In this “Best of” episode, we revisit the most impactful conversations from April on the Beyond Coaching podcast. Whether you're mentoring young coaches, navigating the transfer portal era, managing stress, or trying to create practices that actually teach—this episode brings you the best lessons, stories, and strategies from four incredible guests.

If you're looking for one episode to share with your staff or keep in your coaching library—this is it.

0:00 – 9:30 | Rob Miller – Lead Your Team, Manage Your Program

Rob shares what he's seeing across the country: the rise of young coaches, the loss of middle-career leaders, and why managing a program is just as important as leading a team.

9:30 – 13:30 | Rob & Dustin – Building a Sticky Program in the Transfer Portal Era

How do you build a program that athletes want to stay in? It starts with clarity, care, and culture. Dustin and Rob break down the mindset and messaging needed to retain great people in a high-turnover era.

13:30 – 22:00 | Mitch Hull – Stress, Significance, and Identity in Coaching

Mitch offers a new lens on coaching stress, athlete identity, and the power of a growth mindset. Drawing from TED Talks, psychology research, and his work with Olympic teams, this segment helps coaches rethink pressure.

22:00 – 37:00 | John Kessel – Why Drills Don’t Teach and Feedback Fails

John gives a masterclass on motor learning, explaining why kids don’t learn by watching, why training must mimic game reality, and how failing is essential to skill acquisition.

• Young coaches need more than energy—they need guidance in managing budgets, culture, and compliance.
• Retention starts with culture. If care, challenge, and consistency aren’t clear, the transfer portal will empty your roster.
• Stress isn't the enemy—your perception of it is. Shift to a growth mindset and help athletes do the same.
• Practice needs to look like play. Teach in reality, not theory. Avoid blocked drills and over-coaching.

If this episode helped you lead or teach better—share it with someone else who coaches people, not just players.

Subscribe to Beyond Coaching on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and explore more tools at impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com.

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In this episode of Beyond Coaching, we sit down with John Kessel, the retired Director of Sport Development at USA Volleyball. With over five decades of coaching experience and contributions spanning nearly 100 countries, John shares his enduring coaching philosophy grounded in curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptation. His unique take on "motor learning," failure, and feedback provides transformative lessons for coaches in all sports.

00:00 – 01:20 | Introduction to John Kessel

Rob introduces John, noting his incredible career and alignment with the podcast’s "three C's" approach to coaching.

01:20 – 04:26 | Kessel's Coaching Journey

John outlines his unconventional path from collegiate coaching to global sport development and advocacy for coach education.

04:26 – 08:46 | Learning Over Athletics

A powerful shift in mindset: why coaching is about cultivating learning, not just athleticism.

08:46 – 15:00 | Motor Learning Explained

From bike riding to backwards bicycles—John explains how we acquire physical skills through failure and repetition.

15:00 – 23:00 | Training in Reality

The importance of realistic practice environments and the dangers of over-drilling and under-playing.

23:00 – 32:28 | Effective Coaching Techniques

John breaks down methods to provide better feedback, foster engagement, and create "12 little assistant coaches."

32:28 – 42:00 | Guided Discovery and Storytelling

How storytelling enhances retention and why asking the right questions fosters independent thinking.

42:00 – 47:31 | Regression to the Mean & Coaching Biases

What Daniel Kahneman taught him about interpreting player performance and avoiding misleading feedback loops.

47:31 – 51:32 | Rapid Fire & Closing

John shares favorite books, impactful failures, and his definition of success—plus a teaser for “belligerent optimism.”

• “This is a learning competition, not an athletic competition.”
• John’s analogy of motor learning using driving and bike riding is a standout.
• The story about the Israeli fighter pilot instructor and Daniel Kahneman is a must-listen moment (42:00).
• “Catch them doing it right” – a core tenet of Kessel’s feedback philosophy.
• Guided discovery and the practice of saying “and” instead of “but” to reinforce positive communication.

• Bison Peak Lodge – Veteran & First Responder Healing Retreat
• John Kessel’s USA Volleyball Blog - “Growing the Game Together”
• Changing the Game Project – John O’Sullivan
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
• Backwards Bicycle – Destin Sandlin

John Kessel served as the Director of Sport Development for USA Volleyball and is one of the most respected figures in coach education. With a legacy rooted in motor learning and international impact, John continues to teach coaches around the world how to build athletes through evidence-based practices. He also runs Bison Peak Lodge, a retreat center supporting veterans and first responders.

