Hoggies to the Horseshoe
By: Naissa Lopez
Growing up, we’re often told to dream big. Well, for Chris Ballard, the words “dream big” weren’t just two simple words of wisdom to ignore; they were something he lived by. In early-2017, the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts named this former Javelinas assistant coach their new general manager.
“When I got out of college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he reminisced. “I was thinking about law school for a while, actually. I ended up coaching at a little school called Hitchcock, close to where I’m from in Texas City. The head coach at the time was Jean Sharp. When I finally decided to get into college coaching, Coach Sharp called Ron Harns, who was the Javelina head coach at the time. He basically told him that he had a young guy that would be a good fit at A&M-Kingsville. Coach Harns hired me and I would have never been given that opportunity had it not been for Coach Sharp.”
While Ballard was thrilled with the chance to begin coaching college football, he doesn’t hide the fact that it did have its challenges.
“Division II football is great, but it’s difficult because you’re doing everything at once. Stringing the fields, academics and teaching classes all at the same time. All of that was challenging, but there wasn’t a day that I was not happy being an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Those seven years are really special to me and my wife. They’re some of my most memorable times. The relationships we built over time are something I cherish. It’s all about great people.”
Working with football dynamos like Colts owner Jim Irsay and first overall draft pick Andrew Luck may sound intimidating, but it hasn’t kept Ballard from maintaining a positive attitude and a likeable personality.
“I think being able to get along with others is key. I tell all my guys not to mistake my being a good guy for being soft, because that’s the furthest thing from the truth. I’m competitive and I want to win, but there’s a way to get things done without being a dictator or a micromanager. You have to demand that there’s a standard that people have to get to in order to do their job. You have to be the one to set that standard and make sure that people get to that level, because if they don’t, they might not be part of it very long.”
Since leaving Texas A&M-Kingsville, Ballard has spent time in several states with the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs; moves he said didn’t always come simply.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy,” he laughed. “I grew up in Texas City, and when I went to the University of Wisconsin I was extremely homesick. I just pushed through it mentally, and I stuck with it. I think it’s one of the best things that has happened in my life because it’s allowed me to take chances that others might not have taken, and that’s been beneficial to me. I get homesick at every stop, but fortunately I have been able to form great relationships with people at every place that I have been a part of; whether it be Kingsville, Kansas City or Chicago. We’ve made some very close life-long relationships in every city. That’s one thing from South Texas that I miss the most is the people. Leaving those cities does leave a void, but it’s like I tell my kids ‘this is just part of the journey we’re on, and we’re going to make long-lasting friendships with people from different places.’”
When asked about the guidance that has helped him garner his incredible opportunities, Ballard does not hesitate to mention his family.
“My grandfather was a huge influence on me, and so are my parents. My college coaches and high school coaches also had a big impact. At the end of the day, you’ve got to take some shots and take some chances,” he explained. “If you don’t do that, you’re never going to move forward to where you want to be. Take the chances even if they don’t always work out. I think a little bit of the problem today is that a lot of younger people want instant success, and it doesn’t work that way. You’ve got to work hard, make mistakes, and even fail, but you’ll gain all this mental toughness to overcome it.”
Living in a small town should not deter anybody from aiming for their biggest goals, and the new NFL general manager wants people from all walks of life to understand that.
“There is never anything out of sight,” he said. “When it gets really hard and you’re not making any money, or when you don’t have any money and all the people around you are doubting you, you pay attention to none of that. If you start to believe people when they tell you that you’re chasing the wrong thing, you won’t accomplish it. You have to listen to your inner voice that’s telling you to believe and to keep pushing through. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter if you have both parents, one parent, or no parents. It doesn’t matter if you grew up with a lot of money or with no money. What matters is that you have a goal and a dream in mind, and that you keep pushing towards that vision every single day.”
Chris Ballard Fast Facts:
He was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as Director of Player Personnel in 2013.
He previously spent 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears as their Southwest Area Scout, and his final season with Chicago was spent as the Director of Pro Scouting.
He played football for four years at the University of Wisconsin.
One thing he misses the most is genuine South Texas Mexican food.
