Joe Ehrmann and the Hard Path of Following Christ

by Brian Bolt, Ph.D.
Calvin College

I, like Dr. Walton, attended the speech by Joe Ehrmann at Calvin College last week.  Much like Julie (This is my first time “blogging” so I hope its ok to refer to others by their first names like a conversation in the coffee room) I felt a mixture of inspiration and discomfort from Joe’s remarks.  Since then I picked up and read a copy of Jeffrey Marx’s book about Coach Erhmann, which contains some background information on Joe and the author, and chronicles one season of football at Gilman High School.  Joe’s title is defensive coordinator, but he and the head coach, Biff Poggi are very close friends and seem to work more like co-head coaches.  The book echoed the speech, with understandably more detail and background information.  It gave me a clearer picture of what Joe was about and the message he is spreading as he speaks around the country. 

I thank Julie for opening this conversation and for her insightful comments.  Julie noted a few concerns which I do not share.  Briefly, I think it is perfectly fine for Joe to focus his talks on boys.  Joe works with boys, Joe knows boys, and I do not think we can require him to address all societal ills at one time.  Joe is attempting to bloom where’s he’s been planted, which is a good encouragement to all of us. 

Along the same lines, Julie was rightly concerned that the lack of fathers in some kids’ lives may be the larger problem that Joe needs to address.  Again, I would contend that Joe, in his way, is addressing this problem directly.  His hope is that the boys on his football team with poor parental situations will eventually make better choices than their own fathers.  As the book describes, Joe has spent significant time in urban ministry.  He knows the problems, and my sense is that he is trying to light a candle rather than curse the darkness.  Whether or not Joe’s methods work or are the appropriate way to address coaching situations is a valid are valid questions.  Finally, Julie questioned the lack of overt references to Jesus and the Christian faith.  I would say Joe walks a fine line, and he is appropriately living his faith in this setting.  Christians must make these choices all the time, depending on their work situations.  Also, the book makes it clear that Joe is in a private, if secular, school.  He and Coach Biff employ Scripture very often, far more than would be allowed in a public school setting (please click on READ MORE!)