Coach Kevin Keeney: Red Flag Day, Lie to yourself into Greatness, Wrestling is Necessary

I had the privilege of interviewing Coach Kevin Keeney, Head Wrestling Coach at West Linn High School. A native of Canby, Oregon, Coach Keeney wrestled collegiately at the University of Oregon. In 1999, following his collegiate career, he founded the All-Phase Wrestling Club, where he continues to serve as coach and director. Additionally, he co-owns the Full Contact Fighting Federation, Oregon’s oldest and most respected cage fighting organization. Coach Keeney also teaches PE and Health at North Marion Middle School. In 2023, he led West Linn to a state championship and was named the OSAA 6A Coach of the Year. Thank you, Coach, for sharing your time, insights, and wealth of knowledge.

In this episode of the Coachers Podcast, Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Kevin Keeney, head wrestling coach at West Linn High School, who shares his journey in coaching, his philosophy, and the importance of mental toughness and grit in athletes. Coach Keeney emphasizes the significance of love and accountability within a team, and the role of parents in youth sports. He discusses the balance between pushing athletes and making the sport enjoyable, as well as the impact of coaching on athletes' lives beyond wrestling. The conversation also touches on the importance of mental preparation for competitions and the need for a supportive environment for athletes dealing with disappointment.

Takeaways

- Coaching philosophy evolves with experience and team dynamics.
- Mental toughness is both inherent and developed through challenges.
- Building grit in athletes is essential for their growth.
- Creating a positive training environment fosters better performance.
- Love and accountability are key components of a successful team.
- Shared adversity strengthens team bonds and relationships.
- Influential mentors shape coaching styles and philosophies.
- Expectations should be high, but coaching methods must vary by skill level.
- Weekly practice plans should adapt based on competition outcomes.
- Red Flag Day challenges athletes physically and mentally.
- Memorable coaching moments often involve athletes overcoming adversity.
- Confidence in athletes can be built through positive reinforcement.
- Coaching girls requires a different approach than coaching boys.
- Parents should support coaches and allow them to lead.
- Team accountability is crucial for individual and collective success.
- Mental preparation is vital for success in competitions.
- Success in coaching is measured by athletes' life skills, not just wins.
- Transitioning to high school coaching brings new challenges and dynamics.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Coach Kevin Keeney
• 1:47 Coaching Philosophy and Making Champions
• 5:08 Building Mental Toughness in Young Athletes
• 7:54 Motivation: Fear of Failure or wanting to Dominate
• 11:58 The Role of Love in Coaching
• 13:58 Establishing Team Unity within Wrestling
• 15:45 Influences and Mentorship in Coaching
• 17:03 Balancing Coaching Styles for Different Skill Levels
• 18:08 What does the Week look like as a Wrestling HC
• 20:47 Greatest Moments in Coaching
• 23:56 Speaking Success into Existence
• 25:00 Greatest Challenge in Coaching
• 26:41 Anela Question of the Day: Who's your best friend?
• 28:17 The Meaning of Team
• 30:33 Creating Healthy Competition
• 31:40 Mental Preparation for Tournaments
• 35:00 The Role of Positive Reinforcement
• 36:49 Influences Beyond Wrestling
• 40:45 Establishing Leadership in Teams
• 43:44 What's one thing you wish that more people understood about the sport of wrestling?
• 45:54 What do you do if you're athlete faces a setback or a bad loss?
• 49:29 The Journey into High School Coaching
• 50:16 The Chaos of Youth Sports Tournaments
• 52:19 The Role of Parents in Youth Sports
• 54:36 Daily Commitment to Improvement
• 56:27 Coaching with Purpose