Play, Learn, Lead

In this episode of Play, Learn, Lead, we're joined by Coach Nichols — a true triple-threat at the middle school level, serving as head football coach, girls basketball coach, boys track coach, and athletic director. Coach Nichols shares his journey into coaching and how he balances multiple roles while keeping student growth at the heart of it all. We dive into how coaching middle school athl...

This week on Play, Learn, Lead , we sit down with Coach Matt Lisle—one of the most inspiring voices in the world of baseball and softball. From experiencing homelessness in 2010 to becoming a Major League coach with the Chicago White Sox, Coach Lisle’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, faith, and purpose. In this episode, we explore:  ⚾ How he went from rock bottom to the big leagues  ...

This week on Play, Learn, Lead, we sit down with Coach KB Sallee—a former Division 1 volleyball player who now leads and mentors athletes at both the high school and club level. From her early days falling in love with sports to the moment she knew she was meant to coach, KB opens up about the journey that shaped her. We dive into: How sports shaped her as a young athlete What she learned as a D1...

This week on Play, Learn, Lead , I had the chance to sit down with Kameron Roach, the Director of Student-Athlete Development at UNC Charlotte. From growing up as a young athlete with big dreams to becoming a D1 basketball player, Kameron's story is all about growth, grit, and giving back. We talked about the coaches who shaped her early on, the moment she realized she had the talent to compe...

This week, I sat down with East Gaston High School’s tennis coach and social studies teacher, Coach Conner, to explore her journey from a young athlete with big dreams to a powerful force in both the classroom and on the court. We kicked things off by talking about the younger version of Coach Conner—the sports she played growing up, what drew her to tennis, and the people who influenced her early...

This week, I sat down with W.C. Friday Middle School's football coach, Coach McCray, to dive into his journey from a multi-sport-loving kid to a dedicated leader on and off the field. Coach McCray shared how his early passion for all sports gradually narrowed to a focus on football and hockey during his middle and high school years. We unpacked the challenges his team faced this season—especi...

Stuart Cramer High School has officially named a new head football coach—and in this episode, I had the chance to sit down with the man behind the whistle. From humble beginnings in a small town where football isn’t just a game but a way of life, to taking a leap of faith and moving over two hours away to seize this opportunity—his journey is nothing short of inspiring. We dive deep into the story...

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Manning, head coach of the Cherryville High School girls soccer team. Coach Manning opens up about how sports shaped his childhood, the impact of a high school injury that changed the course of his college dreams, and the uphill battle of rebuilding a struggling program. We dive into what it really means to be a student-athlete, how he builds authentic relati...

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Russ, the head football coach and athletic director at East Rutherford High School. We dive into the mental side of sports and how it shapes young athletes far beyond the game. Coach Russ shares his philosophy on coaching the person before the player, emphasizing growth, resilience, and life skills over wins and losses. He explains why success on the field is...

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Corey, the dynamic PE teacher at Ida Rankin Elementary, to dive into his journey from playing college baseball to shaping young athletes in the classroom. Coach Corey shares the highs and lows of his sports career, reflecting on the moments that didn’t go as planned—and the role he played in those challenges. We also explore how his experiences as an athlete...

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Coach Hawkins, head coach of the men’s and women’s soccer teams at East Gaston, to explore the intersection of coaching and teaching . We discuss his journey through sports, the difficult decisions that led him to coaching, and where he sees himself in the future. Coach Hawkins shares his coaching philosophy and how he focuses on teaching through sp...

From walk-on at Clemson to mentor—Coach Murray’s journey in teaching, coaching, and inspiring In this episode of Play, Learn, Lead, we sit down with Coach Murray , the East Gaston Track & Cross Country Coach and high school math teacher , to explore his incredible journey. From his days as a walk-on at Clemson University to shaping young athletes in the classroom and on the track, Coach Murray...

In this episode of Play, Learn, Lead, I sit down with Forestview High School Basketball Coach and educator, Steve Bartlett , to explore the power of coaching in the classroom and on the court . We dive into what it truly means to impact students beyond the game , highlighting the teacher-coach connection and the life lessons that extend far past basketball. Coach Bartlett shares his coaching philo...

In this episode of Play, learn, Lead , I sit down with Coach Bowen, the passionate and inspiring PE coach at Pinewood Elementary in Gaston County , to discuss the impact of teacher-coaches in education . We explore his approach to keeping students active, engaged, and excited about physical education , highlighting how movement supports learning in the classroom and contributes to student-athlete...

In this episode of Play, Learn, Lead, we sit down with Coach Medici, the new head football coach at East Gaston , to explore his journey from youth sports to high school coaching and the teacher-coach connection . Coach Medici shares how his experiences as a player, mentor, and educator have shaped his coaching philosophy , emphasizing the impact of teacher-coaches in education and their role in s...