10 Lessons in 10 Years of Player Development

From Fired to Fulfilled — 10 Lessons That Shaped My Player Development Journey

Jun 17, 2025

From Houston to Kansas to Baylor and beyond… here’s what this journey taught me.

In 2016, I walked away from coaching and stepped fully into the world of player development. At the time, I believed that being a head coach was the only way to create lasting impact in the lives of athletes. That’s what I had seen, and that’s what I was striving toward. But what I discovered that year turned that belief on its head. I realized that the impact I wanted to have—transformational, off-the-field, people-centered—was not only possible in a player development role, it was greater. That realization would shape the next 10 years of my life.

Over the past decade, I’ve served in roles at major programs, experienced wins and losses, seen doors open and close, and had my faith in this work tested and deepened. In this week’s episode of The Player Development Pod, I’m reflecting on 10 years in the field by sharing the biggest lesson I’ve learned each year—one for every season I’ve walked through.

Each of these years brought challenges, surprises, and growth. Here’s what they taught me.

🗓 2016 – Impact > Position

This was the year of discovery. I transitioned into the player development space for the first time and quickly realized that my purpose didn’t require a headset. I didn’t need to be the head coach to shape lives. The player development seat held more influence than I ever imagined—not just with individuals, but across the entire team and program culture.

🗓 2017 – Passion > Title

In 2017, I was moved out of player development and into a recruiting role. It was a tough shift. I missed the impact, the relationships, the heart of the work. But that year reminded me that your role may change, but your passion doesn't. Even when the title was gone, the fire in me for this work never faded. Thankfully, I was able to return to player development before the year ended.

🗓 2018 – Someone Is Always Watching

This was a defining year. I fully built out Beyond the Field and poured myself into creating something that would outlast a job title. After a successful season, we were let go as a staff. I didn’t know what was next. But soon after, the University of Kansas called. That opportunity came because of the work I’d done behind the scenes. The lesson? Someone is always watching—so stay ready, stay excellent, even when it feels like no one sees it.

🗓 2019 – Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

I started my new role at Kansas as the Director of Player Development with big ideas and big plans. But early on, I learned that before launching anything, you have to take stock of the resources already in place—and identify who’s truly in your corner. I was trying to build systems that already existed. That year taught me to listen first, then build.

🗓 2020 – Let the Players Lead

2020 was the year everything changed—COVID, racial injustice, global uncertainty. We listened to our athletes and gave them space to speak out, to lead, and to turn their voice into action. We empowered them to create programming based on what mattered to them. And it reminded me of a powerful truth: when you trust your players, they will rise. Player development isn’t about speaking for them—it’s about building systems that help them speak and lead for themselves.

🗓 2021 – Relationships Are the Program

I transitioned to Baylor University and stepped into a role that I was incredibly excited about. I was told I’d be able to lead programming, build initiatives, and shape lives in big ways. Unfortunately, once I arrived, I wasn’t allowed to do many of the things I had been promised. But I didn’t let the lack of structure stop the impact. Instead, I leaned on what mattered most: relationships. And those relationships became the program. That year proved that if you build strong connections, they’ll carry more weight than any job description.

🗓 2022 – The Real Ones Show Up

After being let go from Baylor, I found myself on the outside looking in. A lot of people who once returned my calls disappeared when the logo wasn’t behind my name. But that year, I launched The Player Development Pod. And slowly but surely, I saw who stuck around. The real ones—people who believed in me, not just the brand—showed up. And their support reminded me that your worth isn't determined by your current position. It’s rooted in your purpose.

🗓 2023 – People Want This Work

I wasn’t in a formal player development role in 2023. But that didn’t stop the work. That year, I hosted the first virtual Player Development Conference. I wasn’t sure who would come—but the turnout and feedback blew me away. Then came the first player development cohort. The message was clear: people are hungry for this work. They want training. They want support. They want a community. We just needed to create the space.

🗓 2024 – Be the Platform

Still not in the role—but this time I didn’t wait for permission. The second virtual conference happened, and it was even more impactful than the first. I realized I didn’t need to wait to be given a platform. I am the platform. When you have something valuable to give, share it. Don’t wait. That year changed how I approached my mission—and it freed me to serve more people than ever.

🗓 2025 – Consistency Creates Impact

This year has been nothing short of incredible. We hosted the first in-person Player Development Summit in Kansas City—an event I’m still on cloud nine from. I published The Player Development Guide, my first printed book, and orders are coming in from around the world. A retreat may be next. And none of it happened overnight. This year reminded me that the greatest impact comes from showing up—again and again, even when the role isn’t there, even when the results take time. Consistency compounds.

Looking back, this journey has been anything but easy. There were jobs I didn’t get. Roles I thought I earned. People who once celebrated me that suddenly disappeared. But there were also incredible athletes who grew. There were lives changed. And there was a community of professionals—many of you reading this—who stepped into this work because someone finally told the truth about what player development really is.

So that’s what I’ll keep doing. Telling the truth. Giving the real. Serving the field.

Tap in to the full episode of The Player Development Pod:

And once you’ve listened, I’d love to hear from you:

What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your journey through player development? Drop a comment or reply—I’m always honored to learn from this community.

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