The Coach to Coach Podcast

Episode 8 - Connor Jo Lewis

Dive into the inspiring world of women's football with this captivating Coach to Coach episode featuring the dynamic Connor Jo Lewis, "Cojo," head coach of the Minnesota Vixen. This isn't just another football story; it's a journey of passion, resilience, and strategic brilliance. From her early days playing tackle football to her groundbreaking role as a head coach and sports analytics expert, Cojo shatters stereotypes and redefines the game. Discover her unique "listen, learn, lead" philosophy, her insights from an NFL diversity fellowship with the Baltimore Ravens, and how her experience in Australian Rules Football shapes her coaching. Whether you're a football fanatic, an aspiring coach, or simply someone who loves a story of empowerment, this episode will leave you motivated and inspired. Tune in to witness the evolution of women's football and the remarkable leader driving it forward. #WomensFootball #CoachToCoach #MinnesotaVixen #SportsAnalytics #Leadership #WomenInSports

Episode 7 - Taye Daniel-Ayibiowu

In this engaging episode of the Coach to Coach podcast, host Sean Lindersmith sits down with Coach Taye Daniel-Ayibiowu to explore his inspiring journey through the world of rugby and coaching. Coach T's story is one of passion, mentorship, and a deep commitment to youth development. Here's a breakdown of what you'll discover: Early Influences: Learn about Coach T's upbringing in Queens, New York, his multi-sport background, and how his initial aspirations in ministry shaped his approach to coaching. From Player to Mentor: Discover how an injury led Coach T to transition from playing rugby to coaching, and how he embraced the opportunity to guide and empower young people, emphasizing the importance of faith and providing opportunities for youth, especially those from underserved communities. Building Coaching Foundations: Hear about Coach T's early coaching experiences, from middle school, where he learned patience and effective teaching methods, to high school, where he played a key role in building programs with Play Rugby USA and takes pride in seeing his former players become coaches themselves. A Passion for Youth Development: Coach T's dedication to youth development shines through as he discusses his commitment to providing a platform for young people to thrive through rugby. He stresses the value of discipline, unity, and hard work, prioritizing these qualities over raw talent. Connections and Impact: Coach T reflects on the different connections he's made as a player versus a coach, noting that while he made strong international connections as a player, coaching has allowed him to elevate others and forge meaningful relationships within the United States. Overcoming Challenges: Get an inside look at the challenges Coach T faced while building a varsity program at Nazareth University, including recruitment hurdles and the importance of learning and growing from setbacks. He shares inspiring stories of perseverance, teamwork, and the significance of overcoming obstacles. Coaching Philosophy: Coach T shares his coaching philosophy, which centers on staying the course, learning from both victories and defeats, and cultivating gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of young athletes. He values the experience of his players and aims to instill in them the importance of fighting together as a team. Words to Live By: Coach T leaves listeners with his powerful mantra: "establish where you want to be and work backwards from there", a guiding principle that encapsulates his approach to coaching and life. This episode offers valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and anyone passionate about the power of sports to shape lives.

Episode 6 - Jon Brewer

The Coach to Coach podcast welcomes Jon Brewer, defensive coordinator at Fontana High School. It is discussed how Brewer's dedication to leadership and personal growth has helped his coaching career. Brewer shares his journey into coaching, having been inspired by his high school coaches Markham and Breck. He emphasizes the importance of practicing what you preach and leading by example. The conversation delves into Brewer's coaching philosophy, particularly his focus on discipline and continuous improvement. He believes in celebrating small victories and maintaining momentum through consistent effort. Brewer expresses his desire to become a head coach one day and his passion for coaching high school athletes. He also shares his appreciation for the Coach to Coach platform and the opportunity to connect with other coaches. The episode concludes with Brewer encouraging listeners to give their all in everything they do. He highlights the importance of trying and exhausting all options, emphasizing that effort is irreplaceable.

Episode 5 - Mac and Snooki

This episode of the Coach to Coach podcast features Katie McNeil (Mac) and Amanda Huber (Snooki), a dynamic coaching duo who have been leading women's rugby teams in Wisconsin for over a decade. The episode explores their unique co-coaching relationship, highlighting their individual strengths and how they complement each other to create a positive and successful team environment. They discuss their coaching journey, starting with their initial meeting at UW-Whitewater and the challenges they faced in establishing a new team culture. Mac and Snooki share their coaching philosophies, emphasizing the importance of trust, loyalty, and servant leadership. They also discuss their personal decompression methods after games and practices, highlighting the importance of communication and reflection. The conversation touches on the impact of their coaching on their players, the importance of building relationships, and the challenges of balancing coaching with personal life. They also share their future goals, including writing a book about their coaching experiences and continuing to make a positive impact on the world. The episode concludes with Mac and Snooki expressing their gratitude for the platform and emphasizing the importance of community and support among coaches.

Episode 4 - Derek Wagner

This episode of the Coach to Coach podcast features an interview with Derek Wagner, the long-time coach of the UW-Eau Claire women's rugby team. Derek shares his journey into coaching, highlighting the influence of his wife, Stephanie, who encouraged him to take on the role despite his initial reluctance and limited rugby experience. He discusses the challenges he faced early on, including imposter syndrome and transitioning into a new team environment, and how he gained confidence through positive feedback from his players. The conversation explores Derek's coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of structure, continuous learning through micro-learning resources like rugby-focused Instagram accounts, and collaboration with other coaches. He shares his evolving approach to practice planning and tactical development, influenced by coaches like Joe Lippert, and his passion for growing the game of rugby. Derek also reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the unique opportunities it presented for online learning and networking. He discusses the value of attending coaching summits and conferences, highlighting the benefits of in-person connections and knowledge sharing. The episode concludes with Derek discussing the challenges of rebuilding his team after graduating a large group of senior players and emphasizing the importance of foundational teaching and communication in developing new talent. He expresses his pride in his team's dedication and their commitment to growing the game of rugby.