The Player Development Pod

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Player Development focuses on how to effectively use data for intentional programming.

In this episode, Ed shares a real example from his time at the University of Houston where simple, player driven data led to one of the most successful career development programs he has ever implemented.

Instead of relying on complex analytics or overbuilt systems, Ed explains how understanding player behavior, listening to what athletes actually want, and using practical data points can drive real engagement and impact.

This episode covers:

• Why most player surveys fail

• How to collect meaningful data without overcomplicating it

• How to turn player input into high impact programming

• Why data should guide decisions, not replace judgment

If you work in player development, athlete engagement, or leadership, this episode will help you rethink how you use data to serve athletes better.

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Player Development

Can player development actually help teams win games?

In this episode, Ed Jones II breaks down 8 clear and practical ways player development directly impacts on-field success. This is not theory. These are real systems, behaviors, and habits Ed implemented while working in college football at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, including during a Big 12 Championship season.

You will learn how mindset, responsibility, leadership, mentorship, communication, effort, learning, and critical thinking all translate from off-the-field development into better execution, better decision-making, and better performance when it matters most.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• Coaches who want an edge beyond scheme and strategy

• Administrators evaluating the role of player development

• Player development professionals looking for language that resonates with coaches

• Anyone who believes winning starts with people

Player development is not extra.
It is an advantage.

Listen in, take notes, and share this episode with someone who still thinks off-the-field work does not impact on-field results.

As always, create generational impact and win on and off the field.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

It’s Day 2 of the 12 Days of Player Development.

In this episode, Ed Jones II speaks directly to coaches who do not have a Player Development Lead and explains why this role is no longer optional in today’s athletic programs.

Drawing from his experience in player development at the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, Ed breaks down what a Player Development Lead actually does and how this role supports coaches, strengthens culture, develops players beyond sport, and reconnects alumni to the program.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How a Player Development Lead gives coaches their time back

• Why culture strengthens when people feel seen

• How intentional and holistic programming helps players grow into the adults coaches say they want them to be

• Why alumni and former player engagement matters more than most programs realize

Ed also shares his definition of player development and explains why having one person singularly leading these efforts creates clarity, consistency, and long-term impact.

If you are a coach carrying parent communication, culture, alumni engagement, player issues, and everything else on your plate, this episode will help you understand why player development changes everything.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

Welcome to Day One of the 12 Days of Player Development.

Over the next 12 days, I will be breaking down real world player development topics that impact athletes, coaches, staff, and programs at every level. Each episode focuses on an area of player development that often goes overlooked but plays a major role in long term success.

In this episode, I walk through five warning signs your program needs player development. These are not small issues. They are signals that show up when programs are stretched, misaligned, or missing intentional support systems.

We cover:

• Cultural instability and why it happens

• Academic red flags and accountability gaps

• Disconnected former players and alumni breakdowns

• The absence of transition planning for athletes after sport

• Staff overload and why coaches cannot do everything

If you are a coach, administrator, or professional responsible for developing people, this episode is for you.

Make sure you check back daily during the 12 Days of Player Development for new episodes, videos, and insights.

As always, go create generational impact.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

Ed shares lessons learned from his own interview experiences across multiple universities, explains what coaches and administrators are really listening for, and teaches you how to prepare the right way without giving away your entire playbook.

• Why listening is the hidden advantage
How to listen beyond coach speak and recognize the mission, expectations, and values being communicated publicly long before your interview.

• How to research like a professional
The exact research process that separates amateurs from serious candidates, including the role, the coach, the university, the conference, the city, and the student athlete development structure.

• How to plan without oversharing
Why you should never give away your full plan, how to offer surface level solutions that show strategic thinking, and how to identify pain points that help you stand out.

Ed also shares a story about how missing a key research detail once cost him a Chief of Staff opportunity and why preparation and precision matter more than ever in today’s coaching landscape.

Whether you are actively interviewing or preparing for the future, this episode will help you walk into your next opportunity with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why listening is the hidden advantage
How to listen beyond coach speak and recognize the mission, expectations, and values being communicated publicly long before your interview.

• How to research like a professional
The exact research process that separates amateurs from serious candidates, including the role, the coach, the university, the conference, the city, and the student athlete development structure.

• How to plan without oversharing
Why you should never give away your full plan, how to offer surface level solutions that show strategic thinking, and how to identify pain points that help you stand out.

Ed also shares a story about how missing a key research detail once cost him a Chief of Staff opportunity and why preparation and precision matter more than ever in today’s coaching landscape.

Whether you are actively interviewing or preparing for the future, this episode will help you walk into your next opportunity with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8 

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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 walk you through the five player development interviews I had at three different universities and the lessons each one taught me. From getting unexpectedly interviewed in my high school office by Tom Herman, to breaking down my entire job on the spot for Todd Orlando, to being moved back into my true lane by Major Applewhite, to gaining creative freedom with Les Miles, to navigating misalignment at Baylor, every interview shaped my understanding of this profession.

