In today’s May Newsletter, you can expect:

• Mentor AI Launch: MyCoachingTree introduces Mentor, a groundbreaking AI assistant designed specifically for coaches, offering real-time support, practice plans, and administrative guidance.

• Atavus Football Live Event: Atavus Football launches its Tackle Talks Live Series for coaches, with each talk focusing on a topical item of tackling.

• UCLA Tennis Coach’s Legacy: UCLA's Billy Martin celebrates 42 years of excellence, capturing the Big Ten championship and advancing to NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2018.

• House Settlement Standoff: Federal Judge halts landmark $2.8 billion NCAA settlement over concerns about roster cuts, with May 13th deadline for objectors to respond.

Mentor: MyCoachingTree’s AI Chat Tool

Your life as a coach just became a whole lot easier.

The coaching world has a powerful new ally as MyCoachingTree introduces Mentor, an AI assistant specifically designed for coaches. This innovative tool provides practical, real-time support for the various challenges coaches face daily through a simple conversational interface.

AI's integration into sports has revolutionized training and competition at all levels. Tools can now provide biomechanical analyses, personalized recovery recommendations, and opponent-specific strategic advantages tailored to individual athletes' physiology. Most importantly, these technologies handle time-consuming analytical tasks, freeing coaches to focus on the human elements of sport—motivation, team chemistry, and mental resilience—that remain beyond artificial intelligence's capabilities.

So, we decided to throw our hat into the ring. 

Mentor understands the unique demands of coaching and delivers tailored solutions. When coaches need structured practice plans for their teams, the AI responds with ready-to-use sessions that can be implemented the same day. This feature allows coaches to quickly generate customized training plans without spending hours on preparation.

Beyond the field, Mentor offers comprehensive administrative support. Coaches can request help building budgets for their athletics programs, can find you restaurant recommendations that accommodate large groups while your team is on the road, and will write your end-of-the-season speech.

Perhaps most importantly, Mentor provides confidential support for coaches. All conversations remain private, creating a safe space for coaches to work through challenges without judgment.

Available through the MyCoachingTree app, Mentor serves as a comprehensive digital companion for coaches at all levels. It combines practical assistance with creative support, all while maintaining the confidentiality coaches need. For sports leaders looking to reclaim their time while improving their effectiveness, Mentor offers a promising solution to the complex challenges of modern coaching.

Download the MyCoachingTree App to try it out!

Atavus Football Begins their Tackle Talks Live Series for Coaches

Tackle Talks Live are exclusive sessions part of Atavus’ free Coaches Community! 

The Coaches Community provides a network of individuals with free tips, insights, and ways to help improve tackling safety and performance.

Atavus will be holding their second Tackle Talks Live in June, so stay tuned!

Join the Coaches Community now to be on the lookout for their next session!

A Coach’s Tale: Billy Martin’s Dynasty

In his remarkable 42-year tenure with UCLA men's tennis, Coach Billy Martin has established himself as one of collegiate sports' most enduring figures.

The 2025 season stands as another testament to Martin's exceptional leadership, with the Bruins capturing the Big Ten tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2018.

Martin's journey with UCLA began as a standout player, when he won both NCAA singles and team championships as a freshman in 1975, guiding the Bruins to a perfect 19-0 season.

Now in his 32nd season as head coach, Martin has amassed over 650 career victories. But Martin's influence extends beyond team achievements, as he's developed 33 All-Americans and numerous professional stars, including Maxime Cressy, Marcos Giron, and Mackenzie McDonald.

The 2025 season has proven especially meaningful for Martin and his squad, defeating Ohio State in their first Big Ten tournament championship game.

Perhaps most satisfying was UCLA's 4-2 victory over crosstown rival USC in the super regionals on May 10. The win not only ended USC's season but secured UCLA's first quarterfinal appearance since 2018.

Martin's longevity and success stem from his ability to adapt while maintaining core values. He insists that even in defeat, his players must compete with unwavering determination, a tradition he's worked hard to perpetuate.

Martin's UCLA career, which began reluctantly four decades ago, continues to produce championship-caliber tennis and develop the next generation of professional stars.

The House Settlement Saga Continues

College sports' biggest overhaul is on hold as Federal Judge Claudia Wilken refused to approve the landmark House v. NCAA settlement without protecting current athletes from roster cuts.

While the $2.8 billion agreement would allow schools to pay athletes directly for the first time, it would also force teams to drastically reduce roster sizes. Many schools have already started cutting players, creating emotional fallout across campuses.

The NCAA has proposed making roster protections optional for schools, to which solution attorney Steve Molo, representing 190 affected athletes, deemed as insufficient. Objectors have until May 13th to respond before Judge Wilken makes her final decision.

If approved, the settlement would transform college athletics with schools able to pay athletes up to $20.5 million annually starting July 1st. Without approval, college sports faces unprecedented uncertainty with some schools likely proceeding with payments anyway under state laws.