Feed the Cats Podcast

Coach Tony Holler
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Running

When Tony Holler’s name is mentioned, SPEED is the subject… maximum velocity sprinting. Tony Holler is a track coach, most recently the head coach at Plainfield North H.S. Tony retired from teaching chemistry after 38 years in the classroom and has 44 years of coaching experience (football, basketball, and track). Tony Holler is a member of Illinois Track & Field Hall of Fame and Co-director of Track Football Consortium along with Chris Korfist. Holler created the revolutionary "Feed the Cats" in 1999.Tony Holler is the son of 47-year high school and college basketball coach Don Holler. Tony is the father of four, including two successful coaches, Alec Holler (Edwardsville H.S.) and Quinn Holler (Andrew H.S.). Tony Holler has diversified his “Feed the Cats'' message for all sports and the classroom. Tony has consulted with the New York Yankees who started feeding the cats in their 2022 spring training. He’s also consulted with college lacrosse (Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Penn, Arizona State, and Northwestern). Princeton made the NCAA Final Four in 2022 for the first time in 18 years with the battle cry of “Feed the Tigers''. Hundreds of high school football teams now use a FTC approach (also known as “Sprint-Based Football”). At least 12 states have football teams who have won state championships by prioritizing speed over conditioning. Tony also has a Sprint-Based Football Podcast. Tony Holler has presented his content in 30 different states. In addition, he’s done multiple presentations in England, Ireland, and France. Tony is also a frequent presenter at football and lacrosse clinics. In the past year, he's delivered two presentations on "Coaching the Classroom" for teachers. Tony has done several Feed the Cats Seminars which include nine hours of instruction over a 24-hour period. FTC Seminars are usually a one-man clinic. Tony Holler’s Feed the Cats DVD was the #1 best-seller for Championship Production for ALL SPORTS in 2018. It has been the #1 best-seller from 2018 to 2025 in the track and field category. Holler’s most recent content can be found at CoachTube, where he is #2 in sales, all sports, all time. Tony Holler was named as a “Prime Nine Speaker” by Glazier Football Clinics. 

  1. 4d ago

    EP19: How to Develop Athletic Kids: Speed Training, Movement Skills & Multi-Sport Athletes with Jeremy Frisch

    How do you develop athletic kids in today’s youth sports environment? In this episode, Jeremy Frisch joins the podcast to discuss youth speed training, movement skill development, multi-sport athletes, and long-term athletic development. Find more from Jeremy here:  - https://www.instagram.com/jeremy_frisch17 - https://x.com/JeremyFrisch Jeremy specializes in youth athletic development, strength & conditioning, and the Speed Demons program, helping young athletes build athleticism through movement, play, skill development, and smart training practices. We discuss why movement skills and physical literacy should come before early specialization, how multi-sport athletes often develop broader athletic abilities, and why gamification of practice and training can be one of the most effective ways to improve learning, speed, coordination, and athletic performance. In this episode, we cover: - How to develop athletic kids - Youth speed training principles - Movement skills and physical literacy - Multi-sport athletes and athletic development - The problem with early sports specialization - Gamification in practice and sports training - Strength and conditioning for young athletes - Building speed, coordination, and athleticism - Coaching youth athletes for long-term development Whether you’re a coach, parent, trainer, PE teacher, or sports performance professional, this conversation offers practical insights into developing faster, more skilled, and more athletic young athletes. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join

    1h 27m

  2. May 17

    EP18: Can You Teach Speed? Breaking the Biggest Myth in Sports with Dr. Dillon Martinez

    What if speed isn’t genetic… and can actually be taught? In this episode, we sit down with Dillon Martinez, author of Breaking The Speed Barrier, to discuss the science and coaching methods behind real speed development. - Link to Dillon's book: https://amzn.to/3P4OPc8 We dive into why most coaches struggle to teach speed effectively, the biggest mistakes in traditional conditioning programs, and how elite coaches develop faster athletes through proper sprint mechanics, teaching progressions, and evidence-based training. Topics include: - The “7 UPs” of sprint mechanics - The Three T’s of speed training - Maximum velocity development - Teaching acceleration and change of direction - Multi-sport athlete programming - Recovery and injury prevention - Why speed is a skill — not just genetics Dr. Martinez also shares insights from the largest research study ever conducted on speed coaching pedagogy and explains what separates great speed coaches from average ones. If you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports performance enthusiast, this episode will completely change how you think about speed training.

