Fellowship of Christian Athletes is proud to honor Purdue University baseball coach Greg Goff with this year’s Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award.
FCA presents the Kindall Award each year at the ABCA Convention to the college or high school baseball coach who best exemplifies the Christian principles of character, integrity, excellence, teamwork and service.
FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson remarked, “Coach Goff’s commitment to keeping Christ at the center of his team is one of the many reasons why he embodies the spirit and character of Jerry Kindall. He has a servant’s heart and carries a positive attitude, encouraging his players to not give up in any game or in any obstacle that comes their way.”
As a head coach, Goff’s teams have won over 40 games six times. Prior to Purdue University, Goff was the head baseball coach at Campbell University, where the baseball team was one of only eight Division I programs to win 40 or more games for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014, posting a total of 131 victories during that span. The team enjoyed a historic 49-10 campaign in 2013. As Coach Goff moved on from Campbell University, he carried his success with him. He was the head coach at Louisiana Tech in 2015, and by 2016, he coached them to 42 wins and led them to an NCAA Division I Regional, yet again breaking a postseason drought, this time of 29 years.
“I feel blessed to be recognized by the FCA. Jerry Kindall exemplified faith & character as a ballplayer and coach — what a great standard he set in college baseball. I’ve always strived to lead my teams in a similar fashion,” said Goff. “Faith has always guided my leadership and perspective. And I’m grateful for the guidance and camaraderie that FCA provides to players and coaches. I would also like to highlight Purdue’s team chaplain, Marty Dittmar, for his friendship and the impact he has on our program. Marty is a great asset to FCA and Purdue Athletics.”
Coach Goff has coached 11 future big leaguers and over 50 MLB Draft picks, highlighted by Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb while he was the pitching coach at Kentucky (2000-03). Longtime big leaguer and World Series champion Joe Blanton also pitched for Coach Goff at Kentucky.
Beyond his astonishing coaching record, Goff has demonstrated his love for the Lord to each of his athletes. He speaks about his faith in team meetings and in practices, and leads the team in a pregame prayer on the field at every game.
According to Purdue Athletic Chaplain Martin Bryce Dittmar, “There isn’t a player or staff person on the Purdue Baseball team who doesn’t know or understand Coach Goff’s desire and commitment to do the right thing all the time and to honor God.
“I have served at Purdue for almost 40 years. In all that time of serving the athletic department and knowing countless coaches, none has been as strong, committed and full of Gospel faith on and off the place of competition like Coach Goff,” said Dittmar.
As a man of character, Goff recruits young men with a heart for hard work and a willingness to be a part of a team. He expects his players to do their jobs and do it with excellence, guiding each player to serve others, the team and those in the community.
Barron Sawyer, a Purdue University baseball player, said, “Coach Goff is a perfect representation of a Christ Centered Man who has both leadership and servant traits. He is a man who perfectly exemplifies a follower of Christ by bringing those around him closer to God, while putting himself second to make sure everyone around him is taken care of. Coach Goff has made an example for every young man that he has encountered. A man that understands while we have players who are from all over the country, from different backgrounds, with different family situations, with different beliefs, he shines a light on God to show all of his players that anything is possible if you keep your faith in the Good Lord. Coach Goff is more than a baseball coach; he is a servant of God but a leader of men.”
Keith Madison, who worked with Goff at the University of Kentucky, shared, “Coach Goff has that great combination of faith and character. He goes the extra mile for family and friends. He’s a fierce competitor and a confident coach, but he also exudes humility and wants to follow Jesus and grow even more as a believer. Jerry Kindall was a close friend of mine. If Jerry was alive today and if he knew Greg, he would love and respect him as a competitive coach and as a follower of Jesus Christ.”
Goff’s involvement with FCA includes speaking at functions, a team chapel at each game and an FCA team Bible study in the fall pre-season semester.
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Photos courtesy of Purdue Athletcs