Coaching Culture 407: Shaking the Underdog: How Rob Dow Forged a Championship Culture at Vermont
Jun 29, 2025
Rob Dow, the head coach of the NCAA National Championship-winning Vermont Men's Soccer team, shares his insights on building a winning culture. He discusses shaking off the underdog mentality to foster belief and authenticity among players. Dow emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, open communication, and mentorship in creating a safe and supportive environment. He introduces the team’s mantra about breaking down challenges and highlights strategies for maintaining core values and overcoming complacency in pursuit of greatness.
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Champions Embrace Pressure to Win
- Successful champions often believe they are the best, embracing the pressure to win.
- The underdog mentality may reduce pressure but can limit achieving top success.
Rob Dow's Vulnerability Story
- Rob Dow shared a deeply personal story about a player going missing in 2022, marking a challenging and emotional moment for the team.
- He showed vulnerability in front of his team by admitting failure and expressing emotion openly.
Create Emotional Mentorships
- Implement mentorship programs matching players emotionally to support individual challenges, not just by position.
- Build community connections that provide practical support, like meals and social bonding, to foster belonging.