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Coach 360

Coach 360

By: Stephen Mackey and Colton Leonard: Character Development Advocates
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 Coach 360 is a podcast dedicated to helping high school coaches take their leadership to the next level. In each episode, we'll talk to high school coaches and athletic directors about topics like: developing culture, locker room management, character development, hiring staff, mental toughness, anger management, practice and preparation techniques, and more.
Episodes
  • 344. Kelli Barnet - The Standard - Coaching at Wichita Falls Memorial

    344. Kelli Barnet - The Standard - Coaching at Wichita Falls Memorial
    Jun 9 2025
    What happens when tradition meets transformation? For Coach Kelli Barnett, it meant stepping into a brand-new role at Wichita Falls Memorial High School—formed from the consolidation of three legacy campuses—and turning a blank slate into a platform for something extraordinary. In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, Coach Barnett shares how she laid the groundwork for a culture of character, trust, and resilience among her volleyball athletes. By anchoring her program in character development and a shared mantra—“The Standard”—Coach Barnett reveals what it takes to unite athletes from different schools, build trust among teammates, and create a team-first mindset. From offseason workouts to character conversations, this episode offers a playbook for coaches looking to build more than just winning teams. It’s about building strong, confident young women who lead with heart—on and off the court. Key Takeaways Start With Character: Coach Barnett focused on character development from day one to unify her team and establish core expectations.Trust Is Earned: Team trust was built through consistent workouts, shared experiences, and intentional conversations.Define “The Standard”: Her program’s mantra embodies resilience, accountability, and showing up—even on the tough days.Create Pressure Situations: Using time-limited or high-stakes drills helps athletes grow comfortable with discomfort.Culture Is Lived, Not Posted: Core values only matter if they’re practiced daily—not just printed on shirts or walls.Build Player-Led Teams: Empower athletes to hold each other accountable and lead through example.Consistency Builds Buy-In: Daily commitment to expectations fosters deep program-wide belief and cohesion.Leadership Through Relationship: Coach Barnett’s “Big and Little Sis” initiative strengthens cross-grade mentorship.Pressure Is a Privilege: Teaching athletes to embrace tough moments helps them develop perseverance and poise.Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing: Coaching is ultimately about growing people, not just players. CONTACT COACH BARNET: kbarnett@wfisd.net COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: Colton@2words.tv Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum. JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance. Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.
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    16 mins
  • 343. Daniel Fitzmorris - Data Driven Toughness, Trust, and Tradition - Pasadena Dobie HS

    343. Daniel Fitzmorris - Data Driven Toughness, Trust, and Tradition - Pasadena Dobie HS
    May 26 2025
    In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, we’re joined by Coach Daniel Fitzmorris, Athletic Coordinator at Pasadena Dobie High School and a proud alumnus of the very program he now leads. With deep roots in Dobie football and a winding journey that spans Missouri, Denmark, and across Texas, Coach Fitzmorris returns to his alma mater with a clear vision: restore discipline, build tough athletes, and develop men of character for life beyond the field. Coach Fitzmorris shares how influential mentors shaped his coaching philosophy and how he's paying it forward by empowering his own staff and student-athletes. From promoting leadership among young coaches to reviving old-school toughness through innovative offseason programs, Coach Fitzmorris offers a playbook for cultivating grit, accountability, and loyalty within a program. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just getting started, this episode delivers invaluable insight into what it means to lead with heart and conviction. Key Takeaways Leadership Through Delegation: Coach Fitzmorris stresses the importance of delegating responsibilities to develop younger coaches and empower them to grow in their roles.Promoting From Within: Trust and continuity are built by recognizing the leadership potential already on staff and giving them opportunities to step up.Reviving Old-School Toughness: Through high-expectation offseason programs, including daily mat drills and a disciplined point system, Coach Fitzmorris is rebuilding the culture of Dobie Football.Accountability Through Real-Time Feedback: His “point system” encourages consistent attendance, academic success, and positive behaviors both on and off the field.Building Player-Led Teams: By drafting captains, co-captains, and anchors within small accountability teams, student-athletes are challenged to lead and hold one another to a higher standard.Cultural Rebuilding With Purpose: Coach Fitzmorris is blending Dobie’s championship legacy with new traditions, aiming to make every opponent “feel Dobie” win or lose.Coaching Beyond the Game: His ultimate goal isn’t just football success—it’s to raise first-team All-State husbands, dads, and community leaders.Know Your Players Personally: Today’s athletes thrive under coaches who understand their personal lives and adapt their coaching to build trust and motivation. CONTACT COACH GONZALES: DFitzmorris@pasadenaisd.org COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: Colton@2words.tv Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum. JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance. Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.
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    27 mins
  • 342. Sergio Gonzales - Real World Lessons from Blue Collar Roots

    342. Sergio Gonzales - Real World Lessons from Blue Collar Roots
    May 19 2025
    What does it mean to lead with grit, heart, and humility? In this powerful episode of Coach 360: Beyond the Game, we sit down with Coach Sergio Gonzales, the Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach at Pasadena Rayburn High School. From his blue-collar roots in Galena Park, Texas, to leading student-athletes with passion and purpose, Coach Gonzales shares a raw and inspiring journey of character, leadership, and what it truly takes to make an impact. Coach Gonzales opens up about the defining moments that shaped his career—from his father’s accident that brought him back home from college, to finding mentorship in unexpected places, to building a football program based on accountability, resilience, and love. His story is a reminder that true coaching goes far beyond the field. It’s about building young men of character who are ready to face life with strength and integrity. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athletic director, this conversation is a masterclass in how to balance toughness with compassion, and discipline with encouragement. Coach Gonzales reminds us that “nobody cares—work harder” isn’t just a mantra. It’s a mindset, a culture, and a path to lasting transformation. Key Takeaways Blue-Collar Mentality: Coach Gonzales instills a “nobody cares, work harder” mindset into his program, rooted in the grit and determination he learned growing up in an industrial Houston neighborhood.Lead with Love and Standards: His coaching philosophy is about holding high standards while leading with love—creating an environment where athletes are held accountable but deeply supported.Resilience Through Real-World Lessons: His program emphasizes real-world preparation, teaching kids to be dependable, solution-oriented, and ready for life after high school.Earned, Not Given: Opportunities within the team are earned through effort and commitment, not handed out—a value Coach Gonzales learned through years of grinding from the bottom up.Mentorship Matters: Coaches and mentors like Dusty McGee played a vital role in Gonzales' development—underscoring the importance of investing in the next generation.Culture of Accountability: From calling in absences like a job to flipping tires as consequences, Coach Gonzales sets clear expectations and consistent discipline.Positive Hobbies Replace Negative Habits: By encouraging hobbies like fishing, the team steers players away from negative influences and toward healthy outlets.Know Your Identity: “Be you, while being a part of the team”—athletes are encouraged to keep their individuality while embracing collective purpose.Look in the Mirror: One of his most powerful questions for coaches: “Would you follow yourself?” Self-reflection is key to effective leadership. CONTACT COACH GONZALES: GONZ5307@gmail.com COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: Colton@2words.tv Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum. JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance. Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.
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    19 mins

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