In Episode 69 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Carbondale head football coach Bryan Lee for a wide-ranging, candid and often hilarious conversation about resilience, second chances and the long road that led him to a 27-year coaching career and more than two decades as a head football coach.
Lee reflects on his upbringing in rural Murphysboro and the unconventional path that eventually brought him into education and coaching. After early struggles balancing work, college and direction, he credits his future wife for pushing him to take a leap of faith — moving to North Carolina with little more than determination and a car full of clothes. That decision helped him refocus, finish his degree and ultimately discover his passion for teaching and coaching young athletes.
The episode follows Lee’s coaching journey through multiple states and programs, beginning with one of the toughest assignments imaginable — taking over a struggling North Carolina program that had only 16 players and was on the verge of shutting down. Through persistence, culture change and relentless recruiting in the hallways, Lee helped rebuild the team and learned the lessons that would define his coaching philosophy for decades.
Martin and Lee also revisit his return to Southern Illinois, where Lee built successful programs at Chester and later Carbondale. The conversation includes stories about playoff runs, conference championships and the unique culture of high school football in Southern Illinois communities. Along the way, Lee shares memorable moments from his career — including coaching sports he had never played, mentoring future college and professional athletes, and the unexpected experiences that come with seeing former players reach the highest levels of the game.
At the heart of the episode is Lee’s belief that coaching is about far more than football. Drawing from his own experiences growing up, he speaks passionately about the responsibility coaches have to be positive influences in the lives of young people — especially those who may not have consistent support systems at home. For Lee, the greatest victories come not from the scoreboard but from the relationships built and the lives impacted long after the final whistle.
It’s an entertaining, thoughtful and deeply personal episode filled with humor, humility and powerful reflections on leadership, mentorship and the lasting influence of great coaches.
