345. Todd Winfrey - Coaching With Love: Coach Winfrey’s Approach

Coach 360

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]

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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.

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