- 2 days ago
Mauricio Rodriguez sits down for a 1 on 1 with Micah Parsons' trainer Lance Deane, who works with tons of NFL pass rushers. They discuss Parsons' workout in Harrisburg, what makes Parsons special, why it's important for athletes to do offseason training with people like him, and what's in store for Micah Parsons in 2025.
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00:00So ahead of a big year for Micah Parsons, we talked to his trainer slash developer during
00:07the offseason, Coach Lance Dean, and he talked to us about what makes Micah special that maybe
00:13the fans miss and what makes him even more dangerous in 2025. So joining us to the show,
00:23none other than Coach Lance Dean. Coach, how are you? Welcome to the show.
00:27Thank you. Thank you guys for having me. I'm excited, man. All is well. I'm spending some
00:32time with my family, just trying to finish up the rest of this offseason, but all is well for sure.
00:37Coach, for those of you who don't know you, let me go through the resume very quickly here.
00:42Athletic director at Susquehanna Township, but also you run Ignite Athlete Training Program,
00:49working with some of the best pass rushers in the NFL, some of the best athletes, including
00:54none other than Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons. Over the weekend, you guys held this workout with
01:00local high school and college players. I wanted to ask you, how did that go? How was that experience?
01:05How was seeing Micah talk to the players that were there? And just, you know, I saw that viral clip
01:12because it went a little bit viral, right, of Micah's speech. How is seeing Parsons in that role?
01:18Yeah. So first and foremost, it's kind of correct to hear. So I'm not the owner of Ignite.
01:22That's the facility that we use. That's owned by Matt Hummel, someone that I have a good relationship
01:28with. And he is grateful enough to allow me to use his space that, you know, he uses for, you know,
01:35elite athletes in the central PA area. So Ignite facility is owned by Matt Hummel, who is an elite
01:41trainer, one of the best in the business for sure. But yeah, we had opportunity. Michael's back home
01:47this weekend for a camp that he does every year back home in the city to end, you know,
01:54the off season. And he wanted to personally, you know, invite kids out from this area to come in
02:00and work out with him. It's not, you know, just come watch and work, come hang out, but to kind of
02:05be up in the mud and figure it out and see what it looks like firsthand, especially as he goes through
02:11it. So he did that with a few workouts where he invited a few kids. And then the last day,
02:17the day of his youth camp that morning at 7am, we decided to, you know, open it up a little bit
02:23more to some more kids in this area, had about 50 kids that showed up, mix up collegiate and high
02:29school kids in this area. And it was great. It was a good opportunity, good sense of exposure. We had
02:34two other NFL players that showed up from the area. So just, you know, our kids seeing other
02:39kids, or excuse me, men now, from the same hometown and city, be able to accomplish the
02:46ultimate goal from a sport aspect. I think it's humbling just to see it firsthand and to see them
02:51willing to come back, work with them, you know, give them advice, just tools on how to approach life
02:57itself. I think it's a humbling. I think it just speaks volumes to Micah and Dante, who also came out,
03:04who got drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers this past year, and Fatuma, who also got picked up by
03:09the Jets. So, you know, three local guys, you know, that ultimately, you know, cares a lot about
03:13our city and came back and took time out of their day. Coach, that's obviously part of what you do
03:19in general, but you've also been working very closely with Micah through the years during the
03:24offseason and kind of like working in the craft of the pass rush and everything. Before we get into
03:29any specifics of Micah, talk to us about what you do in general and the important aspect of this
03:35industry where I usually call you guys like, and when I say you guys, I mean, for example,
03:41I think the most famous private coach, quote unquote, can be like Duke Manyweather on social
03:47media, right, with the Mastermind Summit and everything. But can you talk to us about the
03:52importance of that work that players are putting in away from team facilities with the way that the
03:59NFL is restricting practice time with the team and how we've got minicamp and OTAs with no live
04:05contact allowed? How important it is and what do you do with these players that work with you during
04:11the offseason? Yeah, absolutely. You know, you have people that, you know, kind of call it all different
04:15types of things and different titles. You know, personally and myself, I like to consider myself a
04:20developer because I like to take guys wherever they're at, wherever that skill level is, regardless
04:25of talking about professional athletes, collegiate, high school, or even youth. Kind of, you know,
04:29meet them where they're at and help them develop and take their game to the next level.
