The Coachers Podcast
Welcome to The Coachers Podcast 🤙🏽 — hosted by Keanu Yamamoto.
Each episode features raw, unfiltered conversations with coaches from every level and sport, sharing their real journeys: toughest moments, biggest wins, best practices, and the hard-earned lessons that build tougher athletes, stronger teams, and better leaders. From forging a culture and mental toughness to balancing life beyond the whistle, this is your go-to vault for authentic inspiration on coaching, leadership, and team building. Coaches, athletes, parents, and fans — dive in for stories that unite and motivate across the game. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe now and join the conversation! ⛳️🗣️
The Coachers Podcast
Coach Aaron Hazel: Pistos, Power of the Team, E+R=O
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of the Coachers Podcast, host Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Aaron Hazel, head football coach at Nelson High School in Oregon. They discuss Coach Hazel's journey in coaching, the challenges of building a football program from scratch, and the importance of establishing a positive team culture. Coach Hazel shares insights on leadership, the significance of feedback, and the role of gratitude in fostering a supportive environment for players. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of football as a sport and some innovative techniques that can enhance coaching effectiveness.
Coach Hazel became the program's inaugural head coach when the school opened in 2021, taking on the challenge of building a new football team from the ground up in the competitive 6A Mt. Hood Conference. Prior to Nelson, Coach Hazel served as head coach at La Salle Catholic College Prep (where he also played quarterback) compiling a 27-35 record over nine years. Prior to La Salle he assisted at Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA.
Under his leadership, the Hawks have shown steady progress. In 2025—the program's fifth season—Coach Hazel guided Nelson to its first 10-win season and Semi-Final appearance, earning recognition as a candidate for Oregon high school football Coach of the Year and sharing Mt. Hood Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors. Coach Hazel teaches College and Career Readiness at the school. He also serves as the Head Softball Coach and is the announcer for Basketball games.
Takeaways:
- Challenges of building a program from the ground up
- Coaching is about Inspiring and Making an Impact
- Feedback should be continuous, not just at the end of the season.
- Core Values: Extreme Ownership, Power of the Team, Passion for Growth
- Pistos: The Act of Belief
- Post Practice: Teammates Highlighting Teammates
- Culture: Define It! It’s Intentional or it’s Default
- Event + Response = Outcome (E+R=O)
- Kids want to fit in and then stand out where they fit in
- Navigating Recruiting Challenges
- Off Season Program: Point system to hold players accountable
- The Power of Gratitude
- One Formation Challenge
- Changes in High School Football
- Handling a Loss: “What If”
https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast