Culture & Leadership

Retention Through Relationships

In the world of Division III football, where scholarships don’t anchor players to a team, it’s the relationships that hold the real power. Coach Dan McCarty at St. Norbert College understands this better than most. His success in creating a program that retains players year after year isn’t just about winning games—it’s about cultivating genuine…

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The Power of a Growth Mindset

As coaches, we constantly adapt to stay ahead. A growth mindset – the belief that abilities and intelligence can develop through dedication and hard work – is a powerful asset for any coach. Coach Travis Dixon of Hamilton High School embodies this mindset, leading his team to success by emphasizing continual learning and adaptation. Embracing…

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Jim Catanzaro’s Five Questions for Decision-Making

Coach Jim Catanzaro doesn’t make decisions on a whim. As the head coach at Lake Forest, Catanzaro drives every choice with purpose. He developed a five-question framework that aligns every decision with the program’s core values, builds its brand, and primes the team for peak performance. This framework benefits not only the players but also…

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Old School, New Style

Blending Old School Coaching with New Style Connection Coaching isn’t just about teaching plays or shouting orders from the sidelines; it’s about understanding, relating, and building relationships that resonate well beyond the field. For American Canyon’s Coach Trevor Hudson, this means combining old-school discipline with a new-school connection—a blend he believes is crucial for reaching…

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Constant Evaluation for Continuous Improvement

The Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, under the leadership of head coach Jesse Burleson, thrives on a foundational principle of constant evaluation. This approach goes beyond typical game-week adjustments; it is a daily practice that drives the program’s success. Burleson emphasizes that while constant evaluation is a broad concept, it must be focused to ensure the team is…

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Building a Strong Unit Through Teaching, Challenging, and Encouraging

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…

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A Holistic Approach to Technical, Tactical, and Psychological Preparation

In the past, success in football was primarily about physical conditioning, memorizing plays, and putting those together on game day. Now it’s about how well coaches can prepare their teams on three essential fronts. Technical execution, tactical mastery, and psychological resilience are three key areas that Justin Hemm, head coach at Skyridge High School in…

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The Process: A Compass for Navigating Adversity and Prosperity

Under the leadership of Nick Saban, “The Process” became the cornerstone of Alabama’s football culture, and it created consistent excellence over the Saban era. Now, with Kalen DeBoer leading a new era, he and his staff, including offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, have been entrusted with upholding and continuing this tradition. Their challenge is to maintain…

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Time Well Spent – How Less Practice Time Led to Better Performance

The “grind” is often seen as the pathway to success, but Ursinus College head coach Peter Gallagher took a different approach. Gallagher and his staff found that less time on the field—strategically managed—could lead to better results, both for their players and for the coaches themselves. Their changes enhanced the team’s performance and promoted a…

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Building a Legacy: Love, Hardwork, and Community

When we think of a football coach, most people picture someone who demands hard work, dedication, and a willingness to push through all obstacles to achieve meaningful goals. Football, though, means much more to John Peacock, the head coach at Venice High School. It’s a bond about creating a family, a support system that goes…

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