Samson Strength Coach Collective

High-performance environments depend on coaches who can interpret information, communicate clearly, and work together to support athletes. On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Asa Britt, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Long Island Nets, shares his journey through college internships and into professional basketball. He reflects on the transition to the NBA G League and the experiences that shaped his approach to coaching. Asa discusses how data and technology inform practice and game preparation, alongside the relationships that help coaches understand and support their athletes. Honesty and transparency are central to that process, allowing coaches to build trust as they guide athlete development. The conversation also explores athlete health and return to play, including collaboration with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and the broader performance staff. Asa highlights the importance of working together across disciplines to support athlete success. Key Takeaways Data and technology help inform decisions about preparation and athlete development. Honest, transparent communication helps build trust with athletes. Moving from college to professional basketball requires adapting to a different coaching environment. Athlete development and return to play benefit from collaboration across performance and sports medicine teams. Physical therapists, athletic trainers, and strength coaches each bring valuable perspectives to rehabilitation. Career growth involves learning from new roles, environments, and relationships. Quote: “Be honest and transparent with athletes.”— Asa Britt

A coaching career across collegiate athletics, the NFL, and the tactical sector offers plenty of opportunities to rethink how you work with people. For Jess Langvardt, those experiences reinforced the importance of relationships, communication, and remaining open to new ideas. On the latest edition of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jess shares his journey through strength and conditioning and the lessons he carried from one environment to the next. He discusses how coaching approaches must adapt to the people being trained, their needs, and the expectations of each setting. Jess also explores the connection between trust and athlete ownership. Understanding an athlete’s perspective, communicating clearly, and being honest about your own experiences can help build the credibility needed to encourage greater responsibility for development. The conversation closes with a focus on continuous education. Jess explains the value of learning from different perspectives, connecting ideas across experiences, and surrounding yourself with people who push you to keep growing. Key Takeaways: Relationships matter at every level. Working effectively with people requires communication, understanding, and consistent attention to trust. Adapt your approach to the environment. Collegiate, NFL, and tactical settings present different needs that should inform coaching decisions. Build ownership through trust. Encourage athletes to take responsibility for their development through clear communication and a shared understanding of the process. Keep learning throughout your career. Exposure to new ideas and different perspectives can improve how you approach coaching challenges. Be open about your experiences. Sharing lessons from setbacks and failures can strengthen credibility and connection. Choose people who challenge you to grow. Seek out colleagues and mentors who expand your thinking and encourage continued education. Featured Quote: “Surround yourself with people who push you to learn.” — Jess Langvardt

What does it take to lead a strength and conditioning staff while giving every team a strong athlete experience? Claire Quebedeaux joins Connor to reflect on her journey through athletic training and strength coaching to her director role at Ohio State University. Claire discusses hiring with intention, helping coaches learn from one another, and creating a supportive staff culture. She also explains why leadership requires actions that match your words, especially when priorities shift or challenges arise. For young coaches, she offers a reminder that an internship is an opportunity to show how you work, learn, and build relationships. Key Takeaways: Treat internships as opportunities to earn trust and demonstrate your approach to coaching. Set high standards across teams so athletes receive a consistent experience. Build relationships and a staff environment where people can learn from one another. Match leadership decisions and daily actions to the standards you communicate. Pay attention to facility details that affect athletes and staff. Keep adapting as your responsibilities and organization change.

Athlete buy-in is not created by a training program alone. It is earned through trust, consistent communication, and a genuine investment in each athlete. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Isaiah Myers shares his journey from collegiate wrestler to strength and conditioning coach. He reflects on his experiences at West Liberty, Mississippi State, Cincinnati, and Glenville State, along with the challenges of completing demanding internships and moving across multiple states. Isaiah explains how uncomfortable situations helped him develop perseverance and adaptability throughout his career. He also discusses how coaches can earn athlete trust by building meaningful relationships, following up consistently, and using performance data to connect an athlete’s effort with measurable progress. Key Takeaways: Athlete buy-in begins with genuine relationships and trust. Coaches must consistently demonstrate that they care about their athletes. Following up with athletes can strengthen communication and accountability. Performance data can help athletes recognize the results of their effort. Coaches should explain why progress is happening, not simply present the numbers. Challenging internships can develop perseverance and adaptability. Uncomfortable career experiences often create valuable opportunities for growth. Coaches must continue learning and adjusting throughout their careers. Quote: “This is happening because you put the work in.” — Isaiah Myers

There is no substitute for experience, but the best coaches know how to combine experience with education, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning. In this episode of the Samson Strength Coach Collective, Jacob Banegas shares the path that took him from a multi-sport athlete to coaching and eventually building Built Sports Performance. Along the way, Jacob faced transfers, the disruption of COVID-19, career uncertainty, and the challenges that come with starting a sports performance business. Jacob discusses how those experiences shaped his approach to coaching and leadership. He also breaks down the importance of continuing education, simplifying sports science for athletes and parents, developing trust with clients, and knowing when to step back and recalibrate when things don't go according to plan. Key Takeaways Persistence and adaptability are critical when navigating setbacks in coaching and business. Education provides coaches with a foundation, but experience teaches lessons that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Coaches need to simplify complex training concepts to build trust with athletes, parents, and clients. Long-term athletic development should take priority over chasing short-term results. Networking and mentorship can create opportunities throughout a coaching career. Building a sports performance business requires resilience, communication, and a willingness to continually adapt. Quote "You can't cheat experience, experience is education." — Jacob Banegas