One Question Leadership Podcast

Mike London, Head Football Coach at College of William & Mary, visits @1QLeadership to discuss the synergy between he and Tribe AD Samantha Huge. London checks classes so the team and professors understand the importance of academics to the football team. He talks about dealing with the loss of a player and allowing the team to see him cry. Coach London also gets emotional as he goes into detail about the rare case of being a bone marrow donor for his own daughter. The episode is co-hosted by Coach Glenn Caruso (@Coach_Caruso).

Amy Huchthausen, Commissioner of the America East Conference, visits @1QLeadership to walk us through her timeline of gathering information to make the decision to cancel the conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments as they were down to the final championship games. She talks about using other conference's decisions as data points and speaking with fellow commissioners as the situation evolved over three to four days.

Matthew Caruso, Acting Director of Athletics at Kean University, visits @1QLeadership to discuss Kean as it was among the first institutions to adjust to the effects of the Coronavirus situation. Caruso talks about receiving word of the cancellations and scrambling to let coaches and teams know. During a bit of introspection, he mentions that he could have handled the situation a bit better in terms of communication. He also speaks to the resilience of the Student-Athletes as everything continued to unfold.

Tommy Amaker, Head Men's Basketball at Harvard University, visits @1QLeadership to discuss ending the 2020 season prematurely amid the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the leadership needed to guide the Student-Athletes through the announcement. Being the first Division I school (and conference) to cancel its conference tournament, Amaker talks about how important it was that Harvard, and the Ivy League, had the people and principles in place to make decisions amid uncertainty.

JP Abercrumbie, Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development at Rice, visits @1QLeadership to discuss her approach to the role. Her priority is to bridge the gap between internal and external operations ensuring the entire department is involved in the Student-Athlete experience. She also engages departments outside of athletics to provide Student-Athletes the best access to the resources available on campus. Abercrumbie also discusses her methods of building relationships with coaches.

Joe Karlgaard, Director of Athletics at Rice University, visits @1QLeadership for a conversation on leadership within the ranks of his organization. Karlgaard mentions Built to Last as his favorite leadership book, emphasizing the importance of homegrown talent. He also talks about giving people on his staff a wide range of experiences that can help with career enhancement.

David Shaw, Head Football Coach at Stanford, visits @1QLeadership to discuss the recruiting philosophy of "Start as you mean to go on." Shaw emphasizes that coaches should be the adult in recruiting conversations. He mentions differences in communicating to today's youth as opposed to 10-15 years ago. Shaw also gives insight into what he sees as a major deficiency in the development of young people today, mentioning the responsibility of leaders to teach humility, and model self-evaluation.

Greg Burke, longtime Director of Athletics at Northwestern State, visits the 1.Question Leadership Podcast to discuss adjusting as a leader after almost 25 years in the chair. He talks about working with a multi-generational staff as he leads people that have been with him for decades and people who recently joined the department. Burke also addresses his efforts to give his staff and coaches insight on issues affecting the college athletics industry as a whole.

Mark Alnutt, Director of Athletics at University at Buffalo, visits 1Q for a conversation on being in the AD chair at a place where there have been a succession of great leaders. He talks about how his default skill of building relationships has helped to create a successful environment. Throughout the discussion, Alnutt continues to emphasize that knowing his staff beyond the office is what will help him continue to elevate the department.

Mel Tucker, Head Football Coach at Colorado, visits @TaiMBrown and the 1.Question Leadership Podcast to talk about the process of creating a culture for winning. He covers the intentional brand transition from establishing his culture in year one to his #TheBuild in year two. He shares the importance of being a relentless recruiter in order to build on the foundation they have laid in season one. He characterizes an environment of integrity and expectations as the two primary factors for creating success. The conversation wraps with Tucker giving his thoughts on the importance of people and building margin in the day for internal reflection and growth.

Cathy Rossi, Deputy Director of Athletics at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, visits 1Q to discuss her role as the number two. She talks about what to look for when initially assessing the financial health of an athletics department. Rossi goes on to speak about starting in ticket sales and working her way into the business of college athletics.

Tavaras Hardy, Head Basketball Coach at Loyola University Maryland, joins @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Leadership podcast on the topic of being a new leader in the head coaching role. Hardy, discusses the adjustments he has made as a head coach from year one to year two. He identifies transparency and accountability as two areas he heavily focuses on. Hardy also gives the methods for self-reflection he and his staff use for continuous internal evaluation.