04:33So I think, you know, when we talk about the opportunity working with professional athletes,
04:37I think it's, you know, a two-way street, man, where one, ultimately, in my sake, is very humbling,
04:43very appreciative of the opportunity that I get, the exposure that comes with that. But at the same time,
04:48you know, the approach is the approach. You know, any guys that's really around me, they'll see
04:54that the standard is the standard. And, you know, I'm not one to switch up because of who a guy is
04:59and what they have accomplished. They're held to the same standard as a 10-year-old that comes and
05:03works out for me, regardless if we're talking about finishing or just a general standard and
05:07everything. So, you know, I think the approach and respect that you have for just the development
05:11of the player itself is what, you know, sets the tone. But ultimately, you know,
05:16it's just a humbling experience to have an opportunity to work with so many different
05:19people, regardless if they're professional athletes or not, from different walks of life
05:23that are coming to me and ultimately depending on me to help up their game. So I think to have
05:28people that trust in your skill level that much and willing to, you know, take the time out and
05:35work with you and listen to you, I think that just speaks a true volume of, you know,
05:40what I've been blessed with. And it's also very fun for us from the outside looking in to get that
05:46insight. And I know you use social media to, like, post some clips of Micah, right? I remember in 2023
05:51there was a clip that went around Cowboys Twitter and social media where Micah was working in the
05:57sand with you and we were learning about how important that is for him. Just in general, what do
06:03you think? Because I think the easy answer, right, is, oh, Micah is explosive. Micah is fast. He's so
06:08talented. He's a freak athlete. But what do you think fans don't see from Micah that make him
06:15as great as he is? Because we're not talking about a player that is an old pro and that's it. We're
06:22talking about a guy that's four years into his career in a Hall of Fame trajectory, which is crazy
06:26to think about. What do you think people don't see that you see from that developer point of view?
06:32He's a competitor. Like when I say he's a competitor, he's the most competitive human
06:37being I've ever been around. He hates to lose in anything he does. I'm talking about we've been
06:42in, we done sat at tables playing Uno and board games and he refuses to lose, man. He just has that
06:48niche for not wanting to lose. And it's real. And that's with anything. And I think that pours onto
06:55the football field. One, as a leader, which I don't feel as if he gets enough credit for.
07:00And then two, just individually, you know, a lot of things are one, especially in those trenches
07:05one-on-one. And I think he just takes pride in being competitive enough to not allow one other
07:11man stop him. But I think that's what his motor and his competitiveness is what takes him over
07:16the top. I tell kids all the time, like the stuff we work on is the 15 to 20 percent, man. Like
07:23he really gets a lot of that 80 percent from within, you know, and that's just the, especially being
07:28undersized. That's just being a dog. And as much as credit I would love to take for stuff,
07:33I can't teach that. That's either in you or not. And he's been blessed with that. And that level
07:38of competitiveness, I think is what pours out and has put him in that conversation of being elite
07:43since he's coming to the league. Now, I got to ask you, coach, I think this is a mandatory follow-up.
07:48Some of the most competitive people that I know that I've played Uno with, they all cheat.
07:53Does Michael Parsons cheat when it comes to playing cards, Uno cards?
07:58Any, yes, anything it takes to get that, man. We was at, we was at our park, which was an amusement
08:04park in our, in our city or nearby our city. And it was a three-point competition. And his foot was
08:11on the line every time, but you can't tell. Like he, he, when it comes to board games or competitive,
08:16like he will do whatever it takes to get the job done. But yeah, he's not somebody I recommend
08:20you playing Uno with.
08:22If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying, right? So that's what they say.
08:25Okay. Uh, with Micah coach, I feel like every time that we've seen him come back from the
08:30off season and be ready for the regular season feels like every time he's improved. Right. And
08:35at first it was fairly obvious in a way, just because he was kind of going to play off ball
08:41linebacker for Dallas, then got moved to edge as a rookie and then had a full off season to work as
08:46an edge. And, but still every single year we've seen him improve going into 2025. What do you think
08:53is the thing that is going to make him even more dangerous than he's been so far in his career?
08:59Um, one thing I've been impressed with is just his ability to find ways and find and still little
09:05pieces of advice to invest more into his off season. Um, and he works very hard every,
09:10every off season he's worked hard, but like he just finds a way that 1% to up the ante every
09:16off season. Um, you know, just getting with different guys, um, getting with different
09:20players in the NFL and just kind of seeing what's going on in ways he can improve himself. And,
09:26you know, the way he takes care of his body. Um, I just think his approach year by year,
09:30and it's not that it was ever bad because it was never bad, but it's like, he's getting more and
09:34more and more serious about it. Um, as far as the rehab, what he's eating recovery overall,
09:39like he is, it's to the point where it's like, he is overly invested. Um, and like I said,
09:45we're talking about a guy that was already having, you know, good practices in regards to their
09:49routine and in the ways that they took care of their body. That was never an issue. Uh, but just
09:53finding a way to just, you know, up the ante, like, I think that just speaks to how much he's invested,
09:58um, into his career and, um, being the best player he can be. So just, I would say overall,
10:03just off season wise, his preparation, his routines and his habits.
