Coach 360: A Podcast For High School Coaches

Every person you meet is in one of three places: -Having a bad time -About to have a bad time -Recovering from a bad time It is guaranteed that you will have bad days and rough times. There may even be days when you struggle to get out of bed. Those rough times and the struggles you face can either anchor you down or be the catalyst that propels you forward. The choice is yours. Will you choose to let your struggles make you stronger? Key Takeaways: Choose to view adversity as an opportunity Own your mistakes so they don’t own you The best thing to do is your job   To learn more about our e-learning resources, please visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3 or email Colton at colton@2words.tv. If you would like to schedule a time for Mackey to virtually encourage your athletes, please email Alyssa at alyssa@2words.tv

Adversity is something we're teaching our athletes to deal with every day on the field. The goal is to prepare them for when unexpected adversity strikes outside of athletics. We are all dealing with an adverse season right now. We can either rail against it, or put into practice what we've been trying to teach our athletes all this time: Adversity is just an opportunity for growth. In this episode, Mackey encourages us to use this time of adversity to become better, to invest in ourselves, and to connect with our athletes and other coaches (from a distance).  Key Takeaways: -Show athletes that you care about them as people. -Use this time to grow in your leadership. -Don't forget to take care of yourself.   To learn more about our 2Words Character Develop Curriculum and our e-learning resources, email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3 If you'd like Mackey to virtually encourage your athletes, please email Alyssa at alyssa@2words.tv to schedule a date and time that works best for yo

Love is not weakness. Love is strength. Love makes you willing to die to self for your teammates. It makes you willing to serve them. Without love, there's no service, no selflessness, and no sacrifice As we've said many times before, sacrifice is required to find success. When you love your team and your teammates, you will sacrifice for them, and together, you will succeed.  In this episode, Coach Kirk Sundberg explains that real love is sacrifice. And, he reminds us that love brings strength and success to our team. Key Takeaways: -Do not be timid or fearful. -Coaches must be both loving and tenacious. -Love is not weakness. Love is strength.   To learn more about our 2Words Character Development Curriculum and our e-learning resources, email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3

“Because I said so” isn’t just a statement of authority. It’s also a statement of dependability: Because I said so, it will be done. Dependability is all about doing what you say you are going to do. Dependability will always beat ability because no matter how much talent you have, it’s worthless if you can’t be depended upon to do what you said you would do. In this sample from the 2Words Character Development curriculum, Mackey lays out the difference between ability and dependability, and why dependability will win every time. Key Takeaways: -Talent does not exempt you from the getting the little things right. -When you are dependable in the little things, you’ll be dependable in the big things. -The most important ability you can ever have is dependability.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum email Colton at colton@2words.tv or go to www.2words.tv/gameplan   Bring Mackey to your school: www.mackeyspeaks.com/contact 

Celebration is contagious. When we see someone smile or laugh, we want to smile and laugh with them. Complaining is also contagious, though. When we hear someone complain about the weather, it makes us realize it's too hot, too muggy, or too something when moments before we were enjoying a beautiful day. When we hear someone complain about a situation we're coping with well, we suddenly find it harder to cope.  The words that we use and the things that we do are contagious to others. In this episode, Mackey and Colton challenge us to think about this contagiousness and what we are infecting the people around us with. Are we infecting them with celebration or complaints? Key Takeaways: -What we say and do is contagious. -The work you do matters. -When you celebrate others, you find even more things to celebrate.   To learn more about our e-learning resources, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit our website, www.2words.tv/gameplan3

Team values that aren't put into practice are just words. That said, having an easy-to-remember acronym to consistently remind athletes of our team values can help athletes to turn those words into action. In this episode, Coach Sam Harrell breaks down the acronym FAST, which they use at Ennis High School to talk about their team values. FAST stands for: Faith, All in, Selfless, and Toughness. They put this acronym on t-shirts, encourage each other to be a FAST team, and talk about the values everyday. FAST reminds athletes to have faith in each other and something greater than themselves, to be all in with their effort, to be selfless and giving, and to be both mentally and physically tough.  Key Takeaways: -It's amazing how much you can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit. -Instill the values in athletes today so they will keep that mentality when they leave. -FAST: Faith, All in, Selfless, Toughness   To learn more about our 2Words Character Development Curriculum and our current e-learning re

Our work adds up a little at a time until we reap big results. But if we don't put in our little bit of work today, that little bit rolls to tomorrow, which pushes tomorrow's work to the next day, just like a snowball begins to gather mass as it rolls down the hill, until the work has piled up into an overwhelming heap.  It's easy to put things off until tomorrow. It's easy to schedule and plan for what you will do tomorrow instead of just doing it today. It's much harder to execute today on what you said you would do today. In this episode, Mackey and Colton discuss the whys and hows of doing today's work today, rather than putting it off for tomorrow. Key Takeaways: -Don't let your worry outpace your work. -Do today's work today, or it will have an effect on tomorrow. -Focus on the work that is right in front of you.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum and our e-learning resources, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3

