Mike Dunlap on Coaching Joy: Poetry, Purpose, and Teaching Beyond the Scoreboard

We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.

In this episode, Mike Dunlap reflects on returning to Division II coaching at Colorado Mesa and now living in La Jolla, arguing that money, NIL, and the transfer portal can distort the game’s “innocence,” while true purpose is found in relationships, service, and “victory beyond the scoreboard.” Using three poems—“Why Me?,” “Chasing Heaven,” and “Quiet Down”—he explores joy within competition, the dangers of perfectionism, and how coaches can nudge “me to we” through simple, detailed habits like journaling, planning, and intentional teammate touch. Dunlap shares how naming vulnerabilities and reframing losses into learning protect self-esteem, and how parenting mentor Diana Gilman helped him reject inherited myths and lead with curiosity.

If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe

• Where am I currently measuring success too narrowly by outcomes, and what “victory beyond the scoreboard” might I be overlooking?
• How well do I balance high standards with joy — and do I pause long enough to recognise the “good” that may be the gateway to great?
• What does my inner voice sound like under pressure, and what practices help me quiet the chatter enough to respond with awareness rather than react automatically?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.