The Player Development Pod

Ed Jones II is reviewing Season Two of The Player Development Pod.

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Thank you to all the ELITE guests who joined the podcast this season.

Here are my takeaways from each guest:

Lamonte Winston: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/lamonte-winston-3-takeaways

Dr. Lacee’ Carmon-Johnson: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/dr-lacee-carmon-johnson-3-takeaways

Tony Hull: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/tony-hull-3-takeaways

Chris Smith: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/chris-smith-3-takeaways

Darien Harris: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/darien-harris-3-takeaways

Alexander Martin: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/alexander-martin-3-takeaways

Tobruk Blaine: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/tobruk-blaine-3-takeaways

Syndric Steptoe: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/syndric-steptoe-3-takeaways

Tony Washington, Jr: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/tony-washington-jr-3-takeaways

Ashley Goodman: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/ashley-goodman-3-takeaways

James Sherman: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/james-sherman-3-takeaways

Andre Sims Jr: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/andre-sims-jr-3-takeaways

Dr. Lori Robinson: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/dr-lori-robinson-3-takeaways

Gus Felder: https://www.btfprogram.com/blog/gus-felder-3-takeaways

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WE ARE HOSTING A PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE!!!!!!!

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*At the time of this interview Gus was the Director of Player Engagement for the Carolina Panthers. He is currently the Director of Player Development for the Nebraska Huskers Football Team.*

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Gus Felder join the show.

Gus is one of the best people in the sports industry. He has had many positions of leadership throughout his career, literally almost working every position in sports. He is currently leading the player engagement department for the Carolina Panthers.

In this episode Ed sits down with Gus Felder, as he shares how he has used the transferable skills from his athletic career to master multiple experiences. He is an incredible leader and has been trusted by some of the greatest leaders in sports to lead and develop people.  If you love program and people development this is the episode for you.

Follow Gus Felder here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachFelder

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachfelder/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-felder-m-ed-78930044/

Learn More About Gus Here:

Gus Felder joined the Carolina Panthers Wellness staff in March 2020, then made the transition to the front office, Player Engagement in April of 2021. Now Player Engagement manager in 2022.

Felder has coached championship teams, All-Americans, postseason award winners and first-round NFL draft picks as a strength coach at NCAA Division I powerhouses like the University of Miami, University of Georgia, and Penn State University.

Felder arrived in Carolina after serving as Director Strength and Conditioning Coach at Miami for three seasons. Bringing the Hurricanes its first ACC and only Coastal Championship. Felder helped the Hurricanes produce nine selections in the 2017 NFL Draft, the most for the program in over a decade.

Felder moved to Coral Gables with head football coach Mark Richt after the duo worked together at Georgia. As the Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning at UGA, Felder worked with 21 All-SEC players and had 20 players selected in the NFL draft.

Felder played football at Penn State (1998-2002), earning All-Big Ten honors as an offensive lineman. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in 2003.

He earned both his Bachelor's Degree (Kinesiology - 2001) and Master's Degree (Educational Leadership - 2012) from Penn State.

He is a native of North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who prepped at Berwick Area High School where he was an All-American Offensive Lineman. Felder is most inspired by his high school football coach George Curry and his words: “When you work hard great things Happen”.

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Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

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Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Dr. Lori Robinson join the show.

Dr. Lori is one of the most brilliant, impactful, and empowering people on earth. Ed Jones II had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lori for a small part of his career in college athletics. At the time they worked together she was working in the academic services department. The Baltimore Ravens swooped in and brought her on to enhance their player engagement department.

In this episode Ed sits down with Dr. Lori Robinson, as she shares how she pivoted from her career in academics. She gives a deep insight into her transition to the NFL and how she has used past experiences to excel in her role.  If you’re working in the academic services sector in college athletics and are looking to deepen your impact on athletes in another way, this is the episode for you.

Follow Dr. Lori Robinson here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrLeauxLo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elle.simone121/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisrobinson/

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. 

PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT.

