3 Minute Drill: Recent Episodes
Aggie Coaches
The Thornton- McFerrin Coaching Academy proudly presents the “3- Minute Drill”. This is a podcast that will bring you individuals from a variety of athletic experiences. We've asked them to provide 3 minutes of their thoughts or advice on what is important for coaches and successful teams.
Coach Jasmine Brewer was born and raised in Missouri City, Texas where she attended Fort Bend ISD schools from Elementary through High School. Coach Brewer is a 2010 LV Hightower High School Graduate where she played 4 years under former Head Coach Deborah Mize. She was blessed to be a part of the 2010 State Finalist Team. Coach Brewer received a full basketball scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans where she played all 4 years and was inducted in the 2023 Hall of Fame Class. Coach Brewer joined the Hightower family as a JV/1st Assistant Girls Basketball Coach under Deborah Mize in 2019. In 2020, Coach Brewer became the Head Coach at Hightower and has led The Sisterhood the last 5 seasons. This past season the Lady Canes finished as the 21-6A District Champions for the 3rd year in a row, as well as the 6A Division II State Finalist, with a final record of 34-6. Coach Brewer reached her 100th win on November 2nd, 2024. Coach Brewer has been selected as the District Coach of the Year for the last 3 years, a 2025 TGCA and Greater Houston All-Star Coach, the 2023 and 2024 Campus Coach of the Year and a 2024 Dean Weese Outstanding Coach Award Finalist. She also serves as the President of the Greater Houston Area Girls Basketball Association. Coach Brewer's hobbies include spending time with family, fishing, and watching collegiate and pro sports!
In this special episode of The 3 Minute Drill, we sit down for an extended conversation with a current Texas A&M student. As a member of the Undergraduate Coaching Certificate Program, they share their personal stories and experiences on this month's topic of communication.
Ross O'Hanlon graduated from Texas A&M with a Minor in Coaching and a Bachelor's in History, as well as a Master's in Education. O'Hanlon is currently in his 6th year of coaching. His first 2 years were spent in Kenedy ISD, where he coached Junior High and High School football and track, served as the head girls track coach, and was the varsity basketball assistant. O'Hanlon spent the last 3 years at East Chambers, where he coached football and was the head girls' track coach as well. He is now in his first year at Fort Bend Hightower, where he is the wide receivers coach and hurdle coach
Josh Woodall is a 2002 graduate of Sam Houston State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a 2010 graduate of Lamar University where he earned his Master of Education in Education Administration. Josh is a former President of the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association and currently serves on the Texas High School Athletic Director's Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. Throughout his career, Josh has been a dedicated advocate for student-athlete health and safety. His professional journey at Bryan ISD includes roles as Assistant Athletic Trainer, Head Athletic Trainer, and Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, culminating in his current position as Assistant Director of Athletics. He has mentored former students who have gone on to seek careers in athletic training and coaching. Josh is married to Jamie Woodall who is also a certified athletic trainer who currently serves as the Executive Director of School Safety in Waller ISD.
Shannon Rideout is an Assistant Athletic Director with Fort Bend Independent School District. Before serving in an administrative role, Shannon worked with Fort Bend, I.S.D., as the Head Coach for Boys' Track & Field at Bush High School for eight seasons. This is his twenty-third year in education. He has served in various administrative roles during those years, which include serving as the Area Athletic Coordinator for Austin I.S.D. Before working in education, Shannon worked as a television sports reporter and sports producer in the broadcasting industry.
Coach Chris Fisher has just completed his 23rd year in coaching, including 17 years of dedicated service in Plano ISD. He previously held the position of Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo. Prior to that, he spent a year as a teacher and coach at Creekview High School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.
For the past 22 years, Dena Scott has been a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator in Fort Bend ISD. She started her teaching and coaching career at First Colony Middle School in 2002 and moved to Dulles High School (her alma mater) in 2004 where she was the varsity volleyball coach. She coached there until she was named the first female assistant athletic director in 2012. In July of 2020, during the COVID pandemic, Dena was named the first female Director of Athletics for Fort Bend ISD and assumed the role of leading over 600 coaches in one of the largest school districts in Texas. Dena serves on the Publications Committee for the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. She also serves as vice chair on the Awards Committee for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Dena is a co-chair on the National Center of Spectator Sports Safety and Security Interscholastic Advisory Committee. Coach Scott enjoys serving on the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy Advisory Council. In 2024 she received the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award for Texas. In 2025, Dena received the NIAAA Frank Kovaleski award for Texas and she was named the THSADA Region 5 Athletic Director of the year. She has a daughter who attends The Ohio State University. Dena is a servant leader who continually seeks ways to support her coaches and student athletes while providing a safe, secure, and thriving environment.
