As coaches, we all strive to develop not just athletes, but leaders on and off the field. But how do you create an environment where players take responsibility not only for their growth but also for the improvement of their teammates? Brent Allen, Offensive Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has a simple yet effective answer: Teach, Challenge, Encourage. This model is more than just a strategy; it’s a culture-shifting approach to coaching that turns every player into a leader.
Allen first learned this approach from his time with Coach Kevin Bullis at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where it was introduced to him as a way to build a team culture focused on shared responsibility. “I would be remiss if I didn’t give credit to where I learned it, and that was Coach Bullis,” Allen said. He took the framework and made it his own, adapting it to fit his philosophy and team. In his third year at Platteville, Allen has seen how this model transforms his players and the entire team dynamic.
Teach: Creating Leaders through Learning
The foundation of Allen’s model is teaching, but not just from the top down. He empowers his players to teach each other, creating a system where they are accountable for their teammates’ development as well as their own. “Once you get the guys to buy into the teach, challenge, and encourage mindset, you start to see your meeting room, your individual drills turn into having a whole bunch of coaches,” Allen explained.
This approach allows players to take ownership of their skills. By encouraging them to teach, Allen ensures that every player has a deep understanding of the game. He emphasizes, “When you’re teaching, you have to be a master of it to teach somebody, so it encourages guys to pick it up as fast as possible.” This enhances their football IQ and fosters leadership and communication skills, which are essential both on and off the field.
Challenge: Building a Culture of Constructive Criticism
One of the hardest parts of leadership is challenging others effectively, especially among peers. In Allen’s model, challenging is more than just offering criticism—it’s about how you deliver that feedback. “The challenge one’s tough,” he said. “We lean into it a lot because inevitably, that will be the harder conversation.”
Allen coaches his players to have “six-inch conversations”—short, face-to-face interactions where emotions are kept in check. Instead of yelling across the field, players are encouraged to calmly approach one another and say, “That’s not what we do here, and this is what we do.” This approach allows criticism to be more of a learning moment than an attack. As Allen puts it, “Being able to have those constructive criticism conversations in the right setting with the right tone is something that we work on a lot.”
Encourage: Celebrating the Small Wins
Encouragement is where the culture really comes to life. According to Allen, it’s not just about celebrating touchdowns; it’s about recognizing the small victories that lead to larger successes. “Sometimes it’s the little things that go unnoticed. So-and-so hasn’t run that route appropriately yet, so let’s give him a high five when he comes back to the huddle. Hey, that was it, we got it,” Allen shared.
By creating a consistent and specific encouragement culture, Allen keeps morale high even during the season’s grind. It’s not enough to just say “good job”; players must know why they’re being praised. This detailed feedback creates a supportive environment where players feel seen and appreciated.
A Blueprint for Leadership
Brent Allen’s “Teach, Challenge, Encourage” model is a blueprint for coaches who want to build stronger teams by developing leaders at every level. By empowering players to teach, challenge, and encourage one another, you improve their skills and create a culture of accountability, communication, and camaraderie. And as Allen’s experience shows, the entire team thrives when every player becomes a leader.
D3 Offensive Coordinator of the Week
Coach Allen was selected as the Coach and Coordinator and Hansen Ratings D3 Offensive Coordinator of the Week. His offensive unit conrtibuted to a big win over UW-La Crosse. Ryan Munz is the Head Coach. He is assisted by Ryley Bailey, Donald Allender, Dan Arnold, Owen Riese, and Drew Hoff.
Notable Stats
Brent Allen | UW-Platteville | 30-23 vs. UW-La Crosse
- Scored 30 points against Hansen Ratings top-rated defense in the country
- Won game on double-pass in OT, overcame 14 point deficit in 4th quarter (two 40+ yard TDs)
- 7.1 yards per play (UWL allowed 4.2, 6.5, & 5.4 previous 3 games, two against DII teams)
- Over 350 yards passing
- No sacks allowed on 44 dropbacks