Chrissi Rawak, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at University of Delaware, visits @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Leadership Podcast on the topic of ensuring good leadership exists throughout an entire organization. Rawak discusses the discovery that her department was missing the mark on the foundational elements of a successful functioning organization. She goes into the steps she has taken to be intentional with the learning and development of people who are leading other people in her department.

Coach Tremaine Jackson, newly named (and first time) Head Football Coach at Colorado Mesa, engages in an insightful conversation with Coach Glenn Caruso of Unversity of St. Thomas, Coach Tim Lester of Western Michigan, and @TaiMBrown on the topic of being a first-time head coach. Jackson gets advice from Caruso and Lester on addressing the team for the first time, hiring staff, and developing a successful organizational culture.

Jashell Mitchell, Manager of Diversity & Inclusion for NFL Operations, visits 1.Q to discuss the opportunities she creates for Student-Athletes from HBCUs. Mitchell, former Associate AD for Internal Operations at North Carolina Central, has a history of working in football after spending time as a DFO. She oversees the HBCU Careers in Football Forum through which students are nominated by ADs, SWAs and/or Conference Commissioners from HBCU campuses for internship opportunities with NFL teams and events.

Anton Goff, former AD at Bowie State, Hartford, and St. John's visits the 1.Question Leadership Podcast to give insight into his reason for abruptly leaving St. John's. Goff talks about the stresses of living separate from family and speaks on how he will handle living situations moving forward. The conversation also covers Goff's success in developing relationships in development and the idea of carrying those relationships to other Athletics Director positions.

The tables are turned on @jayfhicks as his Sports Creatives Podcast is commandeered by 1Question Leadership Podcast host, Tai M. Brown. Hicks is put in the in the guest's chair as Brown asks questions about leadership in the collegiate sports creatives industry. Specific topics cover how creatives can value themselves and what to look for in an athletic department that values creatives.

Jim Grobe, former head football coach at Ohio, Wake Forest, and Baylor, visits @TaMBrown on the 1.Q. Coach Grobe talks about the differences in his initial assessment of the programs at his head coaching stops. He goes in depth about taking over at Baylor for one year as his primary focus was to do whatever was necessary to help the Student-Athletes and staff get through the season. Grobe also gives his insight for those who look to be leaders in the future.

Ken Mannie, Strength & Conditioning Coach at Michigan State, talks about his thoughts on similarities and differences in working with coaches, administrators, and Student-Athletes over 45 years in the profession. With standards and expectations on the forefront of his leadership philosophy, Mannie discusses how his approach to leading Student-Athletes has changed. He also talks about the three important questions he asks all young people interested in playing college football.

Shawn Jones, Director of Athletics at Henderson State joins @TaiMBrown to discuss the school's transition to the Arkansas State system. Jones talks about learning to communicate with a new interim president while simultaneously working with the Arkansas State system to help manage the transition from an athletics perspective. He expresses excitement about new resources to the program, which include monetary but more specifically the impact seen from an expertise level in strategic planning.

Kirby Hocutt, Director of Athletics at Texas Tech, visits the 1.Question Leadership Podcast on the topic of inclusive leadership from entry-level roles all the way through executive positions. Hocutt mentions the culture at Tech, which encourages input and collaboration from staff through subcommittees that are open to everyone in the department. He also talks about the in-house Talkington Leadership Academy which offers programs for Student-Athletes and staff alike.

On the eve of the NCAA Volleyball Semifinals and AVCA National Convention, @TaiMBrown caught up with University of North Dakota Head Volleyball Coach, Jeremiah Tiffin. Fresh off of his first season as a Division I head coach, Tiffin talks about the commonalities from his stints as a two-year and NAIA head coach. Thrust into the head coaching position after only four months as an assistant, Tiffin talks about the importance of communication as he had only 20 days to prepare for the first game of the season.

Dr. Monique Marsh-Bell, Clinical Psychologist and Asst. AD for Mental Health Services at Baylor University, visits @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Leadership Podcast to discuss the services she provides to Baylor's Student-Athletes. Dr. Marsh-Bell was as a counselor on campus prior to joining the athletics department. She begins by explaining the difference between sport vs. clinical psychologist and gives insight on the different experiences between the general student body and that of Student-Athletes.

Tommy McClelland, AD at Louisiana Tech, talks about his Louisiana Tech Athletics Leadership Institute. Open to everyone in the department other than senior level staff or head coaches, the program begins with an aptitude test designed by the school's Industrial Psychology department. It also includes a $10k (provided by a donor) challenge for designing a program that helps to address mental health issues in the student-athlete population. The school's president has created similar model for staff on campus.

