346. Jonathan Lamb: Leading with Purpose at Pflugerville ISD

Hey, everyone. My name is Colton, and I'm the host of the Coach 360 podcast. Here, our goal is to come alongside and equip coaches with the resources to help develop character through sports and raise up the next generation of leaders. Not only do we do that through this podcast and interviewing coaches from across the nation about character, culture, and leadership, but we also do it through our 2 words character development curriculums. If you want to learn more about these or anything else that we offer, visit our website, 2words.tv. That's the number 2 words.tv. Or you can always drop me an email, colton at 2words.tv. Thanks for listening today. Let's get into the show. Have you registered for the Texas Way yet? The Texas Way is a collaborative campaign between Texas High School Coaches Association, Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, and 2 Words Character Development to improve the level of sportsmanship at UIL sporting events. Decrease the number of ejections at UIL sporting events and strengthen communities and the relationships between coaches, athletes, officials, and fans. Register now for this free resource at www.playthetexasway.com. The Texas Way is powered by Mammoth Sports Construction. Do something big. Hey, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Coach 360 Today, I get the great privilege of hanging out with Coach Jonathan Lamb for the second time on the podcast. He is now the athletic director over at Pflugerville ISD. Hey, Coach. Welcome back. Hey, thank you. Hey, thanks for having me again. Absolutely. It's, it's fun to get to this stage of the podcast where we're starting to have some repeat guests and we're getting to kind of pick up on some of the entry conversations that we had, you know, in years past and then Uh, kind of get to dive a little bit deeper and get to know those coaches a little bit more. And so thanks again for, for being willing to, uh, to jump on with us today. Yes, sir. Anytime. Well, why don't you catch us up a little bit? It was back in like 2019, 2020. or so, uh, since the last time we had you out and at that time you were over Um, at Leander ISD as one of the athletic directors over there. And so maybe just catch us up on kind of, uh, where you've been the last few years and how things have been going and how the transition over to Pflugerville has treated you. Yeah, so pretty much like everyone, nothing's happened since 2019, right? It's been a, it's been a normal world. Right. Oh, um, so, um. Starting in 2020. I moved to, from the assistant athletic director role in, you know, 2019, I think I was, I was assistant AD, I think last time we talked and um, so I got the opportunity to move to the athletic director role in Leander ISD in the summer of 2020. You know, and so It was a challenging time, but, you know, as far as growth and, you know, figuring out things about ourselves and how we can manage difficult situations in ways that we never thought we could before. Um, I think benefited me as a professional, um, Greatly. Um, and then, you know, this summer, um, you know, just my own personal growth and opportunity came up, uh, opening and, um, flew real ISD. Um, you know, in our kind of network of, you know, we become pretty good, pretty close to the athletic directors, particularly in our area. And, and so when it came open, um, coach McEachern, who was the AD at the time that was going to humble ISD kind of. Reached out, you know, talked about the situation and, uh, the opportunities here and, you know, I think it was a point in my career. Been in Leander for seventeen years total, nine in the athletic office. And so it was like time for new challenges. Um, you know, and so I was running towards some, some new opportunities, um, professionally kind of to keep my own growth. Um, you know, It's, you know, and I knew enough about Blueville ISD to where I wasn't going in completely blind, so I kind of knew a lot of the coaches just from being in the area for a long time, and I know how they kind And during the, the whole interview process, meeting with the leadership team, I was like, okay, this is, this is a place I can see myself. Um, you know, and, and it ultimately also I'm still in land or ISD and so, um, you know, this is me going to chase hunt professionally and my family's still able to kind of Maintain that norm and kind of finish out there, you know, especially my kids, you know, they're, they're still in, still in school and still plugged in to where they, where they've grown up. I love it, Coach. Well, here in a moment, I want to pick apart some of the different components that you just kind of laid out, the thoughts and the considerations you were making in preparation for that transition. Just the vetting out process a little bit, but first maybe tell us a little bit more about Pflugerville as the district and the community itself. What is it like? Um, you know, it's, it's been a fun experience. Um, this, the people in the district are amazing. They were very welcoming. I mean, it was as far as my transition, you know, you, I was somewhere for a long period of time and in a very comfortable situation. Um, and so moving, um, you know, Definitely got me out of my comfort zone a little bit, but they were so just willing to help any question I've had or any issues or things I'm wondering is right there. They're right there to, to help me along my, you know, my journey. Um, you know, I think it's a, um, there's a lot of community spirit in Pflugger. I think each of the campuses have their own unique, um, kind of culture and personality and they're all proud of