In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob sits down with Kirk Kelley, the Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. With over 35 years of experience in athletics, Kirk shares his coaching journey, the power of building authentic relationships, and how he balances leading both athletes and fellow coaches.

Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, Kirk’s wisdom and real-world experiences will leave you with practical takeaways on leadership, mentorship, and coaching with integrity.

✅ The Power of Relationships – Why genuine connections with athletes and colleagues shape long-term success.

✅ Core Coaching Values – The principles Kirk has upheld for decades: discipline, accountability, and teamwork.

✅ Balancing Dual Leadership Roles – Insights on managing responsibilities as an Athletic Director and Head Coach without sacrificing effectiveness.

✅ Coaching the Modern Athlete – How social media and external influences impact today’s athletes and the importance of staying authentic.

✅ Learning from Failure – Kirk’s approach to lifelong learning, journaling, and the "one-day contract" mindset inspired by Rick Pitino.

📚 Book Recommendation: The Carolina Way by Dean Smith – A must-read for coaches and leaders.

🏆 Defining Success: Seeing former players return with gratitude for the lessons they learned.

🔄 New Habit: Practicing the "one-day contract" approach to focus on daily excellence.

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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