Coach 360

What happens when a school district of more than 18,000 student-athletes decides to raise the bar for sportsmanship? In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, presented by 2Words Character Development, host Colton reconnects with longtime mentor and friend, Coach Charles Ament, Associate Athletic Director of Cy-Fair ISD. With nearly three decades of experience in coaching and leadership, Coach Ament brings a wealth of insight into how character, community, and consistent communication shape the culture of athletics.
This conversation highlights The Texas Way—a statewide sportsmanship initiative designed to decrease ejections, build stronger relationships among coaches, athletes, officials, and parents, and create a better experience for communities across Texas. Coach Ament shares how Cy-Fair ISD implemented this initiative with intentionality, moving beyond posters and slogans to practical actions that transform culture.
Whether you're a head coach, an assistant, or an athletic director, this episode challenges you to ask one powerful question: What are we really doing to model and build sportsmanship? From empowering student-athlete leaders to celebrating officials, Coach Ament reveals how small, consistent steps lead to lasting change.
Key Takeaways
Community matters: Athletics thrive when schools create a sense of belonging, discipline, and shared values.
Consistent messaging is key: Posters aren't enough—coaches and administrators must live out sportsmanship daily.
Student leadership drives culture: Cy-Fair's SALT (Student Athlete Leadership Teams) gave players ownership in leading the Texas Way.
Celebrate the positive: Recognizing officials, honoring opponents, and highlighting sportsmanship moments reinforces good behavior.
Coach voices carry weight: Even in small schools, a single coach's consistent emphasis can shift culture.
Parents and fans must be engaged: Announcements, cards, and ticketing agreements all helped set expectations for spectators.
Momentum builds over time: Change doesn't happen overnight, but consistent small actions create lasting results.
Vision + Action = Impact: Setting a clear district vision and empowering coaches to implement it led to tangible improvements in Cy-Fair ISD.
 
The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative
Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com
 
COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development
Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: [email protected]

Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum.
 
JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU
Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. 
 
COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima
PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance.
Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.

What does it take to lead through transition without losing the heart of your mission? In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, we welcome back Coach Jonathan Lamb—now Athletic Director at Pflugerville ISD—for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, character development, and embracing growth through change.
Having spent nearly two decades in Leander ISD, Coach Lamb shares his journey from a place of comfort to one of challenge and new opportunity. Whether you're a coach considering a professional transition or an athletic leader looking to grow your impact, this episode is full of timely insights. Tune in as Coach Lamb unpacks the mindset shifts, leadership practices, and people-first philosophy that are driving change in Pflugerville athletics.
 
Key Takeaways
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Growth often comes when we choose to pursue new challenges instead of staying where we feel secure.
Prepare Daily for Future Roles: Don't wait for a promotion to begin leading—build your leadership habits now.
Research Before You Leap: Understanding the culture, values, and leadership of a new district is essential before making a career move.
Lead with a Listening Posture: Entering a new role starts with humility, curiosity, and learning the "why" behind existing systems.
Lean on Legacy: Veteran staff and existing leaders can be invaluable in transitioning effectively and building trust.
Invest in Emerging Leaders: Programs like Pflugerville's PFACTS develop the next generation of athletic leaders from within.
Support Student Growth Beyond Sports: Leadership is about preparing students to graduate with character, choices, and lifelong skills.
Stay Rooted in Relationships: Leadership is relational. Building buy-in begins with trust, visibility, and empathy.
Chase Purpose, Not Just Titles: Choose positions that align with your core values and coaching philosophy, not just prestige.
Keep the End Goal in Sight: At the heart of coaching is the mission to pour into kids and shape future leaders.
 
COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development
Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: [email protected]

Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum.
 
JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU
Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. 
 
The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative
Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com
 
COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima
PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance.
Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.

In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, presented by 2Words Character Development, we're joined by Coach Todd Winfrey, Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach at Canyon High School in Texas. With over two decades of experience serving under Coach Blake Bryant before stepping into the head role, Coach Winfrey shares a powerful testimony of leadership, patience, and the impact of long-term investment in a single community.
Coach Winfrey opens up about the influence of his coaching mentors, the importance of building relationships, and how love—not just discipline—is at the heart of his coaching philosophy. This episode dives deep into what it means to lead with intention, build a player-led team, and prioritize family while navigating a coaching career. Whether you're an aspiring head coach or a seasoned veteran, Coach Winfrey's story is a valuable reminder that how we lead matters just as much as where we lead.
 
Key Takeaways
Lead with Love: Coach Winfrey emphasizes the importance of telling players "I love you" and building strong, trusting relationships as the foundation for effective coaching.
Patience Pays Off: Spending 21 years as an assistant before becoming head coach taught him invaluable lessons in humility, preparation, and trust in God's timing.
Avoid Comparison: Every coaching journey is unique; don't fall into the trap of measuring your path against someone else's timeline.
Player-Led Teams Thrive: When players are given ownership, leadership councils, and the freedom to speak truth (even to coaches), the program flourishes.
Be Present in the Moment: Great coaching isn't just about winning games—it's about showing up in your players' lives during their hardest moments.
Mentorship Matters: Having a head coach who empowers assistants builds a coaching tree and a culture of growth.
Leadership is Modeled, Not Just Taught: From funeral visits to leadership development book studies, Winfrey ensures that love and integrity are shown, not just spoken.
Sacrifice for the Bigger Win: If developing great husbands, fathers, and leaders costs a few football wins, it's a trade worth making.
Consistency Builds Culture: Being rooted in one community for decades shapes lasting impact—on families, teams, and legacy.
 
