Five Key Insights From D1 Combine Coach Clif Marshall's Episode Of The Turf: Powered By D1

Clif Marshall, a longtime strength coach at both the collegiate and professional level and now D1 Training's Senior Director of Coaching and Pro Training, met with D1 CEO Will Bartholomew on The Turf: Powered By D1 to discuss what he's learned from across his career, and what he's working on now.

Marshall has been leading the D1 Combine Training program at D1 Cool Springs since January, but that's just the latest stop on what's been an illustrious career.

Here's some of the key insights from the conversation:

Watch/Listen to The Turf: Powered By D1 on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

1. The Biggest Job Interview Of Their Life

Marshall has repeatedly used this phrase to describe the NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Days.

His program goes beyond physical training; it includes interview training, Bible study, nutrition and more.

He emphasizes that scouts are looking beyond just what players do on the gridiron. Coachability, character and integrity are all equally important.

Months and months of training boil down to one moment.

“They get one shot to run the 40-yard dash.”

2. Relationships Over Results

In the episode, Marshall recalled a scary moment from 2013 when he was training Pitt Panthers player Chaz Alecxih.

Alecxih, along with other players training in the group, began jet skiing off the coast of Naples, Florida, and hours later Marshall received a call from another player saying Alecxih was lost.

Alecxih's jet ski was later found without him on it, and he was found a few hours later. Marshall described this as a turning point in his coaching philosophy.

“It hit me like, ‘Man, you’re chasing results for that young player. You're chasing a 40-yard dash for that player. You're chasing a vertical jump, you're chasing a bench press.' At the end of the day, you have to realize the results don't matter in the business; the relationships do. In that moment, I began coaching with an eternal perspective."

3. Identity Goes Beyond Performance

Marshall discussed his previous experience with alcoholism and how his faith turned his life around.

He remembered a specific moment where a mistake could have defined his career and his life, but it didn't. Now 17 years sober, he instills that same mindset that mistakes do not define players, reminding them they are more than just athletes.

“My identity is not my 40-yard dash time. My identity is not my vertical jump. My identity is not me as a football player. My identity, in my belief, is that you are a child of God, who loves you and cares for you deeply.”

4. The Best Athletes Are Consistent

One of the biggest names Marshall has coached is NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Kuechly set the standard in Marshall's groups: brining the highest levels of intensity, not wasting time during workouts and consistently hitting his goals.

“Show me your friends and I'll show you your future. If you were friends with Luke Kuechly and you were training with Luke Kuechly, no question about it you were getting ahead.”

Marshall even said that Kuechly kept him on his A-game, making sure he wasn't beat to the facility.

5. Against All Odds

Marshall refers to this year's Combine Training group as the, “Against All Odds” group, because despite the odds stacked against them, he believes they'll get their opportunity.

While Marshall has been able to train superstars like Kuechly, he loves to train those who are late-round to undrafted projections.

He mentioned George Fant, who spoke to the NFL hopefuls near the beginning of the Combine Training program, as a great example of carving out a career while defying the odds.

Fant, a college basketball player, had an itch to play football and turned to Marshall for help. He eventually landed in Seattle as an undrafted free agent, and recently completed his 10th NFL season.

Watch/Listen to The Turf: Powered By D1 on Apple, Spotify and YouTube