions or random rambling … send me a note at weber.trent@gmail.com
Trent Weber is in his first season as a freelance writer for Vikings.com. Trent graduated from St. John’s University in 2004 with a degree in Communications. He currently lives and works in Plymouth, where he holds a position in advertising.