Episode 10: Jimmy Coenraets - Surrounded by Idiots

Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets grew up in Belgium with a heart condition that didn’t allow him to play soccer until he was much older. But once he reached his goal of playing professional soccer, he found something was missing. He was studying business and marketing when his younger sister persuaded him to coach a girls development team. That plea changed his life. He was hired by the Utah Royals in June of 2024 as an assistant, but took over as interim head coach just a few weeks later. He joins the podcast to discuss what coaching has taught him about communication and leadership, and how the book Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson helped him understand himself and others better. We talk about cultural differences, the evolution of the women’s game and how sports may be on the verge of an affordability crisis.

Sports are more than just games. Competition is a classroom for the human experience. While scoreboards declare winners and losers, the real value of athletics is the lessons that transcend any field of play. Lessons like perseverance, leadership, and resilience. And coaches are the people responsible for teaching these principles to athletes and fans alike. Have you ever wondered what shaped the philosophy or leadership style of your favorite coaches? A new podcast from KSL - Coach’s Book Club - asks coaches and athletes to share how their favorite books educated, changed or inspired them.  Hosts David James and Amy Donaldson are veteran journalists who’ve covered everything from Olympic triumphs to high school heartbreaks. Each month, they'll introduce you to a coach and get their book club pick. Then, we'll read the book together and discuss the characters, themes and lessons. And we want to hear your take, too. This isn't just a podcast to listen to, it's a community. So join the coach's book club!