In this episode with Coach Mike Fecci of Mckinney North High School, Coach Fecci stresses that winning games is a byproduct of a great team culture. The young man or woman must be built first; then the winning part will take care of itself.  It all starts with our athletes' character. The more opportunities we give them to get character reps, the better their character will be, and the more wins and success that will come as a result. As Coach Fecci tells us, "Do right, act right, and everything will be right." Key Takeaways: -Give your athletes opportunities to get character reps. -Think of ways outside the box to serve those who serve you. -Do right, act right, and everything will be right.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum and our e-learning resources, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3

Our athletes have the capacity to become tough, gritty individuals. As coaches, we have the capacity to help them get there. We want to teach our athletes to be mentally tough, to do the right thing in everything that they do, and to succeed at challenges they think are beyond them.  During this interview, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Zac Harrell of Athens ISD discusses the importance of putting our athletes in tough situations so we can help them become mentally tough. Coach Harrell also stresses that we should never ask our athletes to do something that we haven't done because the example we set for our athletes is that important. Key Takeaways: -Never ask athletes to do something you haven't already done. -Sacrifice for the team. -Teach athletes to be mentally tough.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development curriculum, visit www.2words.tv/gameplan  For access to 3 weeks of curriculum, please visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3 For any questions regarding interest in the curriculum or s

Inside every struggle there is tremendous opportunity. We live in interesting times, and interesting is often a euphemism for difficult. But even in these interesting, difficult times, there are opportunities everywhere. Opportunities to affect others. Opportunities to get up and do something. Opportunities to step beyond our comfort zone so that we can grow. In this episode, our guest Damon West poses the question: where is your opportunity right now? We are all deep in the struggle of our times, but there is an opportunity. We just have to seek it. Key Takeaways: -Not one person can reach everybody, but everybody can reach somebody. -Inside every struggle there is tremendous opportunity. -Vulnerability is a strength.   Connect with Damon West: damon@damonwest.org damonwest.org   Purchase his 2 books: The Coffee Bean The Change Agent   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum and our current e-learning resources, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan

Description: Second-in-command, second chair, assistant coach. These are all ways of describing the same thing: a leader. An assistant coach is just as valuable to the team as the head coach. A second chair has a responsibility to help the first chair become his best, just as the first helps the second to be the best they can be. Just because a leader isn't the top dog doesn't mean they aren't important, valued, or influential. In this episode, Colton and Mackey dive in on leading from the second chair. When the first and second chair are divided, the rest of the team can't find any unity, either, so Colton and Mackey also discuss how to respond when you disagree with a higher up's decision. Key Takeaways: -The second chair seat is not a second place trophy. -The assistant coach helps the head coach become the best they can be, and vice versa. -At the end of the day, it's your job to champion your leader's decision and execute it at 100%.   To gain access to 3 full weeks of our 2Words Character Development Cu

Description: Coaches are under a lot of pressure to get wins and have model athletes, but there isn't necessarily a lot of praise or thanks for all the hard work that goes into meeting those demands. But coaches are helping to develop the adults of tomorrow. Many of us had an influential coach in our middle or high school years who left a lasting impact on our lives. Coaches who are authentic. Coaches who speak truth, not because it is popular, but because it is right. Coaches who teach athletes to use their voice for change. Coaches who are intense about what matters. Coaches don't always get the praise they deserve, but the role they play in young people's lives is worth it.  We're joined this episode by Angus Reid to talk about coaches, athletes, and using your voice for change. Key Takeaways: -Coaches are authentic and speak truth because it is right. -What you put on social media makes a difference. -If you ever have a platform in life, use it to make change.   Connect with Angus Reid: @angusreid64 www.a

In the midst of uncertainty with school and business closures, Mackey and Colton bring us this episode, where they discuss accepting reality, taking action, and being there for our athletes and our F.A.M.I.L.Y. Mackey and Colton want to remind us that it's okay to be blindsided by the current situation because no one could have seen this coming. But what is not okay is to stay blindsided and lamenting that things are not as they should be. Our student-athletes deserve better from us than that. During this crisis, we can band together and go the extra mile for our students. We may be stuck at home, but we're not powerless. We can and we will go the extra mile to continue coaching beyond the game. Key Takeaways: -Use this time to go the extra mile with your students. -Make sure you're taking care of your F.A.M.I.L.Y. -Accept the reality of the situation and take action.   To learn more about our e-learning opportunities, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv

