Episodios

  • 126. Becoming a Head Coach, Building Culture, & Team Rituals with Napoleon Sykes

    126. Becoming a Head Coach, Building Culture, & Team Rituals with Napoleon Sykes
    Jan 12 2026
    In this conversation, Napoleon Sykes joins Luke Gromer to share his extensive coaching journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of becoming a head coach after 15 years of experience. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong program culture, effective communication with stakeholders, and the value of vulnerability in fostering connections among players. Sykes also highlights the significance of defining success beyond just winning games, focusing on the impact coaches can have on their players' lives.—RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPSThe Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.Director interest form:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RYG Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITYClick the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/bettercoaching/classroom/bb03d4a3?md=d68c2f18a9da40dca1c5ce1178764baa⁠⁠🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📧 Free Newsletter:⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠—GUEST INFONapoleon Sykes just finished up his fifth season at the Lawrenceville School in NJ, capping his 20th season in the coaching profession. He has coached at the youth, high school, collegiate and professional levels, and has built a reputation as a strong recruiter, x's and o's coach, and a culture builder.Connect with Guest:Guest Links: ⁠X | LinkedIn —CONTACT USYou can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to Better Coaching Podcast00:27 Coach Napoleon Sykes: A Journey Through Coaching00:55 Key Themes in Coaching: Culture, Staff, and Leadership01:12 Coaching Journey and Background05:57 Becoming a Head Coach13:37 Building a Coaching Staff and Culture20:14 Establishing Values and Communication26:16 Reinforcing Culture Through Rituals and Awards27:45 The Importance of Number Upgrades30:34 Creating a Supportive Environment for Growth33:09 Fostering Vulnerability in Young Men40:34 The Power of Sharing Personal Stories42:10 Defining Success Beyond Wins47:52 Building Lasting Relationships with PlayersTakeawaysCoaching is about building relationships and impacting lives.Patience is essential in the journey to becoming a head coach.Creating a clear vision and purpose is crucial for program success.Vulnerability fosters deeper connections among team members.Establishing simple rules can guide behavior and culture.Rituals and awards reinforce the values of the program.Communication with stakeholders is key to program alignment.Success should be defined by the impact on players' lives, not just wins.Coaches must be intentional about creating safe spaces for vulnerability.Building a strong coaching staff is vital for program development.
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    53 m
  • 125. The 4 C's of Coaching and the 4 Pillars of Sustainable Winning with Zach Brandon of Threshold Performance Coaching

    125. The 4 C's of Coaching and the 4 Pillars of Sustainable Winning with Zach Brandon of Threshold Performance Coaching
    Jan 5 2026

    Zach Brandon of Threshold Performance Coaching joins Luke Gromer on The Better Coaching Podcast to discuss sideways vs backwards comparison, the 4 C's for high achieving leaders and coaches, and the four factors needed to foster a winning and sustainable environment for the people you coach and lead.

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    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!

    • 📝 Free Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/bettercoaching/classroom/bb03d4a3?md=d68c2f18a9da40dca1c5ce1178764baa⁠

    • 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Zach Brandon is the founder of Threshold Performance Coaching, where he partners with coaches, teams, and executives to strengthen mindset, leadership, and performance from the inside out. His work focuses on helping coaches build systems and leadership skills that sustain both professional excellence and personal well-being.

    For seven years, Zach served as Head of Mental Performance and Coach Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He continues to serve the organization as a Leadership Performance Consultant, supporting staff development and leadership growth initiatives.

    Before his time in Major League Baseball, Zach was a Mental Conditioning Coach at IMG Academy (FL), consulting with athletes in baseball, basketball, tennis, and track & field—including Olympic competitors. He is also listed on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) Mental Performance Registry.

    A former college athlete, Zach holds dual master’s degrees in Kinesiology (Cal State Fullerton) and Organizational Leadership (Arizona State), along with certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

    Connect with Guest:

    • Guest Links: X | LinkedIn | Newsletter | Podcast

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    CONTACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    1 h y 9 m
  • Welcome to The Better Coaching Podcast

    Welcome to The Better Coaching Podcast
    Jan 1 2026

    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    FREE RESOURCES & COMMUNITY

    • 📧 Newsletter: BetterCoachingHub.com
    • 📝 Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    CONACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    4 m
  • 124. How to Build a Better Learning Environment with Trevor Ragan of The Learner Lab

    124. How to Build a Better Learning Environment with Trevor Ragan of The Learner Lab
    Dec 29 2025

    Trevor Regan of the Learner Lab joins Luke Gromer to discuss how coaches and leader can build better learning environments. They dive into learning as a skill, the surprising findings of Project Aristotle, what psychological safety is and how to build it, and the connection between action and safety.

    —

    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community!

    • 📝 Free Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/bettercoaching/classroom/bb03d4a3?md=d68c2f18a9da40dca1c5ce1178764baa
    • 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 📧 Free Newsletter: BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Trevor is the founder of The Learner Lab – an educational website designed to unpack and share the science of learning and development.


    He spends his time with thought leaders and researchers from the worlds of psychology and developmental science, consumes their research, connects the dots, and shares it with anyone that will listen.


