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.

Episode Breakdown & Timestamps

• 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

Key Insights

• “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.

Read Our Books

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.

About the Impactful Coaching Project

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