- 24 years of education-based athletic experience
- Current Assistant Athletic Director, Denton ISD
- 6 years head volleyball/assistant athletic coordinator at Morton Ranch High School
- 12 years head volleyball coach/head girls track coach at Kempner High School
- Former English teacher, Broadcast and Photo Journalism teacher, PE Department Chair
- Bachelor's in Communications, Masters in Sport Mangement, Doctorate in Education
- Member of THSADA, THSCA, TGCA, NIAA, and BCA
- The University of Florida's Institute of Coaching Excellence board member
- Southern University Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Class of 2023
16 years Coaching
Menard HS 1 year- Asst Football, Head Baseball
Everman HS 7 years Varsity Asst Football, Varsity Asst Baseball
Lubbock Cooper 1 year- Asst Football Asst Baseball
Electra 1 year Asst Football, JH Basketball, Head Baseball
Windthorst 6 years- Defensive Coordinator,
Asst Baseball , JH Basketball
Coach Mann is married to his wife Brandi Mann with two sons Jace and Judson. As a graduate of Amarillo High School 1996 (1st Team All District DL 2x) and Angelo State University (3ry Letterman, 2 Year Starter), he began his coaching career at Wichita Falls High School as an assistant coach. Coach Mann later became the Defensive Coordinator at Cedar Park High School. In 2008, Coach Mann accepted the position of Head Coach and Athletic Coordinator of the newly opened Rouse Raiders High School. Coach Mann was 2012 Central Texas Coach of the Year, 2016 Hill Country News Coach of the Year, 2020 5A Coach of the Year by Dave Campbell's Magazine, and 2020 & 2021 13 5A Division Coach of the Year. He also held leadership positions in 2014 & 2024 as Central Texas Football Coaches Association President. Also served as the Head Coach for FCA Central Texas All-Star Gold team in 2017.
Stephen Mackey, better known to tens of thousands of students and educators as Coach Mackey, is a player development coach, and Wall Street Journal Best Selling author, based in Texas. In January 2017, Mackey asked the question: “What would it take to help one million athletes and coaches connect the dots between sports and life?” The answer to that question became 2Words Character Development. Built on the Six Pillars of a Championship Character—Toughness, Integrity, Belief, Excellence, Effort, and Service— 2Words has become one of the top leadership and character curriculums in the country; and in 2021, became the official character development curriculum of the Texas High School Coaches Association. As a keynote speaker, Mackey has an uncanny ability to connect with audiences of all backgrounds through humor, timeless wisdom, and an infectious energy. Drawing upon the lessons learned as a coach and entrepreneur, the people he meets, and the teams he serves, Mackey helps teams, organizations, and businesses build a Culture of Character. Mackey's first book, co-authored with Damon West, is called The Locker Room: How Great Teams Heal Hurts, Overcome Adversity, and Build Unity (Wiley Publishing), and debuted on the Wall Street Journal Best Sellers List in May of 2022. Mackey is a first-generation college graduate with a B.S. from Texas A&M University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mackey is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry, also at Fuller. Among his many accomplishments, Mackey is most proud of his role as a devoted husband to his wife, Teressa, and father to their four kids.
Coach Jim Woodard has been the Head Football Coach and Boys Athletic Coordinator at Cleburne High School in Cleburne, Texas the past three years. He is finishing up his 18th year in education and has had stops at Tomball Memorial, Tomball High School, Anderson-Shiro, Llano, and Whitney. He has been an Offensive Coordinator, Head Track, and Head Golf coach at some of his previous stops. He comes from a family of educators. His parents are retired educators and coaches, older brother David is the AD/HFB at West ISD, younger brother Matt is the AD/HFB at Rio Vista ISD, and niece Kearstyn is the Head Volleyball Coach at Bosqueville ISD. He has been married to Liz, a special education teacher in Cleburne for 13 years, and they share an 11-year-old son, Henry Graham Woodard III.