10:07When we hear him talk to the media about, you know, wanting to win a Superbowl with the Cowboys
10:13and wanting to be that leader, it comes off as very genuine. And with everything that you're
10:19telling us right now, it feels like confirmation of that, right. Of how much he is all in. And then
10:27you also worked with, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember earlier this off season,
10:32a pick emerged of you working also with Mike and Osa, and I believe, uh, Solomon Thomas,
10:37if I'm not wrong. And then Tyrus wet, uh, when you see him in that environment with Cowboys teammates,
10:43what do you see?
10:45I see Michael, man. That's, that's always who he's, that's who he's always been. Um, you know,
10:50I just don't, I just feel like he does never got the credit like that for that. Um, now, obviously,
10:56you know, being in Dallas and being in our market, you know, and just to being in the politics of the
11:01sport world, uh, when things are reversed, you know, they would love to blow up the bad things,
11:05uh, but not enough. It's talked about him as a leader. Um, and you know, when I talk about that
11:09sense of competitiveness, he makes sure he pours that out into his teammates. Um, and he is getting
11:14older now. Um, and I think he's willing and he's shown that he needs to take that next step as a leader
11:20from, he's always led by example. So now I think he knows that he means so much to the team, um,
11:26that, you know, I need to find different ways to lead by, you know, getting guys with me. And he's
11:30done that. Uh, he's done that with other trainers as well, uh, where it's just encouraging guys to
11:34come out. Um, so I think he's just, he's embracing different styles of leadership and tapping into
11:40those things, you know, coming in and being a younger guy. Um, I think it's almost normal, uh, to lead by
11:45example. And I, and I think based off his play in off the field, um, that's something he did,
11:50you know, right away, he's never had any off the field issues, um, stand up guys, stand up father.
11:55Um, so now I just think he's just now getting more from a vocal aspect, as far as, you know,
12:02getting more guys along with him during this journey. Um, so taking that next step and finding
12:06different ways to be a leader, which I feel like he's already had been. And we're, I'm excited.
12:10I'm excited to seeing Michael Parsons in 2025 before we leave coach, I got to ask you,
12:15cause you've also worked with Abdul Carter. And since we're talking about Micah, I wanted to ask
12:22when people started comparing Abdul Carter to Micah Parsons, it just felt like this thing,
12:27the media always does of trying to find the next Patrick Mahomes, the next Saquon Barkley,
12:32now the next Micah Parsons. And I thought, Hey, he's wearing the Penn state uniform. He's wearing
12:36number 11. Of course, people are going to do that, but then you turn on the tape and Hey,
12:41he does, he does have some flashes of like, Hey, that, that looks a little bit like Micah.
12:46What would you say about that? Is it, are the comparisons worth the hype? What would you say
12:51about Abdul Carter and Micah going into 2025? Yeah, man, it's, that's something I've been,
12:57been asked time out of time, you know, both PA, PA guys, both Penn state guys, both number 11.
13:03Now they're in the same division. Um, so I don't think that comparison may be going anywhere
13:07anytime soon. Um, but you know, like I said, you turn on the tape, man, tape don't lie. There,
13:13there's guys, you know, in this league that do certain things very well. Um, and there's few guys
13:18that do multiple things very well, especially when we're talking about, you know, that defensive
13:22line linebacker type of area. Um, and I think, you know, those are two of the few guys in all the
13:27league that could literally play multiple positions at a high level. So, you know, when you have guys that
13:32you can literally move around, um, and I'm not even talking about for a player or two, like you
13:36can move them around for entire drive if you felt the need to. Um, and they will, they will wreak havoc
13:41in multiple different ways, rather as dropping in coverage, um, rather as rushing off the edge,
13:46rather as rushing entirely, um, rather as playing in the outside backer type of style, covering guys.
13:51Um, and they both can do that. And, um, obviously I do have had the opportunity to do that in NFL yet,
13:57uh, but I know it's coming. Um, and I know he will. Um, so I don't think those, those comparisons
14:02will be going, uh, anywhere anytime soon. I do like to say, um, in respect to both of them,
14:08they're their own men. Um, so, you know, there's certain things that one dude and other and vice
14:13versa. Um, but they are two of the most versatile players in all NFL. So, you know, putting them in
14:18that category is, um, that's a good problem to have for sure. Awesome coach. Thank you very much for
14:25your time. Uh, let us know where we can find you, where can our viewers find you and follow your
14:30work? Cause you're doing some great stuff. Yeah. I appreciate you. Yeah. A lot of my, um,
14:35a lot of my social media handles are, so it's Lance 717, um, in regards to Instagram, where you
14:40can kind of see my day-to-day postings, um, in regards to, um, the athletes that I work with of
14:45all different levels. Um, then obviously, um, I use Twitter or X now as it is, uh, as well. Um,
14:51you don't necessarily post there every day. Uh, but you, you'll see some of my bigger
14:55posts is there. Um, here and there, you can follow me there as well at Lance D. Um, but
15:00yeah, I appreciate you having me. Um, and you know, have a great rest of your day.
15:05Thanks so much, coach.
15:07All right. Yep.
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