Chris Petersen | Former DI College Football Head Coach | "You can't give away what you don't possess"

Today we're joined by one of college football’s most respected leaders, Coach Chris Petersen.

Across 14 seasons as a Division I head football coach, Petersen compiled a remarkable 147-38 career record, including five top-10 national finishes. He was the first-ever two-time recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Award and became the fastest active FBS coach to reach 100 career victories, doing so in just 117 games.

During his time at Boise State, he guided the Broncos to two undefeated seasons and a program-defining win in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. At the University of Washington, he led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff and three New Year’s Six Bowl appearances, while also setting a new standard for academic achievement. Under his leadership, UW football posted the highest four-year APR (Academic Progress Rate) score in the history of FBS football.

Beyond the wins and accolades, Petersen was known for his “Built for Life” philosophy: A leadership approach rooted in character development, life skills, and long-term success beyond the game. Since stepping away from coaching in 2019, he has continued to pour into others by advising coaches, athletic departments, and businesses, and serving as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[13:30] — Society vs. Personal Scoreboard

[17:30] — The Illusion of Achievement

[28:19] — Learning How to Lead

[30:02] — The Paradox of Leadership

[35:38] — Gamechanging Leaders

[49:33] — Developing Your Coaching Staff

[53:22] — Coaches Need Coaches Too

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