Shawn Bruns graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1986 and from college in 1991 from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Coach Bruns started his coaching & teaching career at Flatonia HS in the Fall of 1991. This upcoming Fall 2024 he will be starting his 34th year in education at Flatonia HS.
Coach Bruns has been the head baseball coach at Flatonia HS from 1992 through 2016 and then the head softball coach from 2017 to 2023. He just returned back to being the head baseball coach this past 2024 season.
Bruns has led Flatonia HS to seven UIL State Tournament appearances (1992, 1993, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016. & 2024) His teams have been blessed to play in six state championship games during those seven appearances. The Flatonia Bulldogs earned three TEXAS STATE UIL CHAMPIONSHIPS in 1993, 2015, and 2016.
Shawn & his wife Shawna have been married 34 years and have four children (daughter Elizabeth & husband Matt Price of Austin) (daughter Alexandra and her fiance Matt Blair of Gainesville, Georgia) (son William and wife Kaci Bruns of Lufkin) & (daughter Katherine Bruns of College Station). They also have been graciously blessed with three grandchildren (Mabel, Oliver, & John Price).
Joseph Taylor is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Friendswood High School in Friendswood, TX and a private Youth and Collegiate S&C Coach through his business Type II Performance. This will be Joseph's 7th year as a full-time high school S&C coach. Coach Taylor has a BS in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University and a MS in Exercise and Health Sciences from University of Houston Clear-Lake. Taylor is Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a USA Weightlifting National Coach. The Friendswood HS S&C Program has been recognized as a School of Distinction by the NSCA and a Program of Excellence by the National High School Strength and Conditioning Association.
A native of Bryan, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Leadership with Sport Management emphasis in August of 2013. He was accepted into the Sport Management graduate program, but went on to accept a position at Bowen Elementary as an Instructional Assistant. Throughout college, he worked extensively in the athletic department as a student assistant and did some time as an intern with student-athlete services at A&M. He spent six seasons as an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach at Bryan High School. Reese has served as the Head Basketball Coach at College Station for 3 years, going on 4, and is coming off a playoff appearance last year.
With 22 years of experience in education, Coach Kevin Starnes currently serves as the Athletic Director at College Station ISD, a position held for the past 2 years. Prior to this, he was the Assistant Athletic Director in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD for 2 years. Starnes also spent 5 years as an associate principal at Colleyville Heritage High School following a 14-year tenure as a coach and teacher. Coach Starnes is certified in the following areas: Superintendent, Principal, English, Social Studies Composite, and Physical Education.
Deb Harris currently serves as the Head Women's Basketball Coach for McKinney High School, a position she has held for the past 19 years. With an impressive tenure of 30 years in the field of education, Harris has dedicated 23 years specifically as a Head Girls Basketball Coach. In addition to her work in McKinney, she has contributed her expertise to various school districts, including Midland, Irving, Keller, and the Ursuline Academy. Deb Harris has been honored with the esteemed District Coach of the Year title an impressive 5 times, as well as being recognized as the Head Coach of the Year in McKinney Independent School District on three separate occasions. Her dedication to coaching excellence is further complemented by her exceptional achievements outside of athletics. Harris has been designated as the McKinney Independent School District's Inspirational Teacher of the Year an outstanding 7 times, demonstrating her exceptional ability to motivate and inspire her students. Moreover, she holds the unique distinction of being the inaugural recipient of the Pratt Award, the highest athletic accolade bestowed within McKinney ISD. Fueled by her commitment to servant leadership, Deb Harris endeavors to cultivate in her students a passion for excellence that extends beyond the basketball court. She aspires to empower young individuals to strive for their dreams, all while upholding the highest standards of achievement and character, both within and beyond the realm of sports
In the summer of 2017, in response to the urgent need for mental health services in her community, Heather Lambert left her 17-year career in education. Building upon her experience working as a classroom teacher, school counselor and administrator, she founded Clearhope Counseling & Wellness Center. Clearhope began with the simple mission to remove access barriers to high-quality mental health services. Today, Clearhope has multiple locations in the Greater Houston area. Heather and the Clearhope teams partner with school districts to provide on-campus mental health services, and trauma-informed trainings to support educators and students. Heather is the author of Overcoming Toxic Air A Path to Healing and Hope-Filled Exhales. Heather is also involved in political advocacy and was appointed to HB 906 Mental Health Task Force to study and evaluate mental health services to improve mental wellness in public schools across the state of Texas. Heather is driven by her personal vision that “No one should hurt alone.” Heather has been married to Pastor Brian Lambert for 30 years. Brian and Heather have 4 children.