The product that they put forward. And so that's been fun to kind of get to know that kind of the, even the deeper history of, of. Pflugerville high and how it started. And so that to me, you know, just as sports nut and, um, it's been fun, you know, it's been kind of part of that, you know, like, okay, I didn't know. All the inner workings of Pflugerville and kind of, you know, the history of the 1950s and the 60s and so that's, that's been enjoyable. Yeah, yeah. Well, coach, uh, as I mentioned earlier, you know, it's, it's that kind of time of year, you know, as we're recording this, it's, you know, mid late spring or so, and there are. Uh, transitionings occurring, uh, they're occurring across the state. So I thought for today's conversation, maybe we could lean into, uh, that so we could, you know, put out some resources for our listeners that are tuning in that. Maybe in a similar situation to where you were maybe last year in making a transition or considering a transition, right? Um, and so one thing that you spoke of, um, The way you described kind of where you were to, to where you were going, you talked about, you know, You were in a comfortable place, comfortable spot, right? You guys have been a big part of Leander ISD for a really, really long time. And that place was home for you guys. And I know it was a great spot and a great place to, you probably treated you really well during your time there, I imagine. And so, but you had found yourself into a place of comfort and then you also spoke to, uh, opportunities and growth opportunities in, in, in yourself that you were desiring and looking for. So can you help us kind of, uh, reconcile and maybe help piece together for those coaches that, uh, maybe you're considering a challenge or a change and. You know, maybe they're, they're comfortable, but they're in a district that they, you know, know, love, have grown up in, or spent a lot of time in, made a lot of commitments in, um, and how, how to manage that transition when you've got those personal ties. Yeah, I would, you know, especially there, there are, um, Leander ISD I know them a great deal, um, personally and professionally, you know, kind of how they poured into me, my time there and kind of helped lead me to this point. So, um, definitely love my time there. I'm still, you know, Great relationships with, with a lot of, you know, with all the people there, all the coaches, the, you know, the administrators, everybody I worked with, um, And so, you know, I think this is one of those just personal journeys for me, um, you know, just like, okay, how can the things that we did in Leander, um, is always going to be unique to Leander, um, And can I apply that to make a new product in Pflugerville that fits Pflugerville? Because it's a different dynamic. It's a different place. And so it was kind of that personal challenge. For me, right, it was, you know, it was time, um, you know, and it's kind of, it was the right opportunity and, you know, I can't explain, you know, really why it would just kind of, um, you know, I was, um, looking What we're doing and also the opportunity popped up and kind of thinking about it and doing some research about it and um you know this was just a leap of faith that I kind of decided to go on and you know my wife and my family were supportive of it and um. And so, you know, we went for it. Um, you know, I think ultimately, right. We're in a business and, but sometimes it's, it's a relationship, a business of relationships. And so, Maybe those changes are hard. Um, but ultimately it's okay. What, what is best for me and my family? Um, but also, um, Navigating and managing those personal long standing ties. And so, you know, I think, you know, um, Fluid Reel to me was, was the right opportunity at the right time and it fit what I was looking for and the challenges I was looking for. Um, but I can, I'm never going to, Forget my time. Of course. Yeah. Uh, speaking to some of our listeners that are in a similar situation or considering something like that. What are some other components that you feel like are important for, for them to know when taking on a new role in a new district as you have been kind of walking through the last nine to twelve months? Um, I would say, especially when going into somewhere, you know, do your research, um, prior, right before you get into that process or, you know, a job pops up that you think it might, might be interested in, um, you know, do your research, make sure you. You're a fit there. Um, you know, I, I, I think I was well informed about Pflugerville. So I, I felt pretty comfortable being able to make that, make that jump, you know, um, with, you know, Coach Denson and, um, Todd Raymond and Matt, you know, so I'd, I'd known and had conversations about this district for a long time. Um, so I'd done my research. Um, and so I felt comfortable. I felt that I could fit here. Um, and then, you know, um, then, you know, I think it's looking at what, what's personally best for you and your family. Um, you know, I, I think those are probably. Two of the big things going into it. And then, you know, once you get here, it's just trying to to listen and learn as much as you can, because it's got to be, you know, different systems, different processes and. You can't let those differences frustrate you, right? That's what, you know, it's kind of that growth process here. You're going to take what they do and take what I know and hopefully make a better product. Every coach wants a player led team, but how do you build a player led team? That's the question that led to the creation of the captain's course, a ten week customizable leadership