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

The #LinkedInSports Challenge was created by Adriene Bueno. I have enjoyed it so much I thought it would be cool to bring it to this platform. Here are my answers for Day 1-5.  

The questions for those days can be found here:   

DAY 1: (Re)Introduce yourself to your community.  

DAY 2: What's a hot trending topic with athletes or sports business right now?  

DAY 3: Who is an athlete or sports entrepreneur that inspires you and why?  

DAY 4: What is a tool that has increased your productivity in the workplace?  

DAY 5: How do you unplug from work?   

The full #LinkedInSports Challenge can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adrienebueno_linkedinsports-linkedinsports-sportsbusiness-activity-6993223670865215488-kBov?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT.

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BTFProgram

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Andre Sims Jr join the show.

DISCLAIMER: At the time of this recording Andre was the Director of Player Development for Brookwood High School. He has since accepted a role with Syracuse Athletics as the Career Development Coordinator. Even though he has made the transition, this episode is dripping with greatness.

Andre made a huge impact at his alma mater Brookwood High School. He created a player development program which benefited the young men and women there. He is very strategic in programming and maximizing the access he has with athletes.

In this episode Ed Jones II sits down with Andre Sims Jr, as he shares how he brought the player development he received as a player to the high school level. Andre will demonstrate the importance of player development at every level. If you’re a high school coach or program, you’ll enjoy the pathway Andre provides during this conversation.

Follow Andre Sims Jr here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDCSimsjr21

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachsims321/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrelsimsjr/

Learn More About Andre Here:

Currently the career development coordinator for Syracuse athletics, Andre oversees curriculum design, program communication, and campus engagement. Andre assists student athletes with resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn building as well as brand awareness.

Prior to coming to Syracuse, Andre taught high school as an Algebra 1 Interrelated resource teacher and held the position of Director of player development and Recruiting for the Brookwood HS athletic program.

Andre received his education as a student athlete in Journalism from Michigan State, Masters in Sports management from Georgia Southern, and MBA in general marketing from University of Central Missouri. Sims has worked for the Atlanta Falcons (Community Relations Assistant) and Tennessee State University (Quality Control).

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT.

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have James Sherman join the show. 

James is another professional making an impact at his alma mater where he was a football student-athlete. (The other three we interviewed were Darien Harris, Syndic Steptoe and Tony Washington.) The special teams ace wanted to help his alma mater and to an opportunity to the next level.

In this episode Ed Jones II sits down with James Sherman, as he shares how he maximized an opportunity give to him to work in the athletic program and turned it into the Director of Player Development role. James will encourage any person in the role and specifically those who want to be in player development to be consistent and go above and beyond their first opportunity in athletics.

Follow James Sherman here: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesSherman43 

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamessherman43/ 

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sherman-ba1472141/ 

Learn more about James here:

James Sherman is in his third season as the director of player development at Texas State after earning two bachelor’s degrees at Texas State, setting a single-game kicking record, serving four years on the student-athlete advisory committee, and lettering four years for the Bobcat football team.

In his current role, Sherman creates, develops and implements programming that fosters an environment of holistic well-being and personal growth beyond the football field. This programming is rooted and focuses on character growth, community involvement and career development. He also serves as a liaison between student-athletes and several support areas including Academics, Housing, Financial Aid and Student Led Organizations.

Sherman was a four-year letterman for the Bobcats, set three single-game kicking records, and served four years on the student-athlete advisory committee.

Sherman set Texas State’s single-game records for most field goals made and attempted when he was successful on five of his six tries against Texas Southern in 2018. He also tied another school record and equaled the fourth-highest point total in Sun Belt Conference history when he scored 18 points in Texas State’s 36-20 victory over Texas Southern. 

He was named Texas State’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2018 after serving as the president of Texas State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and vice-chair on the Sun Belt Conference’s SAAC. He earned a Texas State Academic Achievement certificate three times, the school’s Academic Star of Excellence once, and was on the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List three times after maintaining a GPA between 3.5-4.0.

He was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action and invited to play for Team USA in the 2018 World Championships.

