Director of Volleyball Sports Performance at SMU, Anthony Cockrill joins the show to unpack what real athlete development looks like—and what many people get wrong. We dive into how the transfer portal has reshaped long-term development, why so many athletes show up underprepared, and how constantly adjusting the plan to make athletes “feel good” can become a dangerous long-term strategy. Anthony also shares his thoughts on load management, kinesthetic awareness, and where the collegiate strength and conditioning field is headed.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Anthony Cockrill

06:45 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in College Sports

12:23 Understanding Athlete Development

17:19 Balancing Short-Term Gains with Long-Term Development

27:29 Building Trust with Coaching Staff

33:39 Capacity Meets Demand in Training

42:52 Characteristics of High-Performing Athletes

Head Strength Coach at Bishop’s College School and Universal Academy, Josh Bray joins the show to break down how he tailors training by bucketing athletes into three archetypes based on both their physiological and psychological traits. We dive into how he individualizes programs in large group settings without losing structure. Josh also shares how and when he uses games in training, the importance of educating athletes, and his approach to long-term development.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Josh Bray's Journey

03:28 Navigating Young Athletes' Mindsets

04:47 Athlete Archetypes and Group Dynamics

10:42 Intent and Engagement in Training

12:33 Strengths vs. Weaknesses in Training

14:38 Implementing Bucketing Strategies

16:36 Establishing Foundations in New Environments

18:19 The Role of Education in Athlete Development

20:12 Data-Driven Decision Making

22:31 Incorporating Games and Competitions

26:21 Creating a Positive Training Environment

27:14 Fostering Excellence Among Athletes

29:10 Reassessing Programming Decisions

31:25 The Importance of Mental Toughness in Athletics

34:55 Crafting the Ideal Development Path for Young Athletes

39:04 The Role of Curiosity and Continuous Learning in Coaching

45:45 Balancing Inputs and Outputs in Coaching

52:32 Personal Training's Impact on Coaching Philosophy

54:29 Closing the Gap in Personal Skill Development

55:57 The Value of Mentorship in Coaching

57:37 The Importance of Patience and Commitment in Athletic Development

Owner and Director of Player Development at Kingdom Performance, Keith Spencer joins the show to share how he’s built a training environment rooted in community, relationships, and long-term development. From partnering with parents to creating unforgettable experiences for athletes, we explore how Keith overdelivers and builds something far greater than just basketball skills. This episode dives into the business side of coaching, the depth of athlete development, and the keys to leaving a lasting impact.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kingdom Performance

02:39 Building a Community in Sports

05:35 Developing Staff and Intentionality

08:30 Creating Impactful Relationships with Athletes

11:17 Engaging with Parents for Holistic Development

14:09 Exceeding Expectations in Training

17:02 The Importance of Confidence in Athletes

19:50 The Role of Debriefing in Player Development

22:58 Personalized Training and Ownership

25:37 Identifying Areas of Opportunity

28:28 Creativity in Basketball Training

34:17 Empowering Young Athletes

41:27 Balancing Business and Purpose

45:39 International Experiences and Cultural Impact

51:36 Building Character Beyond Basketball

01:00:13 Navigating Challenges and Finding Gratification