This episode of the Coach to Coach podcast features an interview with Derek Wagner, the long-time coach of the UW-Eau Claire women's rugby team.
Derek shares his journey into coaching, highlighting the influence of his wife, Stephanie, who encouraged him to take on the role despite his initial reluctance and limited rugby experience. He discusses the challenges he faced early on, including imposter syndrome and transitioning into a new team environment, and how he gained confidence through positive feedback from his players.
The conversation explores Derek's coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of structure, continuous learning through micro-learning resources like rugby-focused Instagram accounts, and collaboration with other coaches. He shares his evolving approach to practice planning and tactical development, influenced by coaches like Joe Lippert, and his passion for growing the game of rugby.
Derek also reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the unique opportunities it presented for online learning and networking. He discusses the value of attending coaching summits and conferences, highlighting the benefits of in-person connections and knowledge sharing.
The episode concludes with Derek discussing the challenges of rebuilding his team after graduating a large group of senior players and emphasizing the importance of foundational teaching and communication in developing new talent. He expresses his pride in his team's dedication and their commitment to growing the game of rugby.
