From The Chair with Mike Hamilton: Recent Episodes
The Varsity Podcast Network
Mike Hamilton, former D1 athletic director and LEARFIELD executive vice president, sits down with athletic directors from across the industry to examine the current landscape of college athletics, and provide insight into the experiences, proficiencies and perspective on life From the Chair.
Joining this week’s “From the Chair” features Liberty AD Ian McCaw. Ian speaks to his 25 years as an AD at four different institutions, Liberty’s move to Conference USA, football scheduling as an Independent, Liberty’s resources and facilities, Hugh Freeze, the school’s Faith heritage and much, much more….
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Today's "From the Chair" features Louisiana AD Dr. Bryan Maggard. Bryan discusses his pursuit of his doctorate, his pathway to the chair out of the academic and student services pipeline and how his work on Mike Alden's staff prepared him for the job. We talk about a record fundraising year and maintaining a consistent winning culture even when coach changes occur. We end with Sun Belt expansion and the unique Cajun culture of Lafayette, LA.
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Today's "From the Chair" features Oral Roberts AD Tim Johnson. Tim and I spend a great deal of time talking about Former OKSt and Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips, the hiring of Dabo Swinney, Tim's time at Clemson and TD's influence on Tim's career. Tim details facility changes at ORU, how his law degree has informed his role as an AD, managing big expectations with a smaller budget and multiple points of pride relative to success in the ORU Athletic Program
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Today's "From the Chair" features Belmont AD Scott Corley. We discuss Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Rick Byrd, his successes, style, philosophy and legacy. We also dive into Scott's career track coming out of banking locally, facilities construction and what's on the horizon as the Bruins move to The Valley. That and much more on this week's episode
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Today's "From the Chair" guest is Brian Mackin, AD at UNCG. Brian unpacks how initially working in industry and banking led to his role on athletics, first at UAB and then later in the Conference USA office and now at UNCG. Brian also talks about the differences between his campus and conference office experiences and how he utilizes that experience as well as how it informs his interaction with the conference office today. We talk about the Greensboro sports community, playing in an off-site arena, launching, and growing an annual giving fund and much more.
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This week's "From the Chair" features Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff. Travis discusses his return to his alma mater, immediately having to hire a football coach, why Lance Leipold was the choice, his vision for football success and plans for Booth Family Memorial Stadium. We talk about KU basketball, maintaining historical success, Allen Fieldhouse, what makes Bill Self tick and what it meant to win a National Championship in his first year at AD. Lastly, we talk about Jim Phillips' influence on Travis, the creation of a new culture of success at KU and much, much more.
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This week's "From the Chair" guest is Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders. Patti discusses her career, her belief in coaching and education and from her time as the Program Coordinator in the NCAA’s Champs/LifeSkills program - the evolution of student-athlete welfare. Patti provides some great insight into leadership and mentoring theory, alignment and purpose, the power of having advocates, unconscious bias in the hiring process and the full depth and breadth of the work of Women Leaders in College Sports, including the upcoming convention in October.
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Matt Roberts, AD at the College of Charleston, joins today's "From the Chair." Matt assesses progress towards goals he set upon arrival six years ago, talks about fielding teams in sailing and equestrian, what life looks like without football and the continued investment in off-site first class facilities at Patriot's Point. Matt also gives us a quick look at the Colonial League and we close with his reasons why a visit to Charleston should be in your future.
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Iowa St AD and NACDA President Jamie Pollard joins this week's episode of "From the Chair." Jamie dives in on his long tenure in Ames, the success of the Cyclones and why culture matters. We discuss Matt Campbell's incredible run, the new football building, Hilton renovations and CyTown. We delve into conference realignment, changes in college athletics and the perspective of his experience and what time tells us. We wrap with a look into the upcoming NACDA Convention in Las Vegas and what the over 5000 attendees can expect.
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CMU AD Amy Folan joins this week's "From the Chair." We explore Amy's pre-AD career and lessons learned from a remarkable balance between internal and external experience, follow with a discussion of DeLoss Dodd's influence, dive deeper on why CMU was the right spot for her and look back on the Chippewa's bizarre but meaningful bowl experience in 2021. We wrap with advice for aspiring female AD candidates and the steadiness amidst rocky waters of the MAC.
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On today's "From the Chair," we are joined by Michigan AD Warde Manuel. From NOLA to Ann Arbor, Bo's influence, recrafting Coach Harbaugh's contract and resultant success, the role Doug Gnodtke has played in Warde's leadership teams, making measured decisions vs rash decisions in high profile circumstances and then we wrap with a discussion about the future of college athletics and some NOLA food suggestions.