development course for student athletes. The captain's course will equip student athletes to lead their teammates, Promote the growth of leadership skills, create alignment on your core values from coach to athlete, and help build player-led teams. Learn more at www.2words.tv slash captainscourse. And coach, as you are settling into that role or preparing for that role, how would you encourage coaches? Or what, what, what is, what does that evaluation process look like to measure up and see if a new district is a good fit for them? Um, you know, I think you think about what some of your, um, What you're personally, what you're comfortable with, what some of, um, philosophically what you want to do and what, you know, how you want to accomplish that job. Um, you know, I think Pflugerville and Leonard, especially the same area, right? Approach educating and taking care of kids, taking care of coaches. Um, it's very similar. Um, but you know, I think if I was, um, a coach on campus still Looking to get my first head coaching job or change to another head coaching job. You know, I try to figure out as much as I can about that program. Um, what was that? Why is it open? You know, um, and just because the last situation wasn't a great one doesn't mean it can't be great for you, right? There could still be some systems in place. Um, you know, I think my first head coaching job, um, I was kind of like, people were wary of, you know, that kind of Didn't encourage me to go for that position, but I knew it had some of the things in place that fit me and that I thought we could be successful there. And so, um, You know, I went for it, um, but there were some other times where a job that might look great on the outside, there might be some philosophical differences on the inside that, you know, you're not going to be comfortable with. Um, and so I think, you know, it's that saying, you know, do your research, talk around, um, you know, don't just chase a title, um, you know, chase, you know, Where you want to be and how you want to approach and coach kids and the other things take care of themselves. Coach, you talked about, you know, once you're there, uh, really leaning into and just listening and learning and, and, uh, what does that first kind of six months look like in a new role where you are listening and learning and you're But you, but you are being placed in this leadership role, this leadership position to go out and lead these coaches and lead the district and implement uh, maybe some change. There, there may be some situations in which districts are looking for a change. And so how do you kind of hold those two things in tension in taking action and also being really mindful to the fact that you're still kind of the new guy and you gotta, you gotta spend some time listening and learning from the crew that's been there before you. Yeah, and I'm extremely fortunate here, um, Our athletic office, you know, Jesse McCartney is our assistant AD and she's been in the district for a long, a long time. So, um, I didn't call her old. So, um, she just experienced it. Um, but so she's always been right there beside me. And so anytime I've had a question, um, she's there. Um, so she's been invaluable to me, um, as far as my transition, you know, same thing with our admin assistant and our bookkeeper. Um, It's it's been kind of, you know, I can ask the history of the why. Um, you know, I don't want to come into a new job and just start tearing down walls before I know why they were built. And so I have, you know, those resources right. Right down the hall from me anytime I need them. Um, you know, I, I think my, my district level supervisor, um, Has has been great, too, and you know, so we have our our scheduled meetings and most of the time it's it's me asking questions or. Her asking, you know, how can she help me? Um, you know, which is, which is a comforting place to be in when, when you're transitioning in, um, just trying to get a feel for, for, The areas that we need to address some things that I might see that I think might need to be addressed and trying to, you know, manage those too. Um, I'm also have the good fortune, you know, have, um, meeting set up with our superintendent, Dr. Shepard. Um, and he's, I think. He might have been in the district a month longer than I have. And so we're almost, we're on a similar journey. Um, and so those times that we get to meet, you know, um, it's a lot of just conversations of, of just talking and, you know, I'm, I, you know, tell him the things that are going on, it's projects I'm working on, but I think it's me getting to know him and us getting comfortable with each other and also we can kind of share that experience of Going through this process of, of, um, immersing ourself in a new, uh, new campus and culture. Um. And then, you know, I think it's really important to get to know our campus leadership, especially our campus athletic leadership. And so it's, um, which again, I'm, I'm lucky. I knew some of them coming in just from being in the area. Um, but, you know, it's those regular meetings, it's being visible, it's being present, it's, you know, they've Got to get to know me and trust me. And so a lot of that's me being available anytime they need it. Um, again, it's sometimes, you know, in our meetings, You know, they take longer than what maybe I scheduled. But if they're talking, we're having conversations, I'm not going to cut it off because I need to hear it. And that also kind of gives me a perspective of where they're coming from and kind of helps me Figure out what I can do to help them be successful. Um, and so, um, I think all those things, I