The Player Development Pod

Ed shares lessons learned from his own interview experiences across multiple universities, explains what coaches and administrators are really listening for, and teaches you how to prepare the right way without giving away your entire playbook. •  Why listening is the hidden advantage How to listen beyond coach speak and recognize the mission, expectations, and values being communicated publicly l...

In this episode, I walk you through the five player development interviews I had at three different universities and the lessons each one taught me. From getting unexpectedly interviewed in my high school office by Tom Herman, to breaking down my entire job on the spot for Todd Orlando, to being moved back into my true lane by Major Applewhite, to gaining creative freedom with Les Miles, to naviga...

Coaching transitions are one of the most stressful periods inside any football program. The public sees rumors, headlines, job openings, and contract numbers. But inside the building, coaches are dealing with real pressure. Contract insecurity. Family stress. Social media noise. Expectations from fans and boosters. And the emotional weight of knowing their future can change overnight. In this epis...

The coaching carousel is spinning again, and today we are breaking down a part of college football that most people never see. When a head coach gets hired, there is a clear order in how the staff is built. After working at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, I have lived this process in real time. In this episode, I walk you through the actual hiring sequence that takes place behind the scenes. From the...

n this mega episode of The Player Development Pod, Ed Jones breaks down the full reality of the coaching carousel. You will hear the truth about firings, transitions, uncertainty, and what it looks like when the entire industry starts moving all at once. Ed shares insider lessons from his time in player development at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, including: • How staff members experience the emoti...

In today’s episode of the Player Development Pod, I take you inside one of the wildest seasons of my career: the year I worked for college football’s most wanted head coach, Tom Herman, at the University of Houston. You’ve heard me talk about coaching hot seats. But what happens when your coach is the opposite… the coach every major program wants? I pull back the curtain on what it’s really like w...

What do you do when your head coach is on the hot seat and the entire building feels it? In this episode, Ed Jones II takes you inside the real pressure of a hot seat season in college football. Using his experience from the 2018 University of Houston season, he shares what it is actually like to work in player development or support staff when the rumors start, the tension grows, and everyone in...

After three straight years of weekly episodes and months of producing multiple episodes every week, the Player Development Pod finally took a much needed break. Today, we are officially back and ready to bring even more clarity, direction, and support to everyone serving in the player development space. In this comeback episode, Ed Jones II shares why the reset mattered, what changed during the br...

When Jessica Gray finished her panel at the 2025 Player Development Summit, she turned to me and said, “We need this in Detroit.” That single moment sparked the movement that led to the 2026 Player Development Summit being hosted in the Motor City. In this episode, Keionna Banks sat down with Jessica Gray, the Senior Director of Player Engagement for the Detroit Lions, to unpack what it truly mean...

In this special episode, I am announcing the location of the 2026 Player Development Summit, and it is official. We are headed to Detroit, Michigan. Before revealing the city, I take a moment to thank everyone who helped make the 2025 Player Development Summit in Kansas City such an incredible success. From the Brain Tank and volunteers to the speakers, sponsors, and attendees, you made history by...

We sat down with Dr. Melissa Weinsz right after her session at the 2025 Player Development Zone in Kansas City. As the Director of Player Engagement for the Kansas City Chiefs , Dr. Weinsz is not only a local leader but also one of only a handful of women in the NFL to hold this role. In our conversation, Dr. Weinsz opens up about her journey from Ohio to Florida, LSU, and now Kansas City. She sha...

Transitions are part of every journey—whether you’re graduating, changing jobs, or facing unexpected challenges. In this episode of The Player Development Pod, Dr. Jamil Northcutt, Deputy Director at Athletes.org and CEO of Strategic Transitions Advisors, shares powerful insights from the Beyond the Field Summit on how to navigate change with clarity and confidence. We dive into: Why building hedg...

After three years of nonstop content — over 200 episodes, nearly 100 hours of conversations, and a growing community that just crossed 1,000 subscribers — it’s time for a pause. In this episode, I share why I’m taking a strategic break from the Player Development Pod. This is not the end. It’s a chance to step back, reset, and prepare for the next level of growth. You’ll hear: The real reason I ne...

College athletics feels more transactional than ever — transfers, NIL deals, and short stints define the current landscape. But here’s the truth: you can still be transformational, even if you only have athletes for a short period of time. In this episode, I break down the three questions every player development professional, coach, or leader must help their athletes answer: Who am I as a person?...

In this episode of The Player Development Pod, we sit down with Dr. Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, Director of Basketball Advancement for the Toronto Raptors, to talk about the future of athlete development in the NBA and beyond. Dr. Carmon-Johnson brings a wealth of experience as a former NCAA athlete, educator, career strategist, and mother of three. With her PhD in Educational Administration, she h...

Every athletic program needs speakers — but not every speaker is the right fit. The wrong choice can cost thousands of dollars and leave your players uninspired. The right choice can transform the room, energize your athletes, and strengthen your culture. In this episode of The Player Development Pod, Ed Jones II — founder of Beyond the Field and author of The Player Development Guide — shares les...

What happens when you transition from player development, where you work directly for a head coach, to student athlete development, where you serve the entire athletic department? The dynamics change, the expectations shift, and the role requires a new mindset. In this episode, I share the 9 critical questions I would ask every head coach before stepping into student athlete development. These que...

One of the most common questions I get is about programming—what it looks like, how to structure it, and what actually makes it effective. In this episode, I break down the 3-Part Programming Framework I’ve used across youth sports, high school, college, and the pro level to create intentional, impactful programming athletes don’t just attend—they remember. You’ll discover: Why starting with a Tal...

In this episode of The Player Development Pod , Keionna Banks sits down with international speaker and motivator Will Baggett . We cover: Why alignment puts you in the right rooms How to see pressure as privilege, not burden The importance of self-investment over self-sacrifice What it takes to pour into others without burning out Will has been a longtime supporter of Beyond The Field and his pers...

In this episode of The Player Development Pod , I break down exactly how my book The Player Development Guide will transform the way you serve athletes. This isn’t just another resource. It’s a blueprint designed to give coaches and administrators a superpower — the ability to impact athletes holistically, both on and off the field. Here’s what we’ll cover: ✅ How to create a real development plan...

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Player Development is not optional—it’s essential. In this episode of The Player Development Pod, I break down the three main areas where a Player Development professional transforms a program: Players — creating belonging and situational awareness so every athlete feels valued. Program & Staff — supporting academics and recruiting so coaches can focus on coaching. External Relations — strengt...

Every high school coach wants to win games, but the true measure of a program is built on three groups: your incoming freshmen, your current team, and your graduating seniors/alumni. In this episode of the Player Development Pod, I break down why these three groups are the lifeline of your program and how you can strengthen each one. Here’s what we cover: Incoming Freshmen: How to build your pipel...

Every high school coach wants to make an impact — but not every coach defines what that truly means. In this episode, I break down the three questions head coaches must answer if they want to create lasting impact for their athletes: What impact do you want to make? What is your commitment level? Who will help you? These questions go beyond wins and losses. They shape how your athletes will rememb...

The Learning Process is the backbone of intentional player development. In this episode, I break down the four stages — educate, engage, equip, and experience — and show how they can transform your program and your athletes. From career fairs to internships, I share practical examples of how to apply this model so that every athlete leaves with intentional growth. 📖 Learn more inside The Player D...