Tex McQuilkin, founder and leadership strategist of Captains & Coaches, joins the show to dive deep into leadership development, team dynamics, and how coaches can intentionally develop better leaders within their programs. Along with working with teams and organizations on leadership development, Tex also hosts the Captains & Coaches Podcast and coaches middle school and high school lacrosse.

In this conversation, Tex breaks down how he approaches leadership development when working with a program short-term versus being embedded with a team throughout an entire season. We also explore teaching athletes to productively call out teammates, creating environments that inspire belief, and identifying what makes a true captain beyond simply age or position.

Tex also shares his perspective on long-term athletic development from both a physical and psychological standpoint, along with valuable advice for parents and athletes navigating the modern landscape of club sports and recruiting.

🔗Check out more from Tex👇

Instagram: @mcquilkin @captainsandcoaches

Captains & Coaches | Empowering Athletes for Success in Sports & Life

Recommended Books:

Drabik - Children & Sports Training

Piaget - How a Child Thinks

Michele Borba - Thrivers

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Captains and Coaches

02:03 The Role of Sports in Leadership Development

06:11 The Impact of Club Sports and Recruiting

09:52 Advice for Parents in Youth Sports

12:02 Working with Teams on Leadership Development

22:03 Sustaining Influence in Programs

29:17 High Support and Continuous Growth

31:56 Calling Teammates Up vs. Calling Them Out

38:20 The Three T's of Communication

40:45 Creating a Positive Coaching Environment

46:50 The Role of Expectations in Development

48:57 Understanding Child Development in Coaching

55:35 Navigating Challenges and Building Trust

EP 56: Tex McQuilkin | Building True Team Captains

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

EP 56: Tex McQuilkin | Building True Team Captains