Summary In this episode of the Connected Instructor podcast, host Landon interviews Justin Emil, head coach of the Rice University golf team. They discuss Coach Emil's coaching philosophy, his experiences, and his vision for the future of Rice golf. They also reflect on a memorable highlight of their coaching career together, winning the 2014 Conference USA Championship. Coach Emil emphasizes the importance of the harmonious pursuit of academic and athletic excellence and the value of building strong relationships with players. He shares his core coaching values, including humility, wisdom, honor, discipline, and team. The success of the Rice University golf team is dependent on their disciplined strategy, focusing on keeping the ball in play off the tee and on the strong side of the green. They emphasize the importance of short game skills and good feel around the greens. The team aims to consistently shoot low scores even when they don't have their best game. Coach Justin Emil works on imparting this strategy to his players, emphasizing the importance of smart decision-making and building trust. He believes that good strategy is essential for success in college golf and beyond. Takeaways Coach Emil emphasizes the harmonious pursuit of academic and athletic excellence. Building strong relationships with players is a cornerstone of Coach Emil's coaching philosophy. The 2014 Conference USA Championship win stands out as a highlight of Coach Emil's coaching career. Coach Emil's core coaching values include humility, wisdom, honor, discipline, and team. Strategy is a key aspect of coaching and can provide a competitive edge in college golf. The success of the Rice University golf team is dependent on their disciplined strategy. Short game skills and good feel around the greens are crucial for shooting low scores. Smart decision-making and building trust are important for players to implement the strategy. Good strategy is essential for success in college golf and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Justin Emil 02:14 Memorable Highlight: Winning the 2014 Conference USA Championship 07:40 The Importance of Building Strong Relationships 12:51 The Core Tenets of Coach Emil's Coaching Philosophy 17:37 The Role of Teamwork in Coaching 22:34 Growth and Improvement as a Coach 25:59 Mastering Golf Strategy and Discipline 30:14 The Importance of a Strong Short Game 36:43 Coaching and Guiding Young Players 39:30 Smart Decision-Making in College Golf Recruiting