Bigger Than Football

On this episode I am joined by Robert Golden who spent six seasons as a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring in 2018. Who founded a tuition-free charter school in his hometown to service the underprivileged children of the southwest Fresno neighborhoods where he was raised.

On this episode I am joined by two coaches who talk about the sacrifices they made professionally to create opportunities at the college level. Matt Birkett, a 17th year coaching veteran and Jeff Sejour currently coaching at his alma mater Lafayette College go into detail about their individual journey. “Take a job for what you can learn, not for what it will pay you.”  

On this episode I am joined by Coach Jesse Thompson, currently the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Mississippi Valley State University. A rising star in the industry, Thompson was selected both in 2014 and 2023 for participation at the NCAA/NFL Coaches Academy and was selected for the 2016 NFL Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a Defensive Assistant during training camp where we first crossed paths. He discusses his process of applying for and obtaining the internship.

On this episode I am joined by Coach Antone Sewell currently the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Morgan State University. Coach Sewell has played and coached at an historically Black College for most of his career. We discussed the challenges and advantages of the HBCU experience.    

A former co-worker of mine Chad Walker who is currently the Associate Athletic Director and Varsity Head Football Coach at the Christ school in Arden, North Carolina joins the show with his assistant coach Dave Brunner. Coach Brunner has authored curriculum and taught classes in coaching education, leadership, and philosophy, psychology, and management of sport. Brunner received his Ph.D. from the University of Idaho in Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology of Sport. We discussed how sports psychology is relevant in the current climate of football.

In this episode Coach Cherokee Valeria talks about his mentorship style and how the seeds planted will bear fruit when you least expect it later on in your former players lives.

In this episode we talk with my former junior college coach Lenny Wagner, currently the Head Coach at Santa Rosa Junior college. He talks about his journey into the profession and the lessons learned from mentors along the way. Notable names in the profession like Gary Patterson, Tim Walsh, and legendary Coach Hal Sherbeck. Coach Wagner has played an instrumental role in the success and transfer of over 200 student athletes which include 2014 first round draft pick CB Jason Verrett (TCU, SD Chargers), 2010 second round draft pick LB Koa Misi. (Utah, Miami Dolphins) 

In this episode we talk with Coach Holman Copeland who coaches the defensive backs at the University of Buffalo. He details his journey which started as a graduate assistant at East Stroudsburg. The emotional connection to his current opportunity where he walked the same office halls as a graduate assistant 10 years ago.

In this episode we talk with Coach McDaniel class of 2023 Hall of fame inductee at Clemson University. Two-Time All-American Defensive Back who has played and coached under Dabo Swinney. McDaniel is in his ninth season on staff at Clemson including the 2016 and 2018 National Championship seasons. Learn more about the culture within the Clemson football program.

In this podcast series learn from conversations about the profession of coaching beyond the schematics and strategies on the field. We will explore a more in-depth look into personal accounts of being in the profession from a collection of diverse perspectives. Diamond Weaver, a coaching veteran with experience at all levels of football as a player and coach, has firsthand insight into the minds, lives, and pressing topics in the profession of coaching football. Coaches will translate their coaching journey into applicable tools you can use to begin, improve, or relate to your journey.