Coach Neil Russo - Newberg Wrestling: Embracing Discomfort & Maxing Out

Coach Steve Valach - Liberty Football: Player-Led, Not Coach-Fed

🚨Coach Steve Valach🚨 Steve Valach is the longtime Head Football Coach at Liberty High School in Issaquah, Washington. A Pacific Lutheran University alum, he has led the Liberty Patriots for 25+ years. Under his guidance, the team has made 7 state playoff appearances—including two trips to the state championship game—while earning multiple KingCo 3A Coach of the Year honors and the 2009 Seattle Seahawks High School Coach of the Year award. Coach Valach is widely respected as a player developer and mentor who builds character, leadership, and joy alongside football excellence. A dedicated family man, with Unshakeable Faith, he continues to pour his heart into the program and his athletes. In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Coach Valach shares his extensive journey in coaching, reflecting on the challenges and growth he has experienced over nearly four decades. He discusses the importance of understanding one's purpose in coaching, the concept of 'battleship moments' that test resilience, and the process of crafting a mission and vision statement that guides his coaching philosophy. He reflects on the influence of coaches like Frosty Westering and the significance of mentorship throughout his career. Coach Valach emphasizes the challenges of coaching, particularly the need to detach self-worth from winning or losing, and advocates for a transformational approach to coaching that focuses on developing players as individuals. He shares various strategies for building team culture, fostering joy, and creating a strong team identity through traditions and practices that promote connection and personal growth. In this conversation, Coach Steve Valach shares his insights on importance of Team (Ubuntu), and the necessity to declare war on isolation / lock arms with others. He concludes with heartfelt advice for aspiring coaches, highlighting the importance of relationships and community.   Takeaways: -Battleship vs Cruise Ship  -Success and Losses both come with their own sets of problems. -Rediscovering my Why -What is a mission statement? -Mission Statement Serves as Both an Anchor & a Sword -Unlock Greatness & Launch Athletes into adulthood -Winning and losing should not define a coach's self-worth. -Transformational for Transactional Coaching -Joy is essential in the game of football. -Team culture is built through recognition and connection. -Teams should be player-led, not coach-fed. -Why is football the greatest sport? Real risk and Real Consequences -Disneyland Fun vs Build Your House Fun -A Bad Rep is Better than a Good Stand -What does Team mean to you? Declare War on Isolation & Ubuntu -Great Leaders are Great Delegators -Crucial conversations require honesty, truth, and grace. -Advice for younger Coaches: It’s Worth It https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast

Coach Dave Turnbull - Summit Track & Field: Reflect, Reset, and Go

🚨Coach Dave Turnbull 🚨 Dave Turnbull is the longtime head track and field coach (and health teacher) at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. Coach Turnbull graduated from Mountain View High School in 1984, where he excelled in football and track. He earned a full scholarship to Oregon State University, where he competed in both football and track before stopping football due to concussions. At OSU, he became an All-Pac-10 athlete in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and 4x100 relay.  Coach Turnbull has led Summit’s (Bend, OR) program since the early 2000s. Under his guidance, the Storm have won 23 Oregon state team titles in outdoor track and field: 15 girls’ titles and 8 boys’ titles. This includes multiple streaks of dominance (notably 14 straight for the girls) and a boys/girls sweep in 2026. He has been named Oregon Coach of the Year multiple times and has built a reputation for depth, multi-event athletes, jumps excellence, and a high-energy, no-excuses culture. Coach Turnbull and his wife, Susan, have two kids, Noah and Asha.  In this engaging conversation, Coach Dave Turnbull shares his journey from a young athlete in Pendleton, Oregon, to becoming the head track coach at Summit High School. He discusses his dual life as a coach / teacher and a DJ, the importance of building a winning culture, and his coaching philosophy centered around character development. Coach Turnbull reflects on the challenges of coaching, the significance of recruiting the right athletes, and his vision for the future of track and field. He emphasizes the need for constant learning and adaptation in coaching and passionately explains why he believes track is the greatest sport, as it mirrors life's challenges and triumphs. In this conversation, Coach Turnbull shares his insights on coaching, personal growth, and the importance of teamwork. He reflects on his own experiences with adversity, including a cancer diagnosis, and emphasizes the need for resilience in both athletics and life. Coach Turnbull discusses the significance of discipline, caring for all athletes regardless of their skill level, and the value of inspiring growth beyond performance metrics. He also highlights the importance of building relationships within a team and the need for coaches to continuously challenge themselves. The conversation concludes with Coach Turnbull's thoughts on retirement and his aspirations for the future. Takeaways: -The Why: I want to be a Day Changer -We’re in the job of Selling Belief -Coaching is Complicated -Build Character First & Athleticism will Come -How Can we get players to be their best -Building a winning culture requires setting high expectations from the start. -Coaching is a continuous learning process, and humility is key to growth. -The role of a coach is to uplift and inspire athletes during critical times. -ADHD as a Superpower -The Greatest Challenge of Coaching -Inspiration before Perspiration  -Training is Systematic and Scientific -Why is Track the Greatest Sport? -Track Meets are Failure Events. Isn’t that life -If you could coach any athlete? -Reflect, reset, and go -Spiderman, Mindset, & Perspective -It’s not the medal that makes the moment, it’s the moment that makes the medal -Your Quality as a Coaching Staff Depends on… -Pride Pushes Performance. -Advice for other Coaches: Never stop learning. https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast

