The "I" in Win: Recent Episodes
Luke Mertens
Elite leaders relentlessly seek unique angles to make their team or organization the best. Hosted by Luke Mertens, an experienced teacher, coach, and entrepreneur, The "I" in Win weekly podcast interviews coaches, educators, and other leaders who have instituted an overlooked but simple strategy to achieve success: personal connections. Our guests have accomplished more, both personally and professionally, by focusing on making better people. They will share how our listeners will benefit by obsessing less on outcomes and more on the journey of changing lives.These inspiring stories of positivity are rooted in the belief that every “I”ndividual has value, regardless of talent level, and the more ‘I’s we impact in this world, the more everyone wins….that is The “I” in Win!New episodes released every Tuesday.
S2 #21. Thanks for listening to episode 21 of season two on The "I" in Win podcast. This episode features, Brad Fortney, who is the performance and wellness coach for Enterprise City Schools District in Alabama. In addition to coaching football and track, Coach Fortney works with the district's six elementary, two middle schools and the high school sports teams on movement and performance.
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S2 #20. This episode is a little unique as it tells the story of Vinnie Panico, who in 2017 suffered a catastrophic knee injury during a football game his junior season. An injury so severe that doctors focused on saving his leg rather than getting him back on the field. I wanted to have Vinnie tell his courageous story to remind us all about the power of BELIEF and PERSEVERANCE when faced with great adversity. I have no doubt you're going to walk away inspired and reminded how important it is for all of us to believe, support and motivate those who we lead.
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S2 #19. Season 2 of The "I" in Win continues with today's guest, Terry Harrison, who is the Head Football Coach at Friends University located in Wichita, Kansas. Coach Harrison has developed a reputation of rebuilding programs. Prior to Friends, Coach Harrison took over a 1-9 Bethel College program in 2018 and turned them into a nationally ranked team in just a few short years, and now he's faced with a similar situation at Friends University.
Covered in this episode:
- What it takes to rebuild a program
- Creating a "big-time" experience for athletes
- Establishing Relationships
- Why the Flexbone
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S2 #18. Welcome to The "I" in Win, the show that focuses on why leaders should focus less on outcomes and more on the journey of changing lives. Thanks for continuing to help grow the show, and please share it with those who will find value in it.
This episode features Leo Watkins, a sports performance coach, who does a deep dive into health and fitness and the benefits a sound S&C program can have on helping people find the best versions of themselves.
In this episode, Coach shares his thoughts on:
- Advantages of JUCO for some student-athletes
- Deficiencies in young athletes today
- Properly teaching speed
- Importance of nutrition
Coach Watkins on Twitter
Coach Watkins on IG
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S2 #17. Thanks for listening to The "I" in Win, the podcast that shares why leaders will benefit by obsessing less on outcomes and more on the journey of changing lives. Today I'm featuring head football coach at Providence Catholic High School (IL), Tyler Plantz, who after spending 10 years at the University of Notre Dame, as both a player and a coach, decided to come home to his alma mater and in his first year led the Celtics all the way to the state championship game.
In this episode, we discuss how his championship experiences at both Notre Dame and Providence Catholic High School have prepared him to be a head coach, why developing men through relationships is so important to him, & the Zac Plantz Foundation and how we all can help.
Resources from this Episode:
- The Zac Plantz Foundation
- Coach Plantz on Twitter (@Tyler_Plantz)
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S2 #16. Pumped to introduced today's guest, Scott Goolsby, Defensive Coordinator at Auburn High School in Alabama. Coach Goolsby has 23 years experience as a teacher/coach, with the last 10 years being at Auburn. In addition to being named top assistant coach in the state of Alabama multiple times, Coach has turned himself into somewhat of a Twitter sensation with his video parodies of football coaches, which connected me to Coach Goolsby as well.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The impetus behind his Twitter videos
- How experience evolves a coach
- Being demanding w/o being demeaning
- Importance of telling kids you love them
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S2 #15. Thanks for listening today! REALLY appreciate you sharing the show with those who may find value, so please continue to spread the news of The "I" in Win podcast, which is the show that focuses on people rather than outcomes. And with that, let me welcome in today's guest, Ryan Kirkorsky, who is the head girls basketball coach and an English teacher at Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois. Coach Kirkosky is in his 27th year as a teacher/coach and has coached every level of high school basketball.
In this episode, we cover:
- Commitment statements
- Creating energy at practice
- Improving communication w/players
- Why 'joy' is a program standard
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S2 #14. Jack Moses is a D1 football player turned writer & podcaster, who focuses his content on self-Improvement, psychology, and mindset. Currently a junior at Northwestern University, Jack shares his insight on topics relevant to anyone, regardless of age or profession:
- Fighting imposter syndrome
- Focusing on daily processes
- Steps to becoming the best YOU
- His love for entrepreneurship
If you're interested in subscribing to Jack's weekly newsletter, The Weekend Drift, click here to learn more.
Here's a link to Jack's social media handles
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
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S2 #13. Welcome to season 2, episode 13 of The "I" in Win podcast. Thank you so much for listening! Before introducing this episode's guest, I have to ask a favor: Please continue to share the show. As I mentioned on the previous episode, we are just on a threshold of 20,000 downloads and look forward to surpassing and continuing to spread the message of people over outcomes.
Selfishly, I love hearing from listeners, so also reach out to me to discuss how we all can make the biggest impact through this podcast.
And with that I know today's guest is going to be great! Welcome BRANDON KRECZMER, who is a LB at Western Illinois University. Coach Kreczmer has experience at the high school level as a head coach and at the D3 level as an assistant coach, so he has a wide array of experience, and someone to keep an eye on as he continues to climb the coaching ranks.
Follow Coach Kreczmer on Twitter: @KreczmerWIU
In this episode, we discuss:
- What makes a great assistant coach
- How to put the players first despite the pressures to win at the D1 level
- Why three words mean so much
- Differences between coaching at the HS/collegiate ranks
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S2 #12. Welcome to The "I" in Win podcast that is fast approaching 20,000 downloads, which is unreal to even be saying right now. Please continue to share the show with those who may find value in it, and my hope is today's guest is going to help us surpass that 20,000 download threshold!
So with that I want to introduce you to a former player, now assistant coach on my staff, and more importantly, a friend. You may know him as "Andrew S" from the Bachelor Series; however, I know him just as Andrew Spencer, or better yet, just "Spencer."
In this episode, we cover:
- Lessons learned as a HS athlete
- The life-changing impact coaches can have
- Unique dynamic of coach-athlete of different races
- Why we need to listen & communicate more with our athletes
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S2 #11. I'm so humbled and thankful for the growth and the reach of the show. That cannot happen without you, our listeners. So thank you so much and please continue to share The "I" in Win with anyone who might find value because word of mouth is how we all can make the biggest impact. And with that, excited to introduce today's guest, Drew Bogan, who is a history teacher and head lacrosse coach at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, IN. After researching Coach Bogan, I'm certain we will all walk away better leaders after learning his purpose, his vision, and his goals.