CONTACT COACH WINFREY: 
[email protected]
https://x.com/PlayForTheC
 
COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development
Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: [email protected]

Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum.
 
JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU
Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. 
 
The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative
Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com
 
COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima
PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance.
Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.

What happens when tradition meets transformation? For Coach Kelli Barnett, it meant stepping into a brand-new role at Wichita Falls Memorial High School—formed from the consolidation of three legacy campuses—and turning a blank slate into a platform for something extraordinary. In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, Coach Barnett shares how she laid the groundwork for a culture of character, trust, and resilience among her volleyball athletes.
By anchoring her program in character development and a shared mantra—"The Standard"—Coach Barnett reveals what it takes to unite athletes from different schools, build trust among teammates, and create a team-first mindset. From offseason workouts to character conversations, this episode offers a playbook for coaches looking to build more than just winning teams. It's about building strong, confident young women who lead with heart—on and off the court.
 
Key Takeaways
Start With Character: Coach Barnett focused on character development from day one to unify her team and establish core expectations.
Trust Is Earned: Team trust was built through consistent workouts, shared experiences, and intentional conversations.
Define "The Standard": Her program's mantra embodies resilience, accountability, and showing up—even on the tough days.
Create Pressure Situations: Using time-limited or high-stakes drills helps athletes grow comfortable with discomfort.
Culture Is Lived, Not Posted: Core values only matter if they're practiced daily—not just printed on shirts or walls.
Build Player-Led Teams: Empower athletes to hold each other accountable and lead through example.
Consistency Builds Buy-In: Daily commitment to expectations fosters deep program-wide belief and cohesion.
Leadership Through Relationship: Coach Barnett's "Big and Little Sis" initiative strengthens cross-grade mentorship.
Pressure Is a Privilege: Teaching athletes to embrace tough moments helps them develop perseverance and poise.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing: Coaching is ultimately about growing people, not just players.
 
CONTACT COACH BARNET: [email protected]
 
COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development
Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: [email protected]

Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum.
 
JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU
Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. 
 
The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative
Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com
 
COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima
PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance.
Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.

In this episode of Coach 360: Beyond The Game, we're joined by Coach Daniel Fitzmorris, Athletic Coordinator at Pasadena Dobie High School and a proud alumnus of the very program he now leads. With deep roots in Dobie football and a winding journey that spans Missouri, Denmark, and across Texas, Coach Fitzmorris returns to his alma mater with a clear vision: restore discipline, build tough athletes, and develop men of character for life beyond the field.
Coach Fitzmorris shares how influential mentors shaped his coaching philosophy and how he's paying it forward by empowering his own staff and student-athletes. From promoting leadership among young coaches to reviving old-school toughness through innovative offseason programs, Coach Fitzmorris offers a playbook for cultivating grit, accountability, and loyalty within a program. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just getting started, this episode delivers invaluable insight into what it means to lead with heart and conviction.
 
Key Takeaways
Leadership Through Delegation: Coach Fitzmorris stresses the importance of delegating responsibilities to develop younger coaches and empower them to grow in their roles.
Promoting From Within: Trust and continuity are built by recognizing the leadership potential already on staff and giving them opportunities to step up.
Reviving Old-School Toughness: Through high-expectation offseason programs, including daily mat drills and a disciplined point system, Coach Fitzmorris is rebuilding the culture of Dobie Football.
Accountability Through Real-Time Feedback: His "point system" encourages consistent attendance, academic success, and positive behaviors both on and off the field.
Building Player-Led Teams: By drafting captains, co-captains, and anchors within small accountability teams, student-athletes are challenged to lead and hold one another to a higher standard.
Cultural Rebuilding With Purpose: Coach Fitzmorris is blending Dobie's championship legacy with new traditions, aiming to make every opponent "feel Dobie" win or lose.
Coaching Beyond the Game: His ultimate goal isn't just football success—it's to raise first-team All-State husbands, dads, and community leaders.
Know Your Players Personally: Today's athletes thrive under coaches who understand their personal lives and adapt their coaching to build trust and motivation.
 
CONTACT COACH GONZALES: [email protected]
 
COACH 360 IS PRESENTED BY: 2Words Character Development
Interested in connecting or taking the next step with 2Words Character Development? Let us know! Email Colton Leonard at: [email protected]

Visit http://www.2words.tv/preview to learn more and for a free week of the curriculum.
 
JOIN 2WORDS ON SPORTSYOU
Interested in regular encouragement on the SportsYou platform? 2W has a dedicated page on sportsYou where we share encouragements for coaches and athletes 2-3 times a week! Click here to join our sportsYou page. Use the access code C4CB-DN5T when prompted. 
 
The Texas Way Sportsmanship Initiative
Interested in registering for The Texas Way? Join the initiative at: www.PlayTheTexasWay.com
 
COACH 360 IS SPONSORED BY: ProMaxima
PMX ProMaxima is your one stop shop for the ultimate fitness equipment solution. From strength to cardio, They manufacture a wide range of high-quality products made in the USA to maximize your teams performance.
Experience the difference with PMX ProMaxima and see why thousands of athletes and schools trust them. Visit http://pmxstrength.com/ today to explore their catalog and elevate your fitness journey.