The Unlikely Journey of Joe Moglia: A Life Guided by Self-Discovery
Joseph "Joe" Moglia is a man of many lives. At first glance, his resume reads like the plot of a Hollywood film: a young husband and father working multiple jobs to make ends meet, a successful CEO of a major financial institution, and an award-winning college football coach. Yet, the thread that weaves these vastly different chapters of his life together is not just his ambition or talent—it’s his unrelenting pursuit of self-discovery. For over 50 years, Moglia has maintained a practice of writing “private notes,” a series of journal entries that have helped him peel back the layers of his subconscious, understand who he is, and make life-altering decisions. This process, which he calls “spiritual soundness,” has been his guiding light, helping him navigate the twists and turns of his extraordinary journey.
Moglia’s journey began in 1971, during his senior year at Fordham University, where he was studying economics while coaching football on the side. As graduation loomed, he faced his first major crossroads: should he pursue a career in coaching or head to Wall Street? His wife, and his unborn daughter, were counting on him to make the right decision. Moglia turned to his journal, a habit he had recently adopted, and began writing down every thought and feeling that came to mind. He asked himself questions about his interests, ambitions, and personal life, and through this process, he discovered a clarity he hadn’t known before. He decided to take a job as a head coach at Archmere Academy in Delaware, a decision that would set the stage for a career in football that would span decades.
From the Sidelines to the Boardroom: Moglia’s First Career Shift
Moglia’s coaching career took off quickly. By 1981, he had become the defensive coordinator at Dartmouth College. But life had other plans. In the same year, he received divorce papers and moved into a storage room above the football offices. This period of personal turmoil marked the beginning of Moglia’s second major crossroads. A few years later, he received an offer to coach at the University of Miami, a program that was then reigning as national champions. Professionally, it was a dream opportunity, but personally, it felt wrong. Moglia returned to his journal, a practice he had continued over the years, and grilled himself with tough questions. He thought about his role as a father to his four children and the kind of man he wanted to be. The process led him to a painful but clear conclusion: he would turn down the Miami job. It was, he later said, the toughest career decision of his life.
The decision marked the beginning of Moglia’s transition from football to finance. He realized that his true interest lay in the business world, and he began networking tirelessly, reaching out to alumni from Fordham and the schools where he had coached. His pitch was unconventional: while he didn’t have an MBA, he had what he called a “PhD in life.” It worked. He landed a spot in Merrill Lynch’s MBA institutional training program and spent the next 17 years climbing the corporate ladder. By 2008, he had risen to become the CEO of TD Ameritrade, one of the most respected financial institutions in the country.
Back to the Gridiron: Moglia’s Return to Football
Despite his success on Wall Street, Moglia couldn’t shake his love for football. After stepping down as CEO of TD Ameritrade in 2008, he made the surprising decision to return to coaching. This time, however, he didn’t just fall back on his old habits; he turned to his journal once again. He questioned why he wanted to return to football, what it meant for his life, and whether he had what it took to succeed. Through this process, he realized that his motivation wasn’t about being a fan of the game or seeking nostalgia. It was about the strategic challenge of football—and the opportunity to impact young players’ lives.
Moglia’s second act in football was nothing short of remarkable. He started as a volunteer coach at the University of Nebraska, worked his way up to head coach of the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League, and eventually became the president and head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. In 2011, he landed the ultimate opportunity: head coach of Coastal Carolina University’s football team. Over the next seven years, he transformed the program, leading the team to unprecedented success, including back-to-back 12-win seasons and four consecutive FCS playoff appearances. His “spiritual soundness” philosophy became a cornerstone of his coaching, encouraging players to reflect on their values and take responsibility for their lives.
The Legacy of “Spiritual Soundness”
Long after retiring as Coastal Carolina’s head coach in 2018, Moglia’s influence endures. He remains a prominent figure in the world of leadership, delivering commencement speeches at universities and speaking at business schools about the importance of self-awareness. His “private notes” remain a constant companion, a reminder that understanding oneself is the foundation of making good decisions and living a fulfilling life. Moglia still practices his journaling process, often retreating to quiet spaces to reflect on his journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
For Moglia, the central truth of his life is this: the path to happiness and fulfillment begins with self-discovery. His story is a testament to the power of introspection and the courage to follow one’s truth, no matter how unconventional it may seem. As he often says, “Everybody says they know who they are, but they don’t. I would say, ‘Please, you gotta go through this exercise.’” For Joe Moglia, the journey of self-discovery is never truly over—it’s a lifelong process, one that has shaped his legacy as a coach, a leader, and a man.