Resources from this episode:
- Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence
- Legacy
- Be Where Your Feet Are: 7 Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded, and Thriving
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S2 #10. Today's guest is Rodney Saulsberry, who is in his 25th season at Whitehaven High School (TN), and 19th as a head football coach. He has an overall record of 180-48 with two Tennessee 6A state titles. Over 200 of Coach Saulsberry's former players have gone on to play college football and 15 of them have become coaches. He has served on the Board of Tennessee Football Coaches Association and on the Rules Committee for the TSSAA. In 2020, he co-founded the Minority Coaches Association of Tennessee, which helps high school, college, and professional coaches in Tennessee foster job opportunities and hosts clinics for continuing education.
Saulsberry, who also serves as the math teacher, has earned many awards over his time as head coach, such as 2x Tennessee Titans Coach of the Year, 3x Regional Coach of the Year, and the 2022 AFCA Power of Influence Award.
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S2 #9. If you spent any time inside of a high school, then you know, the athletic director is one of the most important roles, working mainly behind the scenes, ensuring athletes have a first-class experience. It can be a thankless job at times requiring exhausting hours, but thankfully we have people who continue to answer the call. Proud to introduce today's guest, Mark Ribbens, athletic director at Wauconda High School in Illinois since 2017. Mark and I have known each other since 2004, when he served as an assistant coach of my staff. In this episode we discuss:
- Challenges facing HS athletic today
- Navigating parent-coach relationships
- Steps to becoming an AD
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S2 #8. Many of us tend to believe that we have it harder than the guy next to us; that we're so busy, there's no time to do the things that matter most, like working out, reading, writing, and hanging out with our family. Well, today's guest, Michael Schanhals may actually be too busy for all these things.
Hope College (MI) men's lacrosse coach Michael Schanhals has a long association with the program, first as a student-athlete, then as coach of the college's club team, and now as head coach of Hope varsity program since the 2013 season.
Schanhals has guided the Flying Dutchmen to two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, three regular-season MIAA titles and double-digit wins five times, including a team-record 15 wins in both 2022 and 2018. In 2019, Schanhals led Hope its first NCAA Division III Tournament victory with a 22-17 win in the first round at Illinois Wesleyan University. In 11 season, Hope is 96-46 during Schanhals' tenure. (courtesy of Hope Athletics)
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S2 #7. Really excited for today's guest who's one of the most respected coaches in the state of Illinois...not just because of his success on the field, but also due to the fact of who he is off the field. Joe Sanchez is the head football coach at Barrington High School for the past 21 years, and has been a social studies teacher at Barrington for 27 years.
In this episode, we're going to discuss the parallels between being a head football coach and being a parent and how humility, effective communication and trusting the process are crucial to our success.
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
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To sign up for weekly notes from each episode, CLICK HERE.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show.
S2 #6. This is a really exciting episode for me personally because I have not one, but two Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist, which is awarded to the Division 3 Player of the Year. We welcome on Joey Stutzman (RB, UWL) and Evan Lewandowski (QB, UWW), two players I was very lucky to coach and get to know as people. In this episode we discuss:
- Life as a D3 athlete
- Characteristics of the best coaches
- Why teachers/coaches are so important
- Their life-long friendship with Chicago Bears ILB, Jack Sanborn
Resources from this episode:
- The Gagliardi Trophy seminfinalists
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens) or LinkedIn
To sign up for weekly notes from each episode, CLICK HERE.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show.
55. My guest today is Coach Pat Sullivan, who has over 600 wins as a head basketball coach and has been ducted into eight different hall of fames over his 44 year career. In 2010, Coach Sullivan retired from the University of St. Francis, where he spent 34 years earning 500 victories, and leading his team to either a first or second place finish 15 times. However, as he will tell you, his proudest accomplishment is having 98% of his seniors graduate.
Referenced in this episode:
Coach Sullivan's books
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54. Thanks for listening to The "I" in Win podcast! Today we feature English teacher/Head Girls Soccer Coach at North Muskegon High School, Caleb Parnin. In his episode, we're going to discuss his unique journey from soccer player to coach, what he's learned from winning a state championship, and why he decided to make culture a yearly focus.
Referenced in this episode:
- How to Build and Sustain a Championship Culture
- The Culture System
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53. As an independent certified coach, teacher, trainer and speaker with The John Maxwell Team, Todd Kuckkahn is an incredible resource for your intentional growth in your professional and/or personal life. In this episode, we discuss:
- Complexities of culture
- Why leaders need to listen more and talk less
- How a simple postcard can change your life, and
- “The biggest gap in life is between what we know and what we do.”
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
52. Season two continues with a guest I've known for years. He's gone from my coaching adversary to trusted assistant, and most importantly, a great friend. His name is Tayler Erbach, a former high school teacher who is now coaching adults on the importance of physical fitness as Director of Operations at Manduu. In this episode, we're going to discuss Manduu's unique footprint in the physical fitness industry, the difference between motivating teenagers vs. adults, and why he believes regardless of the industry, people, service and happiness make the difference.
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
51. Coach Marsha Frese, Loyola University Women's Basketball Assistant Coach, has over 20 years of coaching at the D1 level. In this episode, Coach Frese discusses:
- 3 P's
- Being an empathetic coach
- Toughness of today's athletes
- Balancing being a coach and a mom
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Season 2 is almost here, releasing on Tuesday, Nov. 1, but before that happens...HERE WE GO! The #1 dowloaded episode from Season 1 featuring Principal/Head Football Coach, Shane Jacobs, Peabody HS (TN).
Shane Jacobs has arguably the most unique title in education: Principal/Head Football Coach. Given his unparalleled success on the field, Peabody High School (Trenton, TN) decided to promote Coach Jacobs first to AP, and most recently, Principal.
On the gridiron, Coach Jacobs has won state titles in 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, and at the time of recording, had his team on a 43-game win streak. Coach Jacobs's philosophy is cemented on his belief that every teacher and coach has an obligation to treat each child as if he/she is their own. It is that culture that Coach Jacobs is now striving to infuse into the entire community of Peabody High School.
Show Notes:
Coach Jacobs on Twitter
Peabody High School
My Contact Info:
The "I" in Win Website
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
We're on #2 of the top downloaded episodes of Season 1! In the first ever episode of The “I” in Win, one of the most iconic figures in LA HS history, J.T. Curtis, shares how he's developed his football program at John Curtis Christian School into one of the most successful programs in the country, both on and off the field.
Headmaster, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach, JT Curtis has been impacting young people’s lives for over 5 decades at the small Christian school located in River Ridge, LA. Since beginning his career in 1969, he has one of the most uniquely successful stories you’ll ever hear. The school, which is K-12, was founded by JT’s father in 1962. After going 0-10 his first year, JT is now the winningest active coach in the history of football with over 600 victories and 27 State Championships.
He believes every kid deserves a chance, so he has a no-cut policy. He believes so deeply in the concept of team, he doesn’t even keep individual records. And most importantly, JT believes athletics are not about outcomes; they’re platforms to help athletes become better people and reach their fullest potential.
John Curtis Christian School Website
JCCS Athletic WebSite
Book Referenced:
Hurricane Season by Neal Thompson
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
Onto #3 of the top 5 most downloaded episodes of Season 1...Today's guest, John Nee, has been a teacher and coach at his alma mater St.Rita High School on the south side of Chicago for the past 25 years. In addition to his classroom responsibilities as an English teacher, Coach Nee is head coach of the baseball team and an assistant varsity football coach. He's passionate about impacting kids and today's going to discuss his influences, how he has grown as an educator, what he does to develop his players off the field and why having our players' best interests in mind makes for the best decision making coach.
