If you follow pro football, you’ve seen an interesting story play out. Terrell Owens, arguably the best wide receiver, is viewed around the league as uncoachable. He criticizes his teammates and otherwise mouths off to the press. Yet when he plays, he’s a game changer.

Although no one wanted him on their team, Bill Parcells, who is a Hall of Fame coach, decided to take him on as a project. Parcells is known as the strictest disciplinarian in the league. He brings out the best in his players. If anyone can rehabilitate Owens, it’s Parcells.

The things that hold true for Parcells as a coach apply to those of us who would be spiritual coaches. And while 2 Timothy 4:2 is our template, 1 Corinthians contains some of the best teaching about spiritual coaching. Here are six principles taken from 1 Corinthians:

1. The coach must have authority in the player’s life. That is why the initial trust-building stage is so important (1 Cor 9:1-2).

2. The coach has three main tools in his tool bag, teaching, encouragement and critique/challenge. All his coaching to behavior change will involve one of these tools (1 Cor. 10).

3. The coach must understand the player’s strengths and weaknesses and focus on growing the player’s strengths (1 Cor 9:24).

4. The coach must work from a vision of what the player can become and work toward developing the player to that vision (1 Cor 9:25-26).

5. The coach assesses how the player responds to feedback and tailors his feedback to the player (1 Cor 9:22).

6. The coach knows how the player fits with the team and helps the player understand his role (1 Cor. 12).

Coach Parcells is a master at the top of his game. No doubt he wanted the challenge Owens represents. But you can bet that he clarified the issue of authority before ever signing him.