Sport Coach Education
by Liz Byham
The podcast that explores the knowledge coaches need, how they learn best, and the policies, programs, and standards that shape the profession. Hosted by Liz Byham—a former Division I athlete, physical education teacher, longtime coach, and Ph.D. researcher—each episode features conversations with coaches, educators, and leaders working in the field of sport and learning. Together, we explore the systems that shape coaching in the U.S., from university degrees and governing body certifications to volunteer training and beyond. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe and let’s explore coach education together.
Episodes
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Dane Tabano: Building Mentally Healthy Athletes | Ep 15
Dane Tabano has spent more than 25 years coaching wrestlers while also building a career in education and school counseling. In this episode, Dane traces his path from the Garfield Boys Club and collegiate wrestling to co-founding Apex Wrestling School and developing a deeper interest in the…
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Wes Yourth: 20 Years of Athletic Leadership at Pacific | Ep 14
In this episode, Liz talks with Wes Yourth, Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer at the University of the Pacific. Wes shares his unconventional journey from collegiate baseball player to coach to Division I athletics administrator, reflecting on the mentors, setbacks, and...
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Michelle Davidson: A Life in the Water | Ep 13
In Episode 13, Liz talks with Michelle Davidson, a longtime swim coach, lifeguard, teacher, and mentor whose life in the water stretches from the Jersey Shore to the English Channel. Michelle shares her background as a scholarship swimmer, longtime lifeguard, and coach who has spent decades...
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Stephanie Beritsky: Mountain Bike Coach Development | Ep 12
In Episode 12, Liz talks mountain bike coaching with Stephanie Beritsky, a certified mountain bike instructor, NICA coach, and former REI instructor, to compare three common training pathways: PMBIA, BICP, and NICA’s in-house coach training. They unpack the real differences in how each system...
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Marshall Milbrath: Happy, Healthy, Improving | Ep 11
In Episode 11, Liz talks with Marshall Milbrath—former cross country coach, teacher, exercise physiology grad, and PhD-trained coach educator—about what actually drives athlete improvement and coach development. Marshall shares how he chased every learning opportunity he could find (including USA...
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Peter McGahey: The Magic of Coaching Happens in the Gap | Ep 10
In Episode 10, Liz talks with Dr. Peter McGahey (West Virginia University and U.S. Soccer coach development) for a big-picture conversation on learning, growth, and what makes coaching truly transformative. Peter breaks down the U.S. Soccer licensing pathway, what it means to develop coach...
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Gregory Rubendall: Building Better Soccer Learning Environments | Ep 9
In Episode 9, Liz talks with Gregory Rubendall—a lifelong soccer coach, former physical education teacher, and soccer coach educator—about what it really means to build better learning environments in the sport. They dig into how coaches can create sessions that keep players engaged, how...
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Kyla Lupo: Breaking Barriers in Triathlon — Team Go Big | Ep 8
In this conversation, Kyla Lupo, a USA Triathlon Level 2 coach, about how she’s built a truly welcoming team (www.gobig.life) for beginners—and for athletes who often don’t feel safe or seen in traditional endurance spaces. We talk community-first coaching (including a race-day “tailgate” vibe),...
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Eric Brand: 40 Years of Coaching Wisdom | Ep 7
In episode seven, Liz sits down with Eric “Doc” Brand—her middle school teacher from the 1990s—who has spent 37 years in public education and about 40 years coaching athletes across sports. Eric shares how his coaching has evolved into a more intentional, player-centered approach: starting…
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Rick Prince: Building Better Endurance Coaching Education through UESCA | Ep 6
In episode 6, Liz catches up with longtime friend and former Reebok NYC colleague Rick Prince, founder of United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA). Rick shares his journey from junior national team cyclist and collegiate runner to personal trainer, corporate fitness director, and…
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BONUS: Sharon & Liz Rowing Throwback (Watch the Video!)
In this bonus episode, Liz and Sharon Kriz keep the conversation going after Episode 5 and dive into memory lane—back to their days on the Rutgers Women’s Crew team. They also swap stories from their trip to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where they volunteered at the rowing events. With tons of old...
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Sharon Kriz: Director of Rowing (and my College Teammate!) | Ep 5
In this episode, Liz gets a little giggly with her former Rutgers Women’s Crew teammate, Sharon Kriz. The two share stories from their days as clueless walk-ons who worked their way into the varsity boat and eventually sat together in the 7 and 8 seats their senior year. Sharon went on to compete...
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Ash Allanson: From Pro Footballer to Professor of Coaching | Ep 4
This week we hear from former English professional footballer Ash Allanson. Ash has an undergraduate degree and PhD in coaching from the University of Hull and has brought his expertise to Ohio University, where he is now a professor of coaching. Listen to Ash and Liz discuss approaches to...
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Hannah Bleikamp: Next-Generation HS Athletic Director | Ep 3
In episode three, Hannah Bleikamp shares what it’s really like to be an HS athletic director and why her degree in coaching may serve her even better than a traditional athletic administration degree. Along with Liz, Hannah is also pursuing her PhD in Sport Management, and together they talk…
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Desmond Bouteiller: Coach & Learning Facilitator | Ep 2
In episode 2, we hear from Desmond Bouteiller, a coach with Team Alberta Baseball, where he was named the 2022 Baseball Alberta Coach Developer of the Year. Desmond is also a Certified Learning Facilitator for Baseball Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). We will be discussing the...
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Stephanie Barnes: Reflections of a Swim Coach | Ep 1
In our debut episode, Liz talks with swim coach and PhD candidate Stephanie Barnes about her journey from age-group swimmer to college coach, Auburn staff member, and year-round coach in San Antonio. Listen as they explore what separates teaching lessons from truly coaching, how to balance fun…
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Trailer
Welcome to Sport Coach Education, the podcast that explores how coaches learn, grow, and develop. Hosted by Liz Byham — former Division I athlete, public school teacher, and Ph.D. student researching coach education — the show dives into the systems that shape coaching in the U.S. Each week, Liz...
About this show
The podcast that explores the knowledge coaches need, how they learn best, and the policies, programs, and standards that shape the profession. Hosted by Liz Byham—a former Division I athlete, physical education teacher, longtime coach, and Ph.D. researcher—each episode features conversations with coaches, educators, and leaders working in the field of sport and learning. Together, we explore the systems that shape coaching in the U.S., from university degrees and governing body certifications to volunteer training and beyond. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe and let’s explore coach education together.
Hosted by
Liz Byham