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We are continuing to countdown the top 5 downloaded episodes from Season 1, and the 4th most downloaded episode is “Nothing Without Work” with Jim Konrad who has had a unique path into education. While in medical school, he was coaching a youth team and fell in love with the idea of teaching and coaching for a career, so he left medical school after his second year to pursue a career in education.
In 1997, Jim was hired by his alma mater, Naperville North HS (IL), and became the head soccer coach in 2003. NN soccer program accomplishments during his 18 years as HC:
- Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award Winner
- 3 State Championships (including a 45 game winning streak)
- 4 Final 4 appearances
- 7 Final 8 appearances
- 16 Dupage Valley Conference Championships
- USC National Coach of the Year (2018)
- NFHS National Coach of the Year (2019)
His program is based upon the idea of "Nothing Without Work" (Sine Labore Nihil), and clearly, Coach Konrad's dedication to his team off the field is yielding the result on the field.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
Welcome to this special edition of The “I’’ in Win podcast, as we officially wrap up Season 1! Since launching the podcast last September, I have released 52 episodes, met coaches, teachers, and other leaders literally across the country, and received well over 10,000 downloads…all of which if beyond my wildest expectations. To celebrate, I am re-releasing the top 5 most downloaded episodes of Season 1, and #5 is...
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens**)
Email: lukemertens44@gmail.com**
Welcome to this special edition of The “I’’ in Win podcast, as we officially wrap up Season 1! Since launching the podcast last September, I have released 52 episodes, met coaches, teachers, and other leaders literally across the country, and received well over 10,000 downloads…all of which if beyond my wildest expectations. However, onne question I continue to get is “Why?"
So I wanted to share the genesis behind The “I” in Win...
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens**)
Email: lukemertens44@gmail.com**
50. This episode features Michael Wiggins, Head Boy's Soccer Coach at Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois. Coach Wiggins has been a head coach for over 28 years, and during that time, he has tallied 385 wins. He has also coach for (4) All-Americans, earned Coach of the Year honors multiple times, and won a state title in 2014. In this episode, we discuss:
- Coach longevity
- His soccer central program
- How he develops better people, not just better soccer players
- The importance of a coach's family
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
49. Today we are joined by Sarah Teipel, who is the new Head Girls Basketball Coach at Mundelein High School in IL. Coach Teipel spent the previous 9 years as head coach at Dundee-Crown (Carpentersville, IL), winning 2 conference championships, 4 regional championships, a sectional title in 2020 & was twice named Coach of the Year.
In this episode, we are going to discuss:
- Building relationships,
- Establishing standards,
- Focusing on daily improvement, and
- How teams with a strong culture providing positive life experiences can help provide wins both on the court and in life.
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48. In this episode, we welcome in Greg Jones, assistant football coach at University of Oregon.
In this episode, we dive into how coach Jones made the leap, after 30 years of success in the high school level, into the Power Five; what he's learned from the process of now being a D1 coach; how he has built championship programs at all the stops he's made along his career; and how he has earned trust both at the high school level and now with the college football players he works with at Oregon.
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47. This episode features Hank Plona, who has been the head men's basketball coach at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa for the past seven years. During that time, Coach Plona has amassed 196 victories, which is the most wins in junior college. He has also had 57 players graduate and sign at D1 schools, also the most in junior college.
In this episode, we're gonna dive into coaches who have influenced Coach Plona, how he defines success, the uniqueness of coaching at the Juco level, how he gets his players to embrace the hard aspects of life and what sets his program apart.
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46. This episode features an uncommon leader who exudes positivity. Jeremy Kauffman is a social studies teacher at Deerfield High School (IL) and head track as well as head cross-country coach at Lake Zurich High School (IL).
In this episode, we cover a multitude of conversations in the world of coaching and education, such as coaching boys versus girls sports, coaching middle school versus high school, and coaching his own children, which he has done over the past several years.
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45. Today we have on Bob Pieper, who has been in education since 1991, working first at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Illinois, before coming to Glenbrook North (Northbrook, IL) in 1997, where he's been ever since.
Bob has done it all in education: Teacher, Dean, AD, Head Football Coach, assistant for wrestling, baseball, basketball, and track. Bob has been a featured speaker for the Illinois Athletic Director's Conference; the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association; and national Gatorade presenter. He is a two-time coach of the year honoree and in 2018 was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In this episode, coach is going to share the mistakes he has made, what the significant turning point was in his career, the biggest challenges facing teachers and coaches today and how we can overcome them, and finally coach will share his proudest moments and what legacy means to him.
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44. This episode features Kevin Devitt assistant basketball coach at Niagara University. In this episode, we'll discuss Coach Devitt's fascinating journey to becoming a D1 basketball coach, what it takes to get to that level, what his vision is once he becomes a head coach, and how we keep the main thing, the main thing as coaches.
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
43. This episode features Chris Fore, a veteran educator, athletic director and football coach from Southern California. Coach Fore currently serves as the principal at the Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Palmdale, CA). He's also authored three books, been featured in numerous publications, and since all of that is not enough to occupy his time, he also operates two websites: Coachfore.org that provides coaches and athletic directors with resources to be successful and eightlaces.org, which is coach force consulting company, helping coaches get their dreams.
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
42. Jim Konrad had a unique path into education. While in medical school, he was coaching a youth team and fell in love with the idea of teaching and coaching for a career, so he left medical school after his second year to pursue a career in education.
In 1997, Jim was hired by his alma mater, Naperville North HS (IL), and became the head soccer coach in 2003. NN soccer program accomplishments during his 18 years as HC:
- Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award Winner
- 3 State Championships (including a 45 game winning streak)
- 4 Final 4 appearances
- 7 Final 8 appearances
- 16 Dupage Valley Conference Championships
- USC National Coach of the Year (2018)
- NFHS National Coach of the Year (2019)
His program is based upon the idea of "Nothing Without Work" (Sine Labore Nihil), and clearly, Coach Konrad's dedication to his team off the field is yielding the result on the field.
To sign up for weekly notes from each episode, CLICK HERE.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
41. This episode features Southern Illinois University Head Basketball Coach, Bryan Mullins, where he gives his thoughts on:
- Finding balance between personal/professional life
- Learning from Coach Moser & Loyola's magical Final Four
- NIL, transfer portal, and recruiting today's athlete
- Building a program
- Who is the best hooper from Chicago?
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Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. Follow me on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
40. This episode features Hall of Fame coach, Mr. John Belskis, who has amassed over 200 wins in his career, including 2 trips to the state championship game, winning 1 title and 1 runner-up in the largest classification of Illinois schools.
TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:
- Coach at public vs. private schools (00:01:23)
- Challenges of being a HC today (00:09:29)
- Getting to a championship level (00:17:26)
- Changing culture (00:20:51)
- Lesson learned from Michael Jordan (00:30:09)
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39. Michael DiMatteo has been a teacher and coach for 35 years, coaching football for 33 with 15 of those years as head coach for four different high schools. He is a 2022 inductee into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and a Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction (2010).
Coach DiMatteo has also written two books: Confessions of a High School Football Coach as well as a historical fiction novel set in 14th century Greece and North Africa entitled Flavius Fettotempi - a family saga.
