UC Davis Coach Tim Plough and Dr. Emorie Beck Discuss Find Joy Philosophy

UC Davis football has formalized “Find Joy” as the central cultural philosophy governing its program. Current head coach Tim Plough and UC Davis Associate Professor of Psychology Emorie D. Beck, PhD, have integrated this mantra into their daily mission, aiming to help student-athletes prioritize personal growth and daily habits over traditional result-oriented metrics.

The philosophy shifts the focus away from scoreboard outcomes, encouraging players to seek a constant sense of purpose throughout their day. According to Plough, the joy feeling has no results based to it and is instead something to be felt from the moment an athlete wakes up until they go to bed. This approach is paired with the team’s “Shredville” identity, which emphasizes finding happiness and meaning in small, daily details.

Jim Sochor Inspired the Find Joy Concept

The “Find Joy” concept originated with former UC Davis head coach Jim Sochor, who served as a mentor to Plough. During his tenure, Sochor frequently challenged his student-athletes by asking, Have you found joy? This practice was intended to redirect the players’ attention toward the development of the individual and the characteristics required to be an effective teammate. Plough, who served as the team’s quarterback from 2003 to 2007, credited Sochor with enlightening him on the importance of seeking out this specific feeling.

Psychological Perspectives on Personality

Dr. Beck, who specializes in personality psychology, has collaborated with the football program to provide a psychological framework for this cultural shift. During a recent discussion on the philosophy, she noted that the common tendency to view personality strictly through a list of traits is incomplete. People are more than just a list of traits that they do or don’t have to differing degrees, Beck explained. By examining the culture of the campus and the psychological logic behind the “Find Joy” mantra, the program seeks to support student-athletes as they work to become the best versions of themselves.