This episode breaks down 11 difficult, real-life situations (“storms”) that every coach and program will face. It begins with the challenge of discovering that an assistant coach is actively looking for another job—an uncomfortable situation that tests trust, communication, and leadership.

Joining the conversation is special guest Ben Startzer, head coach at Northfield High School in Denver, who brings 32 years of coaching experience and real-world perspective to each scenario.

The episode continues through a range of common but challenging moments: making tough roster cuts, integrating a transfer athlete with baggage from a previous program, supporting a player dealing with major changes at home, handling parent conflict, and addressing internal team issues before they escalate.

A key theme throughout is preparation. With intentional planning, clear standards, and strong communication systems, some storms can be prevented altogether, while others can be handled far more effectively when they arise.

Ultimately, the episode reinforces that leadership is defined in these moments—how a coach responds under pressure shapes the culture, trust, and stability of the entire program.

Your players are already giving you effort.

But like all of us… they’ll give you more when the right things are rewarded.

In this episode of the Arena Podcast, I sit down with Marcus Klund—linebacker coach and run game coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders—to talk about one of the most important (and most overlooked) principles in coaching:

What you celebrate… you replicate.

We break down simple, practical systems you can implement immediately to get your players to run harder, practice better, and compete at a higher level—without constantly demanding it.

You’ll hear:

• The “Flying 40” system Calgary uses to measure and reward effort on kickoff
• Why T-shirts and small rewards can completely change player behavior
• How to build competition inside your program without creating division
• Ways to reward effort, toughness, and consistency—not just production
• How to create a culture where players want to earn it, not just be told

We also talk about how championship programs use simple reward systems to build consistency over time—including ideas like “100% Dog” shirts for perfect attendance.

If you’re a head coach looking for ways to get more out of your players—without more yelling—this episode will give you tools you can use immediately.

👉 Listen now and start building a program where effort is the standard.

What if your players had to earn what they wear?

In this episode of Enter the Arena, I sit down with Kirk Thor to break down his powerful 4-Shirt System—a culture-building framework that ties performance, discipline, and accountability directly to what athletes wear in your program.

This isn’t just about offseason workouts. It’s about creating a standard your players can see, feel, and compete for—every single day.

We dive into:

• How the 4-shirt system works and why it’s so effective
• Tying shirts to strength gains, speed improvements, and academics
• How visible standards drive internal motivation and team accountability
• Why “what you earn is what you wear” changes behavior fast
• Simple ways to implement this in your program immediately

If you’re looking for a way to track effort, reward discipline, and build a tougher, more accountable team culture, this episode delivers.