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38. Today we have a special show - one that will hopefully have you will walk away feeling more positive and motivated to finding your best version. This episode features Rob Cressy who is a coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. More than anything Rob is a positive force for good, which is glaringly evident throughout this recording as we discuss many topics, such as mental toughness, seeking out discomfort, living a life by design, and why we need our process to be easy, simple, fun
Resources from This Episode:Rob's website
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
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37. Today’s episode features Tim Trendel, Assistant Principal at Saint Patrick High School (Chicago, IL). Tim and I were classmates at St. Pat’s, and this is a conversation that was actually recorded months ago when Tim was just beginning his new role as AP, and before I decided to join him at our alma mater.
Tim has over 20 years of experience in education, serving as a teacher, baseball, and basketball coach, which includes 11 years as a Head Boys Basketball Coach. In this abbreviated episode, we discuss why Tim entered the profession, his decision to transition into school administration, the struggles of today’s classroom teacher, why they need to prioritize personal connections with students and how this ultimately ties into the larger vision of education.
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36. Since 1988, Mark Bliss has coached football at various high school and collegiate levels. During his head coaching career, he has amassed an overall record of 206- 80 losses, won 4 State Championships, along with 2 Semi-final appearances and 2 Quarterfinal appearances. His teams have qualified for the State Playoffs 23 of his 26 years as a head coach. Mark spent seven years at Conway Springs, Kansas where his teams started a 62 game win streak which is the 22nd best win streak in high school football history. Mark’s teams during his career have received national recognition in Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, and Bigger Faster Stronger Magazine. He has coached 3 Top 100 Nationally Ranked teams. Mark has received the National Federation of State High School Associations Section 5 Coach of the Year and was a National Coach of the Year Finalist. Mark has coached 26 Division I athletes, 8 High School All-Americans,1 ESPN top 300 Player, and 2 NFL Players. Mark is a three time Hall of Fame inductee 2011 Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame, 2012 National Single Wing Coaches Hall of Fame, 2017 University of Tulsa Athletic’s Hall of Fame.
Book Recommendation from Coach Blisss:
- Let Them Lead
- Win in the Dark
- Greatness: The 16 Characteristics of True Champions
- Seven Men: And the Secret of their Greatness
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35. This will be Jay Saravis's 28th year in education. Currently the head football coach at Cheyenne Mountain High School (CO), Jay has also coached Junior High Lacrosse, HS Softball, HS Track & Field. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS).
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34. We are showcasing the football program at St. Charles North High School located in St. Charles, Illinois. Representing the North Stars are the head coach, Robert Pomazak, and assistant coach, Patrick Shannon, who is also the author of Football Tactical Training: Gain and Keep the Advantage. In this episode we discuss the culture of St. Charles North football program, what tactical training is and why coaches should implement it into their programs, and how it ultimately benefits kids.
Resources:
- Robert Pomazak contact info/bio
- Patrick Shannon contact info/bio
- Football Tactical Training: Gain and Keep the Advantage by Patrick Shannon
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33. Currently the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and Head Football Coach at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Northeast Ohio, Nick Cook has experience as a teacher, coach, and school principal. As a football coach he has been a head coach at three high schools, including starting a high school program from scratch. As a strength & conditioning coach, he has spent time developing and implementing training programs in private training facilities, at the high school level, and at all three levels of the NCAA.
While earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Cook won three NCAA Division III National Championships as a member of the Mount Union football team. Cook went on to win a fourth National Championship as part of the strength & conditioning staff with the Ohio State University football team (2002) and to serve as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach with Ohio Dominican University football, before embarking on a career in K-12 education. Coach Cook is a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, the National High School Strength Coaches Association, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Resources from this episode:
- Nick Cook Contact Info
- 4 Reasons Every H.S. Principal and AD Should Invest in a School S&C Program
Articles on anxiety crisis among current teens:
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-most-anxious-generation-goes-to-work-11557418951?mod=hp_lead_pos5
- https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-06-11/big-rise-in-suicide-attempts-by-us-teen-girls-during-pandemic
Articles on anti-anxiety effects of resistance (strength) training:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4090891/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27277894/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763419305640?via%3Dihub
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201703/how-strength-training-helps-keep-anxiety-bay
Articles on academic performance effects of resistance training:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20051088/
- https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(09)00573-3/fulltext
Articles on motivational effects of goal setting & informational feedback w/students:
- http://individual.utoronto.ca/jacobhirsh/publications/GoalSettingJAP2010.pdf
- http://www.columbia.edu/~mvp19/ETF/Feedback.pdf
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32. Today's guest, John Nee, has been a teacher and coach at his alma mater St.Rita High School on the south side of Chicago for the past 25 years. In addition to his classroom responsibilities as an English teacher, Coach Nee is head coach of the baseball team and an assistant varsity football coach. He's passionate about impacting kids and today's going to discuss his influences, how he has grown as an educator, what he does to develop his players off the field and why having our players' best interests in mind makes for the best decision making coach.
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31. Welcome to our first father-son duo, Tom and Steve Winiecki!
For 39 years, Tom Winiecki taught, coached, and was part of the leadership at Gordon Tech High School (Chicago, IL). During his 31 years as Head Football Coach, his teams won 193 games, 10 state playoff appearances, 2 semi-finals, and a 6A state championship in 1980. Also during that time the Rams qualified for the Chicago Catholic League playoffs 12 times with 3 appearances in the Chicago Prep Bowl Classic, which Gordon won in 1982 and 1987. During his tenure as head coach Tom has earned the following honors: Chicago Catholic League Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1980, National Football Foundation Award for outstanding contributions to amateur football in 1983, Notre Dame Frank Leahy Prep Coach Award 1995, Chicago Catholic League Man of the Year 1996 and 2002, member of the Leo High School, Chicago Catholic League, and IHSFCA halls of fame. Along with being head coach at Gordon he served as athletic director for 32 years, was president of the Chicago Catholic League for 13 years, and a member of the IHSA Legislative Board for 9 years. Since 2002 “Papa Winiecki” changed his colors to red and has been a fixture in the Deerfield Football Program.
Steve Winiecki has coached over 32 years in Illinois high schools. He has coached at Oak Park-River Forest, Gordon Tech and Deerfield for a total of 9 years before becoming Head Coach at Deerfield HS (Deerfield, IL) where he has been for the last 23 years. During this time at Deerfield, his teams have won 135 games, 5 conference championships, have made the IHSA Playoffs 13 times, including quarterfinal and semifinal appearances. This spring he will be inducted into IHSFCA Hall of Fame, joining his father Tom, and he becomes the 8th coach from his father’s coaching tree to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was recognized as an IHSA/Country Financial Teacher in 2021. He currently teaches Physics, AP Physics, and Astronomy along with serving on the District 113 Education Association for over 20 years.
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30. As if being a first-time head coach wasn't tough enough, Brennan Spain was named Head Football Coach at Cardinal Ritter College Prep (St. Louis, MO) in the midst of a global pandemic. How has Coach Spain's teams responded? With back-to-back trips to the MO State Semifinals. This year, the Lions have their sights set on winning a state championship.