A Montgomery, Ala. native, Sherman earned bachelor’s degrees in political science in Dec. 2017 and economics in Dec. 2018.

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT. 

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/ 

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Tony Washington Jr join the show.

DISCLAIMER: At the time of this recording Tony was the Director of Player Development for Oregon. He has since accepted an on the field role as a Defensive Assistant. Even though he has made the transition, this episode is dripping with greatness.

Tony is another professional making an impact at his alma mater where he was a football student-athlete. (The other two we interviewed were Darien Harris and Syndic Steptoe.) The 2015 Rose Bowl MVP and 1st CFP National Championship is back making a life changing play in Eugene.

In this episode Ed Jones II sits down with Tony Washington, as he shares how relationships were pivotal to him transitioning in the role and creating ultimate success in his life. Tony will bring us back to the understanding of how instrumental relationships are to this role. You’ll enjoy the wisdom Tony provides during this conversation.

Follow Tony Washington Jr here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dubb_drick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dubb_drick/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-washington-jr-a41380172/

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT.

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Ashley Goodman join the show.

Ashley is one of the few in the player development field who has experience at the NFL and collegiate level. Before beginning in player development Ashley was deep in a career in strength and conditioning.

In this episode Ed Jones II sits down with Ashley Goodman, as she shares how she took the skills from coaching and applies them to her work in player development with the Wheat waving Kansas Jayhawks Football Team. ROCK CHALK! You’ll enjoy the insight Ashley has on the transferable skills she uses in her role.

Follow Ashley Goodman here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashgoodman23/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-goodman-29747850/

Learn More About Ashley Here:

Ashley Goodman joined head coach Lance Leipold’s staff as the Director of Player Development in February of 2022, after working with the FAU football program, Green Bay Packers and more.

Goodman comes to KU after working as the Director of Player Development at Florida International University since 2021, where she helped develop players for their life after football.

Prior to FAU, Goodman worked for the Green Bay Packers, where she served in the role of player engagement. With the Packers, Goodman was responsible for administrative support in the development, implementation, and execution of the player program. She assisted the rookies with voter registration and absentee ballot requests and conducted presentations and interactive discussion on healthy and unhealthy relationships. She also was instrumental in Green Bay’s second career transition program and helped to coordinate activities for support staff, coaches, and player engagement of the NFL mandated objectives. She jumped into the role in 2020 after serving as a player engagement consultant from May of 2019 until July of 2020.

Goodman bridged her work as the director of player development with Your Call Football and Merril Hoge, a developmental league. Your Call Football, a technology company, focused on former NFL coaches and players, in an effort to showcase the Your Call app, while developing professional football players from the arena football, CFL and the NFL.

Goodman gained her strength and conditioning experience as a graduate assistant for the University of Nevada, Reno, a position she served from January of 2010 through April of 2011. She gained her Bachelor of Science degree in 2009 from Humboldt State with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in psychology.She then earned a Master of Arts in 2011 from Nevada-Reno with a focus on educational leadership. She served as a Huddle Up Consultant at the University of Central Florida in 2019, where the focus was ending gender violence.

Thank you for taking time to listen to today's episode. PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW THE CONTENT.

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

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Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BTFProgram

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Tag on Social: #ThePDPod #BeyondTheField

Season 2 of The Player Development Pod continues to highlight those doing the work in this space. This week we are honored to have Syndric Steptoe join the show.

Syndric is one of the few in the player development field who impacts the program he played for. Step was a decorated lettermen for the Arizona Wildcats Football. He uses all the lessons and transferable skills from his Wildcat and NFL days to lead the young men under his influence.

In this episode Ed Jones II sits down with Syndric Steptoe, as he shares the strategic moves, he implemented in his career to get into the player development space. If you’re a fan of strategic and calculated career moves, you will love this episode. Bear down, as Step details the impact he’s making for the Arizona Football Team.

Follow Syndric Steptoe here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SyndricS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syndric/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syndric-steptoe/

SAMPLE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST: https://www.btfprogram.com/btf-program-resources/p/player-development-checklist-sample

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