Competing Without Losing the Person with Russell Smelley

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In this episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob sits down with Russell Smelley—NAIA Hall of Fame coach, longtime Westmont College faculty member and coach, and one of the most thoughtful voices in collegiate coaching—to explore what it really means to coach people, not just train athletes.

Russell shares stories from nearly five decades in coaching, including his journey from proving himself through wins to measuring success by trust, character, and long-term impact. This conversation cuts straight to the heart of the profession: identity, psychological safety, competition, and the quiet work of shaping people who thrive well beyond sport.

This is a grounded, honest discussion for coaches who want to win and lead with integrity.

Key Themes & Takeaways

Training vs. Coaching: Why developing people must take precedence over chasing results—and how the best coaches do both.
Psychological Safety (Done Right): Safety doesn’t mean low standards. It means accountability without fear.
Evaluate, Don’t Critique: How post-competition language shapes trust, learning, and long-term growth.
Competing in the Context of Relationship: Why opponents aren’t enemies—and how respect fuels healthier competition.
Focus vs. Obsession: Where intensity helps and where it becomes destructive for athletes and coaches alike.
Winning Isn’t Enough: Russell reflects on when he realized success had to be defined by more than outcomes.
Mentorship & Patience: Why some lessons take years to land—and why that’s okay.
Advice to Young Coaches: “Say no more often. Be clear. Get a mentor. Don’t vacillate.”

Memorable Quotes

“The coaching part says my ego takes second place to wins and losses.”
“Evaluate, don’t critique.”
“Psychological safety isn’t avoiding hard things—it’s opening the door to more responsibility.”
“Your opponent is not your enemy. They’re there to help you get better.”

About the Guest

Russell Smelley is a longtime cross country and track & field coach at Westmont College, a multiple-time conference Coach of the Year, and an NAIA Hall of Fame inductee. As both coach and faculty member, Russell brings a rare blend of competitive excellence, faith-centered leadership, and deep care for athlete development.

Russell is currently developing workshops on transformational leadership for coaches, educators, and parents—focused on moving from transactional outcomes to lasting impact.

Contact Russell: smelley@westmont.edu

Listen & Subscribe

Beyond Coaching is produced by the Impactful Coaching Project, in partnership with Friends University. ICP exists to develop coaches who lead the whole person and to advance best practices for coaching the 21st-century athlete.

Learn more at impactfulcoachingproject.com.