Trevor Kapp

I interview and write about coaches, executives and authors | Alum @UNC

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Over the past 2+ years, I’ve been fortunate to interview dozens of top coaches and executives across sports and business.

We’ve discussed their successes, failures, core leadership views and critical lessons.

Here are 10 of my favorite quotes 🧵:

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Appreciate your friendship and wisdom, Coach. https://t.co/PXE69IoLJu

[Clint Hurdle @ClintHurdle13]

9/1 🤔’s from Home 🌅🏝️🏖️☀️

Here’s a share from my good friend @tkapp20 Trevor Kapp. This is a shameless plug for my book 📖 and you may be surprised by the life lessons I share.

In 2015, I took a 7-hour drive with my dad to Pittsburgh for a weekend to see the Pirates host the first-place St. Louis Cardinals. 

Ten years later, the manager of that Pirates team, Clint Hurdle, has become a good friend and confidant. 

I was honored when he asked me to write an endorsement for his new book "Hurdle-isms," which is a fun read for any coach or leader…..

Here are 5 lessons from Clint about perseverance, managing a team and navigating hardship: 

1. Own your past — the good and the bad.

Clint graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1978 as "This Year's Phenom." But his time in the big leagues didn't go the way he'd envisioned.

"Basically, my career went from being a can’t-miss to a miss," he told me in 2023. 

Clint doesn't shy away from the fact he was traded 3 times, has been divorced twice and has been fired as a manager/coach 3 times. "Not exactly a highlight reel," he often says. 

But by coming to terms with his hardships and missteps, and deeply examining what led him to make some of the choices he did, he became a better husband, father, manager and leader. 

He later managed in the World Series and in the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium and has been happily married for nearly 30 years. 

2. "Life is hard, and it’s not fair, and it’s not going to be fair. You have to figure out what hill you want to choose to take a stand on."

In 2007, Clint led the Colorado Rockies to the World Series. Less than two years later, he was dismissed as manager. 

"It was probably the most raw experience I’d had to date — and I had had some raw experiences," he told me. 

Injustices will happen to us, and while they undoubtedly sting, the quicker we can avoid the temptation to lament our luck or blame others, the quicker we can move on — and the better off we'll be in the long term. 

3. "When you can show loyalty to your people, it breeds energy. The energy breeds effort."

Whether it's managing an MLB team or guiding a small startup, leadership ultimately boils down to trust. 

"Loyalty to your people" is often reciprocated — and frequently inspires the cohesion and competitive fire that's required to reach the highest level of team performance. 

4. "The teams that play well really pull for one another and celebrate each others’ successes. It’s not magic. It’s a selflessness."

I asked Clint a couple of years ago what his best teams all had in common, thinking his answer might be great pitching, speed or hitting. 

But he didn't say any of those things. He told me it was "Mudita," a Buddhist term essentially meaning empathy and joy for the success of others.

It's very hard to achieve anything worthwhile if individual team members have separate ambitions and personal agendas. The best teams are comprised of individuals who make critical sacrifices and cheer for each others' success.

5. "Nobody is going to let you coach them until they trust you."

"Trust" is certainly a leadership buzzword, but it's arguably harder to earn now than it's ever been. 

So, what does it ultimately come down to? 

-Connection: Are you relatable on a human level? 
-Competence: Do you have an intimate knowledge of your craft and do you possess the relevant skills to elevate a group? 
-Consistency: Is your mood erratic or can you maintain the same temperament through the good and the bad?

Tap the link in my profile to order a signed copy.

Make a difference today
Love Clint

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@CoachBobStarkey Love this.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@jotacuspi Love it, Coach!

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@KevinDeShazo He's just supreme when it comes to team-building philosophies.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Sam Presti is widely regarded as one of the top executives and talent evaluators in all of sports.

His Oklahoma City Thunder has had 3 different NBA MVPs dating back to 2014.

What do the greats have in common?

“The best players are the secure players."

@KevinDeShazo

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Carlos Alcaraz is in the French Open final against Jannik Sinner.

After last year’s semifinal, he shared a critical key to his success.

“You have to find the joy in suffering," Alcaraz said.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

I like watching end-of-season media availabilities.

They usually contain some valuable leadership ideas.

Good thought from Minnesota Timberwolves President Tim Connelly yesterday on balancing continuity vs. risk.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Pretty interesting clip. Stephen Curry acknowledging he still suffers from impostor syndrome.

"Are you fulfilling your full potential in all different areas?"

https://t.co/qFyoD3PIz2

[ClutchPoints @ClutchPoints]

Steph Curry: "I'm human like everybody, you have doubts about yourself, you have impostor syndrome at times, like you have an idea of..."

Alex Sherman: "You still have impostor syndrome?"

SC: "At times, yeah."

(via @CNBC)

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@KevinDeShazo Two words we should all probably say more often: "My fault."

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Some good quotes in this interview:

-“I could choose to be embarrassed of who I was on national TV or choose to have a chip on my shoulder.”

-“They’re going to know me from my work ethic.”

-“I prepare 100 percent. I use 20 percent.”

https://t.co/wme0OO0ksd

[Ryan Hawk @RyanHawk12]

NEW EPISODE w/ The Most Prepared Broadcaster In The World - @KirkHerbstreit
- Responding to Adversity
- Faith
- Elk Pride
- High School Sports
- NIL Deals
- Lee Corso
- The Emotional Night When @OhioStateFB Won The Title

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Good piece by @BumperGraham on how empowering its coach led PSG to its first Champions League crown.

"We will back you, we will give you total authority over the training ground and the squad, you'll be able to get rid of who you want... We want you."

https://t.co/r1XSAim674

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Good answer from new Denver Nuggets Coach David Adelman on what defines success.

“You can talk about finality all you want, but the bottom line is it is a process-based business,” he said.

“You have to work every day to get to your ultimate goal, not just expect it to happen.”

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Sam Presti is widely regarded as one of the top executives and talent evaluators in all of sports.

His Oklahoma City Thunder has had 3 different NBA MVPs dating back to 2014.

What do the greats have in common?

“The best players are the secure players."

@KevinDeShazo

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

“I said I was going to make them regret cutting me,” SGA said.

10 years later, he still looks back on it as a critical catalyst for his growth.

“When I fail and lose is when I am most motivated,” he said. “I think getting cut kind of kickstarted that.”

https://t.co/jl9evm77uj

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one win from the NBA Finals.

But before he was an MVP, before he even was a D1 college player, SGA was a 9th grader cut from the 10th-grade team at his Ontario high school.

When that decision was made, he didn’t sulk.

But he did text his mom. (1/2)

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@coachajkings Good thread. Looking forward to reading her new book.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@charlesmiller_7 The refreshing part is it's entirely in our control and can be trained.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@AlexHormozi It’s easy to glorify “the grind,” but there are significant tradeoffs to any meaningful pursuit.

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

Sometimes, the less we care, the better we are at something.

Madison Keys went her first 45 Grand Slam tournaments without a win, before capturing the 2025 Australian Open.

Now, she’s fighting not to revert to old habits. A good message on “the doubled-edged sword of success.”

[Trevor Kapp @tkapp20]

@DrewMaddux Good one. Amazing how much weight we can give at times to the outside opinions of one or two people.