In episode #277, we had the pleasure of being joined by Duante' Abercrombie, who will be leading Tennessee State University as Head Coach in their inaugural season as a Div. 1 hockey program next season. In the process, TSU will become the first HBCU(Historically Black College or University) hockey program in history.

A glance at Abercrombie's resume leaves no doubt that he is the right person to lead the Tigers. That includes his time as an Assistant Coach with Stevenson University, becoming just the fourth coach of colour at that time in the NCAA. Professionally, he spent the 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs organizations and has also been a part of several NHL BIPOC programs, spending time with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes.

Last year, he was nominated for Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his work with the Washington Capitals' Black Hockey Committee and the Rising Stars Academy.

Listen as he shares what the new role at TSU means to him, how hockey can be used to connect people of all backgrounds, and the importance of wanting someone else to win more than you do.

In episode #276, we welcome Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach ben Sexton, who presented at TCS Live 2024 on the fundamentals of the penalty kill.

After retiring early from his playing career due to concussions, Sexton fell into the coaching arena when Mike Valluci, his Head Coach with the Wilkes-Barrie Penguins, offered him the opportunity to join the coaching staff while he was receiving from his injuries.

The following season he stepped behind the bench full time with the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Three seasons later, he was promoted to the big club, where he and the rest of Travis Green’s staff are looking to lead the Sens to the post season for the first time since 2017.

Listen as he shares why today's player are having trouble processing the game, why teams need to believe in their structure and details, and embracing the philosophy of thinking like a player and acting like a coach.

In episode #275, we're revisiting one of the highlights of last year's TCS Live conference. International speaker, best-selling author and Founder of the Changing the Game Project John O’Sullivan took to the stage to share how to take your coaching from transactional to transformational.

O'Sullivan has dedicated his life to enhancing the experience kids have with youth sports by educating and inspiring the adults in the equation, namely their coaches and parents. He’s been featured on CNN, ESPN and NBC Sports, along with speaking at TEDx, and to the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Swimming, US Ski and Snowboard, Ireland Rugby and Australian Rugby League.

And with that in mind, Our team at The Coaches Site are excited to announce that we have collaborated with John on a course focused on the How To’s of Transformational Coaching. You can learn more about the course here.

Listen as he shares why great coaches win the relationship game, why we must be outcome aware but driven by process, and why every coach has the ability to change a person's life for the better.