Skull Session: Mastering the Mental Game in Sports, Work, and Life

The most famous strength and conditioning coach in college football uses his story of hitting rock bottom and clawing his way back to success to inspire audiences in life, business and sports.

Few names in college football command respect like Scott Cochran, affectionately known as "Coach Yeah," the 8-time National Championship-winning strength and conditioning coach whose booming voice and relentless energy turned boys into champions at Alabama and Georgia. But behind the rings, ESPN appearances, and hall-of-fame-level hype, Cochran faced an opponent far tougher than any SEC rival: addiction.

Skull Session is his no-holds-barred account of rising to the top, falling hard, and clawing his way back with faith, grit, and the unwavering belief that champions are built in the mind as well as on the field. If Cochran is known for anything, it's using his distinct voice to turn go-getters into champions. In this motivational book, Cochran blends raw personal testimony with the essential principles that have shaped some of the NFL's greatest stars, including Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, and Minkah Fitzpatrick.

This is a playbook for life. Each chapter centers on a core principle learned in what Cochran calls "skull sessions"--mental-development meetings that taught his players (and himself) to confront their fears, failures, and ambitions head-on. From his near-fatal overdose to his spiritual reawakening, Cochran reveals how he rebuilt his life one day at a time.

Perfect for sports fans, self-improvement readers, and anyone seeking redemption, Skull Session is the ultimate underdog story. It's a testament to the truth that no matter how many times you fall, you can rise again--and rise stronger.

Author: Scott Cochran
Publisher: Center Street
Published: 08/19/2025
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.20w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781546009733

About the Author
Scott Cochran is a force of nature. He redefined what it means to be a strength and conditioning coach and built college football dynasties. For over two decades, he was the heartbeat behind the powerhouse programs of LSU, Alabama, and Georgia, collecting eight national championships and shaping the careers of many legends. Cochran is now the head football coach at West Alabama and the leading voice behind Eliminate the Whisper, a movement to combat the stigma of mental health and addiction struggles, and he's sharing his message far and wide.

Ivan Maisel has covered college football for more than four decades, most prominently at ESPN from 2002-2021, where he wrote for ESPN.com, appeared on television, ESPN Radio and on podcasts. He also served as Editor-at-Large for ESPN College Football 150, the multi-platform history project that in 2019 commemorated the sesquicentennial of the sport. Prior to joining ESPN, Maisel covered national college football for Sports Illustrated, Newsday, and The Dallas Morning News. He has written three books, including I KEEP TRYING TO CATCH HIS EYE, a memoir of dealing with grief after the death of his son in 2015.