By Lynn Milligan | April 16, 2026

They say, "change is good and it challenges you" - well after 33 years of doing the same thing change and challenge came at me hard. If you know me, you know I am a creature of habits and routines. I loved all 33 years of coaching at the D1 level and everything that came with it.

Coaching at any level is an all consuming profession and one that I loved and still love and get to enjoy in a different way now. It is amazing when you are not in the grind of the everyday how things become so much more clear.

I have just completed YEAR 1 of the next chapter. Here are some of my observations:

Observation #1: We really do miss our families a lot. I knew this but didn't realize how many things I missed or had to cut short until I actually got to go and be present this year. Birthdays, sporting events, longer holidays, girls trips, a night out with my husband,and being able to say “YES, I can go.”

Observation #2: Everyone now asks me the same question - What are you doing now? To which I answer - "Being where my feet are everyday.”

Observation #3: My cell phone is not attached to me 24/7. I always wanted to be available to my staff and players. I took pride in that (craziness) Then there were recruiting and coach calls to make and always a fire to put out.

Observation #4: Your circle and who you surround yourself with is so important. Relationships matter. It is funny when you are first done with coaching you hear from so many people. Wonderful people that you have had the honor to cross paths with over the years. Players, alumni, families, coaches etc. Then a few months will pass and who do you hear from? Who checks in on you regularly? Who genuinely cares about what you are doing?….. YOUR CIRCLE! Sometimes it is not who you thought - it tends to be a little smaller than you thought but you will find out who is in that circle and when you do hold on to them and pour back into them.

Observation #5: My morning coffee tastes so much better! That's it.

Observation #6: My days are still unpredictable but in a totally different way. I love to set goals and standards for myself. You are who you are. Your work ethic and how you do things and what is truly important to you does not change.

Observation #7: My calling is still to help people, it is just in a different way. I can and do still have a huge impact on the people around me. I do not need validation and approval anymore to know this.

Observation #8: I LOVE MY LIFE and what is ahead. I am doing exactly what I want to do everyday and building something from the ground up is incredibly satisfying. I have learned to give myself grace and be proud of the work.

Observation #9: I loved watching and going to practices and games of all levels this season for entertainment purposes.

Observation #10: My identity as a coach did not define me the way I thought it did. It is what I did for 33 years. I literally would not change a second of it but it doesn't define who I am now. I decide that. I get to make an impact just in a different way.

I will finish with some simple ADVICE to those in it and those out of it: