About the Guest

Rich Tomey is the son of the late Dick Tomey, a revered football coach known for his impactful leadership at institutions such as the University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, and San Jose State University. Rich is a dedicated advocate for character-driven coaching and currently works with the Positive Coaching Alliance, where he continues to build upon his father's legacy by promoting positive and effective coaching techniques. Raised on the sidelines of football fields, Rich has first-hand experience with the impact his father had on many lives both on and off the field.

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of "Becoming UnDone," host Toby Brooks delves into the life and legacy of legendary college football coach Dick Tomey, through the eyes of his son, Rich Tomey. Throughout the episode, Rich vividly recounts memories of his father, revealing both personal anecdotes and professional insights that highlight Coach Tomey’s unique approach to leadership and personal growth. Known for his mantra, "football isn’t complicated; people are," Coach Tomey’s consistent focus on relationship-building and personal development are themes repeatedly echoed by those who knew him best.

The discussion centers around the enduring influence of Dick Tomey's values, particularly the importance of perseverance and the prioritization of people over results. Rich shares how his father’s life lessons have shaped his own career path with the Positive Coaching Alliance, where he strives to instill character and integrity in coaching. The episode also explores Coach Tomey’s career from his early years in Hawaii to his noteworthy achievements at Arizona and San Jose State University, highlighting his commitment to nurturing grit and character in athletes.

Key Takeaways

• Coach Dick Tomey was a master of building relationships and personal development, famously saying, "football isn't complicated; people are."
• Rich Tomey’s childhood was profoundly shaped by his father's presence and values, emphasizing the importance of love and support in family and coaching alike.
• The Positive Coaching Alliance carries forward Coach Tomey’s legacy, promoting character-driven coaching that emphasizes life lessons through sports.
• Coach Tomey instilled the belief in perseverance, teaching that adversity reveals one's true character and often serves as a stepping stone to success.
• Despite the pressures of the coaching profession, Dick Tomey remained committed to prioritizing the development of his athletes as individuals, valuing people over results.

Notable Quotes

• "Football isn't complicated; people are." – Dick Tomey
• "He truly loved his team, his guys. Every team was his favorite team." – Rich Tomey
• "Anything you want in your life, you can get. You just got to put your mind to it." – Advice from Dick Tomey
• "Life is full of adversity, and this is where you find out what you're made of." – Rich Tomey
• "He had a real knack for getting the most out of his guys, believing in them, and developing them into better people." – Rich Tomey

Resources

• Positive Co

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Support the show

Becoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

About the Guest

Dave Fipp is a highly respected coach in the National Football League (NFL), currently serving as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Detroit Lions since 2021. Before joining the Lions, Fipp contributed his expertise to several NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a pivotal role in their 2018 Super Bowl victory, as well as the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers. His coaching journey began under the mentorship of the legendary coach Dick Tomey at San Jose State and includes valuable experience as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Arizona. Fipp's career is characterized by his commitment to developing players not only athletically but also personally.

Episode Summary

In this enriching episode of "Becoming UnDone," host Toby Brooks presents a heartfelt exploration of the lessons and legacy of renowned football coach Dick Tomey, examining his profound influence on both the game and his athletes. Throughout the episode, Brooks connects personal anecdotes with insights from his guest, Dave Fipp, creating a vivid portrayal of the enduring impact of a coach who lived by the philosophy of caring deeply for his players.

The conversation delves into Dave Fipp's journey in the world of football, accentuating the transformative role Coach Tomey played in shaping his career. Emphasizing Tomey’s forward-thinking approach, Fipp illustrates how treating players with genuine interest and respect transcends traditional coaching tactics. By doing so, he offers a blueprint for fostering meaningful relationships that contribute to both personal growth and collective team success. This episode not only honors Dick Tomey’s remarkable contributions to football but also offers invaluable lessons on leadership, honesty, and the enduring power of mentorship.

Key Takeaways

• Impact of Leadership: Dick Tomey's approach to coaching transcended traditional win-loss metrics, focusing instead on personal development and honesty, which left a lasting impact on his players and colleagues.
• Genuine Care: Tomey's philosophy of genuinely caring for players as individuals, not just athletes, was ahead of its time and remains a model for effective coaching and leadership.
• Career Path Insights: Insights into Dave Fipp's decision to leave a full-time coaching position for an opportunity to learn under Tomey as a Graduate Assistant, showcasing the value of mentorship in career development.
• Relational Coaching: The importance of relationship-building in coaching, highlighted by Fipp's observations on how genuine concern and honesty - "I love you so much, I'm going to tell you the truth" - foster trust and respect.
• Legacy and Influence: Dick Tomey's legacy is exemplified through ongoing influence, as seen in his former players and staff who continue to reflect his values across various coaching roles.

Notable Quotes

• "What you do speak so loud I can't hear what you say." – Reflecting Tomey’s belief in the power of actions over words.
• "He meant that with every player, every coach, every person he was around, it really didn't matter how you got there." – Dave Fipp

Reach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!

Support the show

Becoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

About the Guest

Dino Babers is the former head coach of the Syracuse Orange football team and has a storied career in college football. His previous roles include being an offensive coordinator at the University of Arizona from 1998 to 2000, where he worked under Coach Dick Tomey. Babers also served as the head coach at Eastern Illinois, earning the title Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year twice, Bowling Green, and at Syracuse was honored as the AP ACC Coach of the Year honor in 2018. Babers began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hawaii with Coach Tomey in 1984.

Episode Summary

In this captivating episode of "Becoming UnDone," host Toby Brooks delves into the life and legacy of the legendary Coach Dick Tomey through the eyes of one of his former assistants, Coach Dino Babers. From an unforgettable 1998 football season at the University of Arizona to Babers' first encounter with Coach Tomey during a home visit, this episode provides an in-depth look at the man behind the coaching philosophy that shaped countless careers. Drawing attention to Tomey's emphasis on team unity and cultural integration among diverse players, Babers offers an enriching perspective on what it meant to coach and be coached by Tomey.

The conversation unfolds around Babers' personal anecdotes like dealing with roaches during recruitment visits and the classic football wisdom imparted by Tomey. The Hawaii native shares poignant reflections on Tomey's ability to cultivate family (ohana) within his teams—a culture that valued consistency, loyalty, and love for each other as essential elements of success. Brooks and Babers also explore how Tomey's coaching methods would adapt to today's era of college football transformations like NIL, transfer portals, and analytics, drawing lessons that align with the central themes of leadership and legacy embedded throughout the discussion.

Key Takeaways

• Coach Dick Tomey's approach centered on profound human connection and team culture, emphasizing that "football isn't complicated, people are."
• Babers attributes his own coaching style to Tomey's teaching: "you're either coaching it or you're letting it happen," highlighting the importance of accountability.
• Through humorous and earnest stories, Babers illustrates Tomey's strategy of employee empowerment, placing trust in players and coaches alike.
• The episode examines meaningful cultural integration within teams, presenting diverse backgrounds as a strength and fostering inclusivity.
• In today's shifting landscape of college sports, the adherence to Tomey's lessons on consistency and teamwork retains timeless relevance and empowers current and future coaches.

Notable Quotes

• "Yo

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Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Becoming Undone is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyJBrooks. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.