In Episode 2 of The Central Michigan Football Staff: Alignment in Action, the focus shifts from the head coach’s vision to how alignment shows up in the staff’s day-to-day work. Recorded during Central Michigan’s first season under new leadership, the episode features conversations with safeties coach Wes Fleming and corners and nickels coach Christian Dukes.
Fleming brings a shared history with the head coach, offering insight into how trust, standards, and collaboration are built over time. Dukes joins the staff without that prior connection, providing a clear look at how alignment holds when someone new enters the building. Across both conversations, common themes emerge—not through identical language, but through consistent behavior: honesty with players, genuine relationships, clear standards, and doing the right thing without needing oversight.
The episode shows how trust and authenticity move from ideas to action, revealing what alignment looks like when belief turns into behavior and culture is reflected in the daily work.
Episode Focus:
-Alignment as behavior, not slogans or titles
-Wes Fleming on shared history and why trust is expected
-How standards show up in daily work and collaboration
-Authentic relationships across position rooms and sides of the ball
-Alignment tested when a new coach enters the building
-Christian Dukes on evaluating fit and building trust without history
-Teaching standards through honesty, effort, and communication
-Alignment measured by consistent action, not identical language
Coach and Coordinator AI – Alignment in Action Companion
The Alignment in Action Companion is built entirely from the Central Michigan Alignment in Action series. It is designed to help coaches examine alignment through behavior and apply those lessons to their own environment.
This tool helps coaches identify where alignment holds and where it breaks, clarify ownership and authority, and evaluate whether standards survive when responsibility moves away from the head coach. It focuses on real decisions, real behaviors, and real pressure moments.
The companion does not add outside leadership frameworks, invent examples, or offer generic advice. It only works off of the transcripts from the Central Michigan Alignment in Action episodes.
This tool works best when coaches describe what actually happens in their program. Avoid aspirational language. Be specific about situations, decisions, and behaviors. Use it to pressure test standards, expose dependence on your presence, and build alignment that functions without constant oversight.
Related: Alignment in Action: A Behavior-Based Leadership Tool for Coaches
Connect on X:
Wes Fleming: @Fleming_Coach
Christian Dukes: @CoachDukes_
Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski
Episode 3 continues the series by examining how alignment holds under increased pressure and expanded responsibility across the staff.