The Great Coaches: Leadership & Life
We explore leadership through the lens of high performance sport, by interviewing great coaches from around the world, to try and find ideas to help all of us be better leaders.
Episodes
Why Great Teams Don’t Focus on Gold Medals: Leigh Nugent
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Paul and guest co-host David Pine speak with Leigh Nugent, one of Australian swimming’s most experienced coaches and performance leaders, about the people, principles and culture behind sustained success at the highest level.Leigh explains why elite teams should focus less on medals and m
Ending a 75-Year Drought: Cohesion, Mavericks, and Fun with Andy Moran
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett sits down with Andy Moran, All-Ireland winning manager and former Mayo football star. Andy shares how he led Mayo to break a 75-year sporting drought after 11 consecutive All-Ireland final defeats, transitioning from a six-time losing player to th
Pressure, Pleasure and the Making of Championship Teams with Gordon Herbert
We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, Paul speaks with Gordon Herbert about the leadership lessons behind a life in elite basketball. From early influences and painful setbacks to championship success with Germany, Gordon reflects on authenticity, adversity, mental fitness, role clarity and the importance of creati
From Iran to Global Courts: Leadership Lessons with Naeimeh Zafar
Naeimeh Zafar: Coaching Across Cultures, Resilience, and Leading Beyond BarriersWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Naeimeh Zafar shares how coaching across Iran, Serbia, Qatar, Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, and France demanded cultural adaptation, humility, and clear communication when language and perceptions created barriers, and
Coaching from the Court to the Boardroom with John Speraw
John Speraw on Systems, Feedback, and Winning Under PressureWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. John Speraw reflects on how great coaches lean into singular strengths while staying humble and learning from staff, and how early mentors helped him see what was possible. He describes choosing coaching over medical school, build
Book Club: Percy Cerutty
This episode is a recording of our book club. The book we discuss is Why Die? The Extraordinary Percy Cerutty, 'Maker of Champions' by Graem Sims (Author).Percy Cerutty was an Australian athletics coach who transformed distance running in the 1950s and 1960s. Based at his rugged Portsea training camp, he developed the Stotan philosophy, blending Stoic discipline, Spartan toughness, natural di
Coaching Across Continents: Lessons from Mick Byrne
Mick Byrne on Preparation, Player Education, and Coaching Across Codes and CulturesWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Mick Byrne reflects on elite coaching influences from Allan Jeans to Rod McQueen and the All Blacks, arguing great cultures are built on education, clarity of roles, consistent messaging, and disciplined weekly
Excellence Over Perfection with Adam Voges
We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.Adam Voges discusses how Justin Langer’s first address as Western Australia coach showed the power of clear communication, aligning the group through a shared vision and the idea that players ultimately determine a coach’s success, so they must be brought along and empowered. Ben reinforces thi
The Magic of Sports with 92 year old George Selleck
The Magic of Sports: Putting Humans First in Coaching, Leadership, and LifeWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Dr. George Selik and Alan Gregerman discuss how early self-organized play shaped George’s coaching philosophy around joy, belonging, and learning, and why sport should prioritize human development along
Authenticity and Leadership in Sports: Dom Starsia's Approach
Dom Starsia on Authentic Coaching, Sacrifice, and Relationships That Outlast WinsWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. From Charlottesville, Virginia, former Virginia lacrosse coach Dom Starsia reflects on learning from coaching greats while ultimately finding success through authenticity—taking useful ideas from others but stayin
Leadership Through the Lens of Poetry: A Conversation with Mike Dunlap
Mike Dunlap on Coaching Joy: Poetry, Purpose, and Teaching Beyond the ScoreboardWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Mike Dunlap reflects on returning to Division II coaching at Colorado Mesa and now living in La Jolla, arguing that money, NIL, and the transfer portal can distort the game’s “innocence,” while tru
Navigating Leadership Challenges: A Conversation with Kath Tetley