In this episode, Coach Spain discusses:
- What makes Cardinal Ritter College Prep successful
- The recruiting process
- The importance of honesty between coaches & players
- Balancing athletic talents with academics
Resources:
- Coach Spain on Twitter
- Cardinal Ritter College Prep Football
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29. In this unique episode, we're talking about what transformational coaching looks like from the vantage point of the media. Welcome to our two guests, Jon Kerr, publisher of the Kerr report, a newsletter about athletics and education, and Joe Aguilar, Shaw Media copy editor/page designer and ABC7-TV & Ultimate Autographs on-camera contributor. Hosts of their own podcast, The Jon and Joe Show, Kerr & Aguilar have over 30 years experience covering professional, collegiate, and high school sports.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The unique vantage point of the sideline reporter
- Character traits of the great coaches
- The power/importance of telling someone's story
- What makes HS sports so special
Resources from this episode:
- The Jon and Joe Show - Podcast
- The Kerr Report
- The Boys in Brown by Jon Kerr
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28. Currently an AP Human Geography and Human Geography at Lake Zurich High School in Lake Zurich, IL, Kelly Henkel has 15 years of public-school education and coaching experience. He places an emphasis on building relationships with students and the community in order to recruit/retain students athletically and in the classroom. Kelly believes that the role of a teacher and coach should be to help students and athletes become the best versions of themselves in the future, which is done by creating an inclusive environment in classrooms and on teams, while teaching the value and importance of being a great teammate. In this episode, we discuss:
- Building rapport with students and athletes
- Understanding what culture looks like
- Vulnerability as a leader
- Unique approach to coaching youth sports
- Meeting students where they are at
Resources from this episode:
- Kelly Henkel on Instagram
- Kelly Henkel on Twitter
- Lake Zurich High School (Lake Zurich, IL)
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27. Although he is the newly named Head Football Coach at Bennett High School (Bennett, CO), Greg Koenig is not new to education. Boasting 32 years of teaching and coaching experience, 21 years as head football coach, and a Master's Degree in Positive Coaching from the University of Missouri, Coach Koenig discusses:
- Uniqueness of coaching HS football in Kansas
- Importance of simplicity and intentionality in messaging
- Positive use of social media
- Teaching mental toughness
- Why there has to be more than just winning
Resources from this episode:
- Focus 3
- Grit by Angela Duckworth
- Coach Koenig on Twitter
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26. In this episode, we sit down with Shay Boyle, who is currently in his second year as the President at Notre Dame College Prep (Niles, IL). Prior to NDCP, Shay was the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Gordon Tech HS (Chicago, IL) for four years, and he also served as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Loyola University Chicago for four years and Lewis University (Romeoville, IL) for two years, working with Head Coach Jim Whitesell for all six seasons.
In this epsisode, we discuss:
- Character traits of great leaders
- Importance of a positive, growth mindset
- The impact teachers can have on students
- What a utopian high school looks like
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25. Jim Bloch came to New Trier (Winnetka, IL) in 1999, after serving as the athletic director at Glenbrook North High School, in Northbrook, Illinois (1981-1999). During his career, he has served the Illinois Athletic Directors’ Association (IADA) in a variety of appointed leadership positions, culminating in his being elected President of the Association in 1991-92. He has received numerous awards including the 1991 IADA Outstanding Athletic Director, 1993 NIAAA Illinois State Award of Merit and the 1999 Class AA Athletic Director of the Year. He began his teaching and coaching career at Glenbrook South HS, where he was the head baseball coach and asst. football coach and became the associate dean of students before moving to Glenbrook North as athletic director in 1981. Jim served at GBN’s athletic director for 18 years, before being selected as the athletic director at nationally recognized New Trier High School.
In 1992, Jim developed and coordinated the Central Suburban League (12 schools) Annual Student-Athlete Leadership Conference; a position he held until retiring from athletic administration in July 2007. In 1996, he helped develop the IADA New Athletic Director Mentor Program. Jim was selected as one of two Illinois representatives to the 1998 National Athletic Directors’ Leadership Program and currently serves as an instructor for National Federation Leadership Training Courses (LTC) and Illinois Administrator Certification Academies. Jim was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame (May, 2010).
In this episode, we discuss:
- The importance of "why"
- The "F" word (no...not that one!)
- Process vs. outcome
- Passion of making an impact on someone's life
Resources from this episode:
- Jim's business - “The Team” – website is currently under reconstruction. Contact Jim directly at chb313@aol.com or on his cell at 312.330.6563. Jim and the TEAM offer a comprehensive list of speaking programs for the public and private sector.
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24. Today we feature David Annis who is the COO and co-founder of Parallax, a professional services automation software company helping digital agencies and tech consultancies grow profitably. David is responsible for various functional areas of the business, including marketing, HR, operations, and customer success. Before starting Parallax, David held leadership roles at creative agencies and consultancies. Most recently, he was a partner and managing director of Zeus Jones, a strategy, brand, and design agency. David started Parallax to help professional services organizations of any size grow their businesses with confidence in a way that supports their people and culture.
Resources from this episode:
- Parallax website
- David Annis bio
- First Break All the Rules
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23. Developing lifelong relationships with players is one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching. So it was really cool for me to interview Chris Hoffman, Head Baseball Coach & Special Education Teacher at Lakes Community High School (Lake Villa, IL), and a former player of mine. Following an All-American collegiate career, Hoffman went home and was named head baseball coach of his alma mater at just 25 years old.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The benefits of HS baseball players embracing a S & C program
- What makes coaching HS sports so special
- The power of positivity
- And the relationship between skills taught in sports and in life
Resources from this episode:
- Chris Hoffman on Twitter
- LCHS Baseball
- Help the Helper: Building a Culture of Extreme Teamwork by Kevin Pritchard and John Eliot
- VIDEO: Alabama HC pinch hits a freshman for his All-American
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22. Rob Wilton is the Founding Pastor of Vintage Church, Send City Missionary for the Send Network, and the Chaplain for the New Orleans Saints. Rob is steadfastly dedicated to the process of impacting people, and in this episode he shares:
- The role of NFL Team Chaplain
- Misperceptions of NFL players
- Leadership = influence
- Why leaders need to model patience and perseverance
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21. Dr. Paul Pryma has devoted his life to empowering people through education. Thirty-five years as a teacher, coach, administrator, and consultant inspired Paul to write Coaches of Chicago: Inspiring Stories about Leadership and Life. As principal of Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, he celebrated a learning community of 2100 students and 400 employees focused on critical thinking, writing, student engagement and kindness.
Dr. Pryma has learned many valuable secrets about developing excellence, building programs, earning trust, and inspiring people to become champions. His presentations to coaches, educators, and business people are born from his days at Fenwick, St. Patrick, St. Ignatius, Highland Park, Evanston, and Glenbrook North High Schools. Paul leads with heart, hope, and humility.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Transformational education through athletics
- Alignment between the classroom and extra-curricular activities
- Positive mindset in education
- Building relationships and then self-esteem of students/athletes
- The power of hope
Resources from this episode:
- Dr. Paul Pryma Bio
- Coaches of Chicago: Inspiring Stories about Leadership and Life
- Saint Patrick High School
- Glenbrook North High School
- ppryma@gmail.com
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20. Jon Stapleton, teacher and head boys soccer coach, is featured on this episode. For 25 years, Jon has taught PE/Health/Drivers Ed, as well as coached basketball and soccer at Downers Grove South High School (Downers Grove, IL). In addition to his teaching and coaching duties, Jon has also served as a sponsor to the club, Athletes Committed to Excellence.
