June 15, 2025

640: Tony Reno (Yale University Head Football Coach) - Writing a Team Creed, Leaving it Better Than You Found It, Going to Gettysburg, Leadership Retreats, & Winning Championships

55 minutes

Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes

The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk

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In Patient Pursuit of Greatness – In the spring of 2012, General McChrystal was teaching a leadership class at Yale. That's when he met Tony Reno. He said about the meeting, "Not many things materially affect my trajectory. But this time was different. What was different? Coach Reno."
The goal of the program: "Leave the jersey better than you found it."
The team creed, a pledge written by players on Team 142 (the 2014 squad), as they do at the start of every practice: "I vow to believe in the process, I am mentally and physically tough, I compete with passion and overcome any challenges. I stand tall alongside my family at all times, I challenge my brother, believe in him, hold him accountable. As I create my own path I always put team before myself, I strive for excellence on and off the field, I hold myself to a higher standard. I am a Yale football player."
- Standards - Every player must recite the creed. The younger players are coached by the older players.
The brick tradition - At each practice, one player presents his brick, then adds it to the others in the tunnel-- a visual reminder of the team's solidarity. Reno instituted the tradition to build camaraderie through candid reflection.
- Hero, Hometown, Hardship, Highlight. Someone who has impacted you. One word for the season.
His players went to bat for him. On December 28, Casey Gerald '09, a cornerback, and 63 other former players sent a letter endorsing Coach Reno's candidacy to athletic director Tom Beckett, and later to president Richard Levin and provost Peter Salovey. 12 days later, he earned the job.
Gettysburg Retreat: Yale's football team takes an annual retreat to Gettysburg with McChrystal to focus on leadership, bonding, and team culture.
Presidential Leadership - Lead people, but don't do it for them.
When his players host recruits, they will tell Coach Reno if their character aligns with being a Yale football player.
Coach Reno names a player of the day for each practice. The one who lives out their values and the Yale football player creed.
Life/Career advice - Help you become the best version of yourself in all you do. Make you an elite leader. Maximize you as a football player. Help you find your passion.

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By Ryan Hawk

4.9