Cath Tetley on Great Coaching: Building the Bus, Speaking a Shared Language, and Making the Thistles FearedWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Cath Tetley shares lessons from coaching Scotland’s national netball team as an Australian in a new culture: great coaches know their gaps, build strong teams by getting
Book Club: Sum It Up by Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt’s “Sum It Up”: Transformation, Triumph, Tragedy—and the Hard Edges of Great CoachingThere is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this book-club podcast, the host and Dr. David Turner discuss Pat Summitt’s memoir Sum It Up through themes of “transformation, triumph, and tragedy,” including her rise from a tough Tennessee farm upbringing to
Leading from Within: The Coaching Philosophy of John Mitchell
John’s Leadership Formula: People First, Process AlwaysWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. John reflects on becoming a better leader by putting people first, understanding personality, and building clear processes, drawing on his early coaching in Ireland where he relied mainly on his playing experience. He shares a simple chain
Coaching Excellence: A Journey Through Sports and Leadership with Staffan Olsson
Stefan Olsson on Handball Leadership, Decision-Making, and Cognitive ProfilingThere is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.Handball coach and former Swedish legend Stefan Olsson joins the Great Coaches podcast from Stockholm, where he coaches the Dutch men’s national team and works with cognitive testing. He contrasts two influential coaches: Bengt Johan
Crafting Football Culture: Identity and Values with Joe Montemurro
Identity, Culture, and Values-Led Coaching: Clear Principles Over NoiseWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Joe Montemurro explains that effective leadership starts with a clear identity and a few non-negotiable playing principles that reduce “copious” information into simple teaching tools players can use to coach themselves, es
Jeroen Delmee: Forging a Legacy in Leadership and Coaching
Jeroen Delmee on Culture, Clarity, and Winning as a TeamWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Olympic gold-winning Dutch field hockey coach Jeroen Delmee shares that great coaching starts with selflessness, deep player connection, and creating clarity, while adapting communication to different cultures and flatter
Game Day: There Is No Algorithim (Part 2)
Todays episode is On Game Day and to explore the topic I am joined by Eamon Devlin. Eamon is the founder of Minute9, a consultancy that works with some of the world’s elite teams and coaches in helping them improve their half time talks and preparation. This discussion is so rich in information, and useful to any of us that are leading sporting teams or work teams that have split into 2
Game Day: There Is No Algorithim (Part 1)
Todays episode is On Game Day and to explore the topic I am joined by Eamon Devlin. Eamon is the founder of Minute9, a consultancy that works with some of the world’s elite teams and coaches in helping them improve their half time talks and preparation. This discussion is so rich in information, and useful to any of us that are leading sporting teams or work teams that have split into 2
From Rugby to Leadership: Mike Cron's Coaching Journey
Mike Cron on Alignment, Learning Beyond Rugby, and Coaching with HonestyWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, rugby coach Mike Cron shares lessons from decades with the All Blacks and recent work with the Wallabies, emphasizing that great leaders are consistent, build alignment across coaches, staff and players, l
Book Club: World's Best by Ric Charlesworth
This episode is a recording of our book club. The book we discuss is World’s Best by Ric Charlesworth, the iconic Australian Field Hockey Coach Ric Charlesworth. Ric led both the Australian and Men's Hockey teams to World Cup victories. He also ed the women to an An Olympic Gold. He has also worked in Cricket, Australian Rules Football, is a medical Dr and spent 10 tears as a federal po
Coaching with Heart: Bob Shillinglaw on Emotion and Strategy
Bob Shillinglaw on Coaching Longevity, Mental Training, and Caring LeadershipWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Retired after 43 years of college coaching (39 at the University of Delaware), Bob Shillinglaw reflects on how early experiences in sports—including competing against Bill Belichick and attending a camp coached by Bel
Avoiding Burnout: There Is No Algorithim
Preventing Burnout in Coaching and Leadership: Recovery, Systems, and SupportWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Paul speaks with Dr. Gavin Weeks and Dr. Brendan Meany about burnout as an occupational phenomenon marked by prolonged exhaustion, cynicism or disengagement, and reduced felt effectiveness, often driv