If you work in player development, want to break into the role, or are trying to figure out your next career move, this episode will give you a behind the scenes look at what these interviews are really like, what coaches pay attention to, and the biggest lessons I learned along the way.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

Coaching transitions are one of the most stressful periods inside any football program. The public sees rumors, headlines, job openings, and contract numbers. But inside the building, coaches are dealing with real pressure. Contract insecurity. Family stress. Social media noise. Expectations from fans and boosters. And the emotional weight of knowing their future can change overnight.

In this episode, I break down what coaching staffs actually go through during transition seasons and how player development professionals can support them in meaningful and impactful ways.

You’ll learn:

• Why coaching pressure is far deeper than wins and losses

• How contract insecurity affects entire families

• The role social media plays in increasing staff anxiety

• How unrealistic expectations create internal tension

• What player development can do to stabilize the building

• The four most important ways to support coaches during uncertainty

• How communication, reminders, heads up moments, and encouragement build trust

• Why supporting coaches’ families strengthens the entire program

• Real stories from my time at multiple universities navigating transitions

Whether your coach is on the hot seat, being recruited by other programs, or your building is full of rumors, this episode gives you the real, unfiltered look at how to be a stabilizing force when everything feels unsteady.

If you work in player development or athlete development, this is an episode you’ll want to replay and take notes from.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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 coaching carousel is spinning again, and today we are breaking down a part of college football that most people never see. When a head coach gets hired, there is a clear order in how the staff is built. After working at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, I have lived this process in real time.

In this episode, I walk you through the actual hiring sequence that takes place behind the scenes. From the front office to operations to strength staff to coordinators to position coaches and finally the support staff and player development roles, there is a rhythm to this process that matters for your timing, your strategy, and your career decisions.

If you work in player development, recruiting, operations, or you are trying to break into the profession, this episode gives you the insight you need to understand what is really happening when a new coach takes over a program.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why the front office is always hired first in the revenue sharing era

• Why operations sets the foundation for the entire program

• The role the strength staff plays during winter training and culture building

• When coordinators are hired and why they shape the identity of the team

• Why position coaches come next once the salary pool is set

• When the final wave of support staff and player development roles actually happens

• How to time your outreach during coaching transitions so you are not too early or too late

This is a must listen if you want to understand the backstage mechanics of staff building in college athletics. The better you understand the hiring order, the better you can navigate your own opportunities.

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BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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

n this mega episode of The Player Development Pod, Ed Jones breaks down the full reality of the coaching carousel. You will hear the truth about firings, transitions, uncertainty, and what it looks like when the entire industry starts moving all at once.

Ed shares insider lessons from his time in player development at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, including:

• How staff members experience the emotional highs and lows when coaches are hired or fired

• The pressure and instability families and support staff face behind the scenes

• How to support coaches during chaotic transition windows

• The three survival rules every player development professional must know

• The real hiring order when a new coach takes over a program

• Ed’s personal interviews at three different universities and the lessons each one taught him

• How to navigate being retained, being reassigned, or being let go

• A bonus section with three key tips for anyone interviewing in player development

If you have ever wondered what really happens during coach firings, buyouts, and full staff shakeups, this episode lays it all out with honesty and lived experience.

Stay tuned for information about the 2026 Player Development Summit in Detroit, and do not forget to grab your copy of The Player Development Guide on Amazon.

This is the most comprehensive look at the coaching carousel you will find anywhere. Tune in and level up.

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BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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 today’s episode of the Player Development Pod, I take you inside one of the wildest seasons of my career: the year I worked for college football’s most wanted head coach, Tom Herman, at the University of Houston.

You’ve heard me talk about coaching hot seats.

But what happens when your coach is the opposite… the coach every major program wants?

I pull back the curtain on what it’s really like when your head coach shows up on every shortlist, every rumor thread, every message board, and every “next job” report for an entire season. From beating Oklahoma in the opener to navigating constant speculation, recruiting chaos, shifting staff dynamics, and the emotional toll it took on players and parents… this was a year unlike any other.

You will hear:

• What it feels like working inside a program when your coach is the most sought-after name in the country

• How rumors affect trust, culture, recruiting, and team focus

• The moment the “breaking news” hit the screen at our Thanksgiving team dinner

• What players really felt when the move became real

• Why I wish I had told Coach Herman I wanted to follow him

• Lessons every player development professional should know when their coach becomes a target

Then I break down the five practical steps to stabilize and support your team through distraction, uncertainty, or transition so your players stay locked in and finish strong.

If you work in player development, recruiting, operations, or support, and your coach is on every “next job” list… this episode gives you the strategies and perspective you need right now.

Developing People. Elevating Programs.

BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

2026 Player Development Summit - https://www.btfprogram.com/pdsummit

2026 Player Development Summit Sponsorship - https://forms.gle/vPucKVKaZmTVcLDq9

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

🎙 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