The people that we surround ourselves with at work and in our personal lives have a huge influence on us. That's why it's so important to surround ourselves with people who do things the right way and who help us grow personally and professionally This is one of many insights provided by Coach John Walsh of Denton ISD in this interview. Coach Walsh also discusses doing research to find an athletic program or head coach that is the right fit and growing within that program. Key Takeaways: -Discipline is what you're teaching athletes every day. -Surround yourself with people who do things the right way. -Find the athletic program that will help you grow the most.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum, please visit www.2words.tv/gameplan To get THREE free weeks of curriculum, please visit www.2words.tv/gameplan3 If you have any questions, please email Colton at colton@2words.tv

Our team and school standards are what make us who we are. Everything runs more smoothly when coaches and athletes are doing the right things based on those standards. Our high standards give our athletes something to grab and hold onto when something goes wrong in their lives. It's an anchor for our student-athletes' lives where they can learn how to do hard things with integrity. In this episode, Colton interviews Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Michael Waldie of Gonzalez ISD. Coach Waldie dives deep on being the best version of yourself, meaning what you say, and holding athletes to high standards. Key Takeaways: -Choose to be the best version of yourself every day. -Everything in life has to be earned. -You can't quit on your family, keep striving for them daily.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum, email Colton at colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan

As coaches, we have to hold our athletes accountable for their actions. When they mess up a play in the middle of a big game, that's on them. After all, we're not the ones playing; they are. But, we have to remember that every kid responds to constructive criticism differently, so the way that we address accountability and hold each athlete accountable for their actions will be slightly different. To get to the point where we know how to hold each of them accountable, we have to know our athletes on an individual and personal level. In this interview, Colton discusses accountability and knowing your athletes with Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach Bobby Cook of Duncan High School in Oklahoma. As Coach Cook remind us, the majority of coaching isn't about teaching kids to play a sport, it's about developing a growing human being. Key Takeaways -Hold your athletes accountable. -Get to know your athletes on a personal level. -Try your best to delete negativity because negativity loves company.   To learn more

Your family isn't just your blood relatives or your spouse. Your family is also your friends, your co-workers, and, your athletes. Having a team that acts like a family means that everyone is valued, and everyone has a place in the program. When we focus on inclusion and togetherness, other values like hard work and competition are easier to drive home. In this episode, head football coach Kyle Abshire of Carizo Springs High School talks us through building a family atmosphere where everyone is valued, as well as providing other great advice about learning from mentors and modeling mistakes. Key Takeaways: -Build a family atmosphere where everyone is valued and everyone has a place. -Model owning your mistakes so your athletes will see it and do the same. -Don't try to be the coach who mentored you. Be the coach you are.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum, email Colton at Colton@2words.tv or visit www.2words.tv/gameplan

Our athletes will not grow without challenges and adversity. They need obstacles in their path, so they can learn how to overcome natural opposition. The playing field isn't always fair--refs make mistakes and the other team might have better players than we do. But, life is not always fair either, and the field is a safe place for our athletes to learn this truth. Regardless of unfairness or adversity, our athletes are capable of learning and growing, and we just need to put them in positions where they can prove that to themselves. In this interview with assistant athletic director and Girl's Basketball Coach Jade Allison of Bishop Kelly High School, in Tulsa, OK, you'll hear her views on creating obstacles and adversity for athletes, as well as advice for when to remove athletes from competition.  Key Takeaways: -Your attitude affects your outcome. -Control the controllables, and let the rest go. -Create opportunities for your athletes to overcome adversity.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Devel

The role of a coach is intricate, even complex. It seems like it should be very simple: Set drills, work out plays, review tape, play the game, rinse and repeat. But if all we focus on is the X's and O's, or the nitty-gritty details of the sport, we are missing the mark.  As Coach John Contrucci, Athletic Director of Junction ISD reminds us in this episode, coaching goes beyond running plays and scoring points. As coaches, we fill a void in the lives or our athletes by modeling appropriate behavior for them and helping them to rise to a higher standard.  Key Takeaways: -Coaches must model a good work ethic and lead by example. -Coaches fill in the gap in their athletes' lives. -Love for athletes and passion for encouraging others are the keys to good coaching.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum, visit 2words.tv/gameplan or email Colton at colton@2words.tv

Without truth, there can be no trust. Without trust, there can be no relationship. Without a relationship, there can be no chemistry. Truth and trust are the foundation of any team. Without truthful feedback, no trust will form, and without trust, there is no progress, no growth, and no wins. For that reason, "Speak the Truth" is one of the laws of the Depend Upon Brothers (DUB) concept used by the football program at Whitehouse High School. This concept, or code of conduct, makes it clear to athletes what is expected of them, so that they can execute to the best of their abilities within that framework. In this episode, Colton discusses the DUB concept in detail with Athletic Coordinator, Head Football and Boys' Track Coach Marcus Gold of Whitehouse High School, where the DUB concept is lived daily.  Key Takeaways: -Everything starts with the coach. -If there's no trust, there's no relationship. -Trust comes from believing in each other.   To learn more about the 2Words Character Development Curriculum email