📧 Contact: [email protected]

• Real learning comes from doing, failing, and reflecting—not from repetitive drills.
• Coaches should shift from correction to curiosity, using guided discovery.
• Feedback should be specific, forward-focused, and affirming of effort and intent.
• Consistency and critical thinking are cornerstones of great coaching.

Take your coaching to the next level with our published resources, built to strengthen leadership, culture, and effectiveness in athletic programs:

• Impactful Coaching Project: Leading and Coaching the 21st Century Athlete
• A foundational guide for coaches seeking to lead with purpose, build relationships, and make lasting impact.
• Athletic Department Leadership: Athletic Department Leadership and Developing Coaches
• Ideal for administrators and program leaders, this book focuses on how to cultivate a strong coaching staff and program culture.

This episode is brought to you by the Impactful Coaching Project, the leading platform for developing coaches who lead with purpose, integrity, and a holistic approach.

The project exists to help coaches:

• Coach the whole person
• Build transformational team cultures
• Learn and apply the latest in research-based coaching strategies
• Access professional development, resources, and a growing coaching community

Subscribe & Learn More: impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

Follow us for updates, articles, and new episode releases.

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob and Dustin respond to a question from a college coach about recruiting and retaining athletes in the era of the transfer portal. Drawing from the Impactful Coaching Project’s core philosophy of building a “sticky” program culture, they explore how the same environment that attracts transfers is also what helps retain freshmen—and why clarity, consistency, and care still matter most.

What We Cover:

• Why transfers and freshmen should experience the same program values
• How to build a “sticky” program culture that athletes want to join—and stay in
• The role of visual leadership and real-life stories in attracting the right fits
• Why “culture clarity” beats transactional recruiting
• How to empower your current athletes as your best recruiters
• Ways coaches can demonstrate authentic care that resonates with families

Key Quote:

"This is who we are. Take it or leave it. But if you’re here, there’s a standard—and you’re going to be cared for."

Buy Our Books:

Coaching and Leading the 21st Century Athlete and Athletic Department Leadership and Developing Coaches are available now on Amazon.

These books dive deeper into the principles discussed on the podcast and are must-reads for coaches, athletic directors, and leaders who want to grow themselves and their teams.

Buy now on Amazon: Link

Subscribe and Learn More:

For more resources on coaching the whole person, visit impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, host Rob Ramseyer welcomes back Rob Miller, a respected national speaker, seasoned coach, and recent inductee into the NAIA Hall of Fame. Drawing from his extensive experience working with high school and college athletic programs across the country with Proactive Coaching, Miller offers deep insights into the evolving challenges of coaching in today’s sports environment.

Together, they explore critical themes including the rise of young and underprepared coaches, the implications of a rapidly changing youth sports culture, and the essential—but often overlooked—distinction between leading a team and managing a program. This episode provides a blend of strategic thinking, practical advice, and enduring principles for coaches at all levels.

• 00:15 – Introduction & Recognition
• 01:11 – Emerging Coaching Trends
• 03:30 – Declining Coaching Pools & Gender Gaps
• 05:54 – Three Key Challenges Facing New Coaches
• 08:33 – Leveraging Veteran Leadership
• 11:04 – Imitation vs. Wisdom in Coaching Development
• 13:13 – Youth Sports Culture: A Shift in Priorities
• 16:28 – Reframing Practice for Engagement and Learning
• 18:59 – Teaching from the Ground Up
• 21:57 – System Fit and Sustainable Success
• 25:37 – Final Reflections: Always Keep Coaching

• “Lead your team. Manage your program.”
• Coaching is no longer seasonal; it’s a year-round, full-spectrum role that blends leadership, teaching, and operations.
• Fundamental skills are increasingly scarce in the current youth sports system.
• Sustainable success stems from aligning athlete recruitment with institutional values and cultural fit.

Take your coaching to the next level with our published resources, built to strengthen leadership, culture, and effectiveness in athletic programs:

• Impactful Coaching Project: Leading and Coaching the 21st Century Athlete
• A foundational guide for coaches seeking to lead with purpose, build relationships, and make lasting impact.
• Athletic Department Leadership: Athletic Department Leadership and Developing Coaches
• Ideal for administrators and program leaders, this book focuses on how to cultivate a strong coaching staff and program culture.

This episode is brought to you by the Impactful Coaching Project, the leading platform for developing coaches who lead with purpose, integrity, and a holistic approach.

