When I think about the people and programs that shaped who I am today, Young Life is right at the top of the list. Long before I was coaching athletes in the weight room or walking the sidelines of Division I football, I was a kid trying to figure out who I was and what really mattered. It was through Young Life that I first encountered mentors who cared more about me than what I could do on a field.

Now, as a coach, that influence continues to show up in my life. Young Life helped shape my heart for ministry and leadership, and it continues to fuel how I invest in the athletes I serve. Because at the end of the day, wins and losses fade—but the impact we make on people lasts a lifetime.

More Than a Bible Study

If you’ve ever been around Young Life, you know it doesn’t look like your traditional church group. It’s built on relationships—real, authentic friendships with high school and college students who are navigating some of the most defining years of their lives. Young Life leaders don’t wait for kids to come to them. They show up—at games, at lunch tables, at the places where students already are. And then they earn the right to be heard.

That relational model changed everything for me. I didn’t grow up needing someone to explain hard work—I got that from sports. But I did need people who could walk with me through questions of faith, identity, and purpose. Young Life provided that space. And more importantly, the leaders showed me what it looked like to live with integrity and joy in a world that often pulls us in other directions.

Athletes Need More Than Training Plans

Working with college athletes every day, I see just how much pressure they carry. They’re balancing academics, family expectations, personal struggles, social dynamics, and the weight of performing at a high level in their sport. That’s a lot for anyone, especially when your identity is tied so tightly to how well you play.

That’s why my job as a performance coach is about more than just building stronger bodies. I want to help build stronger people. I want our guys to know that they are seen, valued, and loved—not for what they do, but for who they are. That kind of investment doesn’t come from programming sets and reps. It comes from showing up consistently, having real conversations, and pointing them toward something bigger than the game.

The Young Life Model in College Athletics

The heartbeat of Young Life—being present, leading with love, and sharing Christ through relationship—is something I try to live out every day in the college setting. It doesn’t mean I’m preaching sermons in the weight room. But it does mean I’m intentional about how I treat people, how I listen, and how I show up for my players even when it’s inconvenient.

Sometimes that looks like staying after a lift to talk through life stuff. Other times, it’s sending a text of encouragement before a big exam or checking in when I know a player’s going through a tough time. The goal isn’t to “fix” anyone, it’s to walk with them. Just like Young Life leaders walked with me.

Lasting Impact Starts With Presence

We talk a lot about legacy in sports. But too often, we define it by stats and accomplishments. I think true legacy is measured by people. Who did you impact? Who remembers how you made them feel? Who’s living differently because of the time you took to care?

Young Life taught me that presence is powerful. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be there. Be consistent. Be honest. Be loving. That’s what builds trust. That’s what changes lives.

And in a college locker room, where young men are forming their beliefs and figuring out who they want to become, that kind of steady presence can make all the difference.

Faith Isn’t Forced—It’s Lived

One of the things I love about Young Life is that it never felt pushy. The leaders didn’t shove faith in my face—they lived it out. And because of that, I was drawn in. I try to do the same as a coach. I don’t need to preach at my players. I just need to love them well, serve them with integrity, and be willing to have real conversations when the time comes.

And when players ask me about my why—why I coach the way I do, why I care so much about culture and accountability—I point to my faith. Because for me, Jesus isn’t a side note. He’s the foundation. And the more I center my life on Him, the more I’m able to love and lead others the right way.

Final Thoughts

Young Life changed my life. It introduced me to mentors who saw my potential beyond football, challenged me to grow in my faith, and gave me a vision for investing in others. Now, I get to carry that legacy forward every day in my role as a coach.

I believe that when we prioritize people over performance, faith over fear, and love over ego, we build something that lasts. And whether or not our athletes ever step onto a pro field, I hope they walk away from our program knowing that they were known, valued, and equipped for whatever comes next.

That’s the kind of impact I want to make. And I’m grateful to Young Life for showing me how.

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There’s something about music that flips a switch in people. It wakes us up, dials us in, and gets us ready to move. Whether I’m leading a 6 a.m. lift with a group of tired college football players or out in the woods with my guitar unwinding after a long day, music plays a big role in my life—not just as a coach, but as a man of faith, a husband, and a student of performance.