Innovative Leadership in Rugby: The Eddie O'Sullivan Approach
Eddie O’Sullivan: Detail, Innovation, and Shared Leadership in Elite Rugby CoachingWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Eddie O’Sullivan reflects on coaching from grassroots to Ireland and the USA, arguing that great coaches separate themselves through relentless attention to detail, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment t
Leading with Clarity: John Aloisi on Coaching and Leadership
John Aloisi on Clarity, Cohesion and the Psychology of CoachingWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.John Aloisi shares that great coaches stand out through clarity of identity, standards and message, making complex tactics simple and consistent so players know their roles. He explains how elite performance is often decided by
Leading with Integrity: Sam Bird's Coaching Philosophy
Sam Bird on Building London Pulse Through Service, Values, and World-Class StandardsWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Sam Bird shares how seven knee operations ended her England netball playing career early, pushing her into a legal career with the Met Police that shaped her leadership through service, listening, and navigatin
Coaching Excellence: Mickey Arthur's Leadership Insights
Mickey Arthur: Standards, Trust, and Building Sustainable Winning TeamsWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. Mickey Arthur reflects on coaching across multiple countries and says great coaches stay ahead of trends, set clear structures, and build teams around roles, standards, and “non-negotiables.” He explains that trust-based re
Building Connection: There Is No Algorithim
In this episode, we explore why connection is a critical leadership capability and how it contributes to thriving teams. Drawing on insights from elite coaches across rugby, tennis, basketball, Australian rules football, American football, and netball, the conversation examines how leaders create cohesion, deepen trust, and help people understand the part they play in something larger than themsel
Anders Torstensson: Leadership Lessons from the Pitch
Anders Torstensson on Building Mjällby’s Kaizen Culture Through Calm, Teamwork and DetailWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.Anders shares how Mjällby’s rise from relegation struggles to cup finalists and champions was built on club-wide structure, kaizen-style continuous improvement, and teamwork rather than one coach’s decision
Leadership: There Is No Algorithm
Todays episode is On Leadership and I am joined for the discussion by 2 great coaches. The first is Mike Dunlap. Mike is a basketball coach who has led teams in US Colleges, the NBA and in Australia. He was also an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks when then they defeated the Phoenix Suns to win their first NBA Championship in 2021.The second is Rugby Union coach Franco Smith
Bare Knuckles and Team First: The John Connolly Story
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with legendary rugby union coach John Connolly, affectionately known as "Knuckles". From his early days jumping into boxing rings and playing cricket, to leading elite clubs like the Queensland Reds, Stade Francais, Swansea, Bath, and the Australian Wallabies across 500 games, John
From High School Turnarounds to National Championships: Leadership Lessons from Dell McGee
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, Georgia State Head Football Coach Dell McGee shares his deeply reflective approach to leadership, culture building, and talent identification, drawing from his extensive experience across high school powerhouses and championship-winning SEC programs.Key Highlights:The 4 C's of Team Culture: Co
Great Teamwork: There Is No Algorithim
Todays episode is on Great Team Work, and I am joined for the discussion by 2 great coaches. The first is Lisa Alexander.Lisa was the coach of the Australian Netball team, known as the Diamonds, from 2011 to 2020. During that time She oversaw gold medal successes at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 Netball World Cup, as well as silver medals at the 2018 Commonweal
Jamilon Mulders: Delivering the "Tough" Messages: Building Psychological Safety and Trust in Elite Teams
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with world-champion player and renowned international field hockey coach Jamilon Mülders. From beginning his coaching journey at the age of twelve to leading national programs across Germany, China, and the Netherlands, Jamilon shares a deeply reflective perspective on what it mean
Thriving: There Is No Algorithim
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of Thriving—a term that has seen its popular interest and media relevance double since 2016. Host Paul Barnett sits down with two exceptional guests to break down what it means to move past mere survival and truly optimize both individual performance and collectiv
