In this episode, Coach Yas is joined by Ebun Thomas, Assistant Head of Academy & Head of Coach Development at Doncaster Rovers.

Ebun shares his journey from starting out as a grassroots coach at just 16 to now leading the development of coaches in a professional academy environment. This conversation dives deep into accountability, standards, mentorship, and what truly shapes a coach’s long-term growth.

💡 Key Talking Points

• Ebun’s coaching journey from grassroots volunteer to senior academy leader.
• The realities of holding coaches accountable — and why standards matter.
• The difference between experience and effective development.
• Why mentorship remains essential in producing adaptable, reflective coaches.
• How to build environments where coaches feel supported and challenged.
• Developing coaching behaviours—not just session plans.
• What Ebun looks for when identifying and growing coaching talent.

🧠 “If you want high standards in players, you need even higher standards in coaches.” – Ebun Thomas

📣 Whether you’re progressing on your coaching journey, supporting other coaches, or shaping development programmes, this episode will shift how you think about growth, accountability, and what defines a high-performance coaching environment.

👉 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💬 How do you hold yourself accountable as a coach or coach developer?

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