Coach Kane Ioane - Nevada Defensive Coordinator: Be Genuine, Be Consistent, Be the Example

🚨Coach Kane Ioane🚨 Coach Kane Ioane is the Defensive Coordinator for the Nevada Wolf Pack football team. Born and raised in Billings, Montana, Coach Kane is a former four-time All-American safety at Montana State University (2000–2004), where he earned Big Sky Defensive MVP honors in 2003 and became the conference’s all-time tackles leader. He had a brief NFL stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is inducted into both the Montana State Athletics Hall of Fame and Montana Football Hall of Fame. Coach Kane began his coaching career at Montana State in 2005 – 2016 where he spent time in many different roles including as a Coordinator.  In 2017–18, he went to Washington as a defensive analyst before returning to Montana State as defensive coordinator/safeties coach (2019–2020 under Jeff Choate). He then served as co-DC/safeties coach at Boise State 2021–23, before joining Nevada as DC in 2024. He and his wife Kerri have two children, Avah and Kyson.  His passion for coaching and mentorship comes from his father, Kas Ioane — the original “Coach Ioane” — a beloved educator and coach in Billings Public Schools for nearly 40 years, primarily at Skyview High School. After Kas’s Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnosis, Kane and his brother Kip founded the Kas Ioane Foundation (KIF) to honor his legacy. The foundation supports Alzheimer’s research and families, youth empowerment, scholarships, and coach development through the annual KIF Golf Tournament and Coaching Solutions Seminars.  In this episode of the Coachers Podcast, they discuss Coach Kane's extensive coaching journey, his upbringing in Montana, the influence of his family, and the impact of fatherhood on his coaching philosophy. Coach Kane shares insights on the importance of inspiring young athletes, the challenges of coaching, and the values that guide him in his career. He emphasizes the significance of teamwork in football and reflects on the sacrifices coaches make for their profession. Coach Kane outlines the structure of effective practices, highlighting the importance of preparation and attention to detail. He shares insights into his defensive philosophy, focusing on the significance of physicality and understanding personnel. He speaks about the self-scout process and focusing on refining defensive strategies, the importance of call tracking. The conversation concludes with the college football recruiting landscape, NIL / Transfer Portal, and what he’s looking for in recruits!  Key Takeaways:  -His upbringing in Montana and family legacy greatly influenced his coaching career. -The Impact of his Father, Coach Kas Ioane  -Fatherhood & Coaching -The Why Behind Coaching -Coaching is about inspiring and influencing young athletes. -Family, Humility, Leadership | Personal Mission Statement -Be Genuine, Be Consistent, Be The Example -Time sacrifice is one of the biggest challenges in coaching. -Small Things = Big Things -Small details lead to big outcomes in football and life. -Overall Defensive Philosophy -Understanding the OC -Deciphering a Good Play Call, But Bad Result -College Recruiting Landscape - What Does the Ideal Safety Look Like? -Embracing NIL https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast

Coach Ilaisa Tuiaki - Northern Colorado LB Coach: Players Change, Times Change, Principles Dont.

