On this Best of 2025 episode of Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit a Culture OS conversation that stood out for how it showed what effective leadership and program alignment look like in real time. Our guest is Jason Eck, head football coach at the University of New Mexico. Coach Eck engineered a historic turnaround in his first season and was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year.
Hosted by Robert Pomazak, the discussion explores how culture is evaluated, how standards are set, and why consistency of self matters long before results show up on Saturdays. Coach Eck explains how he built trust with inherited players, aligned his staff around clear expectations, and created belief quickly, without taking shortcuts.
The conversation also addresses the challenges of transitioning families, delegating responsibility, and sustaining success once momentum is established. Throughout the episode, Coach Eck reinforces that culture shows up in daily behavior, accountability, and leaders who consistently model what they ask of others.
This Best of 2025 selection is paired with the Culture OS Companion, an AI learning tool built from Culture OS conversations, designed to help coaches apply these leadership and culture principles within their own programs. For coaches navigating transitions, rebuilding belief, or seeking lasting alignment, this episode remains essential listening.
What the Culture OS Companion Helps You Do
The Companion helps coaches shape plans, solve problems, and clarify what strong culture looks like in their own program. It can support:
Practical culture planning
• Resetting standards after a difficult loss
• Installing core values during Week One
• Improving communication within a staff or position group
• Structuring player leadership meetings
Staff culture and alignment
• Clarifying expectations for assistant coaches
• Improving consistency across position groups
• Establishing unified language and standards
• Strengthening collaboration throughout the staff
Behavior and accountability
• Teaching accountability through actions rather than slogans
• Identifying early signs of cultural drift
• Establishing consistent expectations players can follow
Season and weekly structure
• Designing preseason culture segments
• Creating weekly or seasonal culture calendars
• Building meeting outlines and daily routines
Coach-specific insight
• How Matt Drinkall approaches discipline
• How Kyle Ralph teaches toughness
• How Jordan Lynch frames competitive identity
The Companion adapts its answers based on the situations you describe.
Just use it.
The Culture OS Companion is available for immediate use. Explore it. Share it with your staff. Bring it into your program and see what it adds.
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Chapters:
-Why This Episode Made the Best of 2025
-Jason Eck’s First Season Turnaround
-Navigating Coaching Transitions
-Building Trust With Inherited Players
-Establishing Standards Early
-Leadership Alignment Within the Staff
-Culture as Daily Behavior
-Accountability and Expectations
-Sustaining Success After Momentum
-Applying Culture OS Principles
Related:
Turning Ideas into Coaching Clarity – Coach and Coordinator
Connect on X:
Keith Grabowski: @CoachKGrabowski
Robert Pomazak: @robertpomazak
Jason Eck: @Coach_Eck