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Indiana University AD Scott Dolson joins this week’s version of “From the Chair.” Scott discusses his intro to IU Basketball and serving as a basketball manager for Coach Knight. We go deeper on what drove Coach Knight’s success and how he applies leadership lessons learned, what characteristics of the ’87 Hoosiers drove championship performance and his role in bringing Coach Knight back to Assembly Hall. We discuss the very important topic of protecting an iconic brand while looking to the future, Scott’s working relationship with former AD Fred Glass and finally, what sustained success looks like for IU Football.
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Iowa AD Gary Barta joins this week's "From the Chair." Gary goes deep on the longevity of his career at Iowa, consistency in leadership as well as the culture of long-tenured Hawkeye head coaches. We discuss how important it is to continue to work to get better every day and how he approaches that endeavor. We celebrate the tradition of the Kinnick Wave and the impact of that tradition. Lastly, Gary shares his thoughts on the transfer rule and other contemporaneous issues that are grabbing headlines in today's college environment.
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This week's "From the Chair" features Troy AD Brent Jones. Brent speaks to lessons learned from the experience of playing D1, D2 and D3 Baseball and having had six head coaches. We discuss what role communication plays in change, how leadership competencies grow, the value of reading and other educational resources, how he views Sun Belt expansion and what Troy Athletics value proposition is. That and much more....
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Army West Point AD Mike Buddie joins this week's episode of "From the Chair." Mike discusses his time in professional baseball- including what he learned in that phase of his career as well as a great story around his inclusion in the 1998 New York Yankees World Series team photo. He details his return to Wake Forest to get his degree, Ron Wellman's influence, a first time AD role at Furman and ultimately his arrival at West Point. We dive in on the unique differences of being at a service academy and all that student athletes encounter on campus and in their athletic pursuits. We end with the pride that comes with serving at Army, Mike's favorite Army/Navy memory, the future of college baseball and Kevin Costner.....
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This week’s “From the Chair” features Seton Hall AD Bryan Felt. Bryan weighs in on serving his alma mater now for twenty plus years, his unique reporting relationship and the future of Pirate Athletics. We also reflect on his early days in broadcasting and particularly some thoughts and reflections on being involved in 9/11 coverage as a field producer for CNN. Bryan shares insight into his time as AD at St Peters, he also discusses hiring Shaheen Holloway there and now again at Seton Hall. That and more on this week’s episode. Listen in…
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Buffalo AD Mark Alnutt joins this week’s “From the Chair.” Mark discusses his recent WBB hire, the process and how he determines and vets candidates. Mark also unpacks why Buffalo has become known as a place that provides a platform for coaches and administrators to achieve success. We discuss the stability of the MAC, Mark’s career ascension, Mike Alden’s influence and lastly, what he’s learned as a parent of a student-athlete.
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St John's AD Mike Cragg joins this week's "From the Chair." Mike and I discuss his 30 year tenure at Duke, including his insider's perspective on Coach K's career and success. We also spend time on St John's basketball history and the future of the Big East....we wrap up discussing the Hill to Laettner pass to beat Kentucky and his best memories from the events of his career.....
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Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt joins this week's version of "From the Chair." Kirby addresses the number of K-State football staff/team members for the '90s in leadership roles in today's environment and then unpacks the power of relationships and those who impacted him. We also discuss the necessity of having relationships that build your leadership capacity, what he has learned about hiring coaches, thoughts around today's most burning concerns and the future of Red Raider Athletics.
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Stephen F Austin AD Ryan Ivey joins this episode of “From the Chair.” Ryan and I discuss diving into change at a new institution, honoring the past but looking to the future, implementing a new and challenging vision, establishing values and setting expectations, moving SFA Athletics from the Southland to the WAC, hiring head coaches, a mentor’s role in creating aspirations and much, much more….
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Joining me on today's "From the Chair" is University of South Dakota AD David Herbster. David and I discuss the post-season run of the WBB Program, the Eric Peterson MBB hire, lessons from his three different stops as an AD, how to navigate the position you're in, lessons from the last 24 months, the future of D1...and the correct pronunciation of Coyote....
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Kent State AD Randale Richmond joins this week's episode of "From the Chair." Randale speaks to being a "statistical anomaly," recounts influencers and influences in his life, opportunities accessed and experiences gained. We also talk about "internal backgrounds" in sport administration, his meticulous interview preparation, the power of transformational leadership and what's next once you get an AD opportunity.
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Joining this week's episode of "From the Chair" is NIU AD Sean Frazier. Sean and I dive in on his work nationally around DEI over the last two years and his insights on growth in this area - both in the student athlete arena and well as in administrative leadership roles. We also talk about his personal growth as a leader during the pandemic and with a major change in his football program. We discuss his candid and insightful thoughts on the portal, NIL and the D1 Transformation Committee and then end with a personal anecdote about our shared connection with having a child on the spectrum. This a good one...listen in.
