Director of Athletic Development at Triple F Elite Sports Training in Knoxville—and creator of the Plyomat—Richard Burnett joins the show to break down his “4 Pillars of Coaching”: what they are, how to develop them, and how to evaluate them.

We also explore:

- The differences between coaching in college, high school, and the private sector

- How to know which environment is the best fit for your personality and goals

- Creating great environments for long-term athletic development

- How to run a business without compromising your values or the people in front of you

Whether you're new to coaching or reevaluating how you show up across roles, Richard brings clarity to what truly matters for long-term impact.

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 and Impact of Coaching

02:54 The Four Coaching Pillars

11:29 Evaluating Coaching Effectiveness

18:02 Mentorship and Growth in Coaching

20:45 Hiring and Evaluating Coaches

27:37 Differences in Coaching Environments

35:43 Transitioning from College to High School Coaching

37:50 The Disconnect in Strength Conditioning Education

38:59 The Evolving Landscape of Coaching Careers

40:13 The Value of Early Athletic Development

43:06 Finding Satisfaction in Coaching at Different Levels

45:47 Creating Pressure and Avoiding Complacency

50:26 Long-Term Athletic Development and Youth Sports

56:25 Adapting Training to Individual Needs

01:01:28 Balancing Business and Impact in Coaching

EP 17: Richard Burnett | The 4 Pillars of Coaching, LTAD, and Choosing College, High School, or Private

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

EP 17: Richard Burnett | The 4 Pillars of Coaching, LTAD, and Choosing College, High School, or Private