In the gym, music isn’t just background noise. It’s part of the environment. The right song at the right time can elevate the energy in the room, help an athlete hit a new PR, or even turn a tough day into a great session. I’ve learned that curating the “coach’s playlist” is about more than taste, it’s about purpose.

The Power of a Good Beat

Let’s start with the obvious: music moves people. It physically affects the body. Science tells us that tempo and rhythm can regulate breathing, boost adrenaline, and even reduce pain. But beyond the science, there’s the feeling of music—how a bass drop before a heavy squat can make you believe you’re unstoppable.

In the weight room, I use music to match the moment. Early in the session, I’ll play something upbeat but steady to help guys wake up and get loose. As we move into the main lifts, the energy ramps up with hard-hitting tracks—hip-hop, rock, or even a little heavy metal depending on the crew. The goal is to help athletes find their zone.

But I also use music to calm things down. During mobility work or recovery days, we might play instrumental or acoustic songs to create a different vibe. Music isn’t just for hype, it’s also a tool for focus and recovery.

Every Team Has a Soundtrack

One of the coolest things about working with different teams over the years is seeing how each group has its own musical identity. At Ohio University, the football team has certain songs that instantly fire them up. If I put on “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill during a team lift, you better believe the whole room’s getting loud. It’s like flipping a switch.

But those songs aren’t just noise, they’re shared memories. They’re connected to big wins, offseason grind sessions, and inside jokes. They build unity. The playlist becomes a soundtrack for the season.

As a coach, I pay attention to what gets guys going. I’ll take requests, switch things up, and even have some fun with unexpected throwbacks. At the end of the day, I want the music to reflect who they are and remind them what they’re working for.

More Than Just Motivation

For me personally, music has always been more than just a pump-up tool. I grew up singing and playing guitar. Music was something I turned to when I needed peace, perspective, or just time to process. That hasn’t changed.

There are days when coaching gets heavy—when athletes are struggling with things off the field, or when the pressure feels overwhelming. Those are the days I’ll go home, grab my guitar, and play. It centers me. It reminds me that life is bigger than wins and losses. It reminds me of God’s presence in every season—loud or quiet.

And sometimes, I share that with the guys. I’ve had moments where I brought out the guitar in a team setting or played something in the background during a leadership talk. Music has a way of reaching people when words fall short.

Faith, Focus, and Flow

In a world that moves fast and demands more and more from athletes, music creates space. It helps block out distractions and get centered. For some of our guys, that means putting in headphones before a game and listening to gospel or worship music to ground themselves. For others, it’s blasting high-energy tracks to tap into their competitive edge.

What I love is that there’s no one “right” kind of music. It’s personal. And that’s the point—music gives us all a way to connect with ourselves, with our team, and even with God. Whether you’re lifting, running, praying, or just walking through a hard day, music can meet you where you are.

The Coach’s Playlist: A Tool for Connection

One of my favorite parts of building a playlist is how it opens up connection. You learn a lot about someone by the music they love. It starts conversations. It creates shared moments. It builds culture.

Sometimes I’ll walk into the weight room early and hear one of our players messing around on the speaker. We might go back and forth throwing on songs, joking around, and figuring out what vibe we want for that day. That interaction may seem small, but it builds trust. It builds relationship. And those relationships are the foundation of any great team.

Final Thoughts

Music may not be written into the training plan, but it’s just as important as any piece of equipment we use. It fuels effort, shapes culture, and reminds us that there’s joy in the journey even when the work is hard.

So whether I’m pressing play in the gym, strumming a guitar at home, or reflecting on the season we’ve just had, I’m grateful for the role music plays. It’s more than sound—it’s a source of strength, connection, and faith.

And if you ever walk into one of our lifts and hear something that makes you nod your head or push a little harder. That’s the coach’s playlist doing what it’s meant to do.

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One of the most valuable experiences of my career came during my time with the Minnesota Vikings. As a scouting intern, I got a front-row seat to what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football. It wasn’t just about big contracts or elite athleticism. What stood out the most were the habits, the attention to detail, and the professionalism that permeated every aspect of the organization.

