At the United States Air Force Academy, time is a commodity. Now entering his 20th season coaching the Falcons, Matt McGettigan explains how he works within the constraints of Division I football at one of the sport’s most distinctive programs. He talks through the reality of the Air Force Academy, where class schedules, military requirements, and sleep routines influence training decisions. A teacher by trade, McGettigan breaks down how the Air Force Academy aligns its performance team and why movement is a separator in its system. He also explains what it means to be the program’s “standard bearer.” McGettigan then walks through a typical day with the team, restorative water-based recovery, and maximizing pre- and post-competition 72-hr windows. Along the way, he reflects on family, mentorship, and preparing athletes for service and life beyond the Academy. Listen for hard-earned lessons to manage cumulative stress, build competition-week readiness, and keep the growth mindset that sustains a long coaching career.

Reach Matt by email at Matthew.McGettigan.ctr@afacademy.af.edu | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs

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Show Notes

“The other thing here, there's a little bit higher purpose, right? As we're developing leaders, it's a leadership institution that men and women are going out and serve their country in different various areas. But that's the other thing that I take great pride in is seeing these young men that have come in here and have grown as men. And now as they come back and come through the door, what they've done as fathers and as husbands, as Air Force officers, is pretty impactful. And that's why it keeps me coming to work every day.” 11:50

“My recommendation would be find people that can help you along the way and never be afraid to ask for help. Have a continuous growth mindset, a learning mindset. The longer I do this, Eric, the more I learn. I need to know and the more I don't know right? And and have that ability to have a passion for teaching and coaching.” 26:25

“We tell our players this, we're always going to tell you the why. We're always going to have your best interest in mind and we'll always tell you the truth. Those are things that when you have trust, you have truth. And then they know that you're coming from an area that you do care for them. You can still coach them. You can still hold them to a high standard and accountability, because in any organization, there's accountability and getting players again to try to understand the why and the how and then again, let them take the ownership of it and be a get a player led team...” 28:50