We Are Never Fully Formed: Lifelong Learning with Ron Adams
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with legendary NBA assistant coach Ron Adams to explore his deeply impactful philosophy of "people building."Drawing from his unique childhood growing up on a farm in California's Central Valley, Ron compares the continuous, daily cultivation required in agriculture to the dedicati
Shane Jurgensen: Surviving the Battle of Boring and Leading with Empathy
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we connect with Shane Jurgensen, former first-class cricketer turned elite international coach. From his early playing days across multiple Australian states to his time guiding the national teams of Bangladesh, Fiji, and New Zealand, Shane has developed a deeply reflective and human-centric a
Daring Greatly: Vulnerability, Mentorship, and Defending the Island with Scott Roth
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with Scott Roth, the inaugural head coach of the Tasmanian JackJumpers, who famously led a newly formed expansion team to the NBL Grand Final in their first year and to a championship title by year three. With over two decades of experience in the NBA as both a player and coach, al
Truth Over Harmony: Navigating the Complexities of Leadership with Chantal Valle
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, Canadian National Championship-winning basketball coach and author Chantall Vallée discusses her book Dare to Win and shares her unique perspective as a researcher who transitioned directly into a highly successful sports practitioner. She unpacks the four foundational categories of coaching e
Gilbert Enoka: Leading From Who You Are
Gilbert Enoka on Becoming Unstoppable: Coaching, Vulnerability, Belonging, and High-Performance Leadership.There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, Paul Barnett and Jonathan Cole sit down with legendary mental skills and performance coach Gilbert Enoka (Bert) to unpack the core philosophies behind his historic 23-year journey with th
The Intersection of Psychology and Elite Sports Coaching with Professor Adam R Nicholls
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.Our guest on this episode is Professor Adam R. Nicholls from the Department of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science at the University of Hull, UK. Adam is a leading researcher in stress, appraisal, and coping among athletes, having published 3 books and over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles. In this conversati
Colm Nally: The Power of Positivity and Individual Learning Plans
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with Colm Nally, an experienced Gaelic Football coach and designated GAA Master Coach Tutor. Colm shares his rich journey across youth and senior teams at both club and county levels, offering a profound perspective on what truly sets great leaders apart.Key highlights from the con
Kathy Delaney Smith: Grit and Wit and Getting Your Head Out of Your Ass!
Our Great Coach on this episode is Kathy Delaney-Smith.Kathy led the Harvard Womens Basketball team for 40 years. During her tenure she led the team to over 600 career wins, 11 Ivy League championships and six NCAA Tournament berths. She is the winningest coach in the history of the Ivy League — any sport, men’s or women’s.Kathy has just written a booked called Grit and Wit: Empowering Lives and L
Clarity, Truth, and the 7 Themes of Success with Coach Tom Maher
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with legendary Australian basketball coach Tom Maher. As the most successful coach in the history of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) with nine championships, and a veteran who has guided four different nations across six consecutive Olympic Games, Tom brings an unpara
Bernhard Peters: The Architecture of Team Dynamics and Personal Responsibility
Berhard Peters is a field Hockey Coach who started coaching youth teams in the early 1980’s. His career slowly built and he led German National Youth teams to European Chamionships. Then in 200 he took over the German National Mens side and led them to World Champinshiops in in 2002 and 2006.He then transitioned into off field leadership roles in soccer, starting with Hoffenheim in the third tier
Winning Team Cultures: Moving from Me to We
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this special episode, host Paul Barnett sits down with veteran basketball coach Mike Dunlap and football manager Gareth Taylor to explore the essential building blocks of high-performing, winning team cultures. Together, they break down how to establish uncompromising behavioral standards, manage the delica
