The Story That Sparked It All

In this episode of The Player Development Pod, I take you back to the moment that changed everything for me. A 1990s Houston Cougar football legend—once celebrated, now broken—returned to campus for an alumni event. Homeless. Overweight. Forgotten.

Watching him cry while his teammates looked on in sadness wrecked me.

How could this happen to someone whose name is still in our record books?

That moment ignited something inside me. It became my why.

I left the coaching path and stepped into player development to ensure athletes are supported holistically for life—not just during their playing days.

This is the moment that changed my career—and I hope it changes how you see player development too.

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BOOK - Get YOUR copy of the Beyond The Field Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

SIGNED BOOK - Get a SIGNED copy here: https://www.btfprogram.com/btf-program-resources/p/the-player-development-guide

Player Development Newsletter: https://beyondthefield.substack.com/

Player Development Plan Course: https://btfplayerdevelopmentcourses.thinkific.com/courses/player-development-plan-beginners

About Ed Jones II

Founder | Educator | Culture Builder | Voice of the Player Development Movement

Ed Jones II is a globally respected authority in player development—known not just for what he does, but for how he builds people. With a career rooted in service, leadership, and transformation, Ed has impacted over 500 student-athletes across Power Five programs, including the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, where he rose to Assistant Athletic Director.

Today, he is the founder and CEO of Beyond The Field, a pioneering company that equips schools, organizations, and leaders with the structure, strategy, and soul to build intentional off-the-field experiences for athletes. Through assessments, certification programs, high-impact workshops, and strategic consulting, Ed is helping shape the future of athlete development across the country.

He is also the creator of a fast-growing educational ecosystem that includes:

– The Player Development Pod (200+ episodes and counting)

– The Player Development Summit (the leading national event for professionals in the space)

– The Player Development Newsletter (insight and strategy delivered weekly)

– The Player Development Plan Course & Cohorts (a step-by-step blueprint for building programs that matter)

– Three published books, including the bestselling Player Development Guide

What sets Ed apart is his clarity. He doesn’t just speak about change—he builds systems that make it possible. Ed’s work sits at the intersection of education, athletics, and personal growth, and he’s quickly becoming the go-to mind for departments, directors, and decision-makers who want to build better, not just louder.

If you're building a program, a department, or a career in the space of athlete development, there are two types of people:

– Those who have connected with Ed Jones II.

– And those who are about to.

Connect with Ed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

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PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE.

Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: info@btfprogram.com

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

Follow:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BTFProgram

Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: edward@btfprogram.com

🎙 Welcome to Season 8 of The Player Development Pod!

We're kicking off this season with the episode that always starts it all: "What Is Player Development?"

Whether you're new to this space or a seasoned professional, this episode is your go-to breakdown of the entire field of player development.

In this kickoff episode, I’m walking you through:

✅ What player development really means

✅ The benefits it brings to athletes, programs, and communities

✅ The 10 areas of development you should know

✅ Real stories and insights straight from the field

✅ Excerpts and lessons from my book, The Player Development Guide

📘 Grab your copy of the book here → https://amzn.to/3TtnaA8

✍️ But if you want a signed copy, go here → https://www.btfprogram.com/btf-program-resources/p/the-player-development-guide

🧠 This book was created to eliminate the confusion, elevate the profession, and—most importantly—serve you. It’s not about me. It’s about helping you get clarity, take action, and make an impact in the lives of athletes you serve.

This isn’t just a guide. It’s your playbook to:

Build better programs

Engage athletes holistically

Create generational impact

📌 Whether you’re a coach, administrator, aspiring professional, or someone who just cares about athlete success—this episode will give you the framework, vision, and confidence to build what your athletes need.

👇 Let me know in the comments:

What does player development mean to you?