As an assistant boys basketball coach, Jon played an instrumental role building one of the top programs in IL, one that earned 2 trips to the IHSA State Finals. As head boys soccer coach, he's won 6 conference championships, 6 regional titles, a sectional title, and in 2004, a state championship. Coach Stapleton is the winningest boys soccer coach in school history.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Values that can be learned through athletics
- The challenges for high school coaches navigating the specialization trend by young athletes and the growth of club sports
- Why coaching at the high school level is a special fit
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19. Our guest today is Jeremy Sheetinger, head baseball coach at Georgia Gwinnett College, located in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Coach Sheets has a passion for helping people, especially coaches. He's going to share with us why embracing the process rather than the destination leads the greatness, which it did for his squad last year, winners of the NAIA national championship. Sheetinger guided the Grizzlies to the 2021 NAIA World Series title, marking the program's first national championship. He was named the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year from the Collegiate Baseball Foundation. He is the first NAIA coach to earn the prestigious award since it was founded in 2013.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What intangibles the most successful coaches possess
- Why a relationship-driven environment supersedes outcomes
- How to create and maintain a positive mindset
- How dominating the "now" moments lead to results
Resources from this episode:
- Coach Sheets on Twitter
- Georgia Gwinnett College Baseball
- Griz Gang
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18. Coaches in this country are held in high regard due to their wisdom and, hopefully, life-long impact upon the athletes they work with. Parents entrust coaches to not only impart sport-specific training upon their children, but also to be ancillaries to the foundation that has been established at home. Now think about this: According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, 90% of coaches have received no formal training.
Being a coach myself and knowing the vital role we play in the formative years of young people, this is very alarming to me. Being a parent of two young athletes who I know hang on every word of their coaches, this is even more alarming to me. We would never bring kids to a doctor who didn’t attend medical school nor would we throw our children into a classroom with a teacher who lacks certification but is teaching because he or she was a student themselves at some point. So, why is this happening in sports?
There are many layers to peel back on that complex issue, so that is why I reached out to Dr. Tim Baghurst, who is a Professor of Education at Florida State University and the Director of FSU COACH. Dr. Baghurst recognized this dangerous gap in athletics and has created a unique program to provide professional development for coaches of all sports at all levels.
If you agree with it or not, athletics have a prominent role in shaping lives in this country. Work ethic, collaborative learning, critical thinking are just some of the life skills learned on the playing fields; more importantly, coaching, if done correctly, is transformational, building strong and confident men and women.
Resources:
- FSU Coach Info
- FSU Coach YouTube Channel
- Dr. Baghurst on Twitter
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17. I decided to try something different with this episode and invite on two guests - Illinois coaching legends: Bill Mitz and Rich Roberts - who between the 2 of them have coached just about every sport but are probably most known for their time as football coaches.
Coach Mitz amassed 253 wins during his 38-year career as head football coach at Stevenson and Jacobs high schools. He is the winningest football coach in Stevenson history, and was inducted into the IL HS FB Coaches Association HOF in 2002.
Coach Roberts began his coaching career as a GA at Northern Illinois University but quickly transitioned to the high school ranks, spending the majority of his career at Buffalo Grove High School, where he earned multiple state title appearances and won over 100 games as BG’s head football coach. Coach Roberts is a 2009 inductee into the IHSFCA Hall of Fame
In this episode, you will learn:
- How Coach Mitz and Roberts began their careers in education
- The difficulties of being a head coach
- How both coaches and athletes have changed through the years
- And why making a difference in someone’s life is the only legacy that matters
These 2 represent over 50 years of coaching excellence, numerous championships, endless stories, and the powerful impact of transformational coaching.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. If you want to connect with me to discuss leadership coaching, or even make guest recommendations, best ways through my website or on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
This special bonus edition of The "I" in Win podcast features Kara Klingler, who's the project lead of the Illinois Human Performance Project. I was first introduced to ILHPP when HOF softball coach/English teacher Cathy Ann Smith of Conant High School (IL) was a guest on episode four.
And ever since that episode, I knew I wanted to have Kara on to talk more about The Illinois Human Performance Project because I think it's a great, underutilized resource for many listeners.
Episode Resource:
Illinois Human Performance Project
More Info on Kara Klingler
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. If you want to connect with me to discuss leadership coaching, or even make guest recommendations, best ways through my website or on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
16. In 2004, I was tasked with building a football program at a brand new high school. It was my first experience working in a public school, and although I thought I had all the answers as a first-time head coach, I quickly learned that I was not as ready as I had originally thought. For the first couple of years, I did what “good” programs do - all learned from being a product of Catholic schools. We had some success with this blueprint, but I knew something was missing. So, in 2009 I evaluated my program, and concluded that a vital component was missing: we were only training our players to win football games.
As I mentioned, my previous experience as a student, a teacher, and a coach was only at Catholic schools, which had very strong athletic programs. Although these Catholic schools wanted to win on the field, their ultimate mission was to prepare their students for life. Most of which was done through the lens of Catholicism, which obviously wasn’t going to fly at my new public school. So, I had to turn to other resources. Being an English teacher at heart, I read everything I can get my hands, but one book in particular, provided that “aha” moment, The Winners Manual by Jim Tressel.
Coach Tressel was the head football coach at Youngstown State and Ohio State. At the young age of 32, Coach Tressel was hired to turn around the football program at YSU, and he decided that he first needed to teach his players what winning meant - not only on the field, but more importantly in life. So in 1986 he created The Winners Manual that center around guiding his players to be able to answer this important question: “If the game of life ended tonight, would you be a winner?”
Using The Winners Manual as his foundation, Coach Tressel won over 240 games, 5 national championships, and 7 conference titles in his 25-year head coaching career. More importantly, he helped his players be winners in life.
Currently the President of Youngstown State University, Coach Tressel was kind enough to take time from his busy schedule to discuss:
- Where the idea of The Winners Manualcame from
- How training his athletes to be winners in life translated to winning on the field as well
- Why it’s important for coaches to separate what they do from who they are
- And as a special bonus, of course had to get Coach’s thoughts on the CFP and the upcoming OSU/Michigan game
In the Prologue, Coach Tressel states, “It is my sincere hope that this manual will be helpful in your pursuit of excellence; that it will provide important tools you need to succeed; that during difficult times when you feel like giving up, you will leaf through this book and find something refreshing or something that ignites a fire to keep you going” (Tressel XV). Well The Winners Manual has been just that for me and think it can be for you too.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or my website to let me know what you think of the show. If you want to connect with me to discuss leadership coaching, or even make guest recommendations, best ways through my website or on Twitter (@LukeMertens)
15. Coaching is coaching regardless of the sport. Caring about athletes as people, embracing the process of changing lives, intentionally building relationships are just a few of the themes that have been covered on previous episodes showcasing coaches of multiple sports. Today, I’m excited to feature our first hockey coach, Paul Pearl, who in July was named head coach for boys hockey at Cushing Academy, an elite prep school in Massachusetts.
Coach Pearl has coached hockey at the D1 level for more than 30 years, most recently at Boston University & Harvard. Before his time at BU and Harvard, Pearl was head coach at Holy Cross for 19 years and remains the all-time winningest coach in their history.
