From growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to helping lead the University of Nebraska football program to a Big 12 Championship and a National Championship appearance, DeMoine Adams has spent his life learning what separates good from great. After competing professionally in the NFL, CFL, and AFL, he discovered that the principles of championship performance extend far beyond sports. They’re the same principles that drive exceptional leadership, thriving organizations, and high-performing teams.
Today, DeMoine is the Founder and CEO of The Game Plan – Ready, Set, Perform, where he helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and higher-performing teams. He also served as CEO of TeamMates Mentoring, the nationally recognized mentoring organization co-founded by Hall of Fame Coach Tom Osborne.
With a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and expertise in leadership, motivation, organizational performance, and strengths-based development, DeMoine delivers more than inspiration—he provides practical strategies audiences can immediately put into action. DeMoine currently resides in Lincoln, Nebraska, and his motto in life is: “Once you see where you’re going, everything you do must correspond with where you’re going.”
K-12 / College Programs
Heart Over Hype
“Heart Over Hype” challenges students to lead with character rather than follow trends. This presentation empowers students to make values-based decisions, demonstrate integrity, and consistently choose what is right over what is popular.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthen character and personal responsibility.
- Develop confidence to lead rather than follow.
- Promote a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion.
Stand UP (Bullying & Drug Prevention)
“Stand UP” is a high-impact prevention program that equips students to actively address bullying and negative behaviors by focusing on accountability and action. Through the framework of Speak Up, Step Up, and Team Up, students learn how to contribute to a safe, respectful, and responsible school environment.
Key Outcomes:
- Increase student accountability and awareness.
- Provide practical tools to address bullying and peer pressure.
- Strengthen school culture through shared responsibility.
Bring Your ‘A’ Game
“Bring Your ‘A’ Game” challenges students to maximize their effort, focus, and commitment in all aspects of their education. This presentation reinforces the connection between daily habits and long-term success, encouraging students to take ownership of their performance both inside and outside the classroom.
Key Outcomes:
- Improve focus, effort, and academic engagement.
- Strengthen personal accountability.
- Elevate performance in academics and overall mindset.
Exercise Your Leadership
Leadership is not a title—it’s a skill that must be developed. “Exercise Your Leadership” empowers students to recognize and strengthen their influence through their choices, actions, and responses to adversity.
Key Outcomes:
- Develop leadership through daily decision-making.
- Build character, accountability, and resilience.
- Inspire students to become positive influencers within their school.
H.E.R.O. Leadership
While heroes inspire belief in stories, H.E.R.O. leaders inspire belief in others. This presentation challenges students to lead through service, model positive behavior, and create meaningful impact within their school and community.
Key Outcomes:
- Promote servant leadership and positive influence.
- Encourage responsibility for others’ growth and success.
- Build a culture of encouragement and support.
The ‘I’ in WIN
“You win or lose by how you choose.” This message emphasizes personal responsibility and the impact of daily decisions on future outcomes, character, and success.
Key Outcomes:
- Reinforce ownership of choices and actions.
- Connect behavior to long-term success.
- Build self-discipline and accountability.
The ALL-American
“The ALL-American” develops the whole student—academics, character, leadership, and personal responsibility. Students are challenged to represent themselves with excellence in the classroom, online, and in their communities.
Key Outcomes:
- Promote well-rounded personal development.
- Encourage responsible decision-making on and off campus.
- Prepare students for real-world success.
Athletics / Sports Programs
The ‘I’ in WIN (Athletics Edition)
This presentation connects personal responsibility to team success, emphasizing how daily choices impact performance, team culture, and long-term outcomes.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthen accountability to team and self.
- Reinforce discipline and commitment.
- Align individual behavior with team goals.
Be a GOOD Sport
This session reinforces sportsmanship, respect, and integrity in competition. Athletes and coaches learn how to compete at a high level while maintaining respect for teammates, opponents, and the game itself.
Key Outcomes:
- Promote respect and integrity in competition.
- Strengthen team culture and unity.
- Encourage positive behavior in both winning and losing.
Exercise Your Leadership (Athletics)
Athletes are leaders—on and off the field. This program focuses on developing leadership through accountability, influence, and character to strengthen team performance and culture.
Key Outcomes:
- Build leadership within team dynamics.
- Strengthen accountability among teammates.
- Develop character-driven performance.
The ALL-American (Athletics)
This presentation challenges athletes to excel beyond their sport by focusing on academics, leadership, and personal development.
Key Outcomes:
- Promote well-rounded athlete development.
- Reinforce responsibility beyond athletics.
- Prepare athletes for life after sports.
Professional Development / Corporate
Exercise Your Leadership
This training develops leaders at all levels by focusing on decision-making, relationships, and resilience to drive stronger team performance.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthen proactive decision-making.
- Improve collaboration and team effectiveness.
- Build resilience and accountability.
Defensive Leadership: The Other Side of Leadership
Most professionals focus on performance and results—the “offense.” This program introduces the equally critical “defensive” side of leadership: accountability, support, and team responsibility.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthen team alignment and trust.
- Promote accountability across teams.
- Foster a culture of mutual respect and shared success.
H.E.R.O. Leadership
This session develops leaders who lead through service, example, and intentional culture-building.
Key Outcomes:
- Lead with purpose and influence.
- Strengthen workplace culture and engagement.
- Model behaviors that drive performance and trust.
‘Heart’ Work
Performance is driven not just by effort—but by commitment and mindset.