Thriving, Not Surviving: High-Performance Leadership with Stacey Marinkovich
In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett interviews Stacey Marinkovich, head coach of the Australian national netball team, the Origin Diamonds. Stacey shares key insights from her transition from elite player to high-performance leader, detailing how she manages high-pressure international campaigns, fosters a culture of "coopetition," and balances strategic decis
Coaching Insights with the Anglia Ruskin University Students
This episode is something a little different. I am joined by Dr David Turner, who is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge in the United Kingdom and some of his students and a fellow teacher. David takes the lead in this episode and we share learning we have all taken from Great Coaches as well as how some the students intend to apply what they have le
Being the Safety Net for the players on the High Wire: Tara VanDerveer
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett interviews Tara VanDerveer, former Head Basketball Coach at Stanford University and the winningest coach in college basketball history. Reflecting on her 48-year coaching career—including 38 years at Stanford, an Olympic gold medal campaign, a
Return with Honour: Ken Niumatalolo on Leadership, Discipline, and Love
Coach Ken Niumatalolo on Leadership, Discipline, and “Return With Honor”.There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.On the Great Coaches podcast, Coach Ken Niumatalolo reflects on what separates great coaches—leadership, teaching, and bringing diverse people together—drawing on experiences with Dick Tomey, Paul Johnson, and Chip Kelly. He credits h
A Deep Dive on Joe Mazzulla
Today’s episode is focuses on NBA Championship wining coach Joe Mazzulla. I am joined for the discussion by Dr. David Turner who has been on the podcast many times before and is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching at ARU in Cambridge in the UK. Joe Mazzulla is the latest subject in his learning from legendary coaches series. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a grea
Guided Discovery: Transforming Coaching with John Kessel
John Kessel on Joy, Guided Discovery, and ‘Hell in the Hallway’There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.John Kessel joins Paul for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching as “relationship counseling” between athletes and their love of the game, and how his philosophy evolved from telling players what to do to guided discovery that makes athletes solv
Anna Stembridge on Clarity as Kindness
Dr. Anna Stembridge on Great Coaching: Belonging, Reflection, and Clarity as KindnessThere is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.From Wales, netball coach and researcher Dr. Anna Stembridge discusses what sets great coaches apart: connecting with players and staff, harnessing talent to a clear strategy, knowing strengths and blind spots, and creating hi
Absorbing Heat and Distributing Credit: High-Performance Coaching with Luke Beveridge
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett sits down with Luke Beveridge, premiership-winning head coach of the Western Bulldogs. Luke shares deep reflections on his 2016 premiership triumph, his early days coaching amateur football while working full-time in regulatory government role
From the Court to Culture: Brian Goorjian on Building Winning Teams
Brian Goorjian on Work Ethic, Player-Driven Culture, and the Legacy of Great CoachingWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.Brian Goorjian shares how Lindsay Gaze shaped his view of great coaching through passion, humility, learning, and genuine care, and how those lessons carried into his first head-coaching role at Ballarat where
Rocco Meiring
Our great coach in this episode is Rocco Meiring.Rocco is a swimming coach from South Africa. He started out coaching in 1988 and by 1997 was the national coach director with the brief to develop internationally competitive swimmers; his first success came when Terence Parkin won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympic Games. He then coached the dual Olympic Gold medallist and world record holde
Markus Weise
Our Great Coach on this episode is Markus Weise.He began coaching in the early 1990s and went to lead the German women's Team to gold at the 2004 Olympics and the German Men to gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. This made him the first person in field hockey history to win gold with Men and Woemns teams. He also led the German Men's team to the 2011 and 2013 European Championship and twice led th
Persistence and Passion: A Deep Dive with Guy Molloy
