As I talked to Steve Sampson, I was very much reminded of the coaches of my youth in the 80s and 90s. I smirked nostalgically as I heard words like: accountability, preparation, and culture.
If you Google Steve Sampson, of the first 10 articles you see, 9 will be about one event he experienced - a moment where he was coaching the US National Team, prepping for the 1998 World Cup, and was faced with an impossible off-the-field situation.
He handled it in his way, grounded in his own set of values, which he summarized in that clichéd/old school but very true idea of: can you look yourself in the mirror?
His decision was hugely unpopular. His career and reputation suffered tremendously, but as he says both then and now, he sleeps just fine at night.
He talks a lot about that incident with me and how it impacted him. In his words, 'that's the most I've ever talked about that'. And he humbled me by casually adding that, 'he felt in good hands'.
Of course, there is much more to the man than this single moment. And I hope you enjoy hearing from the man himself: the life and philosophies of 'el profe' , Steve Sampson.
EP: 025 - Steve Sampson
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