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I have spent 9 months learning from 5 of the best coaches in college athletics…
In April of 2020…mid pandemic, I had the thought that in order to grow & improve as a coach to coaches, I needed to get around elite leaders.
So I did just that.
Here is what I learned...
In April of 2020…mid pandemic, I had the thought that in order to grow & improve as a coach to coaches, I needed to get around elite leaders.
So I did just that.
Here is what I learned...
Five coaches...once a month Zoom meetings.
Anson Dorrance ( @dorrance_anson) @uncwomenssoccer
Dan Heefner @DBU_Baseball
Kevin Hambly @StanfordWVB
Patrick Murphy ( @UACoachMurphy) @AlabamaSB
Tim Corbin ( @TimCorbin) @VandyBoys
Anson Dorrance ( @dorrance_anson) @uncwomenssoccer
Dan Heefner @DBU_Baseball
Kevin Hambly @StanfordWVB
Patrick Murphy ( @UACoachMurphy) @AlabamaSB
Tim Corbin ( @TimCorbin) @VandyBoys
Before I get into what I learned from each individual, here are some general things I learned.
Character matters.
These guys are high character, good guys.
If you think you have to be a jerk, shady, or cutthroat to win at a high level, think again.
Character matters. These guys are high character, good guys.
If you think you have to be a jerk, shady, or cutthroat to win at a high level, think again.
ClarityAll five of these have such great clarity of their personal mission, vision for their program, and the expectations and standards for their program.
Emotional IntelligenceThey are all really emotionally intelligent.
They can read others and they are comfortable in their own skin.
They are all really easy to hang with... Never awkward or weird.
They all really get it.
IntentionalityBefore you think “I could never be in their class”, read what I am about to write.
These guys are elite, no doubt
They all have unique wirings and gifts
So hear me...I am not saying they are not gifted.
But maybe their most important gift is intentionality
They are intentional about growing, learning, asking themselves hard questions so they can get better, thinking outside the box, challenging their assumptions, etc.
This intentionality compounded over time (years) produces a high-level leader... maybe even elite.
This intentionality compounded over time (years) produces a high-level leader... maybe even elite.
HumilityThis is in line with the character but I wanted to draw it out specifically
Their humility stands out
They would never tell you this (then they would cease to be humble:)...but one reason they are so good is...
they don't make it all about themselves.
I could write a book about each guy, but I will keep it to just one point for each.
My hope is that the things I observed in these guys can help leaders improve.
I think we can learn a lot from other leaders who have had success!
My hope is that the things I observed in these guys can help leaders improve.
I think we can learn a lot from other leaders who have had success!
Anson This is not hyperbole.
Anson Dorrance is an elite encourager.
Seriously.
I have never met a person who notices things about people, and calls it out, like Anson.
It's off the charts.
Anson will make you think you are 10 ft tall and bulletproof.
Two other notes...Anson has won 20+ national championships and yet he is still doggedly trying to get better. Voracious reader and learner.
Oh and by the way… Anson is hilarious. Like really funny.
Oh and by the way… Anson is hilarious. Like really funny.
Dan:I have known Dan for a long time…I coached with & for him. So I have extra insight into him.
Dan has an ability to see big picture AND details as well as anyone I know.
Or in other words, Dan is able to operate in the clouds one minute then the dirt the next.
He has great vision of where he wants to take DBU baseball and is also one of the, if not THE, best hitting guys in the country.
That is a rare combo.
Dan also has a crazy ability to focus. For a long time. It can be relentless. It is seriously one of his superpowers.
That is a rare combo.
Dan also has a crazy ability to focus. For a long time. It can be relentless. It is seriously one of his superpowers.
KevinKevin is the most intentional person I have ever been around when it comes to building relationships with his athletes.
He doesn't just connect during pre-practice stretching. He takes hours out of his week to connect with athletes.
Which allows him to be brutally honest
Kevin's superpower is he is so freakin non-judgmental.
Seriously.
He has high expectations for his ladies, he builds unbelievable trust, holds them accountable, but just doesn’t judge them. (Think Phil Jackson)
Kevin's superpower is he is so freakin non-judgmental.
Seriously.
He has high expectations for his ladies, he builds unbelievable trust, holds them accountable, but just doesn’t judge them. (Think Phil Jackson)
PatI don’t know if I have ever met anyone with more great ideas than Pat.
He is a learning and idea machine.
He is constantly reading, listening, learning. Throughout the 9 months, Pat shared good idea after good idea...seriously, it was non-stop.
Pat’s superpower is he is a voracious reader/learner. He is so well-armed with ways to help his team/program...but also shares with other coaches around the country.
I have come across so many coaches who have been impacted by Pat! Not just in softball either. All sports!
I have come across so many coaches who have been impacted by Pat! Not just in softball either. All sports!
TimAt Vandy baseball, the classroom is a big part of the program.
Every day Tim leads a classroom session. Sometimes it's baseball-specific, other times it’s about life.
These sessions are a clear indicator that he is dead serious about developing more than just athletes.
His preparation for each sessions is unrivaled.
He will prepare for 1-3 hours for each session.
Tim's superpower is his intentionality... in his preparation, his interactions and genuineness with others, and the way he lives life...off the charts.
He will prepare for 1-3 hours for each session.
Tim's superpower is his intentionality... in his preparation, his interactions and genuineness with others, and the way he lives life...off the charts.
Big picture takeaway…
I hope this encourages all leaders, no matter where you’re at in your career…whether a first-time coach or in your 40th year of coaching.
These guys are elite.
I hope this encourages all leaders, no matter where you’re at in your career…whether a first-time coach or in your 40th year of coaching.
These guys are elite.
But what makes them elite is their character, humility, care for others, & radical intentionality...things that any of us can do/be.
Be of high character, care for others, learn, grow, and develop, do that day after day and soon compound interest in growth will kick in.
Be of high character, care for others, learn, grow, and develop, do that day after day and soon compound interest in growth will kick in.
There have been a ton of coaches asking about cohorts
I will be running several cohorts for head coaches and assistant coaches this summer
If interested... shoot me an email at travis@kingdomcoachingtw.com or for more info go to my website http://kingdomcoachingtw.com for more info
I will be running several cohorts for head coaches and assistant coaches this summer
If interested... shoot me an email at travis@kingdomcoachingtw.com or for more info go to my website http://kingdomcoachingtw.com for more info
Benefits of a cohort
1) Learning in a small group/community 10X's your growth.
2) Pulling out of your daily grind to work on yourself and your program is invaluable.
3) We will work through culture, recruiting, coaching principles and philosophies, and much more.
1) Learning in a small group/community 10X's your growth.
2) Pulling out of your daily grind to work on yourself and your program is invaluable.
3) We will work through culture, recruiting, coaching principles and philosophies, and much more.
