Perhaps best known for his accomplishments on the field, at its core, Coach Troy Calhoun's work is about building athletes in to leaders of character.----more----

SUMMARY

In this conversation, Coach Troy Calhoun discusses his journey from childhood to becoming the head football coach of the Air Force Falcons. He talks about his upbringing in a family of service and the influence of his parents. Coach Calhoun shares his experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy and the lessons he learned in leadership. He also discusses the intersections of athletics and academics and the importance of patience in navigating the highs and lows of life. In this conversation, Coach Troy Calhoun discusses the importance of resilience, patience, and delayed gratification in the pursuit of success. He emphasizes the need to slow down and assess challenges, rather than seeking instant affirmation. Coach Calhoun shares examples of cadets who have shown tremendous growth and success after facing initial difficulties. He also highlights the importance of instilling values and standards in his players, both on and off the field. Coach Calhoun discusses his philosophy on leadership, which includes being right alongside his people, knowing his craft well, and creating an environment where ideas and perspectives are valued. He also emphasizes the significance of believing in and supporting others. Outside of football, Coach Calhoun enjoys spending time with his family, learning, and maintaining a balance in life. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of passion, involvement with people, and the development of others in leadership.

 

OUR FAVORITE QUOTES

• "Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game changer and trailblazer shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond."


• "You gotta go serve the people."


• "The discipline, the attention to detail, and the unselfishness for what was required and demanded in terms of teamwork."


• "If you push forward when you come out the other side, just the additional strength, the confidence."


• "Maybe you can share a story? And what I'm thinking about is when you talk about patience and affirmation showing in an outcome that is later on."


• "You know, I think it is more difficult than ever for a teenager, for all human beings."

 

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Background
01:50 Childhood and Upbringing
04:25 Discovering the Air Force Academy
05:22 Life as a Cadet
09:00 Leadership and Mentorship
10:27 Intersections of Athletics and Academics
13:23 Lessons in Leadership
16:06 Navigating Challenges and Growth
19:43 Transition to Coaching
22:54 Coaching and Leadership
23:23 Values and Character Development
25:46 The Power of Resilience and Patience
30:08 Instilling Values and Standards for Success
31:59 The Philosophy of Leadership
35:18 Believing in and Supporting Others
42:30 Finding Balance and Pursuing Personal Interests
49:34 Passion and Involvement in Leadership
51:59 The Reward of Developing Others

 

TAKEAWAYS

• Coach Calhoun's upbringing in a family of service shaped his values and commitment to leadership.


• His experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy taught him the importance of discipline, time management, and teamwork.


• Coach Calhoun emphasizes the value of mentorship and the impact it can have on young people.


• The intersections of athletics and academics provide opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.


• Navigating the highs and lows of life requires patience and a willingness to learn and grow. Resilience and patience are key qualities for success in any endeavor.


• Delayed gratification can lead to greater strength and confidence.


• Instilling values and standards is important for personal and professional development.


• Leadership involves being involved with and supporting your people.


• Believing in and supporting others can help them achieve more than they thought possible.


• Maintaining a balance in life and pursuing personal interests is important for overall well-being.


• Passion and involvement with people are essential in leadership.


• Developing others and helping them grow is a rewarding aspect of leadership.

 

ABOUT COACH CALHOUN

BIO

Air Force Academy Head Football Coach Troy Calhoun graduated USAFA with the class of ‘89.   Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game-changer and trailblazer, shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond.  He is the very dynamic head coach of the Air Force Falcons football team. Known for his innovative approach and unwavering commitment, Coach Calhoun has led the Falcons through remarkable seasons, transforming them into a formidable force in college football and as warfighters. With a career that spans over a decade at Air Force Academy, Coach Calhoun has earned a reputation for building resilient teams and cultivating emerging leaders using a blend of discipline and inspiration.  We’ll walk through his journey from his days as a child, to becoming a cadet, then on to coaching and the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced in and out of sports. We’ll explore his unique strategies, his philosophy on leading and what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership. He is among the most recognizable and respected figures in football.

 - Image credit:  Ryan Hall, USAFA AOG

 

CONNECT WITH COACH CALHOUN

RADIO SHOW  |  AIR FORCE FOOTBALL  |  FULL BIO

 

 

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TRANSCRIPT

OUR SPEAKERS

Guest:  Coach Troy Calhoun ’89  |  Host:  t. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99

Navier Walkewicz

My guest today is Air Force Academy head football coach Troy Calhoun, USAFA Class of ’89. Coach Calhoun can easily be considered a game changer and trailblazer, shaping the world of sports, leadership and beyond. He is the very dynamic head coach of the Air Force Falcons football team and a 2023 recipient of the Association of Graduates’ Leadership Achievement Award. Known for his innovative approach and unwavering commitment, Coach Calhoun has led the Falcons through remarkable seasons, transforming them into a formidable force in college football and as warfighters.

With a career that spans over a decade at the Air Force Academy, Coach Calhoun has earned a reputation for building resilient teams and cultivating emerging leaders using a blend of discipline and inspiration. We'll walk through his journey from his days as a child to becoming a cadet, then on to coaching and the challenges and triumphs he's experienced in and out of sports. We'll explore his unique strategies, his philosophy on leadership and what it takes to succeed at the highest levels. This promises to be an insightful and engaging conversation with one of the most respected figures in football and leadership. Coach Calhoun, welcome to Long Blue Leadership.

Coach Calhoun

Well, thank you, Naviere, and what an honor it is to be a part of your show.