Episode 97 – Norberto Garrido. Norberto is a former USC football standout and NFL offensive lineman who spent five seasons playing professionally with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. In this deeply personal episode of the Life Beyond Athletics series, Norberto opens up about the challenges he faced both during and after his football career, including depression, struggles with self-worth, and the difficult transition from professional athletics into everyday life. He shares his experiences with mental health, the pressure of living up to expectations, and the struggle to discover his identity beyond the game. Norberto also discusses how his relationship with God transformed his life, the importance of faith, mentorship, and surrounding yourself with the right people, and how his own experiences have shaped his more than two decades of work mentoring and supporting at-risk youth. This conversation is a powerful reminder that we never truly know what someone else is going through, that strength is often found in vulnerability, and that our greatest purpose may have nothing to do with what we accomplished on the field, but everything to do with the lives we impact long after the game is over.

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Jeff Hecklinski is the founder of S.A.V.A.G.E. He is a former College football coach that has coached at Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and San Diego State among others. A QB at the University of Illinois, Jeff has developed his leadership through playing and coaching at the highest collegiate level. He is now taking that leadership knowledge to working professionals with his company S.A.V.A.G.E.

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John Bonaventura is the Head Football Coach at Temecula Valley High School in California. He is also the owner of FTBL1ST Training Academy. John is a Former NFL and CFL Scout and has worked in the football industry for over 30 years as a player, coach, scout and administrator. He has worked at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football.

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On Episode 86 of the More Than The Scoreboard Podcast, Coach Corbin Smith sits down with veteran football coach & current Castle View HS (CO) Defensive Coordinator, Thurmond Moore, whose coaching career has spanned more than four decades across the high school, collegiate, professional, and NFL Europe levels. A former San Jose State player, Moore has coached at programs including Colorado State, Syracuse, UCLA, and Buffalo while mentoring NFL standouts such as Dwight Freeney and Joey Porter. In this conversation, Coach Moore shares timeless wisdom on leadership, accountability, tackling fundamentals, faith, and the lasting impact coaches can have on the lives of young athletes.

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Victor Santa Cruz is the Head Football Coach at JSerra Catholic High School in California. One of the top ranked High School Football Programs in the country, JSerra has a history of producing many College and NFL athletes. Coach Santa Cruz was the Head Coach for 14 years at Azusa Pacific as well as being the Assistant Head Coach and Position Coach at The University of Hawaii, where he also played as a linebacker. Coach talks about the JSerra Culture, Winning in the Locker Room and the Discipline of doing things just a little bit more and for a little bit longer.

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Coach Gary Bernardi is a retired FBS Football Coach with over 40 years of coaching experience. Having coached at Arizona, USC, UCLA, Colorado, San Jose State, UNLV, NAU and San Diego State, Coach Bernardi is one of the best to have ever coached. In his vast career, he has coached Tight Ends, Offensive Line and been a long time Special Teams Coordinator. Coach Bernardi shares his advice on culture, leadership and the importance of core values for assistant coaches. Coach Bernardi has two family members that are currently coaching, both at Western Kentucky University. His son, Joe Bernardi, is the Offensive Line coach and his son in law, Andy LaRussa, is the Assistant Head Coach/Safeties Coach and Special Teams Coordinator.

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Coach Reid Kahl is a former Colorado High School Football Coach with over 35 years of experience. A two time State Championship Coach and Head Coach at 3 different high schools, most recently at Wiggins HS in 2024/2025, Coach Kahl knows what it means to "Serve". Relationships, Honesty, Discipline and Accountability was at the forefront of his standards during his coaching days. Coming from a football family, Coach Kahl started coaching for his father. His brother, Kent Kahl, was a former teammate and roommate of mine at the University of Iowa. Listen to his take on the state of high school football and what it takes to be a high school head coach.

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Jeff Bollnow is the Head Football Coach at Tanque Verde HS in Arizona. Going into his 4th year, Coach Bollnow has raised the bar since he has been at the helm. Jeff's approach to multi sport athletes, the weight room and the importance of the prior coach, Jay Dobyns', foundation that he laid for the success of the program. Great Listen!