Not a Vibe. A System.
Photo caption: My literal desk yesterday — one screen with our 2025–26 Varsity/JV plan, the other with a calendar open. Printed session trackers from last season scattered below, next to shirt mockups and a Canva template for a “Meet the Moment” slide.
This was the arena yesterday as I sat down to finalize the TeamsOfMen calendar for my entire South Salem Boys Basketball program. I’m not sharing it to give you our plan session by session — I’m sharing it to show you two key things:
1. This process is intentional.
It’s informed by data (what worked, what didn’t) and structure (what every tier of your program needs next). Just like you wouldn’t roll into practice without a plan, you can’t build character without a calendar.
2. This isn’t my first rodeo.
While it’s only year two for me at South, it’s year 14 overall of building a tiered, progressive system to help young men grow a reimagined masculinity — first as a college coach, now in high school.
And yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes reflection. Yes, it takes actual building.
You have to map out what your 1st-year players need for a foundation — but you also have to make sure your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years don’t sit through the same session three times. You have to decide when you should present… when they should lead… and when your staff should step in.
You have to think through:
Where do peer-led presentations happen?
What role do mantra shirts play in sparking conversations?
Can JV2 players reflect without needing Varsity present?
What’s the cadence? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Postgame? Pre-practice?
You’ve asked all these questions before —when you built your offense, when you planned your travel itinerary, when you drew up your skill development blocks.
This isn’t new work — it’s just new context.
And if you're thinking “Damn… that seems like a lot…”
You're right.
It is.
But it’s what I do.
That’s why I built TeamsOfMen the business.
To do this with you — or for you — based on what you and your players need. I’ve spent 15 years designing character calendars. With a license, you don’t start from scratch. You start from what’s already proven.
Coach Prompt:
Look at your calendar.
Where’s your offense? Defense? Skill blocks?
Now show me your character plan.
If you don’t see one, your team doesn’t feel one.
Player Prompt:
Which moment last season did you fail to meet well?
How would you prepare differently if you knew it was coming again?
Spoiler alert: It is.
Want the calendar I built above?
Shoot me a message — or license TeamsOfMen and let’s build yours together.
Because character isn’t just taught. It’s scheduled.
