Great Coaches Build More Than Players — They Build People
Great coaching is about more than mechanics and metrics—it’s about mentorship. In this blog, Coach Leo Young and Brannon Snead explore how impactful coaches like Mike Posey shaped lives by focusing on character, communication, and individualized development. Learn how mentorship creates stronger athletes and better men.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
4/6/20252 min read
Mentorship is the secret weapon in athlete development
Too often, coaching is viewed only through the lens of performance—velocity, stats, swings, wins. But behind every great player is a mentor who saw more than just numbers.
Former college pitcher and coach Brannon Snead knows that difference firsthand. While mechanics and programs matter, it was the mentorship from coaches like Mike Posey that shaped who he became—not just as a player, but as a man.
Great coaches don’t just teach—they guide, influence, and inspire.
Who was the best coach you ever had, and what made him great? Drop your comments in the video, we'd love to hear from you
More than mechanics: mentorship builds trust
Brannon recalls how the most impactful coaches he worked with didn’t just tell players what to do—they taught them how to think, how to lead, how to respond to adversity, and how to hold themselves accountable.
It wasn’t just technique. It was trust.
That’s why players remember great coaches decades later—not for their drills, but for their example.
Coach Mike Posey’s impact: coach the person, not just the athlete
One of the most consistent lessons Brannon shares from his coaching experience under Mike Posey is the power of athlete-first leadership. Posey built trust, respected individuality, and never tried to fit players into a rigid box.
“We never changed a kid’s mechanics. If he was naturally a side-armer, we didn’t try to make him throw over the top. We just helped him become a better side-armer.”
That kind of coaching goes beyond development—it builds belief.
Leadership is more than words—it’s presence
Mentorship isn’t about lectures. It’s about presence, consistency, and modeling what accountability looks like every day.
Brannon reflected on the coaches who set standards by their actions—showing up early, treating everyone with respect, demanding excellence without ego. That’s what athletes respond to. That’s what they remember.
Great coaches don’t chase credit—they build culture.
Athletes don’t just need instructors—they need role models
In today’s world of quick fixes, highlight reels, and YouTube tutorials, mentorship is more important than ever. Young athletes are overwhelmed by information but often lack guidance. They don’t need more noise—they need real people who invest in them.
That’s why Sore to Soaring trains coaches to be more than instructors—we train them to be mentors. Because development without leadership is empty. And mentorship without accountability is incomplete.
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Disclaimer:
The views shared are those of the guest and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. This content is for informational purposes only and not medical or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before starting any exercise or throwing program. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned
If you wish to learn more about Brannon Snead’s work, visit Peter Boulware Toyota at: peterboulwaretoyota.com.
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