Guy Molloy on Intricate Simplicity, Low Anxiety and the Power of MentorshipWe believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Guy Molloy reflects on learning from great Australian coaches, arguing there’s no single formula—just strong conviction, the ability to influence people, and the humility to “figure it out” through unce
My Top 10 Leadership Insights from 200+ Interviews
On this episode something a little different. As the 2024 season draws to a close I was doing a review and reflecting on some of the things the coaches I have interviewed over the last 4 years have said that have stayed with me afterwards. As I was scribbling them down, I thought I would turn it into a short podcast. And so here are my top 10 and a short description of why this resonated
The Genius of Pep Guardiola
Today’s episode focuses on Pep Guardiola, and I am joined for the discussion by Dr David Turner, who has been on the podcast many times before and is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching at ARU in Cambridge, UK.If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you; please get in touch with us at paul@thegreatcoach
The Art of Incremental Honesty and Team Unity with Roy Masters
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with legendary Australian sports journalist and former rugby league football coach, Roy Masters AM. From his early days as a country school teacher to coaching the Western Suburbs Magpies and St. George Dragons, Roy shares his profound evolution from leveraging raw, negative underd
Being the CEO of Your Own Career with Nicole Pratt
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, former Australian No. 1 tennis player and leading coach Nicole Pratt shares her profound insights into athletic development, systemic change, and high-performance psychology. Drawing from her unique background growing up on a sugar cane farm in Queensland to her current role leading the charge
Beyond the X's and O's: The Relational Coaching Model with Sophia Jowett
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with world-renowned authority Dr. Sophia Jowett to discuss why interpersonal dynamics serve as the absolute foundation of effective coaching. Moving beyond traditional coach-centered or athlete-centered frameworks, Dr. Jowett introduces a holistic, coach-athlete-centered paradigm w
Rob Tarr: Purpose, Belonging and the Culture of Wheelchair Rugby
We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this conversation with Rob Tarr, the lessons are grounded in connection, purpose and culture: great leaders create environments where people feel welcomed, understood and eager to return; they build trust by involving the team in defining its own identity; and they sustain performance by li
Dean Smith: Play Hard, Play Together, Play Smart
Our Great Coach on this episode is Dean Smith. Dean Smith is an American Basketball coach who led the the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill men's team for 36 years. When he retired in 1997 he had 879 career victories, which was the NCAA Division I men's basketball record at that time. During his tenure as head coach, North Carolina won two national championships and a
Rhythm, Speed, and the Perfect (Average) Performance with Vésteinn Hafsteinsson
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with legendary Icelandic discus thrower and world-renowned throws coach, Vésteinn Hafsteinsson. Having participated in 55 international championship events as either an athlete or a coach, Vésteinn brings an unparalleled depth of strategic experience to the conversation. He shares
Tony O'Connor: Teaching Teams to Teach Themselves
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, we sit down with double Olympian, World Champion, and gold-medal-winning rowing coach Tony O'Connor. Tony shares his unique dual perspective as both an elite sports coach and a high school mathematics and physics teacher in New Zealand, revealing why he believes coaching and teaching are funda
Coaches as Educators Who Use Sport to Teach Life
Today's episode focuses on the topic of Coaches as Educators. And I'm joined in the discussion by two great coaches. The first is Valorie Kondos Field. Ms. Val, as she is known, led the UCLA gymnastics team from 1991 to 2019, collecting seven National Championships along the way. She now leads the course "Transformative Coaching: Introduction to Philosophies of Coaching and Lea
Tom Herman on the 3C's of Trust: Character, Competency and Connection
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, Florida Atlantic University head football coach Tom Herman joins the podcast to unpack the core philosophies that have defined his rapidly rising career. From his early days earning $5,000 a year with a cafeteria meal card to winning a national championship at Ohio State, Herman shares his dee
