March DadNess - The Coach and the Player – Knowing When to Lead and When to Step Back
From Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads by Dave Campbell
March 16, 2026 · 17 min · Episode 251
About this episode
Dave discusses the evolving roles of fathers as their children grow, emphasizing the balance between leading and stepping back.
Episode 251 - March DadNess - The Coach and the Player – Knowing When to Lead and When to Step Back Host Dave welcomes listeners to the third installment of March DadNess, flipping March Madness into a celebration of fatherhood lessons drawn from the sports playbook. From his home in Canada where snow lingers but spring beckons, he dives into the evolving dance every dad does with his kids: knowing when to lead like a head coach and when to step back like a trusted advisor watching from the sidelines. This solo reflection speaks directly to fathers navigating the shift as their children grow, urging them to grow alongside their players. Dave paints fatherhood as a dynamic game where roles change with the seasons. Early on, dads set the tone, call the plays, and build basics through structure and repetition, much like a head coach drilling fundamentals. But as kids age into their teens and twenties, the position evolves, sometimes to assistant coach or bench guide, offering wisdom only when asked rather than imposing it. He shares from his own empty-nester life with kids in their twenties, noting how they now seek support over direction, a change that tests dads accustomed to…
People in this episode
Host: Dave Campbell
Topics covered
- fatherhood
- coaching
- parenting
- personal growth
- relationships
Keywords
- fatherhood
- coaching
- parenting
- March DadNess
- personal growth
- relationships
- teens
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Canada
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