Leading Saints Podcast

From BYU Quarterback to Stake President | An Interview with Brandon Doman

May 17, 2025

Brandon Doman, a former BYU quarterback turned YSA stake president, shares fascinating insights on blending sports leadership with faith guidance. He explores how his athletic journey shapes his church leadership style, focusing on service and mentorship. Doman emphasizes the role of family in faith development, alongside critical life lessons learned from sports. He discusses balancing leadership roles, the importance of prayer for young singles, and how resilience and community support can lead to profound personal growth.

52:42

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Episode guests

Brandon Doman

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Quick takeaways

Brandon Doman emphasizes that principles learned in sports, such as teamwork and resilience, are essential for effective church leadership.

Creating a supportive community and fostering genuine connections among leaders and youth is crucial for their growth and engagement.

Leaders should prioritize nurturing spiritual growth over organizational tasks, ensuring that worship experiences remain meaningful and spiritually enriching.

Deep dives

Effective Youth Leadership Strategies

Effective youth leadership relies on understanding and applying the principles of the Children and Youth Program. Leaders are encouraged to facilitate youth-led groups, empowering young individuals to take initiative in their activities and responsibilities. By meeting youth where they are, leaders can identify their strengths and capacities, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement among the participants. This approach not only promotes individual growth but also enhances the dynamics of group collaboration within the youth community.

Intro

3min

Faith Development Through Family Influence

2min

Lessons from Upbringing and Sports

8min

Lessons in Leadership and Discipline

11min

Balancing Leadership and Football

16min

Focusing on Leadership Essentials

4min

Hope and Miracles: Supporting Young Single Adults

3min

The Journey of Leadership

6min

Brandon Doman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Skyline High School. He was quarterback for Brigham Young University Football and then for the San Francisco 49ers. Brandon has since been BYU Football’s quarterbacks coach and currently offensive coordinator. He is also president and co-owner of Leap Innovations, developing and manufacturing trailer hitches, precast decorative concrete landscape products, outdoor basketball hoops, pickleball nets, and outdoor lighting. Brandon is married to Alisha Barker and they have six children, ages nine through 23. He currently serves as stake president of the Alpine Utah YSA Stake.

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Highlights

Brandon talks about the parallels between athletic and church leadership as a YSA stake president, and the principles that translate from sports to his current church role, emphasizing service and love in his leadership approach.

The conversation delves into the impact of Brandon’s high school coach, Roger Dupaix, and his unique coaching style, which instilled work ethic, consistency, and attention to detail. Brandon shares how these principles seamlessly transitioned to his college football experience at BYU under the legendary coach Lavell Edwards. He illustrates Lavell’s unwavering leadership, delegation style, and the environment of trust he fostered among his coaches.

Brandon reflects on his experience as a counselor in a married student ward bishopric while still playing at BYU—an early calling that provided valuable spiritual growth and a crucial perspective. Currently serving as a stake president for a young single adult stake, Brandon shares the unique aspects of this calling, including the transition to having young adults in all leadership positions. He notes the challenges faced by young adults today and how the stake strives to create a supportive and spiritually nourishing environment.

The discussion explores the specifics of leading a YSA stake, including the geographic considerations and the collaborative approach with family stakes in calling bishops. Brandon emphasizes the role of the bishop and his wife as examples and guides for the young adults. He also discusses the dynamic with his counselors and the focus on temple ordinances and training. Brandon shares key principles, such as prioritizing the most important aspects and the constant need to adapt and learn. He highlights the valuable training provided by church leadership, the importance of finding and gathering all individuals, and his belief in the divine potential of each young adult to receive a full inheritance.

00:00:00 – Introduction to YSA Leadership and Transition
00:03:24 – Brandon Doman’s Early Faith Development and Family Influence
00:06:03 – Family Challenges and the Pursuit of Football Scholarships
00:07:30 – The Role of Sports and Parental Involvement in Childhood
00:13:05 – Influence of High School Coach Roger Dupe and His Principles
00:15:49 – Transition to BYU Football and Lavell Edwards’ Coaching
00:20:48 – A Leadership Lesson from Lavell Edwards’ Consistency
00:23:19 – Lavell Edwards’ Delegation and Trust in His Coaches
00:24:53 – Early Church Leadership as a BYU Quarterback
00:28:30 – Calling as a Stake President for Young Single Adults
00:33:15 – Challenges and Needs of Young Adults in Today’s World
00:37:57 – Orienting Bishops in Young Single Adult Wards
00:39:39 – The Role of Bishops and Their Wives as Examples
00:41:26 – Dynamics with Stake Counselors and Focus on Temple Ordinances
00:43:10 – Key Leadership Principles Learned as Stake President
00:48:12 – Hope and Encouragement for Those Worrying About Young Adults
00:54:54 – The Importance of Gathering and Finding Everyone

The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.