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Published on:

18th Dec 2024

Building Mental Toughness & Championship Culture: Coaching Legacy with Matt Senneca

​​James Blasco sits down with Matt Senneca, the head coach of Easton High School Football. Matt discusses his inspiring football journey, from his days as a high school standout to becoming a successful high school coach. He shares insights into the iconic Easton vs. Phillipsburg Thanksgiving Day rivalry, talks about the importance of mental toughness, and stresses the significance of building strong relationships with players. The conversation also emphasizes the benefits of playing multiple sports, maintaining academic discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Tune in for a session packed with invaluable advice and motivational stories from a seasoned coach.

TIMESTAMPS

  • (00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching
  • (00:28) Meet Coach Matt Senneca
  • (01:14) Matt Senneca's Football Journey
  • (05:03) Coaching Philosophy and Influences
  • (07:54) High School Football Evolution
  • (09:50) Building Mental Toughness
  • (22:54) Thanksgiving Day Rivalry
  • (27:43) Advice for Aspiring Athletes
  • (33:30) Future Plans and Conclusion

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  •  Mental toughness is built, not born. Athletes must learn how to handle adversity and pressure.
  •  High school football is a year-round commitment. Success requires dedication in the weight room, practice field, and classroom.
  • Relationships matter. The best coaches connect with players beyond X’s and O’s.
  • Championship culture starts with discipline. The little things—like accountability and effort—separate good teams from great ones.

Matt Senneca is the head coach of Easton High School Football, renowned for blending traditional football values with forward-thinking training techniques. He champions discipline, teamwork, and academic excellence, ensuring his players not only excel on the field but also grow into resilient, well-rounded individuals. Coach Senneca's strategic approach and genuine commitment have transformed the program into a model of excellence, inspiring a new generation of athletes while honoring the rich legacy of high school football.

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Charge Forward Coaching,  James Blasco, Football, Coaching, Leadership, Mindset Matters, Mental Toughness, High School Football, Athlete Mindset, Discipline, Championship Culture, Charge Forward, Matt Senneca,

Transcript

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Voice Over: [:

Voice Over: Then tune in get inspired and let's charge forward. Now. Here's your host James Blasco

podcast. I'm your host James [:

Joe Paterno and then on to a [:

es Blasco: We'll also tackle [:

Matt Senneca: Thanks for having me.

ames Blasco: So why don't we [:

ne football at NC State for, [:

as allowed to play football. [:

ot my first start against the:

Matt Senneca: Yeah. Um, so I [:

y first head coaching job in [:

s like a commute for me. So, [:

ll speaks for itself and the [:

Matt Senneca: I [:

Matt Senneca: And, you know, it was a big factor. So, um, put my name in and here I am.

n, myself included, are glad [:

a: Oh, I mean I had a lot of [:

nds that too, but, you know, [:

how to be a head coach and, [:

a quarterback at Penn State. [:

James Blasco: What did you learn from that?

tt Senneca: I learned how to [:

y time at Penn State. Uh, my [:

r the first time, uh, pretty [:

has changed so dramatically [:

James Blasco: How different is it? How different are the athletes that you're coaching?

ow year round you have to be [:

And it's all the way through [:

I never had to worry about. [:

u know, football's football. [:

the kids not only, you know, [:

James Blasco: How does that [:

with them first and foremost [:

was my second season and we, [:

a. m. [:

to the mental aspect that we [:

We do it in practice, uh, in [:

music and Beethoven and that [:

Matt Senneca: So it's nice to see it.

ames Blasco: Yeah, I, I, uh, [:

father emailed in a question [:

James Blasco: What is it [:

Matt Senneca: Uh, I think, you know, with me and coaching, a lot of it goes back to relationships and you can't do a lot of what you need to do as a coach if you don't have relationships with your kids.

Matt Senneca: Um, [:

to a pressure situation, um, [:

ey know you have their back, [:

s understand that they have, [:

James Blasco: So from a, um, a coach.

ff together standpoint. What [:

a be able to teach the game. [:

e only about X's and O's and [:

er it might be. Every guy on [:

Matt Senneca: Um, I [:

ames Blasco: So every, every [:

James Blasco: Are they all treated the same or do you, you gotta do something different with those folks?

o, they're treated the same. [:

olding people accountable to [:

h. So it's kind of, it was a [:

go up if you want things to [:

Matt Senneca: Um, and we ended up having a really good senior class this year that really did that all off season.

James Blasco: And [:

a: Yeah, so I get, I get two [:

ething we have to stick with [:

me they're a junior and they [:

warning list and things like [:

at what we had to do in high [:

a lot of kids, especially a [:

way. It'll do this. It'll do [:

p because they seem weak or, [:

and preach to our kids that, [:

Matt Senneca: [:

Matt Senneca: I will say that.

great psychologist. And it's [:

the best bosses in business, [:

d of how I look at coaching. [:

iving Day game. So everybody [:

y here. It's been going since:

, I don't know. But, yeah, I [:

en you came back. But it was [:

ring Thanksgiving, because in:

James Blasco: Blocked the extra point and Easton ended up losing. Oh,

Matt Senneca: [:

like the biggest moment ever.[:

James Blasco: And he goes out there and nails it.

you know, to be good for us. [:

als for some reason, like, I [:

he year. Um, it was actually [:

atter how we got a point. We [:

Matt Senneca: They have one timeout, so they're going to let you walk out there. They're going to let you get all set up. And right before we're going to snap it, he's going to call a timeout just so you know. I said, and the second he does that, grab your tee, come over here on the sideline, get some more kicks in, make sure you're loose.

Matt Senneca: [:

r end of the field by myself [:

e year I invited a lot of co [:

ou want to come to your house:

le more questions. Um, what, [:

James Blasco: You know, where, what, what should they be doing right now?

an, that's the first thing I [:

n and all that kind of stuff [:

tiple sports and, and be as, [:

Matt Senneca: Um, [:

tion in class, do your work, [:

ds out in the, in the United [:

am. I'll repeat, I'll repeat [:

o eat right, to train right, [:

miss stuff. I don't know how [:

you have to go play football [:

much work that goes into it [:

torture. Or if you're like, [:

, like, you don't want to go [:

an? Success is hard work. So [:

uh, the commitment they had [:

pounds of muscle? Just [:

ed right there. Like, if you [:

of the game, like you didn't [:

James Blasco: Absolutely. I reread the book several times trying to keep up understanding it all.

s Blasco: It's unbelievable. [:

holidays with my family and [:

y again, and, um, some early [:

to seeing a lot more Eastern [:

oughness that you can learn, [:

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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

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