Brian Smith | University of Missouri Head Wrestling Coach | “We choose Tiger Style not because it's easy, but because it's hard."

Brian Smith has spent nearly three decades building the University of Missouri wrestling program into a national powerhouse. 

Since taking over in 1998, he has guided the Tigers to 64 individual conference champions, 192 NCAA qualifiers, 69 All-America performances, and six athletes who have claimed 10 national titles. His teams have recorded 23 winning seasons, three undefeated dual campaigns, and an unprecedented run of 12 straight conference tournament championships. 

Along the way, Smith has been named Big 12 Coach of the Year three times, MAC Coach of the Year five times, WIN Magazine’s Dan Gable Coach of the Year, and the NWCA National Coach of the Year. He is Missouri’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Norm Stewart with his 12th conference title in 2023.

In this episode, Coach Smith shares the origin of and philosphy behind “Tiger Style” and the four pillars that define it: Believe, Compete, One More, and Expect to Win. We also explore his process for building player-led leadership, how he integrates mental training into everyday routines, and the role of storytelling in shaping culture.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:

[5:17] — Fostering Player-driven Leadership

[8:36] — The Importance of Team Connection 

[13:01] — Creating the Foundation for "Tiger Style"

[20:47] — The 4 Pillars of "Tiger Style"

[29:21] — Expecting to Win

[36:15] — Why Storytelling Matters for Coaches

[44:30] — Mental Mondays

[51:40] — Teaching Athletes to Embrace Failure

[56:20] — "Mental Physicals"

[59:34] — Always Be In Learning Mode

[1:07:02] — Favorite Reads

More Resources from Coach Smith:

• To purchase his book "Tiger Style" -- https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Style-Create-Winning-Culture-ebook/dp/B0DMM6WWVH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2U1VITTCNW7E5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9HY8T4DC-qUOoWB_0hlMGA.gdmmprn9M_Xga9VdlSaLFs9BT5dvWODDyLQqa14aAGI&dib_tag=se&keywords=brian+smith+tiger+style&qid=1731509949&s=books&sprefix=brian+smith+tiger+styl%2Cstripbooks%2C287&sr=1-1

More Resources from Zach:

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• If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to reach out anytime to see how I can best serve you: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/