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 when your head coach shows up on every shortlist, every rumor thread, every message board, and every “next job” report for an entire season. From beating Oklahoma in the opener to navigating constant speculation, recruiting chaos, shifting staff dynamics, and the emotional toll it took on players and parents… this was a year unlike any other.

You will hear:

• What it feels like working inside a program when your coach is the most sought-after name in the country

• How rumors affect trust, culture, recruiting, and team focus

• The moment the “breaking news” hit the screen at our Thanksgiving team dinner

• What players really felt when the move became real

• Why I wish I had told Coach Herman I wanted to follow him

• Lessons every player development professional should know when their coach becomes a target

Then I break down the five practical steps to stabilize and support your team through distraction, uncertainty, or transition so your players stay locked in and finish strong.

If you work in player development, recruiting, operations, or support, and your coach is on every “next job” list… this episode gives you the strategies and perspective you need right now.

Developing People. Elevating Programs.

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🎙 About Ed Jones II:

Founder of Beyond The Field | Author of The Player Development Guide | Host of The Player Development Pod | Creator of the Player Development Summit

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