University of Wyoming Throws Coach Paul Barrett joins Airey Bros Radio for a first-ever deep dive with a throws coach — and he delivers a masterclass on NCAA throws development, strength & conditioning, and how to build a quietly dominant program for nearly three decades.Barrett is in his 27th season at Wyoming and has coached 2 NCAA champions, 22 All-Americans, 36 conference champions, and 127 all-conference finishers. We break down his award-winning year (USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year), the rise of NCAA champion Daniel Reynolds, and why Barrett’s training approach is the opposite of what most people expect: low volume, high recovery, high results.If you’re a throws athlete, football player considering track, a high school coach trying to learn throws, or a recruit looking for a real pathway — this episode is loaded with practical coaching insight and recruiting advice.In this episode:* How Paul went from wrestling → sprints/long jump → hammer throw * Why he loves JUCO recruiting (and why NWAC athletes get overlooked) * What he looks for in a hammer/weight throw prospect * The training week that helped turn Daniel Reynolds into an NCAA champion * Why Olympic lifts matter (and what they actually do in-season) * The #1 thing high school throwers must fix on their Instagram recruiting page * Wyoming’s team culture, academics, facilities, and what surprises recruits most

Follow Coach Barrett: Instagram — @yo_pokes_throws
Fueled by: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching
Value for Value: Buy us a coffee (link in your ABR bio/show notes)

Show Notes + Timestamps:
0:13 – Show open (Howdy & Aloha, value-for-value, Black Sheep Endurance)
1:17 – Guest intro: Paul Barrett’s résumé + Wyoming throws legacy
2:37 – ABR milestone: first throws coach on the show
3:18 – Where to find Coach Barrett: IG @yo_pokes_throws
3:48 – Throughline: shoutout to Coach Sean McLachlin (NWAC connection)
4:26 – Origin story: wrestling → sprinting/long jump → throwing discovery
5:51 – Where he grew up: Texas/Kansas/Wyoming/Washington State
6:28 – Spokane CC dynasty + NWAC dominance
7:42 – JUCO recruiting: why he actively watches NJCAA + NWAC
9:39 – Why JUCO athletes often become his hardest workers
10:10 – Favorite event: hammer throw (as athlete + coach)
11:15 – Hammer recruiting: what to look for if an athlete hasn’t thrown hammer
12:46 – Getting into coaching + love for strength & conditioning
13:44 – Strength → throws transfer: why power matters
14:38 – Key lifts: Olympic lifts, squats, core integration
15:35 – Coaching progression: straight into S&C + throws roles
16:27 – Recruiting battles: football vs track (and why “both” rarely works)
18:11 – Why football players should do track (explosiveness + goals)
19:29 – 27 years at Wyoming: how his coaching evolved
20:13 – What he wants in recruits: work ethic + academics
21:04 – Event setup: usually 2 events per athlete (team scoring strategy)
21:49 – Geography: why he tends to recruit the West/Mountain/NW
22:43 – Recruiting today: athletes DM him on Instagram (huge tool)
23:57 – Daniel Reynolds story: seeing raw power → portal → instant potential
25:16 – Technical changes + biggest difference: recovery + low-volume plan
26:27 – Meaning of the national title (recruiting + recognition)
27:06 – Day-in-the-life training: the shockingly short week (recovery focus)
29:17 – In-season lifting: hang cleans + front squats + close-grip bench
30:35 – Sets/reps: low reps (5–1), maintain power without beating them up
31:02 – Daniel’s numbers: hang clean 425 + speed/power combo
31:52 – Season update: young talent + goals for indoor postseason
32:40 – Postseason timeline: conference late Feb/early March, NCAAs mid-March
33:39 – Why “less is more” (injury reduction + quality training)
35:04 – Advice to HS throwers: build a real recruiting IG + post lifting/throws
36:40 – Advice to HS coaches: YouTube + clinics (why throws improved recently)
38:02 – Team culture: small town, tight-knit program, family vibe
39:22 – Academics: engineering/agriculture + strong athlete academic support
41:23 – Wyoming surprise factor: facilities, funding, athlete dining, resources
43:01 – Winter reality + altitude: dry cold, longer season, indoor throwing option
45:11 – Final Four: coffee order, mindset, music, guilty pleasure
50:14 – Outro: upcoming ABR episodes (Nate Shearer + James Overheiser)