Coach Matt Nally has been at the helm of Melissa Football since 2015. As the Head Football Coach, he has steered the Melissa Cardinal football team to an impressive overall record of 80-24, with a playoff record of 11-5. Nally's coaching prowess has been recognized with prestigious titles such as Coach of the Year for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023). His dedication to the sport was further acknowledged when he was named Texas High School Coach of the Week in 2020 and Dallas Cowboy Coach of the Week in 2023. His coaching journey began at Cayuga High School, where he held various coaching roles before ascending to positions of greater responsibility. Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Nally has also made significant contributions to the coaching profession through his publications in Texas Coach Magazine, his instructional video series with Championship Productions and Coach Tube, and his role as a keynote speaker at numerous clinics across the state of Texas. Nally graduated from Frankston High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas in 2003 and a Master of Education in Administration from Lamar University in 2011.
Travis Reeve is in his 25th year of coaching, and 12th year as a head football coach. As an assistant, he began his coaching career in 1998 at his high school alma mater Victoria High School. He then made stops at Plano West, San Antonio MacArthur, Cuero, and San Antonio Churchill. In 2012, he was named head football coach at Cuero High School where he spent 8 seasons, including a 4A Division II State Championship in 2018. In 2020, he became the head football coach at New Caney High School, and spent three seasons there. In 2022, New Caney finished as undefeated District 13-6A Champions and Area Finalist with an 11-2 record, which was the most wins in school history. Following the 2022 season, he took the head football coaching job at El Campo High School.
Dereck Rush started his high school football coaching career as a Co-Defensive Coordinator/Varsity Defensive Ends Coach at Odessa High School in 2000. He went onto serve on coaching staffs at Midland Christian High School and John Tyler High School, where was named the Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Coordinator in 2007, overseeing 65 coaches and 1,200 student-athletes. In 2012 he accepted the head coach and assistant athletic director position at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, overseeing 85 coaches and 1,900 student-athletes. Rush is an active member in his church where he serves on the member board of directors, is involved in several athletic associations and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His career includes the implementation of character development and community service programs for student-athletes, overseeing construction projects and developing numerous community partnerships. He earned a Master of Education degree from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the Bulldogs' football team. He also holds a certified athletic administrator certification from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and a teen leadership course certification from the Flippen Group's Capturing Kids' Hearts program.
Coach Bear Murchison is currently in his 29th year of coaching. Coach Bear is the defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge High School in the Conroe Independent School District since 2020. Before his time at Oak Ridge, Coach Bear was the defensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator at The Woodlands High School (2005–2020). Before his varsity coaching, he held various roles as a campus coordinator, junior high coordinator and assistant coach in wrestling, track and field. He coached in the 2016 6A Football State Championship, was the throws coach for TWHS in 1999 when they won their first state title in Track and Field. He also started the wrestling program at TWHS as served as the head coach. He has been a wrestling assistant coach for 19 years. Coach Bear has helped to send over 35 football players to play at the college level in his 18 years as a varsity football coach. In four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge, his defenses have finished in the top 3 in district stats all four years. Oak Ridge has made the playoffs three out of four of those years and has two play-off wins in that time. Oak Ridge had three play-off wins in the prior 38 years.
Coach Bear is a graduate of Texas A&M, ‘93, earning a BS in Kinesiology and Science Composite as his second teaching field. He earned a master's in education administration from Lamar university in 2009. In 2007, Coach Bear was recognized by the Montgomery County Hospital System with the Lifesaver Award for helping deliver CPR and use an AED to save the life of a coach who collapsed during practice. During his time in Aggieland he interned as a student athletic trainer for the Aggie Football and Aggie Track and Field teams. He earned his Athletic Trainer's License in 1995.
He grew up in Fredericksburg, Texas and is a 1989 graduate of Fredericksburg High School where he earned letters in football and track and field. He has been married to his wife Stacey for 20 years and has two children.