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Get Your Copy of the BOOK - The Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/4ju6ov3

Player Development Newsletter: https://beyondthefield.substack.com/

Player Development Plan Course: https://btfplayerdevelopmentcourses.thinkific.com/courses/player-development-plan-beginners

About Ed Jones II

Founder | Educator | Culture Builder | Voice of the Player Development Movement

Ed Jones II is a globally respected authority in player development—known not just for what he does, but for how he builds people. With a career rooted in service, leadership, and transformation, Ed has impacted over 500 student-athletes across Power Five programs, including the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, where he rose to Assistant Athletic Director.

Today, he is the founder and CEO of Beyond The Field, a pioneering company that equips schools, organizations, and leaders with the structure, strategy, and soul to build intentional off-the-field experiences for athletes. Through assessments, certification programs, high-impact workshops, and strategic consulting, Ed is helping shape the future of athlete development across the country.

He is also the creator of a fast-growing educational ecosystem that includes:

– The Player Development Pod (200+ episodes and counting)

– The Player Development Summit (the leading national event for professionals in the space)

– The Player Development Newsletter (insight and strategy delivered weekly)

– The Player Development Plan Course & Cohorts (a step-by-step blueprint for building programs that matter)

– Three published books, including the bestselling Player Development Guide

What sets Ed apart is his clarity. He doesn’t just speak about change—he builds systems that make it possible. Ed’s work sits at the intersection of education, athletics, and personal growth, and he’s quickly becoming the go-to mind for departments, directors, and decision-makers who want to build better, not just louder.

If you're building a program, a department, or a career in the space of athlete development, there are two types of people:

– Those who have connected with Ed Jones II.

– And those who are about to.

Connect with Ed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

-

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

Follow:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BTFProgram

Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: edward@btfprogram.com

In this episode, we explore how young coaches—especially those close in age to their athletes—can be powerful assets in any program.

From connecting over shared life experiences like academics, mental health, and social media to leading by example through maturity, young coaches have the ability to care, communicate, and empower like few others can.

Whether you’re coaching your former teammates or stepping into a staff role for the first time, this episode reminds you that you don’t have to wait years to make a difference—you just have to show up with intention.

🎧 Tap in for encouragement, practical insight, and real talk that every young coach needs to hear.

💡 Resources Mentioned: https://beyond-the-field-player-development.kit.com/09c6129dc1

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Get Your Copy of the BOOK - The Player Development Guide: https://amzn.to/4ju6ov3

Player Development Newsletter: https://beyondthefield.substack.com/

Player Development Plan Course: https://btfplayerdevelopmentcourses.thinkific.com/courses/player-development-plan-beginners

About Ed Jones II

Founder | Educator | Culture Builder | Voice of the Player Development Movement

Ed Jones II is a nationally respected authority in player development—known not just for what he does, but for how he builds people. With a career rooted in service, leadership, and transformation, Ed has impacted over 500 student-athletes across Power Five programs, including the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, where he rose to Assistant Athletic Director.

Today, he is the founder and CEO of Beyond The Field, a pioneering company that equips schools, organizations, and leaders with the structure, strategy, and soul to build intentional off-the-field experiences for athletes. Through assessments, certification programs, high-impact workshops, and strategic consulting, Ed is helping shape the future of athlete development across the country.

He is also the creator of a fast-growing educational ecosystem that includes:

– The Player Development Pod (200+ episodes and counting)

– The Player Development Summit (the leading national event for professionals in the space)

– The Player Development Newsletter (insight and strategy delivered weekly)

– The Player Development Plan Course & Cohorts (a step-by-step blueprint for building programs that matter)

– Three published books, including the bestselling Player Development Guide

What sets Ed apart is his clarity. He doesn’t just speak about change—he builds systems that make it possible. Ed’s work sits at the intersection of education, athletics, and personal growth, and he’s quickly becoming the go-to mind for departments, directors, and decision-makers who want to build better, not just louder.

If you're building a program, a department, or a career in the space of athlete development, there are two types of people:

– Those who have connected with Ed Jones II.

– And those who are about to.

Connect with Ed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

-

PLEASE LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE.

Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: info@btfprogram.com

Visit: https://www.btfprogram.com/

Follow:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/BTF_Program

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/btf_program/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BTFProgram

Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: edward@btfprogram.com