Player Development is not optional—it’s essential.

In this episode of The Player Development Pod, I break down the three main areas where a Player Development professional transforms a program:

1. Players — creating belonging and situational awareness so every athlete feels valued.

2. Program & Staff — supporting academics and recruiting so coaches can focus on coaching.

3. External Relations — strengthening trust with families and alumni to build lasting culture.

I share real stories from my time at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, including how one recruiting adjustment helped land a future first-round draft pick, and how simple situational awareness calmed a nervous freshman before his first game.

📖 Learn more in The Player Development Guide (pg. 67).

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Every high school coach wants to win games, but the true measure of a program is built on three groups: your incoming freshmen, your current team, and your graduating seniors/alumni.

In this episode of the Player Development Pod, I break down why these three groups are the lifeline of your program and how you can strengthen each one.

Here’s what we cover:

Incoming Freshmen: How to build your pipeline and set clear expectations from day one (and even before they arrive).

Current Team: Why your current players are the proof of your culture and the best recruiting tool you have.

Graduating Seniors & Alumni: The most overlooked group, and how investing in them creates long-term program credibility.

I also share stories from my six years as a high school coach in Houston and my time as Director of Player Development at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor. Whether you coach football, basketball, soccer, or any sport, these principles will help you move from building teams to building legacies.

-

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Every high school coach wants to make an impact — but not every coach defines what that truly means. In this episode, I break down the three questions head coaches must answer if they want to create lasting impact for their athletes:

1. What impact do you want to make?

2. What is your commitment level?

3. Who will help you?

These questions go beyond wins and losses. They shape how your athletes will remember you 10 years from now.

-

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

The Learning Process is the backbone of intentional player development. In this episode, I break down the four stages — educate, engage, equip, and experience — and show how they can transform your program and your athletes.

From career fairs to internships, I share practical examples of how to apply this model so that every athlete leaves with intentional growth.

📖 Learn more inside The Player Development Guide (page 107).

-

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Duke Football takes the field against Elon, but behind the scenes their athletes are preparing for something even bigger.

In this episode, I sit down with Dorian Jackson to talk about the Duke Futures Initiative:

Why athletes should build résumés and LinkedIn profiles as freshmen

How Duke’s 145,000+ alumni are helping athletes with careers

Why trial and error internships matter for players

How pros reconnect after their careers

This is the standard for athlete development: intentional, holistic, and impactful.

Resources:

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

We did it — 1,000 YouTube subscribers! 🎉

In this celebratory episode, I share my journey from launching the Beyond The Field channel in 2022 to building a global community that just crossed the 1K mark. I talk about:
– What this milestone really means
– How consistency (even through tough seasons) pays off
– Why YOU are the true creators of this content
– And the lessons I’ve learned that can help you in your own journey

Thank you for being part of this movement. Whether you’ve been here since day one or you just subscribed this week, you are family.

🎧 Listen, celebrate, and let’s keep creating generational impact — together.

Resources:

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

⚠️ Content Warning
This episode discusses sextortion, suicide, and sensitive topics related to athlete safety and mental health. Listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling or need help, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. or seek support from a trusted professional in your area.

36 confirmed deaths. Countless more unreported.

Sextortion is the scam that preys on young athletes — posing as girls online, manipulating them into sending explicit photos, and then blackmailing them with shame and threats.

In this episode, Ed shares:

His personal story of an athlete who almost fell victim.

Alarming stats from Dan Wetzel’s Yahoo Sports report.

3 practical safeguards for parents, coaches & athletes.

Why silence kills — and how to fight back.

🔗 Resources: FBI IC3.gov | NCMEC CyberTipline | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

-

Resources:

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

College football’s opening weekend reminded me of a conversation I had this summer. North Carolina Central just earned a big win in the MEAC–SWAC Challenge over Southern, and it’s the perfect moment to highlight Darian Iverson, Player Development Coordinator at NCCU.

In this short but impactful episode, Darian and I discuss:

Why NCCU recruits high-character athletes

How HBCUs are doing meaningful player development with fewer resources

The role of alumni + community in creating opportunities

Why player development at the HBCU level is both needed and powerful

Even though this conversation was recorded in the summer, it’s a timely reminder that what’s happening off the field is just as important as what we see on Saturdays.

👉🏾 Subscribe to The Player Development Pod for more conversations that develop people and elevate programs.

-

Resources:

The Player Development Guide → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

Player Development Accelerator Assessment → https://edward-jones-po11g9mt.scoreapp.com

Is Your Program Player Development READY? → https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

Player Development Newsletter → https://substack.com/@btfprogram

100 Tips of Player Development → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

Player Development 101 → https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/pd101

🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

Follow Ed:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Twitter → https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

In this episode, I unpack one of the most common questions I get in player development: “How do I land an NFL player engagement job?”

While it’s a valid question, it’s also a limited one. I break down why opportunities in the NFL are rare, how most staffers started in college roles, and why chasing a logo isn’t the same as creating real impact.

If you’ve ever thought the NFL was the only path to athlete development success, this episode will challenge your perspective.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

📘 Get my book The Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

📝 Take the Player Development Journey Assessment: https://edward-jones-8qvfl4ht.scoreapp.com

When most programs launch player development, they fall into one trap: copycatting.

They see what another school is doing—maybe Clemson’s Paul Journey—and try to carbon copy it. But every university, every roster, and every city is unique. Copycatting leads to programs that look good on paper but fail to make a real impact on athletes.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the four steps to avoid the copycat trap and build a program that’s genuine to YOU and your athletes:

Step 1: Define your foundation — What impact do you want to make?

Step 2: Identify your resources — What’s already available on campus and in your city?

Step 3: Decide how you’ll execute — Who’s involved, how often, and what structure works best?

Step 4: Put it in writing — A clear, strategic plan that earns buy-in.

Whether you’re a new Director of Player Development, a coach, or an administrator, this episode will help you design a program that’s intentional, sustainable, and impactful.

👉 Take the Player Development Readiness Assessment here: https://edward-jones-0amn1dyi.scoreapp.com

👉 Explore the 10 Areas of Player Development episode for deeper foundations.

It’s not about copy-paste. It’s about creating generational impact that transforms athletes’ lives.