Lindsey Killingsworth serves as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy. She received a bachelor's of science in kinesiology (2007) and master's of science in sport management (2016) from Texas A&M University. Lindsey has over 15 years of experience in public education in Texas serving ISDs in the Panhandle, East Texas, and the Brazos Valley. During her coaching career she was a high school head basketball coach and assistant cross country and track coach. She has also served as a middle school athletic coordinator and head volleyball, basketball, and track coach. She specializes in creation, management, communication, and logistics of events in the educational and sports setting. As a former physical education teacher, she is passionate about life-long fitness and physical activity. Lindsey is also a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor and teaches classes in Bryan-College Station.
Dr. Craig began working in the Texas A&M Athletics Department in August of 2017 and is currently the Assistant Director of Counseling & Sport Psychology Services.
Dr. Craig completed her bachelor's degree in psychology from Midwestern State University and her master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma. She earned a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Oklahoma, where she worked with the Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athlete's (PROS) office for three years as a graduate assistant and clinical practicum student.
Dr. Craig also completed her doctoral internship with the Student Counseling Service at Texas A&M's Student Counseling Service from 2016-2017, where she received specialized training and work with student-athletes under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Pittsinger and Dr. Mary Ann Covey.
Coach Miles is in his 11th year in education and 10th year in FBISD. After serving a year as the Assistant Coach, he was named Swimming & Diving Head Coach in the Spring of 2021 where he quickly reorganized the team into a growing Aquatics program in anticipation of UIL's newest sport: Water Polo. Prior to teaching, Coach Miles spent 15 years in the U.S. Navy serving aboard 3 different fast attack submarines as a Chief Petty Officer. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Sport Management from Texas A&M and is a member of the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy's Veteran Coaching Program.
Christina Amo is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the School of Public Health. Her research focuses on Sport and Exercise Psychology. She is a coach and former athlete.
Dr. Michael “Coach” Thornton is the Director of the Texas A&M Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy, a Clinical Assistant Professor in Kinesiology and Sports Management, and continues to serve as the President/Executive Director of Read Youth Charities and the Deerfoot Youth Camp. Additionally, he is an official for Division 1 men's basketball. Coach Thornton serves on various department, college, and Texas A&M committees as well as advising the Women's Basketball Club Team and the Student Coaches Association.
Terreneé Knight was born in Gary, Indiana and moved to the Dallas, area around the age of 9. She is a proud graduate of Garland ISD's Naaman Forest High School where she was a 4 year varsity track team member and played basketball. Coach Knight graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies. She also holds a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix and principal certification from Lamar University. Her teaching and coaching journey began in 2009 as a middle school English teacher and basketball/track coach in Garland ISD. She has taught 6th and 8th grade English at the middle school level as well as English 1, 3, Creative Writing, and Literary Genres at the high school level. During the last 10 years of her 14 year tenure in Garland ISD, she has served as the Girls Athletic Coordinator at Lakeview Centennial High School. Coach Knight believes that hard work, commitment, and paying it forward are the cornerstone of being a great coach, teacher, leader and member of the community. She is the proud life partner of Micheal Robinson II and doting mother to her child, Makari.
Dr. Jamey Harrison is a dedicated and experienced professional whose connection with the UIL runs deep. Having been actively involved in UIL events as a student at his alma mater High School, Hardin-Jefferson High School, he participated in athletics, academics, and music, Harrison's passion for these activities influenced his career path as a teacher and coach. With a strong educational background, including serving on the Legislative Council as a superintendent, Harrison has consistently worked towards enhancing the academic and extracurricular experiences of Texas students. Prior to his current role, he served as the superintendent of Bridge City ISD for 4 years and has held various positions in public education for over 14 years, including teacher, principal, and deputy superintendent. Outside of his professional life, Harrison is supported by his family, including his wife Chelle, a former teacher, and their two sons, Jackson and Jett.
Coach Felicia Brock has been coaching at the high school level since 2013 as the Strength & Conditioning Coordinator at College Station High School. Coach Brock works with numerous teams including volleyball, girls cross country, boys cross country, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, softball, girls track & field, boys track & field, boys golf, girls golf, boys wrestling, girls wrestling and cheer. In addition to these HS teams, she assists with the athletic development at three middle schools in the district. Last, in addition to her role as S&C coach, Coach Brock is also the CSHS Assistant Athletic Coordinator and PE Department Head. Coach Brock is SCCC certified with the CSCCa and CSCS certified with the NSCA. She is also a proud member of the NHSSCA-TX. Coach Brock is happily married to Jobi Brock and they have two children, Evelynn (7) and Harrison (5).