Now you may be asking yourself, “Why would a coach with a D1 pedigree agree to become a head coach at a high school.” Well I posted Cushing Academy’s hockey facilities on Twitter (@LukeMertens). Check it out and LMK if that would be of interest to you? Also, if you’re unfamiliar with Cushing, the hockey program is one of the top in the country, producing 18 NHL players, 5 Olympians, & 8 players from last year’s team earned D1 scholarships.
In this episode you will learn:
- What makes a successful head coach
- The vital role lower-level coaches play in building a program
- And how to balance development within the expectations of winning
Resources:
Cushing Academy
More Info on Cushing Hockey & Coach Pearl
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14. I was connected with Ryan Harris through my previous guest Dan Santucci (s1, episode 6). Looking at Ryan's website, I love the first words written on his online bio: "Change the World."
Super Bowl 50 Champion Ryan Harris is a 10 year veteran of the NFL. Ryan was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2007 as an offensive tackle and also played with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring at the end of the 2016 season. Ryan played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with two degrees, one in Economics and Policy and the other in Political Science. Ryan is a practicing Muslim, from Minnesota, and currently resides with his family in Denver, CO.
Off the field, Ryan believes that together we can change the world. He believes that “It is your right to be extraordinary.” That when we embrace that right, we create positive change in the world. And through our commitment to educate ourselves, invest in our communities and act on our passions, real change happens.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why creating impact is so important to Ryan
- How positive outlook is a choice
- Leading with an example
- Why Servant Leadership creates long-term success
- Mindset for Mastery
- What is meant by going "beyond"
- Why Ryan believes ND deserves to be in the College Football Playoff
Resources:
Ryan Harris Website
Ryan Harris on Twitter
Mindset for Mastery by Ryan Harris
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13. Jimmy Roberts is a Social Studies Teacher / AP Macroeconomics Teacher, Head Boys Basketball Coach, and Assistant Athletic Director at Jacobs High School (Algonquin, Illinois). Built upon the 3 values of Passion, Enthusiasm, and Toughness, his basketball program has consistently been one of the top in Illinois since taking over 9 years ago. Coach Roberts discusses the influence of his dad, a hall of fame high school football coach, his desire to create a tangible program identity, and the special relationships he's created at Jacobs High School, especially with former standout player Cameron Krutwig.
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or Our Website to let us know what you think of the show.
Links from Episode
Characteristics of a JHS Basketball Player
P+E+T
P+E+T Wall
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Leadership mindset coach Andy Hillig (Andy Hillig Solutions, LLC) has served in several Executive and Senior Leadership roles in large healthcare systems. In total, he has spent more than 15 years leading organizational transformations that had multiple layers of responsibility and spanned across organizations of more than 20,000 employees.
Andy’s passion is helping leaders discover their purpose and develop the mindset and abilities so that they have the impact they want to have in the workplace.
In this BONUS episode, Andy discusses:
- Need for mentors in leadership
- Importance of relationships in developing trust between leaders and those they lead
- Creating vision for the entire organization
- The positive impact of empowerment
- Increased outcomes through betterment of people
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Andy Hillig Solutions, LLC
Own the Gap by Mike Martyn and Bryan Crowell
Energy Leadership by Bruce Schneider
The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer Ph.D
The "I" in Win Website
Review The "I" in Win on Apple Podcast or Our Website to let us know what you think of the show.
12. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) head boys basketball coach, Tom Livatino, is today's guest, discussing challenges facing educators both in and out of the classroom and the importance of staying positive while always seeking solutions during times of adversity.
Show Notes:
Loyola Academy on Twitter
Loyola Academy
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Toughness by Jay Bilas
Grit by Angela Duckworth
My Contact Info:
The "I" in Win Website
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
11. Shane Jacobs has arguably the most unique title in education: Principal/Head Football Coach. Given his unparalleled success on the field, Peabody High School (Trenton, TN) decided to promote Coach Jacobs first to AP, and most recently, Principal.
On the gridiron, Coach Jacobs has won state titles in 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, and at the time of recording, had his team on a 43-game win streak. Coach Jacobs's philosophy is cemented on his belief that every teacher and coach has an obligation to treat each child as if he/she is their own. It is that culture that Coach Jacobs is now striving to infuse into the entire community of Peabody High School.
Show Notes:
Coach Jacobs on Twitter
Peabody High School
My Contact Info:
The "I" in Win Website
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
10. This is episode 10 of the "I" in Win, and our guest is a Chicago basketball legend, Tom Kleinschmidt, who following an All-American playing career traded in his gym shoes for a whistle. Coach Kleinschmidt is now head basketball coach at DePaul College prep in Chicago, which is consistently one of the top programs in Illinois. This past season his team finished ranked #1 in Illinois and #23 in the country, earning him coach of the year honors.
Show Notes:DePaul College Prep website
DePaul Prep Basketball
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
9. Interesting conversation is currently being had regarding Mario Cristobal’s, Oregon’s football coach, reaction to one of his players receiving a penalty for showboating following a great catch. Some say justified while others question his leadership. If you haven’t seen the footage, look it up b/c it presents an opportunity to have conversation regarding the difficulties of leading young men and women. The reality is they’re going to make poor decisions, it’s inevitable, but how we, as the adults, respond to that moment is paramount to converting that negative to a positive learning experience.
How should Coach Cristobal have responded? IMO, that all depends on his relationship with that player. Leaders who have personal connections with those they lead are able to make the best decisions for all those involved, which leads me to this episode. The previous 8 shows featured great leaders, many of whom are coaches. Well I think it’s time to flip the script and hear from an athlete. I mean, Who better to help us improve as coaches than the athletes themselves?
TJ Edwards is the MLB for the Philadelphia Eagles, and I was lucky enough to have him both as a student and a player during his high school years. I asked TJ to be on b/c 1) he has an interesting story to tell and has travelled an uncommon path, from HS QB to NFL MLB, and 2) he’s authentic and tells it the way it is. In this episode, he discusses the benefits & challenges of being a multi-sport athlete in high school, he gives us an inside look into WI football and his coaches during his standout career for the Badgers, and he’s honest about his difficult transition from college all-star to undrafted NFL free agent. One of my favorite segments of this interview is around the 25th minute when TJ considers the type of coach he would be if he decided on that career path.
If you’re a coach, truly listen to what TJ has to say, and then I encourage you to go listen to what your athletes have to say b/c it’s a great reminder that a little investment in our athletes creates an impact that lasts a lifetime.
8. Today’s show features major league sports mogul, Shawn Hunter, who has over 25 years experience in nearly all aspects of sports at the highest levels. Shawn’s success in sports management is rooted in his belief that people and relationships always come first, and despite the high-stakes world of professional sports, he has always maintained a work environment that was fun and light.
In 2018, Hunter founded the Chicago Dogs, members of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball who play at the state-of-the-art Impact Field located in Rosemont, Ill. Prior to the Dogs, Hunter ran AEG Sports & touched nearly everything the global company did, including running the Los Angeles Kings. He spent two years commuting to London while opening O2 Arena. He presided over six MLS teams. During his long career in sports management, he presided over the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and also spent seven years as president of the Phoenix Coyotes & in 1995 when the Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver, Hunter was in charge w/building them into the NHL franchise now known as the Colorado Avalanche. He introduced sports sponsorships to the University of Minnesota, and has even run two of America’s top cycling events.
Despite receiving numerous offers in major league sports, Hunter has chosen a uncommon path in his ownership of the Dogs; many consider him to be the most overqualified minor league baseball CEO; however, his career has come full circle and he’s loving his Dogs, who at the time of recording were in the middle of their first playoff series in franchise history.