    1h 29m

  3. Mar 18

    EP17: How to Combine Strength + Speed Training for Maximum Performance with Zac Goodman

    In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, I talk with strength and speed coach Zac Goodman about how to properly combine strength training and speed development for maximum performance.  Too many athletes fall into the trap of doing too much—too much volume, too much conditioning, and not enough intent. Zac shares how the most effective programs focus on high intensity, maximum output, and full recovery.  We break down why strength training should mirror speed training principles, and how simplifying your program can actually lead to better results, healthier athletes, and higher performance.  In this episode:  How to combine strength and speed training effectivelyWhy high intensity beats high volumeThe role of rest and recovery in performanceCommon mistakes in the weight roomHow to train athletes to be faster, stronger, and healthierIf you’re a coach or athlete looking to get more out of your training without burning out, this episode will give you a clear framework to follow.

    1h 21m

  4. Mar 8

    EP16: How Alec Holler Helped Shape Feed the Cats (From Athlete to Championship Coach)

    In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, I sit down with my son Alec Holler to talk about his journey through sports and coaching. Alec shares his experiences as a high school athlete, his college years, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the coach he is today. Along the way, we discuss how his athletic career influenced the development of the Feed the Cats speed training philosophy. Coach Tony Holler originally began searching for a better training experience for Alec when he was an athlete. That pursuit eventually led to the creation of Feed the Cats — a high-performance approach that prioritizes speed, health, recovery, and joy in training. Today, Alec has become a successful coach in his own right. He has coached the Illinois state record holder in the 110m hurdles and has been part of an incredible run at Edwardsville High School as an assistant track coach, helping the program earn: • 3 Illinois State Championships • 4 State Runner-Up Finishes • 7 Total State Trophies We talk about lessons learned from athletics, the evolution of Feed the Cats, and how the philosophy is applied today to build a championship program year after year. If you're a coach, athlete, or sports parent interested in speed development, high performance training, and building a positive sports culture, this episode is for you.

    1h 10m

  5. Feb 13

    E15: The First School to Go ALL IN on Feed The Cats (K–12 Athletic Department Transformation)

    What happens when an entire athletic department decides to prioritize speed, eliminate mindless conditioning, and pursue the disciplined pursuit of less? In this Feed The Cats Podcast episode, Bill Brindley, Tyler Thielges, and Brent Strickland share why Augusta Christian (Georgia) is becoming the first premier K–12 school to implement Feed The Cats principles across all sports and P.E. classes. This isn’t just a football change. This is a complete athletic culture shift. We discuss: - Why they’re eliminating traditional conditioning - The disciplined pursuit of less - Prioritizing speed in all things - High performance practice design - Recording, ranking, and publishing results - Building buy-in across coaches and staff - What it takes to implement Feed The Cats school-wide - The risks, pushback, and long-term vision This could be the first full-scale K–12 implementation of Feed The Cats principles in the country. This episode is for athletic directors, head coaches, PE teachers, and school leaders who believe speed is trainable and culture is intentional. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join

    52 min

  6. Feb 8

    E14: Training Game Speed, Acceleration & Why Speed Must Be the Priority with Tony Villani

    In this episode, legendary speed coach Tony Villani joins the podcast to break down what truly matters regarding game speed. Tony has trained some of the world’s top athletes, including Travis Kelce, Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Jamal Lewis, and many more. His philosophy centers on making speed the priority, training with intent, and ensuring athletes are fresh when sprinting — principles that closely align with Feed the Cats–style training. We dive deep into: - What game speed really means (and why it’s misunderstood) - Acceleration vs. max velocity development - How agility training fits into true speed work - Why being fresh matters more than volume - Common mistakes coaches make when training speed - Where traditional programs go wrong This conversation is packed with practical insight for coaches, athletes, and trainers who want speed that actually transfers to competition. 🎧 Whether you’re training youth athletes or professionals, this episode will challenge how you think about speed development. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBPj3-_eDe-42EpKhMt4B7Q/join