Coach Brock attended Texas State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science. Later she earned her Master of Science degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Physiology from Texas A&M University. Coach Brock first started her strength & conditioning career interning at Texas A&M with her mentor, Raychelle Ellsworth in 2008. Upon completion, Coach Brock worked as the strength & conditioning coach at the collegiate level at the University of Houston, University of Florida, Samford University and Texas State University before shifting her role to the high school level.
Tonya McKelvey-White is the head track and field coach at James E Taylor High School at Katy ISD where she specializes in coaching the hurdles, sprints, long jump, triple jump, and relays. As a student-athlete for Clemson University, she garnered All-America honors in the long jump three times (NCAA Indoor in 1993 and 1994 and NCAA Outdoor in 1993). She was the Atlantic Coast Conference champion in that same event in 1992 and 1994. In 1993, she was a member of the ACC champion 4x100-meter relay team. McKelvey-White was also a qualifier for the USATF Nationals in 1993 and 1994. Upon completing her career at Clemson, she joined the South Carolina staff as an assistant coach. She then came became the first African-American female assistant in West Virginia University history when she joined the women's track and field staff in 1997 where she worked with the jumpers and hurdlers. She later coached at North Carolina A&T University.
Robert D Owens has been the Boys Coordinator, Head Football Coach, and Head Track Coach at Wellborn Middle School since 2018. He is also an FCA sponsor at Wellborn. Before coaching at Wellborn, Owens was an educator and coach at Southwest High School in Fort Worth, TX. He Studied Psychology and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University and was the class of 1994. He is a husband and father to his wife Stephanie Owens, and son, Preston Owens. 3 Minute Drill Podcast: Robert Owens
Kelli Campbell attended Texas A&M University from 1995-2000 and was a 4-year letterman on the track and field team. She also actively volunteered in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Aggie Athletes Involved. As a junior, Kelli entered the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting, and Master of Science in Management Information Systems. After graduating in 2000, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) then transitioned to Fortune 500 company, Temple-Inland, Inc. based out of Austin, Texas. While at Temple-Inland, she was an internal auditor and eventually became the Enterprise Change Management (ECM) Lead within the IT division.
Coach Maggie Younger joins the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy for episode 6 of the 3-Minute Drill. Maggie Younger is in her 18th season as the head volleyball coach at Rockwall-Heath High School. She started the program in 2004 and was awarded the 5A-6A Texas “Coach of the Year” award in 2014 by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Prior to her time at Heath, Younger was a dual sport athlete playing both volleyball and basketball at Northwestern State University.
Marty Criswell joins the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy for episode 5 of the 3-Minute Drill. Coach Criswell spent 32 years as an educator in Texas public schools, 23 of which were spent as an athletic director and head football coach. Coach Criswell's accolades are numerous, highlighted by his induction to the Texas High School Hall of Fame and a state championship with the Denison Yellow Jackets. He now resides in Bryan, Texas and is a recruiting consultant for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Megan Symank, the assistant athletic director for College Station ISD, joins the Thornton-McFerrin Coaching Academy for the fourth episode of the 3-Minute Drill. Coach Symank comes from a wealth of experience in the coaching profession. In 2012, Coach Symank initiated the College Station Lady Cougar Basketball program and throughout her career with the Lady Cougars, she tallied 195 wins, 7 trips to the playoffs, and a state tournament appearance. As a result, Coach Symank garnered the 2019-2020 “Coach of the Year” title from the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
Bryan Wood is the current Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Burnett High School in Burnett, Texas. Coach Wood enjoys sharing his coaching knowledge with young coaches who are looking to advance in their careers and is a Program Captain within the ROCK Mentor Program. Coach Wood has been a football coach in Texas for 22+ years and has coached at Shallowater, Sunray, and Randall High Schools.
Dr. Susan Elza is the first female UIL athletics director in the 105-year history of the organization. A Waco Midway high school graduate, Dr. Elza has served as the (Justin) Northwest ISD Executive Director of Athletics. Before that, she was assistant AD in the Allen school district and has been a head softball coach in both Garland and Allen.
Chris Castillo is the athletic coordinator and head football coach at the San Antonio Highlands High School. Coach Castillo is a native of Waco, TX, and has coached at the collegiate and high school levels. In his podcast, Coach Castillo brings a wealth of knowledge about athletic leadership and successful coaching principles.