Now, as Associate Director of Football Sports Performance at Ohio University, I draw from those lessons every day. While our athletes might not be in the NFL—yet—many of the same principles apply. In fact, I’d argue that the earlier you learn to train like a pro, the more likely you are to become one. And even if you don’t end up in the league, those lessons will still serve you well in life.

Consistency Over Hype

One of the biggest myths in sports is that pros are successful because they’re constantly doing something “next-level” in the gym. The truth? Most of the guys who make it and stick around in the NFL are masters of the basics. They don’t skip the fundamentals. They don’t chase flashy. They show up, do the work, and do it right—every single day.

That consistency is what separates good from great. It’s what I preach to our players here at Ohio. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, you need to own the details. Train with purpose. Warm up the right way. Nail your technique. Get your sleep. Fuel your body. Do it again tomorrow.

Recovery Is Part of the Work

At the pro level, recovery isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the training plan. Cold tubs, stretching, sleep tracking, massage therapy, nutrition—it’s all taken seriously. Why? Because the margin for error is razor thin. If your body isn’t ready to go, someone else will take your spot.

That mindset is one I work hard to instill in college athletes. It’s easy to think that training harder is always better. But smart athletes know that training smarter leads to longevity. You can’t make gains if you’re sidelined. I want our players to push themselves, but I also want them to prioritize rest, listen to their bodies, and treat recovery like it’s their job. Because in the NFL, it is.

Professionalism Is a Choice

You don’t have to be getting paid to carry yourself like a professional. In fact, professionalism is more about how you work than where you work. In the NFL, everything is intentional. Meetings start on time. Athletes bring notebooks. Coaches expect questions. There’s a standard, and it’s enforced.

In college, that level of ownership can be rare, especially early on. But I’ve seen it click for athletes who choose to embrace it. They stop waiting for someone to tell them what to do. They start preparing ahead of time. They take responsibility for their process. And those athletes, whether they make it to the league or not, walk away with tools that last a lifetime.

Culture Drives Everything

What I saw with the Vikings, and what I’ve tried to build in every locker room I’ve been part of, is a culture where excellence is the expectation, not the exception. In that kind of environment, you don’t have to be pushed all the time. The standard pushes you. Your teammates push you. And when the culture is strong, everyone gets better.

That’s why we focus so much on communication, leadership, and character here at Ohio. Strength training is more than just moving weight. It’s about building discipline. Building accountability. Building trust. Because if you can do that in the weight room, you’ll bring it to the field—and to life beyond football.

The Weight Room Is a Mirror

One of the reasons I love what I do is because the weight room doesn’t lie. It reflects who you are. Are you showing up? Are you giving full effort? Are you coachable? Are you consistent?

Those are the same questions pro teams are asking when they evaluate a draft prospect. Talent matters, yes. But so does work ethic. So does body language. So does the ability to stay healthy and available.

That’s why I push our guys to treat every training session like a proving ground. Not because someone is always watching, but because you are always developing. How you train matters. It’s either building good habits or bad ones. There’s no in-between.

Pro Lessons, College Stage

Bringing lessons from the NFL into the college environment isn’t about pressure, it’s about preparation. My goal isn’t to stress guys out with pro-level demands. My goal is to help them realize that the habits they’re forming now will shape everything that comes next.

Whether they go on to play in the league, coach, or pursue a completely different path, they’ll carry those lessons with them: discipline, humility, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure. That’s what it means to train like a pro.

Final Thoughts

I’m grateful for my time in the NFL, not because it gave me a cool title or insider access, but because it helped me understand what real excellence looks like up close. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s clear, and it’s worth chasing.

At Ohio University, we may not have million-dollar facilities or media buzz around every practice. But we have young men who are hungry to grow, coaches who care, and a culture that values the right things. That’s the foundation of any great program—college or pro.

So whether you’re a walk-on freshman or a fifth-year senior eyeing the next level, my message is the same: Train with purpose. Take care of your body. Show up like a pro, even if no one’s watching. Because when you do, you’re not just preparing for the next game. You’re preparing for the rest of your life.

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