    1h 18m

  7. 12/28/2025

    EP13: How a State Champion Distance Coach Builds Complete Athletes with Andy Derks

    What does it really take to build a championship distance program — and are miles enough? In this episode, I sit down with Andy Dirks, head cross country coach at Plainfield North, fresh off a state championship, to break down how he develops complete athletes, not just distance runners. We explore the parallels between distance training and speed development, including: Why sprinting still matters for distance athletesHow strength training fits into a championship XC programMoving beyond “just logging miles”Developing athleticism that carries over to track, sprinting, and long-term performanceBuilding resilient, adaptable athletes at the high school levelThis conversation challenges traditional distance training models and shows how speed, strength, and smart programming can coexist with high-level endurance performance. Whether you coach cross country, track & field, sprint athletes, or care about long-term athletic development, this episode is about going beyond miles. 🎧 Topics Covered: Cross country training philosophySpeed training for distance runnersStrength training for runnersAthlete-first vs mileage-first programsHigh school coaching and development

    1h 18m

  8. 10/31/2025

    EP12: How Sprinting Changed Everything: The Birth of Feed the Cats with Brian Weiss

    In this episode of the Feed the Cats Podcast, Coach Tony Holler sits down with Coach Brian Weiss — a standout 400m/800m runner from the 1999 Harrisburg championship team and now the head coach at Triad High School. Brian was part of the very first team to experience the Feed the Cats philosophy in action — when Coach Holler shifted from traditional high-mileage training to a focus on speed, recovery, and max velocity. That season ended with a state title and marked a turning point in sprint-based coaching. Join us as we reflect on: - How “Feed the Cats” began and changed everything - The difference between running more and running faster - Brian’s journey from athlete to successful coach - Lessons from the 1999 championship season that still hold true today 🎙️ Feed the Cats Podcast

    1h 11m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

When Tony Holler’s name is mentioned, SPEED is the subject… maximum velocity sprinting. Tony Holler is a track coach, most recently the head coach at Plainfield North H.S. Tony retired from teaching chemistry after 38 years in the classroom and has 44 years of coaching experience (football, basketball, and track). Tony Holler is a member of Illinois Track & Field Hall of Fame and Co-director of Track Football Consortium along with Chris Korfist. Holler created the revolutionary "Feed the Cats" in 1999.Tony Holler is the son of 47-year high school and college basketball coach Don Holler. Tony is the father of four, including two successful coaches, Alec Holler (Edwardsville H.S.) and Quinn Holler (Andrew H.S.). Tony Holler has diversified his “Feed the Cats'' message for all sports and the classroom. Tony has consulted with the New York Yankees who started feeding the cats in their 2022 spring training. He’s also consulted with college lacrosse (Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Penn, Arizona State, and Northwestern). Princeton made the NCAA Final Four in 2022 for the first time in 18 years with the battle cry of “Feed the Tigers''. Hundreds of high school football teams now use a FTC approach (also known as “Sprint-Based Football”). At least 12 states have football teams who have won state championships by prioritizing speed over conditioning. Tony also has a Sprint-Based Football Podcast. Tony Holler has presented his content in 30 different states. In addition, he’s done multiple presentations in England, Ireland, and France. Tony is also a frequent presenter at football and lacrosse clinics. In the past year, he's delivered two presentations on "Coaching the Classroom" for teachers. Tony has done several Feed the Cats Seminars which include nine hours of instruction over a 24-hour period. FTC Seminars are usually a one-man clinic. Tony Holler’s Feed the Cats DVD was the #1 best-seller for Championship Production for ALL SPORTS in 2018. It has been the #1 best-seller from 2018 to 2025 in the track and field category. Holler’s most recent content can be found at CoachTube, where he is #2 in sales, all sports, all time. Tony Holler was named as a “Prime Nine Speaker” by Glazier Football Clinics. 

Information

  • Creator
    Coach Tony Holler
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Feed the Cats Podcast
  • Show Website
    Feed the Cats Podcast

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