The Quarterback DadCast

NFL Legendary Coach Mike Holmgren On Fatherhood, Faith, And Football

Casey Jacox Season 7 Episode 334

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What does it take to lead at home when your day job means leading a locker room under stadium lights? We sit down with Coach, Mike Holmgren—legendary coach of the Packers, 49ers, and Seahawks—to talk about love, honesty, and what it really means to leave work at the door. From meeting his wife at 12 to raising four daughters and now cheering for nine grandkids, Coach Holmgren opens up about rhythms that kept his family grounded through late nights, missed holidays, and cross-country flights.

Coach shares vivid stories: walking through Lambeau’s tailgates, learning to respect a whole state’s passion without letting it rule the household, and choosing faith over a city tennis final as a teenager. He breaks down the “coach-to-dad” switch with simple practices—family dinners, a five-minute huddle with his wife before the kids pile in, and a commitment to listen without turning feedback into pressure. We dig into youth sports, the infamous car ride home, and a better script: “I love watching you play.” Along the way, we revisit the sting of injuries and the quiet courage of getting back up when dreams bend, not break.

If you’re a parent trying to juggle ambition and presence, this conversation gives you a clear playbook: lead with love, tell the truth, ask better questions, and let your kids choose their passions. 

We also highlight causes close to Coach Holmgren's heart—the Salvation Army’s community work and Circlewood’s blend of faith and care for the land on Camano Island. Enjoy the stories, steal the habits, and pass them forward. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more families find tools that work.

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