    He’s worked with professional, college, and olympic sports teams, Fortune 50 companies, prisons, and in hundreds of schools across the country. These workshops are designed to help people understand and apply important principles of development, in order to become better, more resilient learners.

    Connect with Trevor Ragan:

    • Website: https://thelearnerlab.com/trevor-ragan/

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    CONTACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    1 h
  • 123. Healthy Coaching, Handling Emotion, and Teaching Teamwork with Head Coach Mike Schall of UNC Volleyball (replay)

    123. Healthy Coaching, Handling Emotion, and Teaching Teamwork with Head Coach Mike Schall of UNC Volleyball (replay)
    Dec 22 2025

    Mike Schall, Head Women's Volleyball Coach at the University of North Carolina, joins Luke Gromer to discuss how coaches can coach and lead well while maintaining their own well-being and personal boundaries.

    —

    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes from every episode of the podcast!

    📝 Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CuttingEdgeCoach.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Join our free community of more than 450 coaches!

    🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Mike Schall is the Head Coach for the University of North Carolina's Women's Volleyball Team. He's been coaching volleyball for over 30 years from the youth through collegiate levels.

    Connect with Coach Schall:

    • Guest’s Social Links: ⁠X

    —

    CONACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    1 h y 11 m
  • 122. A Development System to Take Your Team to the Next Level with Mark Bennett of PDS Coaching

    122. A Development System to Take Your Team to the Next Level with Mark Bennett of PDS Coaching
    Dec 15 2025

    ABOUT THE EPISODE

    Mark Bennett of PDS Coaching joins Luke Gromer to discuss how the Performance Development System can help coaching improve performance and build a better culture.

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    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes from every episode of the podcast!

    📝 Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠CuttingEdgeCoach.com⁠⁠⁠⁠


    Join our free community of more than 400 coaches!

    🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Mark works as a consultant, trainer, mentor & coach to various corporations, professional & national sport organizations, teams & Universities around the world, as well as Schools & community sports to help transform the leadership capabilities of every manager, coach & teacher that he comes in contact with. Put simply, Mark makes people better “influencers”.​

    Over the last 3 decades Mark has worked with over 30 sports at all levels & age groups; from grassroots to professional & International teams. He has also supported national sports organizations & global businesses to embed robust cultures that improve wellness, productivity & performance.

    Connect with Mark Bennett:

    • ⁠Guest’s Website: http://pdscoaching.com
    • Guest’s Email: mark.bennett@pdscoach.com
    • Guest’s Social Links: X | LinkedIn

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    CONACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    1 h y 19 m
  • 121. Coaching Better Every Season with Dr. Wade Gilbert (replay)

    121. Coaching Better Every Season with Dr. Wade Gilbert (replay)
    Dec 8 2025

    ABOUT THE EPISODE

    Dr. Wade Gilbert joins Luke Gromer to discuss his book, Coaching Better Ever Season. The conversation focuses on the 4 E's of coaching, goal setting, and effective in-game coaching.

    —

    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes from every episode of the podcast!

    📝 Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠⁠CuttingEdgeCoach.com⁠⁠⁠


    Join our free community of more than 400 coaches!

    🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠⁠

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Dr. Wade Gilbert is an internationally renowned coaching consultant and award-winning professor, author of the highly acclaimed book Coaching Better Every Season and Editor Emeritus of the International Sport Coaching Journal.

    In addition to serving as consultant to many college and high school coaches, Gilbert is a long-time advisor to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Coach Education Department, is the lead author of the USOPC Quality Coaching Framework, and primary coach education consultant for USA Football.

    Dr. Gilbert has counseled coaches and sport organizations around the world spanning all competitive levels and in every sport imaginable including world leading teams such as Hockey Canada, England Rugby, US Soccer, USA Water Polo, US Ski & Snowboard, and Cricket Australia.

    Connect with Dr. Gilbert:

    • ⁠⁠@WadeWGilbert⁠⁠
    • Email: ⁠⁠wgilbert@csufresno.edu⁠⁠
    • Buy Coaching Better Every Season ⁠⁠on Amazon⁠

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    CONACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    54 m
  • 120. Creating Culture and Maximizing Performance and Impact with Alan Keane of MVMT Sports (replay)

    120. Creating Culture and Maximizing Performance and Impact with Alan Keane of MVMT Sports (replay)
    Dec 1 2025

    Alan Keane of MVMT Sports joins Luke Gromer to discuss how coaches can build culture and maximize performance and impact in their coaching.

    —

    RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS

    The Cutting Edge Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps.

    If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors, fill out the form below.

    • Director interest form: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠
    • RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠

    —

    FREE PODCAST NOTES & COACHES COMMUNITY

    Click the link below to download the show notes from every episode of the podcast!

    📝 Podcast Notes: ⁠⁠CuttingEdgeCoach.com⁠⁠


    Join our free community of more than 200 coaches!

    Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠https://skool.com/bettercoaching⁠⁠

    —

    GUEST INFO

    Learn more about Alan Keane or connect with him at the links below:

    • Website: ⁠https://mvmtsports.com/⁠
    • Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-keane-00b40221/
    • X: ⁠@CoachKeane14

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    CONACT US

    You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠
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    1 h y 6 m
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