The project exists to help coaches:

• Coach the whole person
• Build transformational team cultures
• Learn and apply the latest in research-based coaching strategies
• Access professional development, resources, and a growing coaching community

Subscribe & Learn More: impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob welcomes back Mitch Hull from the 3D Institute for a follow-up discussion to the popular episode, Does Winning Matter? This conversation dives deep into the tension between winning, success, and significance in coaching, athletics, and life. Mitch shares insights from his own Olympic journey, stories from elite athletes, and practical advice for coaches on building meaningful relationships and fostering long-term impact.

✅ The difference between winning and significance – why winning matters but isn’t everything

✅ Mitch’s personal journey, including Olympic trials, setbacks, and lessons learned

✅ The post-Olympic depression phenomenon and why athletes struggle with identity

✅ The role of faith and personal purpose in navigating competition

✅ How goal-driven individuals can balance ambition with fulfillment

✅ The success vs. significance framework for coaching and leadership

✅ Why building relationships is the foundation of impactful coaching

✅ Practical tips for coaches looking to lead with purpose

🗣️ “Most of us end our careers on a loss. But that doesn’t make us failures.” – Mitch Hull

🗣️ “Winning is important, but it can never be ultimate.” – Mitch Hull

🗣️ “Success is about goals. Significance is about purpose.” – Mitch Hull

🗣️ “It’s hard to be significant and not be successful. But you can be successful and never be significant.” – Mitch Hull

🔗 Follow the Impactful Coaching Project on Substack: impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

🔗 Learn more about the 3D Institute and transformational coaching: 3dinstitute.com

🔗 Connect with Rob on Twitter (X): @ICP_Project

🔗 Listen to more episodes of Beyond Coaching: beyondcoaching.alitu.com

In this podcast short, we discuss one of the most common mistakes coaches make—talking too much after games. Post-game talks often happen in highly emotional moments, and saying the wrong thing can damage trust, hurt team culture, and ultimately be ineffective.

We cover:

• Why post-game talks should be under three minutes
• The risks of emotional reactions and credibility loss
• The importance of having a consistent routine
• Why teams need clear expectations after every game
• How to rehearse and hold yourself accountable for better communication

We also share real coaching stories, including mistakes we’ve made, and practical tips to improve post-game talks immediately.

Quote from the Episode:

"Less is more. If you're too emotional, wait. If it's important, address it at practice."

Follow & Subscribe:

• Substack: impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com
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Listen & Subscribe:

Don’t miss out—hit follow on your favorite podcast platform.

For deeper insights into coaching, leadership, and building strong team cultures, check out our books:

• Coaching and Leading the 21st Century Athlete – Available on Amazon
• Athletic Department Leadership and Developing Coaches – Available on Amazon

These books provide practical strategies to help coaches lead effectively in today’s sports environment.

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, we sit down with Colonel James Cheatham, a 30-year educator, football coach, and Oklahoma Air National Guard officer. Colonel Cheatham shares his unique journey through coaching and leadership, discussing his time as a head football coach, a junior college defensive coordinator, and his transition into full-time military service.

The conversation dives deep into:

• The state of high school coaching today and the challenges facing coaches.
• How coaches can be more intentional about teaching leadership through sports.
• The importance of developing mental and emotional resilience in athletes—why he believes we can’t have "marshmallows" on the field.
• How his experiences in the military have shaped his coaching philosophy.
• Strategies for onboarding young coaches and helping them embrace a growth mindset.
• The impact of overplaying in youth sports and how excessive competition may be dulling athletes' natural competitiveness.
• The importance of self-reflection and adapting coaching methods to reach Generation Z athletes.

Colonel Cheatham also shares his thoughts on the role of data in coaching, the need for purposeful leadership training, and how coaches can create environments that foster resilience and accountability.

“Talk less, rep more. You don’t talk a player into being better—you train them into it.”

"Coaches must be purposeful in leadership training—it can’t be left to chance.”

"We need fewer marshmallows. Mental and emotional resilience are just as important as physical toughness.”

• Impactful Coaching Project – impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com
• Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast (Referenced by James Cheatham)
  • Book Mentions:Point Man by Steve Farrar
  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  • Grit by Angela Duckworth

📢 Follow Beyond Coaching for more episodes on coaching leadership and athlete development.

📌 Twitter (X): @ICP_Project

📌 Instagram: impactful_coaching_project

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📌 Facebook: Impactful Coaching Project

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more! Please share and rate!