Show Links:
The Chicago Dogs
Email Shawn Hunter
Moments of Truth by Jan Carlzon
Bottom-Up Marketing by Al Ries & Jack Trout
Stories that Stick by Kindra Hall
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
7. On today’s episode we welcome 2x Olympic Medalist, Katherine Adamek, who won a silver & bronze medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. After numerous injuries & surgeries, Katherine retired from Short Track Speedskating & turned coach. Katherine now owns & operates Fix Your Mindset, where she combines her experience as an athlete and coach with the latest research in sports psychology, nutrition, and exercise physiology to train her athletes. On this episode, she shares practical strategies coaches can use to always keep the focus on what should matter the most: the athletes we coach.
Resources from this episode:Shareable link of episode:https://bit.ly/KatherineAdamekFix Your Mindset - Performance Coaching
Vision Pursue - Performance Mindset Training
Whale Done! by Ken Blanchard
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
6. This episode takes a slightly different angle and that is hearing from a student-athlete who was significantly impacted by his teachers and coaches in high school, college, and even all the way up into the NFL.
Dan Santucci was officially appointed President of St. Patrick High School in Chicago in July 2021. Santucci graduated from St. Pat’s in 2002 and went on to become a 4-year letterman playing FB for Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In 2007, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and upon retiring from the NFL, went back to work in various roles at Notre Dame. However, thanks to the strong relationships he established at St. Pat’s, he has come full circle and now looks forward to impacting the young men at Chicago's oldest high school in the profound ways he was as student.
Dan has a great story to tell that includes hard work, loving mentors, lasting impacts of legendary coaches like Charlie Weiss & Marvin Lewis, and how he plans to pay-it-forward and impact the lives he's now tasked to lead.
Episode Links:
Saint Patrick High School
Dan Santucci Contact Info
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
5. "We must cease to aspire that our children be honor students and instead forward expectation that kids become honorable students." This quote from a former superintendent of Community High District 155 in response to the Columbine tragedy is at the foundation of Neil Lesinski's principalship at Cary-Grove High School in IL.
Lesinski believes that character is more important than academics, and if character is developed then success in all other areas will follow; therefore, C-G emphasizes building productive citizens who positively impact the world around them.
In this episode, he details The Be C-G Pillars of Success, which were established by a committee of staff, students, and parents during the 2017-2018 school year and represent the core values of Cary-Grove High School and the attributes they hope to develop in all students throughout their educational careers at Cary-Grove.
Lesinski discusses:
- How they essentially branded their school values and made it "FOR EACH STUDENT"
- Honoring kids individually for what they accomplish and linking awards to their Pillars
- Involving the business in their two towns, Cary and Fox River Grove
The entire "We Be C-G" community is working together to develop their students as individuals, which brings unique talents and challenges.
Links:
Cary-Grove High School
Tim Elmore
Stephen Covey: The 8th Habit
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
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1. “It’s easy, confusing record with legacy. Record is what we’ve done; legacy is what it meant."
In the first ever episode of The “I” in Win, one of the most iconic figures in LA HS history, J.T. Curtis, shares how he's developed his football program at John Curtis Christian School into one of the most successful programs in the country, both on and off the field.
Headmaster, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach, JT Curtis has been impacting young people’s lives for over 5 decades at the small Christian school located in River Ridge, LA. Since beginning his career in 1969, he has one of the most uniquely successful stories you’ll ever hear. The school, which is K-12, was founded by JT’s father in 1962. After going 0-10 his first year, JT is now the winningest active coach in the history of football, with, at the time of recording, 598 victories. He has won 27 State Championships & 1 Natl’l Championship in football, 6 State Championships in baseball, & under his direction as AD, the school has won over 70 State championships overall. On top of all that, JT is also an ordained minister who’s giving sermons on Sundays, rather than breaking down film like most other football coaches.
He believes every kid deserves a chance, so he has a no-cut policy. He believes so deeply in the concept of team, he doesn’t even keep individual records. And most importantly, JT believes athletics are not about outcomes; they’re platforms to help athletes become better people and reach their fullest potential.
John Curtis Christian School Website
JCCS Athletic WebSite
Book Referenced:
Hurricane Season by Neal Thompson
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
3. This is a podcast showcasing leaders who make a difference in people’s lives, and Todd Kuska has been doing just that for 26 years at St. Rita HS on the south side of Chicago. A science teacher, athletic director, & HFC, Coach Kuska graciously took a break from his game prep to talk about the mission of St. Rita High School, "to form each student as a whole person: spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially, and to provide its young men with the necessary skills to succeed in college and in life, leading to life-long learning and personal awareness."
Coach Kuska is the all-time wins leader in the prestigious history of St. Rita Football. Under his direction, the Mustangs won the IL Class 7A State Championship in 2006, 4 Chicago Prep Bowls and 7 Catholic League Championships. He also has a State Runner-Up finish in 2019, has sent over 160 players to play collegiately (including 50 at the D1 level), and 8 of his former players made it all the way to the NFL. He’s a member of both the Chicago Catholic League and St. Rita hall of fame.
Despite his accolades, you will see Coach Kuska is humble, dedicated, and truly cares about ALL the students at SR. He's focused on personal connections and helping kids realize that we're all a small part of something larger.
Links:
St. Rita High School
St. Rita Football
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
2. For nearly 30 years, Gene Heidkamp has been changing the lives of young men and women. Currently, he is a teacher and head basketball coach at Benet Academy, located in the Lisle, IL. Quietly, Coach Heidkamp has built one of the most successful basketball programs this decade in IL, despite playing one of the toughest schedules and usually lacking the marquee 5-star recruits.
Humble and selfless, Coach Heidkamp attributes his success to his players willingness to buy into his culture focusing on developing people of high character, which will ultimately to lead to success both on and off the court for all of his players.
Links:
Pat Riley: The Winner Within
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
4. Cathyann Smith has enjoyed a 26-year career in education, all at James B. Conant High School located in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
In the classroom, Cathyann has been teaching a wide range of classes from Advanced Placement to American Studies. Until her recent decision to step aside for family reasons, she also led the lady Cougars softball for 18 years, earning 350 career victories, 7 regional titles, and 4 conference championships. In 2017, Cathyann was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame.
Since retiring from coaching, Cathyann fuels her passion for mentoring athletes with her newest endeavor, Cougar Climb, an athletic leadership club and chapter of Illinois Human Performance Project.
In this episode, Cathyann discusses the life skills she wants to imparts on her English students, the unique challenges that coaching young, female athletes pose at times, and how the difficulty of balancing family life with her coaching responsibilities led her to newest endeavor: an athletic leadership club that is a chapter of the IL Human Performance Project.
As you’ll from this interview, Cathy is articulate, compassionate, driven, and someone who is making a lasting impression on so many students and athletes.
Resources/Links:
Illinois Human Performance Project
James B. Conant High School
My Contact Info:
LukeMertens44@gmail.com
Twitter: @LukeMertens
IG: LukeMertens44
LinkedIn Profile
Subscribe now to The "I" in Win, hosted by Luke Mertens, that just launched on Tuesday, September 7th! Learn from elite leaders who are successful because they focus less on outcomes and more on the journey of changing lives.