The Story That Sparked It All

In this episode of The Player Development Pod, I take you back to the moment that changed everything for me. A 1990s Houston Cougar football legend—once celebrated, now broken—returned to campus for an alumni event. Homeless. Overweight. Forgotten.

Watching him cry while his teammates looked on in sadness wrecked me.

How could this happen to someone whose name is still in our record books?

That moment ignited something inside me. It became my why.

I left the coaching path and stepped into player development to ensure athletes are supported holistically for life—not just during their playing days.

This is the moment that changed my career—and I hope it changes how you see player development too.

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About Ed Jones II

Founder | Educator | Culture Builder | Voice of the Player Development Movement

Ed Jones II is a globally respected authority in player development—known not just for what he does, but for how he builds people. With a career rooted in service, leadership, and transformation, Ed has impacted over 500 student-athletes across Power Five programs, including the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, and Baylor University, where he rose to Assistant Athletic Director.

Today, he is the founder and CEO of Beyond The Field, a pioneering company that equips schools, organizations, and leaders with the structure, strategy, and soul to build intentional off-the-field experiences for athletes. Through assessments, certification programs, high-impact workshops, and strategic consulting, Ed is helping shape the future of athlete development across the country.

He is also the creator of a fast-growing educational ecosystem that includes:

– The Player Development Pod (200+ episodes and counting)

– The Player Development Summit (the leading national event for professionals in the space)

– The Player Development Newsletter (insight and strategy delivered weekly)

– The Player Development Plan Course & Cohorts (a step-by-step blueprint for building programs that matter)

– Three published books, including the bestselling Player Development Guide

What sets Ed apart is his clarity. He doesn’t just speak about change—he builds systems that make it possible. Ed’s work sits at the intersection of education, athletics, and personal growth, and he’s quickly becoming the go-to mind for departments, directors, and decision-makers who want to build better, not just louder.

If you're building a program, a department, or a career in the space of athlete development, there are two types of people:

– Those who have connected with Ed Jones II.

– And those who are about to.

Connect with Ed here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edjonesii/

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Let's Talk Player Development. Email me here: edward@btfprogram.com