This program emphasizes the connection between engagement, attitude, and results.
Key Outcomes:
- Increase engagement and ownership.
- Maximize individual and team performance.
- Build a resilient, high-performance mindset.
The ALL-American (Workplace Edition)
This session focuses on building inclusive, high-performing environments through awareness, respect, and cultural competence.
Key Outcomes:
- Strengthen cultural awareness and collaboration.
- Reduce bias and improve team dynamics.
- Foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and performance.
“Barry and Tyler, first and foremost thank you for helping us get DeMoine Adams to Perkins County Schools. He presented three times (K-2, 3-6, and 7-12) and he was amazing! He shared his message about being leaders, making the right choices, and overall being kind to everyone. His presentation, entitled “Heart Over Hype”, was exactly what we needed. I have had staff, students, and community members stop me multiple times already saying how much they enjoyed DeMoine and his message. He is a very personable individual who brings real passion to his presentations. I would highly recommend him to any group! Thanks again!”
Ben Jones, 7-12 Principal, Perkins County Schools
“DeMoine Adams is amazing! He spoke at Northeast Community College to a large group of TRIO-SSS students at a Fall Semester Kick-Off event. Every moment of his time speaking with our students was delivered in a dynamic and inspirational manner. He has the uncanny ability to make every person in the room feel as though he is speaking directly to them. DeMoine tailored his dialogue seamlessly to speak directly to the challenges and struggles that this population of students will face in post-secondary education. With his background being vastly similar to theirs, he was able to speak genuinely and deliver a message of how he has overcome difficulties and experienced success in higher education, and how they can too. Our students and staff left his speech excited, full of positivity, and motivated to be successful. I would sincerely recommend DeMoine to anyone looking for a passionate, energetic, and inspirational speaker!”
Josh Becker, Director of TRIO Student Support Services, Northeast Community College
“Barry and Tyler, Thank you! Thank you! Thank YOU! We had the pleasure of having DeMoine Adams speak at our Annual Nebraska Weed Control Association Conference, and he was amazing! He had tailored his speech to our group and talked about leadership and teamwork. For the rest of the conference, I had members approaching me and talking about the number of points that DeMoine brought up in his speech that they could take home and use in their jobs, or just in life in general. If you have not heard DeMoine in person, you are missing out on a great message. I would recommend him to any group. His points of view on leadership and teamwork would fit any business or organization. Thanks again for suggesting DeMoine Adams!”
Todd Boller, President, NWCA
“For our first day of school, we had DeMoine Adams speak to our 7th-12th grade students. He did an excellent job motivating them to put forth maximum effort in all their endeavors, stay focused on their goals and make good choices. He really got them excited for the new school year! We received lots of positive feedback from staff and students about how energized they were for the new year after hearing DeMoine speak. It was an honor to have him speak at our school, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a positive, motivating, and energetic speaker for their event.”
Dr. Stuart Lenz, K-12 Principal/Superintendent, Giltner Public Schools
“DeMoine Adams isn’t just another speaker ‘talking’ about the importance of having a solid game plan…he’s the epitome of his message! As a former stand-out collegiate and professional athlete, he understands first-hand the importance of having a Solid Game Plan both personally & professionally. More impressive than his football credentials is his dedication to education, having received his Master’s degree and is now working on his PhD! I recommend him without reservation!”
Aaron Davis, President, Aaron Davis Presentations, Inc.
“DeMoine was great! His presentation resonated greatly with our group and he does a fabulous job of engaging the audience to make his presentation come to life. DeMoine is a naturally inspiring speaker who let’s his personal and professional experience teach and motivate you to achieve your best!”
Tim Iverson, Heritage Financial Services
“DeMoine’s insightful ability to take the basic fundamentals of the game of football and relate them to leadership allows him to connect with a wide range of individuals. His charisma along with his strong knowledge base captivates and inspires to grow the leader in all of us.”
Dr. Katie Kage, University of Northern Colorado
“DeMoine Adams is the man! His thought-provoking talks are incredible and should be heard by all. DeMo is a must!”
Jamar Banks, Director for Student Involvement and Leadership, Appalachian State University
“What a true dynamo! Our students were at full attention to the motivating messages of DeMoine Adams. His personal stories of challenge and what it takes to overcome them send an excellent message of ‘NO Excuses!’ and ‘YOU Determine YOUR Destiny’.”
Cara Riggs, Principal, Omaha South High Magnet School, Nebraska
“DeMoine captured our students’ attention with his powerful and interactive message! He connected with us in a way that few speakers have. His simple yet powerful witness to do what’s right, be real, and demonstrate respect is easily relatable to our expectations at CCMS. We look forward to welcoming DeMoine back year after year!”
Darron Arlt, Principal, Central City Middle School, Central City, Nebraska
“This week we had the honor and pleasure of hosting DeMoine Adams at Wahoo High School. DeMoine’s message was educational, engaging, and relevant. He brought incredible life and energy into his presentation which further fueled the engagement and excitement within our student body. I would not hesitate to bring DeMoine back to Wahoo High School.”
Jason Libal, Principal, Wahoo High School
“I was impressed with the way DeMoine focused on talking about each person’s own potential and the specific steps he or she needs to maximize the chance for success. DeMoine has a very sincere way of speaking to students in such a way that they can sense the trust being formed between him and them.”
Gary Klahn, Superintendent, Wheeler Central Schools, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
