What Every Parent Can Learn from a Veteran Coach and Educator

Chad Wilson: Coaching, Education, and Community Pride in Lehi | Roots and Branches of Lehi PodcastIn this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with retired educator, administrator, and coach Chad Wilson to reflect on a lifetime dedicated to developing young people through education, athletics, leadership, and service.Chad shares his journey from growing up in South Carolina with a love for football to attending Ricks College, serving a mission in Colorado, and continuing his education at BYU. After teaching and coaching in California, he returned to Utah in 1990, where he became a teacher and coach at Lehi High School during a period of tremendous growth. Looking back on those years, Chad discusses building successful athletic programs, improving academic achievement, and teaching lessons that extended far beyond wins and losses.The conversation explores the lasting impact coaches and mentors can have on young people, emphasizing character, resilience, teamwork, and accountability. Chad also shares thoughtful perspectives on parenting, helping teenagers navigate adversity, balancing athletics with life, and supporting students as they discover their identity and purpose. Drawing from years as both a school administrator and church leader, he reflects on leading with empathy, helping teachers succeed, and creating environments where students can thrive.📌 Love hearing stories from the educators, coaches, and leaders who have shaped Lehi? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes celebrating service, leadership, and community.🏡 Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted.⚠️ Disclaimer: An alarm can be heard in the background from 15:22–17:30 of this episode due to an unexpected interruption during recording. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for listening.⏱ Key Moments in This Episode• 00:00 – Podcast Welcome• 00:37 – Meet Chad Wilson• 00:52 – South Carolina Roots• 01:22 – Falling in Love with Football• 02:40 – Ricks College & Mission Experience• 04:34 – BYU and Influential Coaching Mentors• 05:55 – Choosing Sports Medicine & Education• 06:44 – Coaching in California• 09:25 – Returning to Utah and Lehi High• 11:40 – Building Success at Lehi High School• 14:00 – District Leadership & Retirement• 14:54 – Why Coaching Matters• 19:51 – Keeping Students Engaged Through Sports• 21:49 – Advice for Parents• 25:54 – Politics, Playing Time & Fairness• 29:46 – Helping Students Handle Adversity• 30:34 – Coaching Through Mistakes• 31:13 – Lessons Learned from Teammates• 32:12 – Seeing the Bigger Picture• 33:12 – There Is No One Right Way• 35:00 – Marriage & Family Support• 36:02 – Raising Kids Beyond Their Identity in Sports• 37:02 – Life Beyond Football• 39:37 – Transitioning from Coach to Administrator• 42:06 – Helping Teachers Thrive• 45:31 – Leading with Grace• 46:35 – Lessons from Faith Leadership• 47:53 – Advice for Young Coaches• 49:55 – Improving Education Systems• 52:59 – Principles Over Rules• 57:50 – Lehi's Lasting Community Pride• 01:00:33 – Closing Thanks & Outro👣 Related Topics:Education Leadership • High School Coaching • Student Development • Mentorship • Character Education • Parenting • School Administration • Lehi High School • Community Leadership • Roots and Branches of Lehi🎧 Listen to More Roots & Branches of Lehi:Apple: https://apple.co/40J53LnSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7vYouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM🏠 Ready to go from renting to rooted?https://workharding.com/start#RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #CommunityStories #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentsToRoots #Education #Coaching #Leadership #Mentorship #LehiHighSchool