mean, it's, it's, it's. You know, being present, it's listening, it's building, forming those, you know, meaningful relationships, because when it comes time to change or, um, you know, make things unique or change the process that's more comfortable. For me, um, I'm going to need their buy-in and I'm going to need them to trust and My, my why, and I have to be able to explain that to them. And so, um, when we leave that room, we're all on the same page. And so I've told from the beginning, we're, I'm never going to make a decision without consulting The leadership first, right? I need to know and I need to make sure they're comfortable and hopefully they see the blind spots in it, you know, and they You know, I'm, I'm not perfect. I never claimed to be. And so, um, just know that, that we're all in this together. We're all pulling the same direction and that's hopefully how we can, um, you know, Most benefit our kids and our coaches in this community. Yeah, that's good coach. I wrote down a couple of notes and just kind of like bullet points that I feel like you led us to and that was number one starting off with posture of listening and learning. Number two, lean on people that have been there and have gone through it before. So the way that you leaned on your staff and your team Uh, and their expertise for, uh, doing things the Pflugerville way, if you will. And then number three, spend time with those that are going through the same thing. So making relationships and connections that. With with individuals that are also maybe new to that district or they're in a new a similar role that's new for them as well and kind of the same seat so you're kind of spending time with your peers that are that are going through the same thing. Uh, and then lastly, spend time with those campus lead leaders, the campus campus leadership, um, to really make sure you're leaning into building trust and building up and fostering those relationships. So you're building the foundation that you can then build upon down the road when you do have an initiative or a change or an idea and you want it to be better received. Yes, yeah, absolutely. I mean, and, you know, and as time goes on, you know, I think that. Just, you know, me getting to know, you know, right now it's the leadership, but, you know, right now I'm starting to get to know the head coaches, but eventually right now we're district four high schools, um, seven middle schools. Um, it's getting, you know, it's, On some level on how on who all the coaches are and kind of what their goals are and where they want to go and so how can I help push and pull them along and kind of give them the opportunities, you know, and I think. At times that can be overwhelming. I was in Leander so long that I'd You know, all, you know, and so right now it's, you know, I know the head coaches. I know some of the coordinators. I'm getting to know the assistants. And so that's, that's been, it's been fun. Um, and just seeing just. A different way of doing things is also has been beneficial to me. Yeah. Well, coach, let's, uh, let's, uh, talk about maybe some of the things that you're kind of, uh, dreaming and scheming about when it pertains to, uh, maybe, you know, Character, uh, culture, coach development, student athlete development, kind of the off the field stuff. Um, what are some of the things you're just thinking about and dreaming about for Pflugerville ISD, whether you've already started the implementation process or you're. You know, looking to roll some things out down the road, anything you'd feel comfortable sharing. Yeah. So we've, um, we started, um, early on, uh, early on, I guess this semester, uh, we started, we call it facts. And so, and I think we're contractually obligated to put a P in front of any time we have an F in this district. Um, so it's, you know, it's P, but it's future athletic administrator and coach training sessions. And so, um, we. Part of my job is to kind of hope, prepare whatever that next step for our coaches is. Some of them, it might be their first head coaching job. Some of them might be me. Moving, looking for an athletic coordinator position or someone are looking to get into athletic administration. And so it's kind of. Our job from the athletic office to help them in that journey. Um, so we, um, we have a application process and, um, then we have four scheduled meetings in the spring, um, in our cohort. Three hours for four nights. So this first session, we had fifteen coaches that, and that's, it's been awesome. It gets me a chance to get to know a different group of coaches. And just those conversations, especially after, you know, sometimes a rough day in the office, um, you know, and I know that Monday night that, that I have my fax meeting, um. And then by the, by the eight o'clock after that three, It pours into me, right? It's like, okay, this was a good day. I mean, I can forget about the, the challenges that we had from eight to five, but from five to eight, it was awesome. So just trying to get them to, um, see different, um, Just the different visions of leadership and as you move up the, your, your scope and your view needs to become larger and wider. Um, and so, um, you know, I think in Pflugerville, um, And I'll tell them it doesn't mean we're going to hire from within every time. We're always going to find the best fit for that job, but we want to have those People were ready, um, for what it is, and hopefully they are a fit, um, because they know the culture, they know who we are and our expectations, and so it's more seamless. Um, so, um, you know, I've, I've really enjoyed our, our facts committee, um. And I guess we have our