Stewarding Success: An Interview with Coby Cotton

Join Ben Stuart and Coby Cotton from Dude Perfect as they discuss their faith in different ages and stages of life. We can be encouraged as they talk about life, friendships, and Dude Perfect’s impact.

Philippians 3:17 talks about how there are people worth following—those who live their lives in a way that glorifies God. Because of their example, we’re encouraged to imitate them. Testimonies give us the opportunity to hear how God has worked in someone’s life, which in turn encourages us to be attentive to how He might be working in our own.

Coby Cotton was born and raised in a Christian home and spent a lot of time at church. At the age of seven, he put his faith in Jesus, but it wasn’t until fifth grade that his faith really took hold. That’s when he began to experience the benefits of spending quiet time with God. In high school, he was introduced to Ben and Donna Stuart through the ministry they were involved in. Later, in college, Coby and a group of friends began recording trick shots and posting them online. Before long, they formed what would become Dude Perfect.

While their videos are fun and impressive, what stands out even more is the real friendship, love, and care that exists behind the scenes. They’re not just business partners—they’re close friends doing life together.

One key aspect that strengthens their friendship is something they call “Owner’s Box.” It’s a time they set aside weekly to talk openly about frustrations or when they’ve been in the wrong. Early on, they used to say, “I sword myself,” meaning they were taking ownership and falling on their sword. As they’ve matured, they’ve learned to simply say, “I’m sorry.” This regular practice has been immensely helpful for both their friendship and their business. By keeping short accounts, they prevent resentment from taking root. They believe that walking in honesty before God includes confessing sins to one another.

Faith has always played a central role in the building of Dude Perfect. Though they had plenty of sponsorship opportunities, they chose to turn down companies whose products or values didn’t align with their beliefs—even when the money would’ve made a big difference to college students. Early on, they included links in their videos explaining that they believed God had given them these gifts to glorify Jesus. Now, their faith is demonstrated more through how they love and care for their team, many of whom are fresh out of college, and how they point them to Jesus. You don’t have to be in full-time ministry to live by a higher standard in your work. God delights in placing people of faith in influential positions when they are willing to steward that influence well. For Dude Perfect, faith is the foundation of their decision-making.

As they began touring, the guys became more vocal about their faith. Ty felt a strong conviction to share what God was doing in their lives, and they found a way to incorporate that into their shows. He often speaks about difficult seasons he’s faced and how the peace of God has sustained him through it all. He’s open about Jesus, and that part of the show consistently receives the most heartfelt feedback. They’re clear about what will be shared, giving the audience the choice to stay or step out. It’s a loving and respectful way to care for their fans—there’s no bait and switch.

Even as Coby became more well-known and experienced the perks of fame, he stayed grounded in his local church. He and his wife led a small group of sixth-grade boys all the way through their graduation and have remained involved in their lives. He continued to place himself under authority and accountability. In ministry, the longer you stay, the better it gets—you witness hard things, but you also get to see people grow in their faith.

Today, Dude Perfect is focused on growing their team and nurturing a strong culture that remains rooted in Jesus. And yes—there are plenty of fun new videos on the way. More than anything, they want to steward the platform God has given them well. They know they are loved by God, and that identity is far more important than anything they do for a living.