A Coach’s Reading List for 2026
Over the last year, I’ve read dozens of books on coaching, leadership, and human performance. I’ve also collected recommendations from some of the best coaches and performance leaders I’ve been fortunate to work alongside.
This list is about the human craft of coaching, building trust, shaping culture, leading under pressure, and developing yourself so you can better develop others.
If you’re a coach looking to sharpen your thinking, deepen your leadership, and learn from people who’ve operated at the very top, these are worth your time.
Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness
Owen Eastwood
What it’s about:
Eastwood explores how identity, ancestry, and shared story create belonging — drawing from his work with elite teams like England Rugby, the All Blacks, and the British Olympic team.
Why a coach should care:
Belonging is the foundation of psychological safety and trust. This book gives coaches a powerful lens for understanding culture, not as values on a wall, but as lived identity. Essential for any coach trying to build unity across diverse personalities and backgrounds.
Leading with the Heart
Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K)
What it’s about:
Coach K reflects on decades of leadership at Duke Basketball, focusing on relationships, vulnerability, and the emotional side of winning.
Why a coach should care:
This is a masterclass in balancing care with competitiveness. Coach K shows that demanding excellence doesn’t require emotional distance, it requires connection. A timeless reminder that leadership is relational before it’s strategic.
Become Unstoppable
Gilbert Enoka
What it’s about:
Enoka, former mental skills coach and now Manager - Leadership of the All Blacks, outlines the mindset, habits, and cultural principles behind sustained excellence.
Why a coach should care:
This book connects high standards with human understanding. It’s particularly valuable for coaches trying to build resilient teams that perform under pressure — not just once, but year after year.
Second Set of Eyes
Cody Royle
What it’s about:
Royle makes the case that elite coaches need coaches of their own, someone to challenge assumptions, expose blind spots, and support growth.
Why a coach should care:
This book normalizes being coached as a coach. If you believe self-awareness and reflection matter, this is essential reading. Growth accelerates when you’re not alone in your thinking.
Inner Excellence
Jim Murphy
Recommended by Josh Lee (Head Coach, G2 Valorant)
What it’s about:
Murphy focuses on mastering the internal environment including mindset, self-talk, and emotional regulation, to unlock consistent performance.
Why a coach should care:
Coaches shape emotional climates. This book helps you understand how inner states affect decision-making, communication, and leadership under pressure.
The Score Takes Care of Itself
Bill Walsh
Recommended by Cody Royle (Coach of Head Coaches)
What it’s about:
Legendary NFL coach Bill Walsh outlines his philosophy of “The Standard of Performance” — focusing obsessively on process, culture, and details.
Why a coach should care:
This is a blueprint for culture-building. Walsh shows how clarity, alignment, and professionalism create winning outcomes as a byproduct. A must-read for leaders responsible for setting standards across an organization.
Escape from Babel: Toward a Unifying Language for Psychotherapy Practice
Scott D. Miller, Barry L. Duncan, & Mark A. Hubble
Recommended by Matt Fisher (Director of Performance, DarkZero)
What it’s about:
The authors argue that outcomes improve when practitioners focus less on rigid models and more on feedback, alliance, and what actually works for the person in front of them.
Why a coach should care:
This book reinforces a key coaching truth: methods matter less than relationships. It’s invaluable for coaches who want to individualize their approach and measure impact through real connection, not ideology.
Never Split the Difference
Chris Voss
Recommended by James MacCormack (League of Legends Coach, Team Vitality)
What it’s about:
Former FBI negotiator Chris Voss shares tactical communication tools for high-stakes conversations.
Why a coach should care:
Coaching is negotiation, with players, staff, management, and yourself. This book sharpens listening, empathy, and influence, helping coaches navigate difficult conversations without escalating conflict.
The Cubs Way
Tom Verducci
Recommended by Michael Wright (Head of Academy Coaching, Forest Green Rovers FC)
What it’s about:
A deep dive into how the Chicago Cubs rebuilt their organization and culture to win the 2016 World Series.
Why a coach should care:
This book illustrates how leadership, culture, and long-term thinking create sustainable success. It’s especially relevant for coaches working in development pathways or rebuilding environments.
Closing Thought
Don’t be a consumer of information, pick one book, read it slowly, reflect, take notes and apply one idea with intention. This isn’t a race or box checking exercise.
See you in 2026!
Until next week,
Caleb