last, our little graduating, um, meeting next, um, next Monday and I'm, I'm really looking forward to it, but then I'm, I'm, I'm going to miss them and then we'll get a new group of twelve to fifteen in, in the fall and, Um, we'll go through the same process again and, you know, keep getting their feedback to figure out how we can make it better. Um, and so, um, that's something we're doing, you know, for, for our coaches. Um, you know, I think for our, our students, right. Right. It's, it's the same, you know, it's trying to implement, you know, ways, you know, for us to make sure when they graduate our That they have choices and opportunities and how to deal with different obstacles in their way during that time. Um, and so, you know, character development programs, some of that academic support, um, You know, all those things, you know, trying to develop that student to where, um, no matter what happens or whatever they choose to do, um. At the end of their time in Pflugerville, they're going to be okay and they're going to be able to choose the things they want to do because of they know how to work. They know how to relate to people. They know how to You know, those lifelong skills that we teach, they, they know. Um, and so I think it's continuing to, to do that. And those things are in place here. And so I think it's just, um. Honing it and getting it refined and, you know, maybe streamlined a little bit and make sure all the programs are doing it. And so it's, it's us sharing information, um, which will be, you know, something else we're going to do this summer at our, um. All coaches welcome back meeting. We call it our, you know, Pflugerville culture and UIL compliance days. Um, we're challenging our coaches to submit sessions, you know, not X and O's. What are things that you need to know as a coach that you can share with someone else, like, you know, how to run a parent meeting, how to deal with a difficult situation, social media, you know, whatever. That our coaches do outside of just the actual competition, um, that, you know, makes high school athletics, middle school athletics That's great. You know, you share it with them. And so it's kind of us learning from each other. Um, because, you know, we have the resources here, we have the talent here. And so like, it's, let's get out of our silos and let's go. Um, you know, on Tuesday and Friday, Absolutely. We're going to do it the right way. Um, but ultimately our, our main goal is, it's still, you know, the main goal it's, you know, we want our kids to graduate with choices and opportunities. Yeah. I love it. Well, coach, do you have any other, um. Kind of parting words of encouragement or, or direction or wisdom that you might want to share, um, for other coaches, like I said, our, our listeners are, it's kind of that season. They're making the transitions. Those things are popping up. And so. Anything else that you might want to leave our listeners with that if they're facing a similar position or they're in that spot right now? Um, you know, I think if you're Especially if you're looking to move up or looking to change, right? Prepare every day. Um, you know, the, the first time you think about your, your leadership plan or what you would do shouldn't be at the interview or preparing for the interview. It should be what you do every day. Um, and how you, you operate, um, In your profession, um, I would say always, you know, find your people, um, that, that you can, you can trust and you can, um, bounce ideas off of that will give you honest feedback. That will also steer you straight when they need to. Um, you know, um, you know, I think there are definitely I have go tos that I've, you know, If I have a leadership question that I'm going to call that it might be not necessarily somebody here in Pflugerville, but somebody that I have a longstanding relationship with that I trust. And so I think you find those people, um, that you, that will, will give you honest feedback on, on, on things you need to hear. Um, and then, you know, I, I think some of it is, you know, follow your heart a little bit, you know, you know, do your research and make sure that, you know, it's the great, right fit for you. You might make that business decision, but also, you know, make sure it's going to be somewhere that, that you're happy. You know, because when you're at your best, you're going to be at your best for your kids and ultimately that that's how we're successful is, you know, across the state, you know, what are we doing to to help influence our our communities and. Um, and it's, it's by pouring into kids. And so, you know, if you keep those things at the forefront, I think you're going to, you're going to be fine. You're going to make the right decisions. Wise words, coach. Thank you so much for your time today and, uh, jumping on here with us again. And, uh, we're excited to, to see, uh, Pflugerville continue to Do well and grow under your leadership going into next school year. We'll be tracking along from our side. Um, once again, thank you for jumping back on. Thank you. I appreciate you guys and everything that y'all do for for educational athletics. Y'all do a tremendous job. So, so thank you. Oh, absolutely, coach. Thank you. Hey guys, one last note before you head off your day. Over 1400 schools across the nation have or are using one of our curriculums. Are you ready to jump on board? If you want a turnkey program to develop character in your athletes, give us a call at 281-723-9943. We will work with you and your budget to make it as easy as possible. Thanks again for listening to the coach 360 podcast. Now let's have a good one today.