We're diving into a thought-provoking question from one of our first paid Substack subscribers: Does winning really matter? It’s a loaded question, and we tackle it head-on—exploring the balance between success, growth, and the process of improvement. Can two teams have equally meaningful experiences, even if one wins more? Is winning the ultimate goal, or is the pursuit of excellence what truly counts?

From personal coaching experiences to reflections on legendary figures like Gino Auriemma, we break down what winning means at different levels of competition. Plus, we share insights from our ongoing research on motivation—surprisingly, winning isn’t always the primary driver for athletes. Tune in for a candid discussion on the value of winning, how to define success beyond the scoreboard, and why the process might matter more than the outcome.

Episode Highlights:

[1:15] - The key question: Does winning matter?

[3:40] - How winning influences team culture and buy-in

[7:25] - The challenge of defining success beyond wins and losses

[12:10] - Personal coaching lessons: finding small wins within the game

[17:00] - What research says about motivation—why winning isn’t the top priority for athletes

[21:45] - The Gino Auriemma story: shifting the focus from championships to daily improvement

[27:30] - Balancing recognition and staying process-oriented

Links & Resources:

Follow us on Substack and leave your thoughts in the comments at impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

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If you liked this conversation, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Share it with a friend who loves sports and leadership discussions. We appreciate your support!

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, we sit down with Joey Reinart, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Tonkawa High School in Oklahoma. Joey shares his journey from volunteer coaching little league baseball to leading transformational change as a head football coach and now as an athletic director.

Joey dives into how he built a championship culture at Chisholm High School, turning a struggling football program into a thriving, multi-sport powerhouse. He explains how investing in kids beyond the field, building trust with parents, and fostering cross-sport collaboration created an environment where student-athletes could excel.

• Building a Program from Scratch: How Joey transformed a 3-win football program into a perennial playoff contender.
• Investing in Athletes: The importance of training athletes to be the best in any sport, not just football.
• 3D Coaching Framework: How the principles of 3D coaching helped unite his coaching staff, engage parents, and motivate kids.
• Generational Coaching: Insights into how Gen Z athletes differ from past generations—and how to connect with them effectively.
• Leadership Lessons: How failures shaped his success and why delegation has become a critical habit in his current leadership role.

Joey’s passion for coaching the whole person shines through as he shares practical strategies for building relationships, developing leadership, and creating sustainable success in athletics.

Rapid-Fire Takeaways:

• Book Recommendation: The Pack – A leadership guide for building team culture.
• Defining Success: Seeing students engaged, teachers energized, and a school community thriving.

Connect with Us: Subscribe to our Substack: impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

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For more episodes, go to beyondcoaching.alitu.com.

Enjoy the episode, and don’t forget to share it with fellow coaches, educators, and leaders striving to make an impact!

In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob is joined by Troy Black and Dylan Heath, two experienced coaches working with junior high and high school athletes at Wichita (KS) Collegiate School. They discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports, from fostering a fun and engaging environment to managing competitive expectations. The conversation explores building successful programs, balancing parent involvement, and coaching the modern athlete in an era dominated by club sports and social pressures.

Key Topics Discussed:

✔️ Building Programs That Last – How strong mentorship and leadership shape youth athletic programs.

✔️ The Fun vs. Competitive Drive Debate – How to keep kids engaged while fostering a winning mindset.

✔️ The Role of Parents in Youth Sports – The pros and cons of early specialization and club sports culture.

✔️ Developing Athletes Beyond the Game – How sports teach resilience, patience, and teamwork.

✔️ Motivating Today’s Athletes – Insights into what truly drives young athletes to compete.

Memorable Quotes:

📢 "If kids know you care about them as people first, they’ll do almost anything for you." – Troy Black

📢 "We want kids to have fun, develop skills, and love the game. The competitive side comes later." – Dylan Heath

Rapid Fire Round Highlights:

📚 Book Recommendation: There’s Only One Way to Win by Vince Lombardi

🏆 Defining Success: Seeing former athletes return and staying connected after their playing days.

📖 New Habit: Reading more coaching and leadership books to improve as a mentor.

About Beyond Coaching:

Beyond Coaching is a podcast by the Impactful Coaching Project, in partnership with Friends University. Our mission is to help coaches develop 21st-century athletes by focusing on leadership, personal growth, and impactful coaching strategies.

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🎧 Beyond Coaching on Substack

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📍 Twitter (X): @ICP_Project

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