Lonn Reisman, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Tarleton State University, talks with @TaiMBrown about the school's transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Reisman has been at Tarleton State for 26 years, spending the first 24 as the Head Men's Basketball Coach. He touches on the move from NAIA, to Division II, and the almost 20 year exploration into moving to NCAA Division I.

Jamie Pollard, AD at Iowa State, visits with @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast on the topic of creating an environment where people feel valued. Pollard talks about his process of helping new hires embrace the culture at Iowa State athletics. He goes into detail about his very intentional efforts to get to know everyone who is in his department. Pollard also give insight into his 'Athletic Director Unplugged' meetings.

Kentucky State's Etienne Thomas joins @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast on a number of topics ranging from working in compliance to hiring a football coach. With a little over a year in the AD chair, Thomas talks about the people and inflection points which helped moved her career forward. She mentions working for veteran leaders, such as Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree and Tom Bowen, who gave her responsibilities beyond her initial role in compliance.

Coach Glenn Caruso, Head Football Coach at University of St. Thomas (MN), visits the 1.Question Podcast on the topic of coaching amidst all the changes happening within the athletics program. He talks about the culture of habits and how focusing on the season is a habit that hasn't been broken within the football program. Caruso also heaps praise on VP & Director of Athletics, Phil Esten, on how he has led the department through a unique transition.

Carrie Cecil, CEO of Anachel Communications & SM2, visits 1Q to share insight on how ADs, Presidents, Coaches, and other executives manage some of the biggest reputation and career crises seen today. She talks about winning the narrative in terms of controlling what information is out in the public. Cecil also addresses the biggest threats to college athletics leaders and what needs to be in place to avoid those threats. The conversation wraps with advice to future leaders in college athletics.

Armani Dawkins, Sr. Associate AD & Chief of Staff at Oklahoma, visits 1Q to talk about being hired to help enhance the culture at a department that, from the outside looking in, seems to always operate at a high level. Dawkins talks about the trait of vulnerability that leaders such as Joe Castiglione possess, and how a part of the her role is to point out blind spots in the department or even in Castiglione's leadership.

Jessica Gelman, CEO of the Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR), visits @TaiMBrown on the topic of using data analytics in college athletics. Gelman gives insight on the services KAGR provides to Mississippi State and the importance of understanding who and how often people attend games. She wraps the conversation on the human relations aspect of being a leader in data analytics.

Coach Gary Goff, Head Football Coach at Valdosta State, visits the 1.Question Podcast to discuss the organizational approach he used to turn around the football program at Tiffin, which was ranked 165 out of 168 in NCAA Division II when he arrived. He follows that by explaining the approach he is using now as he takes over at Valdosta State, which was the NCAA Division II national champion last year.

Tom Burman, Director of Athletics at University of Wyoming, visits the 1.Question Podcast on the topic of creating a successful organizational culture. Burman discusses an ADs feelings a few years after hiring a successful coach and the unique hiring process he used for his current basketball coach. The conversation also touches on expectations and sharing leadership advice with coaches on staff.

Devon Thomas, Sr. Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs at Eastern Washington, visits @TaiMBrown and the 1.Question Podcast on the topics of tying previous experiences together and the challenges faced during career growth. Thomas talks about his experience in marketing and the innovative ways he and his crew would test upcoming promotions. The conversation wraps on the topic of delegation and leadership.

Rick George, Athletics Director at University of Colorado, visits @TaiMBrown on 1Q to discuss the weight of tradition. George was on the football staff when Colorado won the National Championship in the early 90's and talks about the importance of understanding the expectations that a successful history can bring. He also talks about the importance of expecting success when bringing on new coaches.

Samantha Huge, Director of Athletics at William & Mary, stops by the 1.Question Podcast to visit with @TaiMBrown on the topic of making major changes to her staff over her two and a half years leading the department. She talks about her charge from the president for athletics to help raise the profile of the institution. Huge also discusses some of the books she gives to the staff as she emphasizes professional development for everyone in the department.

Tommy McClelland, Athletics Director at Louisiana Tech, talks with @TaiMBrown about taking on a leadership role at a young age. McClelland was named interim AD at McNeese State at 25 years old, and named the permanent leader at 26. He talks about some of the challenges that come with being in an influential role at that age, such as experience and being perceived as immature. McClelland also touches on his leadership growth now that he has been in the Chair for over a decade.