Fred Vergnoux: Why Olympic Swimming Success is Built on Land and in the Mind
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode, elite swimming coach Fred Vergnoux shares his insights on leading high-performing athletes, the transition from copying others to cultivating intuition, and the realities of guiding individuals through the demanding "tunnel" of Olympic preparation. With a career spanning multiple national prog
Great Coaches On the Coaches Who Influenced Them
Today’s episode focuses on the coaches, who the Great Coaches we have interviewed, have called out for praise or recognition. And we put this episode together because we wanted to hear from you. If there is a coach who had had an impact on your life then we would like to hear from you. Grab your phone and send us a recording explaining who they are and what they did it that resonated with you
Shaun Wane
Our Great Coach on this episode is Shaun Wane. Shaun is a former Rugby League player and now coach. He started coaching with his old club Wigan in 2003, leading the youth academy team to 7 Academy Grand Finals and 6 League Leaders’ Shields. Then in 2011 he became the clubs Head Coach and went on to win three Super League Grand Finals, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge. In 2020 he was
Returning to the Alamo: Core Values and Authentic Relationships with Greg Cannella
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett interviews Greg Cannella, Hall of Fame head lacrosse coach at the University of Massachusetts (UMass). Heading into his 29th season as head coach, Greg shares reflections on learning from legendary Hall of Fame mentors, adapting traditional co
Franco Smith: Rugby, Resilience, and Coaching Philosophy
Franco Smith on Coaching Belief, Intensity, and Leaving a Legacy.There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. On the Great Coaches podcast, Franco Smith speaks from Glasgow during Glasgow Warriors preseason about what separates great coaches: clear beliefs, adaptability, and knowing limitations, drawing on experiences with Rassie Erasmus, Nick Mallett,
Wise Words: Great Coaching Quotes with Eoin Jordan
On this episode, my firend Jonathan Cole and I are joined by Eoin Jordan who has just written a terrific new book called Wise Words: Thoughts and Beliefs of Great Coaches. And today we talk about some of the key things he has learned about coaching and leadership while putting the book together.Book Review: Coaching Lessons on Listening, Communication, and VulnerabilityThere is no algorithm for le
Beyond the Finish Line: Sean Caven's Journey Through Coaching
Shaun Caven on Purpose, Trust, and Learning: Coaching Paralympic Canoe Across Scotland, the USA, and AustraliaShaun Caven joins the Great Coaches podcast from the Gold Coast after a World Cup in Hungary where his athletes won two golds, a silver, a bronze, and multiple A-finals, outlining the high global standard needed to qualify boats for the Paralympics. He shares what distinguishes great coach
Insights into Great Coaches with Lisa Alexander
Lisa Alexander on Care, Culture, and Unlocking Potential in Coaching and LeadershipOn the Great Coaches podcast, Lisa Alexander discusses what surprised her in CODE Sports interviews with elite coaches, especially their willingness to share backstories, off-court lives, and coaching philosophies. She highlights how netball’s volunteer roots foster balanced lives and gratitude, and how modern coach
The Compound Effect and Building Mental Toughness with Yale Lacrosse Coach Andy Shay
There is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.In this episode of The Great Coaches podcast, host Paul Barnett sits down with Andy Shay, Head Lacrosse Coach at Yale University and 2018 NCAA Division I National Champion. Andy reflects on his journey from finding lacrosse in high school to transforming a program with over a century of limited success int
The Art of Empowerment: A Conversation with Sjoerd Marijne
Sjoerd Marijne: Vision, Empowerment, and Building a High-Performance Culture in IndiaSjoerd Marijne joins the Great Coaches podcast from the Netherlands, reflecting on his 20+ years in hockey and how he now applies sporting lessons to entrepreneurship, profiling, hockey camps, and events. He says great coaches share three traits: a long-term vision they stick to, authenticity, and making players a
Pat Summitt: Her Story, Her Impact, Her Legacy
Pat Summitt was an American basketball player who won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics and then transitioned into coaching leading the USA team to a Gold at the at the 1984 Olympics. However its as the coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team from 1974 to 2012 that she is most famous. Over her career she amassed 1098 wins and led the team to 8 NCAA championships.She was inducted into th
