Alicia Russo-Murrell, C J Villegas

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 15, 2024

Alicia Russo-Murrell & C J Villegas

In this episode, Terrenee Knight, Asst. Athletic Coordinator/Head Boys & Girls Cross Country & Track Coach at Walnut Grove HS interviews Alicia Russo-Murrell and C J Villegas

The Coaches Call Podcast: Navigating Coaching and Parenthood

I. Introductions (0:00-3:20)

Podcast host Chris Doelle welcomes listeners back to the coaches call and introduces Coach Terrenee Knight, who will be leading the discussion.
Coach Knight introduces Coach C J Villegas and Coach Alicia Russo-Murrell, highlighting their experience and the topic of balancing family and coaching.
Coach Viegas and Coach Russo-Murell introduce themselves, sharing details about their coaching roles, families, and backgrounds.

II. Balancing Priorities (3:20-10:15)

Coach Russo-Murell's Perspective (3:20-6:20): Emphasizes the importance of realism and prioritizing, recognizing personal limitations while striving to be a dedicated parent and coach.
Coach Villegas' Perspective (6:20-10:15): Highlights the importance of spousal support and open communication within the family unit. He advocates for transparency and prioritizing family needs, both for himself and his coaching staff.

III. Creating Routine for Time Management (10:15-15:15)

Coach Russo-Murell's Strategies (10:15-13:00): Shares her system of regular check-ins with her spouse, coaching staff, and players, emphasizing the value of open communication and creating a supportive environment.
Coach Villegas' Strategies (13:00-15:15): Expands on the importance of a supportive work environment and clear communication with administration, drawing parallels between expectations for athletes and coaches.

IV. Navigating Adversity and Learning from Experience (15:15-20:20)

Coach Russo-Murell's Experience (16:00-19:00): Recounts a memorable experience coaching while eight months pregnant, illustrating the challenges and the vital role of her support system in navigating those challenges.
Coach Villegas' Perspective (19:00-20:20): Echoes the theme of support and highlights the importance of open communication and acknowledging personal challenges, both with family and athletes.

V. Advice for New Parent-Coaches (20:20-25:30)

Advice from Coach Villegas (20:40-24:00): Encourages open communication with spouses about the realities of coaching life and emphasizes the importance of balance and adapting to the changing demands of parenthood.
Advice from Coach Russo-Murell (24:00-25:30): Underscores the importance of setting clear boundaries and being intentional about separating family time from work responsibilities, promoting consistency and respect from others.

VI. Embracing Imperfection and Finding Support (25:30-28:10)

Coach Russo-Murell's Reflections (25:45-27:10): Shares her wish that someone had emphasized the importance of self-forgiveness and accepting imperfection, recognizing the value of growth and learning in both parenting and coaching.
Coach Villegas' Reflections (27:10-28:10): Focuses on the theme of resilience, both for athletes and coaches, stressing the importance of learning from mistakes and continuously striving for improvement.

VII. Closing Remarks (28:10-End)

Coach Knight thanks the guests for their insights and emphasizes the importance of their message for coaches navigating the complexities of parenthood and professional life.
The episode ends with brief farewells and acknowledgments.