Beth Goetz, Director of Athletics at Ball State, joins @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast to discuss the process of searching for and hiring a Deputy AD. Goetz discusses her recent hire of Haven Fields and how she had to redefine the position prior to developing the profile of the person to fill the position.

Craig Pintens, Athletics Director at Loyola Marymount University, visits @TaiMBrown on the 1.Question Podcast on the topic of coach evaluations. Pintens includes each sport's national ranking metric as an evaluating factor as opposed to just wins and losses. Recruit, teach, win, and graduate are the four pillars of the evaluation focus with winning being the quantitative measure.

Bloom where you are planted is the focus of this quick clip from the 1Q cutting room floor. Dr. Mónica Lebrón, Deputy AD & COO at Tulane, talks about changing jobs just as she was making waves in her previous role at Georgia.

Lamarr Pottinger, Assistant AD at Texas Tech, visits @TaiMBrown to discuss how the Red Raiders focus on career and professional development for Student-Athletes and staff. Pottinger describes the unique setup at the Talkington Leadership Academy where the emphasis of career and leadership development includes options for department personnel, as well as Student-Athletes. He also covers the ongoing process of creating a "scoreboard" to evaluate quantitative and qualitative measures for success.

Jen Baker, Sr. Associate Director of Athletics at Johns Hopkins University, visits @TaiMBrown on the topic of consulting for leadership development. Baker moonlights as a leadership development consultant for other athletics departments, corporations, and coaches. Emphasizing that leadership must be practiced, she helps coaches define what it is they want their Student-Athletes to learn during their experience on campus.

Craig Ricks, Sr. Vice President for Marketing at Paciolan, visits @TaiMBrown and the 1.Question Podcast on the topic of diminishing game day attendance in college athletics. Ricks, who has been with the company for 16 years, talks about Paciolan's use of data, social media, and digital marketing campaigns to customize and personalize the experience of fans and potential fans. He gives insight into the process of developing messages to people through stories that help articulate the value and vision of each organization.

Gerald Harrison, Director of Athletics at Austin Peay State University, sits down with @TaiMBrown to discuss adjusting to the AD job. Harrison, 10 months on the job, talks about his acclimatization to leadership as an Athletics Director. He talks about his process of self-evaluation and his method of release after long workdays. Harrison also addresses his reputation of telling people "exactly what they need to hear in a good way."

Coach Molly Miller, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Drury University, talks with @TaiMBrown on the topic of avoiding complacency as a winner. Miller, the 2019 WBCA D2 Coach of the Year, talks about explaining the expectations her Student-Athletes can expect from her. With the highest winning percentage of all active NCAA coaches, she also discusses the pressure of expectations when you've won a lot of games.

Dr. Jamil Northcutt, VP for Player Engagement with Major League Soccer, visits @TaiMBrown to discuss how the league engages with intercollegiate athletics. Northcutt, former executive with the NFL and NCAA brings his vast experience and network to MLS to develop its player development program. With a heavy focus on three core groups, future players, current players, and past players, Northcutt emphasizes that education is the bedrock of Major League Soccer.

Akilah Laster, Assistant Director for Athletic Communications at Cal, visits @TaiMBrown to discuss a wide range of topics from knowing how and when to speak up at the office to the importance of storytelling in athletics. Laster, a former high school teacher and journalist, says people need to know you care about what you are doing before they are willing to receive your input. She also notes what it means to be one of very few African-American women who are in a Power 5 sports information role.

Mark Dyer, Founder & CEO of Taymar Sales U, visits the 1.Question Podcast to give an update on the third-party ticket sales company. In addition to Kentucky, Taymar Sales U adds LSU and Georgia State to its portfolio. Dyer also gives his thoughts on alcohol sales and attendance issues at college athletics venues.

Shawn Respert, Assistant Coach for the Chicago Bulls, talks with @TaiMBrown about leading basketball players in the social media era. Respert, with experience in basketball coaching and administration on the college and professional levels, emphasizes the point that social media allows young players to become celebrities before they become stars. He also discusses the importance of celebrating the role player in any organization.

Taurian Houston, Associate AD for Compliance at Rice, visits with @TaiMBrown at the 2019 NACDA Convention. Houston, with experience as a law school grad and a former intern at the NCAA, tackles some of the intricacies of the name, image, and likeness debate with regard to Student-Athletes starting business while in school. He also gives his insight into the process of submitting a potential new NCAA bylaw.