#376: Tyler Germain-Kalamazoo Central HS | Building a State Champion Through Culture, Speed, and Belonging

What happens when a coach sees something in you before you see it in yourself?For Kalamazoo Central Head Coach Tyler Germain, that story starts with two teachers who convinced a tall sophomore football and basketball player to give track and field a chance. A surprise entry into the 300-meter hurdles sparked a journey that would eventually lead to a Michigan state championship and one of the fastest-growing programs in the state.In this episode, Tyler shares how coaches changed his life during a difficult time as a teenager, why he became an English teacher and coach, and how an opportunity to volunteer with his former high school team at age 18 launched a coaching career that now spans more than two decades.Along the way, we dive into coaching education, mentorship, recruiting athletes from the hallways, the influence of Feed the Cats, and the culture shifts that helped grow Kalamazoo Central from roughly 65 athletes to nearly 200 athletes.We also talk about music, garage bands, state titles, coaching through COVID, and why making track the best part of an athlete's day might be the most important coaching philosophy of all.🎙️ From Bay City to Champaign to Kalamazoo🏃 How a first-time 300 hurdle race changed everything🎸 Life on the road playing in bands across the country📚 Teaching English and coaching track for 22 years🏆 Building a state championship program⚡ Growing participation through speed and culture🤝 The mentors who shaped the coach Tyler becameWhether you're coaching high school, college, or simply love the sport, Tyler's story is filled with practical wisdom and powerful reminders about the impact coaches have on young people.Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected:Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Instagram (@MikeCunninghamTF), email at [email protected], or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