The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons

In this episode of The Daily Coach newsletter in audio form, we revisit Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his reflections on priorities, family, and what truly matters. Through a heartfelt moment on the show Landman, Jones shares how his greatest success wasn’t in football or oil, but in building a life rooted in connection with his children. His words challenge us to pause and consider: Are we organizing our lives around what’s most important—or letting distractions set our course?Join us on September 23rd at 2:30 PM EDT / 11:30 AM PDT for a free live seminar on the Five Lessons the Best Leaders Wish They Learned Sooner, presented by Michael Lombardi. The seminar is limited to the first 400 registrants. Sign up now at ⁠⁠https://apply.thedaily.coach/daily-coach-seminar-10-2025/⁠⁠. If you can’t attend live, sign up to receive the full recording afterward.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.thedaily.coach/subscribe⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Daily Coach newsletter in audio form, we revisit Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay’s candid reflections on leadership, growth, and the hidden cost of living a “curated” life. From burnout to breakthroughs, McVay’s story underscores that our ability to lead others begins with the habits we cultivate for ourselves. We’ll explore why prioritizing rest, authenticity, and self-awareness is essential for long-term excellence and fulfillment.Join us on September 23rd at 2:30 PM EDT / 11:30 AM PDT for a free live seminar on the Five Lessons the Best Leaders Wish They Learned Sooner, presented by Michael Lombardi. The seminar is limited to the first 400 registrants. Sign up now at ⁠⁠https://apply.thedaily.coach/daily-coach-seminar-10-2025/⁠⁠. If you can’t attend live, sign up to receive the full recording afterward.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.thedaily.coach/subscribe⁠⁠.

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits why the Navy SEALs value trust and character over raw talent when selecting elite team members. Through insights shared by Bill Belichick and leadership research, the episode explores how trust increases speed, strengthens culture, and reveals true character under pressure. The lesson is clear: great teams are built on reliability and integrity, not just skill.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits what hard coaching really means through a moment between Nick Saban and Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold. It explores how trust and relationships determine whether tough feedback becomes motivation or resentment. The lesson reminds leaders that intensity only works when it is backed by credibility and care. Hard coaching succeeds when people know it comes from belief, not ego.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits the idea of sticktoitiveness and what it teaches us about grit and perseverance. Drawing from Angela Duckworth’s research, it explores the eight traits shared by people who sustain effort over time and turn setbacks into growth. The lesson reminds leaders that grit is not about talent alone but about habits, focus, and hope. Progress begins when we commit to showing up and staying the course.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits how a leader’s words shape a team’s mindset long before adversity strikes. It explores why great leaders never use injuries or setbacks as excuses and instead prepare their message with intention and discipline. Every word builds expectations, accountability, and belief. Leadership begins with controlling the narrative before challenges arrive.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits how Stanley Cup–winning coach John Cooper uses creativity and clarity to reach his team after tough losses. His approach shows that leadership is not just about what you say, but how you say it and who you are saying it to. Cooper’s story highlights the power of preparation, authenticity, and understanding your audience. Great teams are built through messages that connect, not speeches that lecture.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits how Pat Riley used a simple but powerful moment to communicate expectations and capture his audience’s attention. His lesson shows that how a message is delivered can matter as much as the message itself. Great leaders don’t just ask for focus, they create it through clarity, awareness, and intentional storytelling. Communication succeeds when leaders understand both their message and their audience.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits a powerful message from Kansas State coach Jerome Tang and the standard set by Kobe Bryant. It challenges leaders and performers to move beyond talking about winning and instead prove commitment through daily actions and habits. True leadership is revealed not in slogans or inspiration, but in the discipline to live out what we admire. The question is simple. Do your actions match the standard you claim to follow.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits a quiet but powerful leadership moment from Brendan Shanahan’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It explores how empathy, presence, and small intentional actions helped reconnect a forgotten former executive to the organization he helped build. The story is a reminder that leadership is not only measured by wins or strategy, but by how we treat people when no one is watching.Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits the extraordinary courage and selflessness of Doris Miller, a Navy sailor whose heroism at Pearl Harbor reshaped American history. Despite having no formal combat training and facing discrimination, Miller acted with integrity, saving lives under unimaginable pressure. His story reminds us that true leadership is revealed in moments of chaos, not comfort. It is a powerful lesson in character, sacrifice, and what it truly means to serve others.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits how LSU’s historic championship season was fueled not just by talent, but by the absence of ego. It explores how Coach O’s willingness to adapt, hire the right people, and change long held habits created space for true transformation. The lesson is simple but rare: real growth begins when leaders stop protecting their way and start protecting the mission. Winning matters more than winning your way.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits how small moments can quietly shape our entire day if we let them. It explores why leaders must learn to pause, reframe, and reset before frustration turns into a mood that affects everyone around them. The lesson is simple but powerful: you cannot always control the moment, but you can always control the frame. Great leadership begins with managing your perspective before it manages you.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits the idea of barrels versus ammunition and what it teaches us about promotions, leadership, and true ownership. Drawing on insights from early PayPal employee Keith Rabois, it explores the difference between those who execute tasks and those who turn ideas into reality. The lesson is simple but powerful: if you want to grow, stop waiting for instructions and start becoming a barrel.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits the rise of Austin Reaves and what his journey teaches us about preparation, presence, and seizing opportunity. From going undrafted to delivering on one of the NBA’s biggest stages, Reaves reminds us that success is built one rep, one habit, and one moment at a time. The real question is not whether opportunity will come, but whether we will be ready when it does.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

This episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons revisits what hope really means, not as wishful thinking, but as a steady confidence in who we are and what we can face. It explores the difference between hoping for outcomes and holding hope as a way of being. Leaders have a unique opportunity to model this kind of hope through their actions, especially in seasons of uncertainty. Hope is not something we wait for. It is something we choose to carry.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge do not lead with speeches or spotlight moments. They lead through presence, consistency, and the way they treat everyone around them. This episode explores how true leadership is often quiet, built through daily habits and small acts of respect. Sometimes the strongest message is not what you say, but how you show up.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit how Dan Lanning used the science of conditioning and a famous Wisconsin tradition to reframe pressure into performance. By teaching his team to associate a potential distraction with focus and intensity, he turned an obstacle into an advantage. The story explores how leaders can train their own responses to stress, noise, and uncertainty. What stands in the way does not have to stop us. It can become the way forward.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit a defining moment high on Mount Everest, when Dr. Ken Kamler faced a critical decision after losing visibility and nearing the summit. With months of preparation behind him and enormous pressure ahead, he had to wrestle with why he wanted to continue and who he was really doing it for. The story explores the concept of reflected glory and how easily outside expectations can influence our choices. It’s a reminder that the hardest leadership decisions often happen in silence, long before anyone else sees the outcome.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe

In this episode of The Daily Coach: Sports Leadership Lessons, we revisit Admiral William McRaven’s story of the Navy SEAL “Munchkin Crew,” a group that consistently outperformed larger and stronger competitors. Their edge was not size or resources, but effort, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. The lesson is clear for leaders operating with fewer advantages. You may not control the conditions, but you always control your mindset, preparation, and resolve.The Daily Coach's first hardcover and kindle book is here. “Hiring” is a collection of The Daily Coach’s best stories on the topic. This book is not a hiring formula, but a practical reference for coaches and leaders involved in team building. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secure your copy of Hiring today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Not yet subscribed to The Daily Coach newsletter? Join thousands of leaders who receive The Daily Coach every day–for free. Sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thedaily.coach/subscribe