🚨Coach Ilaisa Tuiaki🚨 Coach Tuiaki played running back and linebacker at Snow College and Southern Utah University, then fought amateur MMA as “Ogre 6” while teaching high school English and launching his coaching career at Kearns HS. Coach Tuiaki has built a strong reputation across two decades in college football: Defensive Coordinator and DL Coach at BYU (2016–2022), where his units ranked among the nation’s best in takeaways and scoring defense; Defensive Line Coach at Utah (55 sacks in 2014), Oregon State, and Utah State; and currently Linebackers Coach at Northern Colorado. A Broyles Award nominee who has coached in eight bowl games, he’s known for developing physical, opportunistic defenses and mentoring players with authenticity and high standards.  In this conversation, Coach Tuiaki shares his journey from being a college football player, to a successful coach, detailing his experiences at various institutions. He discusses the challenges of coaching, the importance of player development, and how his faith influences his coaching philosophy. Coach Tuiaki shares his coaching philosophy centered on building men through principles of charity. He offers advice for aspiring coaches, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and resilience in the face of adversity. Coach discusses the challenges of staying true to oneself in a competitive coaching environment and shares insights into calling plays as a defensive coordinator / the purpose of a defense in winning games. The conversation explores various aspects of college football, including the impact of NIL on player retention, the dynamics of recruiting, and the qualities that define an ideal linebacker. They discuss the complexities of the sport, drawing parallels to life lessons, and emphasize the importance of principles and gratitude in coaching and personal development. Photo Cred 📸: Greeley Tribune  Key Takeaways: 🏈Some people build bridges, some build art, coaches build people. 🏈The Benefits of working out with your players 🏈Coaching Philosophy: Authenticity & Principles of Charity 🏈Players Change, Times Change, Principles Don’t 🏈Don't be hard on yourself; keep moving forward. 🏈Adversity is part of the journey; learn from it. 🏈Winning comes from unchanging principles like hard work. 🏈Be true to yourself as a coach; authenticity matters. 🏈The Purpose of Defense and Winning Games 🏈The Art of calling a defense 🏈The Magic Happens at 3rd & 7 + 🏈Simplicity in play calling helps players perform better.  🏈P4 is the new NFL 🏈Some players make decisions that may not benefit their long-term careers. 🏈Why is Football the Greatest Sport?  🏈The Recording Dashboard Metaphor 🏈The complexity of football mirrors the complexities of life 🏈The Family Motto https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast

Coach Neil Russo - Newberg Wrestling: Embracing Discomfort & Maxing Out

🚨Coach Neil Russo🚨 Coach Neil Russo has been the driving force behind Newberg High School Wrestling for over 25 years, continuing a proud family legacy that dates back to 1968.  As part of the multigenerational Russo coaching dynasty—alongside his father Pete (who won a state title in 1970) and uncle Tony (who secured 7 state championships) Coach Neil Russo has helped build the Tigers into one of Oregon’s most dominant programs. The family’s combined 58 years of leadership were recently honored with the dedication of the Russo Family Wrestling Room at Newberg High.  Under Coach Russo’s guidance, Newberg has captured multiple 6A state team titles (3 peat in 2026) and, produced dozens of individual state champions, and earned Coach Russo honors like Oregon State Coach of the Year and NFHS National Wrestling Coach of the Year.  A Newberg alum and lifelong Tiger, Coach Russo continues to uphold a tradition of excellence, toughness, and family values on the mat. Go Tigers! In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Coach Russo shares insights into his family legacy in coaching, the evolution of his coaching style, and the importance of adapting to the changing dynamics of sports. He emphasizes the value of multi-sport athletes, the necessity of embracing discomfort in wrestling, and the balance between making the sport enjoyable while also fostering a competitive spirit. Throughout the conversation, Coach Russo highlights the life lessons learned through wrestling and the significance of building a strong community around the sport. In this conversation, Coach Russo shares his insights on coaching wrestling, emphasizing the importance of life lessons learned through the sport, the balance between individual and team success, and the value of resilience in the face of adversity. He discusses the significance of unpleasant drills, the meaning of teamwork, and the strategies he employs to foster leadership among his athletes. Coach Russo also reflects on the journey of underdog wrestlers, innovative training methods, and the metrics he uses to define success beyond just winning. Photo Credit: Seth Gordon Key Takeaways: -The Russo family Tradition -Coaching is an evolving journey; adaptation is key -Wrestling teaches athletes to embrace discomfort -Expectations and Maxing out -Why is Wrestling the Greatest Sport? -Winning becomes a byproduct of the Process -Learning how to lose -Wrestling is Primitive and Personal -Coaching Philosophy: Teaching Life lessons! -The Three Musts of a first time HC -Mental Dynamics in Wrestling Matches -Balancing life lessons and competitive excellence -Expectations for effort and commitment are uniform for all athletes -What separates good teams from championship teams? -Coaching is an Art that requires flexibility and creativity. -“You only get one chance with a kid” -Unpleasant drills are essential for growth -The 4 Scenarios of Coaching -What are you most proud of? https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast