Coach Joey McGuire Texas Tech University

In this episode of Leading Forward, hosts Nick Edwards and Jeremy reflect on an interview with Texas Tech head football coach Joey McGuire. The hosts, who were both present at an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) event where the interview took place, review the recording to break down key leadership principles shared by the coach.

Key leadership themes discussed include:

• Faith-Driven Leadership: Coach McGuire explains how his faith acts as his anchor, providing stability and purpose in both challenging and successful times (3:12).
• The 'Culture Coordinator': McGuire views his primary role as building and protecting the team's culture. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a family-like brotherhood and prioritizing the players above all else (6:32).
• Hiring Philosophy: When building his staff, McGuire looks for "great people" and stresses the importance of performing thorough background checks—specifically by contacting people outside of the provided reference list to gain a more honest perspective on a candidate's character (12:41).
• Lifelong Learning: As an avid reader, McGuire shares that he regularly revisits books like No Excuses by Bob Stoops to reinforce his leadership values and maintain a growth mindset (17:48).

Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight the coach's vulnerability and gratitude, noting how he openly credits the mentors and coaches who poured into his life, and discuss how those traits contribute to his success as a leader at the collegiate level.