Every once in awhile, we post on a topic that is a little “outside our lane” and this year our most viewed post on Substack was one of those “outside of our lane” posts. (Not sure if we should take this as a hint?) :). But this one caught traction a bit and ended up […]
This Best of 2025 episode brings together the most listened-to and most shared conversations from Beyond Coaching this year. Each segment tackles a reality coaches deal with every day:how to build culture when not everyone plays, how to develop leaders through failure, and how to handle stress without trying to eliminate it. You’ll hear from […]
In this Beyond Coaching Podcast Short, the conversation centers on a simple but often neglected truth: care doesn’t happen by accident—it has to be planned. The discussion explores how coaches can create intentional platforms for honest, constructive dialogue with players. When athletes are given the right setting, clear expectations, and healthy boundaries, most are fair, […]
In this Beyond Coaching Podcast Short, the conversation centers on a simple but often neglected truth: care doesn’t happen by accident—it has to be planned. The discussion explores how coaches can create intentional platforms for honest, constructive dialogue with players. When athletes are given the right setting, clear expectations, and healthy boundaries, most are fair, […]
Most coaches say they care about their athletes, but athletes judge care through repetition, not intention. The real separators aren’t big gestures—they’re the daily habits that create connection, stability, and presence. Systems of care make sure the athletes who need attention the most don’t slip through the cracks. Coaches don’t build trust by accident. They […]
Rob sits down with Brent Hobson, longtime Friends University women’s soccer coach. Brent became a head coach at 24 and has spent nearly a decade shaping a program built on clarity, honest feedback, and team-first culture. They dig into what it actually takes to coach Gen Z, how to lead players who aren’t getting the […]
Coaching this generation requires more than demanding effort and enforcing standards. Gen Z grew up under a completely different set of pressures and expectations than any group before them, and their habits, attention patterns, and values reflect that world. Leading them well starts with understanding the landscape they’ve inherited, not the one we remember. Every […]
Rob sits down with longtime softball coach Suzanne Unruh to unpack how coaching has changed over the past decade—and why today’s athletes require a different kind of leadership. Suze shares how she evolved from a win-driven, blunt young coach to a purpose-focused mentor, emphasizing emotional intelligence, individualized coaching, and building identity beyond the game. The […]
There’s a tension I keep running into, and I’d be lying if I said I had it figured out after over 20 years in college athletics. The athletic world is built around competition. Results matter. Wins matter. When we lose, I’m frustrated and sometimes embarrassed, because that competitive edge hasn’t softened over the years. I […]
Dean Jaderston joined me to talk leadership, faith, and playing the long game. We trace his path from Minnesota high schools to men’s college hoops to leading women at Friends—and how each transition reshaped his approach. Dean explains why women’s teams often respond best to “we/us” language and 1:1 feedback, why coachability beats raw talent, […]
