In today’s collegiate esports environment, many coaches find themselves navigating an undefined space, expected to lead, mentor, and develop teams, yet rarely offered the training or structure to succeed in those roles.
The role of the coach is too often treated as an extension of the player experience: if someone knows the game and has the passion, that’s seen as enough. But the reality is different. Coaching is about managing people, building environments, and shaping culture. And most new coaches aren’t given a roadmap for that journey.
Donny Stumpel , founder of Next Level Esports , understands this gap firsthand. His experience as a professional coach exposed him to the missing layers of coaching development: psychological safety, team structure, behavioral understanding, and leadership fundamentals.
Through years of coaching and mentorship, several patterns have emerged in the collegiate space:
Coaches often bring enthusiasm and deep game knowledge, but no real framework for how to lead consistent, effective practices.
Without clear systems or tools, many coaches are left to figure things out on the fly leading to stress, burnout, and frustration.
Many teams experience conflict, misalignment, or disengagement not because of personal issues, but because foundational expectations, values, and communication strategies weren’t established.
These challenges are rarely a reflection of poor intent. Rather, they highlight a growing need: coaches need structure, development, and support just as much as their players do.
So how can collegiate esports coaches develop themselves beyond the basics? Here are a few practical areas to focus on:
1. Build Structure Into Every Session
Structure is more than just a schedule. It’s about consistency, clear expectations, and having a repeatable process to guide players. Start by developing a framework for your practice sessions, something as simple as an 8-step flow from warm-up to review can bring clarity and reduce chaos.
2. Shift From Knowledge Transfer to Behavior Change
Knowing the game is a starting point. But coaching is about facilitating growth. That means designing sessions that focus on how players communicate, how they respond to feedback, and how they reflect. Ask yourself: “What do I want them to do differently?”
3. Focus on the Four Core Coaching Competencies
Effective coaches develop skills across four key areas:
Organizing the team and setting expectations
Creating an environment where players feel challenged and supported
Understanding the person behind the player
Empowering players to take ownership of decisions
Each area can be developed through intentional practice, reflection, and feedback from peers or mentors.
Don’t dictate your team’s values, build them together. When coaches involve players in setting behavioral standards and cultural norms, buy-in increases. This collaboration helps create psychological safety and long-term alignment.
Coaching is about modeling behaviors, not just teaching them. That means staying curious, learning alongside your players, and being transparent about your own development. Create systems that help you review your own coaching effectiveness. Use peer feedback or even player reflections to adjust your approach.
As collegiate esports continues to professionalize, the expectations placed on coaches will only increase. Beyond performance, coaches are becoming cultural leaders, recruitment touchpoints, and emotional anchors for their teams.
Programs that invest in coach development often see a ripple effect:
Better team dynamics and communication
Increased player retention and satisfaction
Higher recruitment appeal to incoming student-athletes
When players are choosing between programs, it’s about the people they’ll be working with every day. Coaches who lead with structure, empathy, and intention become a powerful asset in attracting and keeping top-tier talent.
By continuing to develop your craft and embrace professional growth, you not only elevate your team, you elevate the entire collegiate esports ecosystem. What a great interview with Donny this past month!