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Listen in to today's episode of "From the Chair" with SMU AD Rick Hart. Rick and I discuss being a third generation athletic administrator, the evolution of the student-athlete experience and today's opportunities as a result. We also dive in on the future of D1 Athletics post-Transformation Committee, college athletics' historical communication patterns and then finish with a discussion of SMU Athletics and its place in the DFW Metroplex. A good listen- tune in....
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Listen in to this week’s guest on “From the Chair,” Oregon AD Rob Mullens. Rob and I discuss AD tenures, his engagement with the Olympic/Paralympic ThinkTank, renovations at historic Hayward Field, maintaining a student-athlete focus, the impact Penny and Phil Knight have had on the University, hiring Dan Lanning and more....
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Florida State VP and Director of Athletics Michael Alford joins this episode of " From the Chair." Alford discusses lessons learned from working with some of the sports most iconic leaders at places with big brands. He details his leadership philosophy centered around critical and clear communications, and why he uses proactive data analytics assessments in hiring, but also in evaluating talent. He also dives in on his decision to risk leaving an FBS AD job to head to a legendary development shop that ultimately led to the AD chair at FSU. All that and more....
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Dr Eric Wood, Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech joins this episode of “From the Chair.” Eric discusses the idea of maximizing the job you’re in, taking advantage of chances to expand your skill set, lessons learned from serving on his alma mater’s Board of Trustees, serving as a first year AD in midst of all that faces college athletics today and much more….
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Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack joins this week’s episode of “From the Chair.” John unpacks serving as AD at his alma mater and what drives him. He discusses his 30 years at ESPN, producing college football’s first broadcast while there, the evolution of media, technology and broadcast production and what’s next. Lastly, he also shares lessons learned in the last 24 months of the pandemic. Listen in…..
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Join us for this week's edition of "From the Chair" with Tulane Director of Athletics Troy Dannen. Troy spends time on his role on the NCAA Constitution Committee, the outcomes this far and what to anticipate next over the next twelve months. We also visit about Tulane's historical contingency plans around hurricane activity and a number of stories from this Fall's displacement to Birmingham. All that and more on this week's edition....
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Listen in to today’s episode of “From the Chair” with Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko. Jared weighs in on his experience at four SEC schools, creating standards of excellence as a new AD, philosophy behind mid-year coaching changes, what he looks for in coach hires, what he saw that stood out with new FB Coach Clay Helton, where the Sun Belt landed in conference realignment, how we will navigate CoVid in 2022 and lastly, his love of the grill and specifically… brisket.
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On today’s episode of “From the Chair” we are joined by DePaul University Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. Dwayne discusses “Dreaming Big,” being given a chance to grow and learn under Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart, his relationship with Coach John Calipari and his thoughts and plans to return Blue Demon Basketball back to national relevance and success.
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Listen in to this episode of “From the Chair” as we are joined by KState Director of Athletics Gene Taylor. Gene provides insight on working with legendary administrator Jack Lengyl, moving North Dakota St from NCAA D2 to D1, setting the foundation for success there, working through a transition plan w Hall of Famer Coach Bill Snyder and then closes with some candid discussion about realignment news earlier in 2021 and his most recent appointment to the CFP Committee.
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Montana State Director of Athletics Leon Costello joins “From the Chair” on this week’s episode. Listen in as Leon discusses strategic plan assessment, hiring to cultural fit, facility sequencing, the Brawl of the Wild, Big Sky football success and much more…
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Join us this week on “From the Chair” as Scott Barnes, VP and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Oregon State is our guest. Scott discusses AD and Presidential alignment, reflections from serving as Chair of the NCAA Basketball Committee, “punching above your weight class” in pursuit of Championships, the 2021 post-season basketball run by the Beavers, Reser renovations and more…
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Joining us on this week’s “From the Chair” is Southern Miss AD Jeremy McClain. Jeremy discusses his trek from Houlka, MS to a successful baseball career and ultimately back to his alma mater Delta State. He became AD at age 30 with no athletic administration experience and has now moved on to AD stints at Troy and his current role at Southern Miss. We will talk about hiring tendencies, stepping outside your comfort zone, taking chances, Southern Miss and the decision to move to the Sun Belt and lastly a little bit about the Delta Blues. That and more on today’s episode….
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University of Memphis AD Laird Veatch is up on this week’s “From the Chair”. Listen in as we discuss how Memphis is bouncing back from CoVid, conference realignment and where Memphis sits in the equation, his thoughts on the CFP and possible expansion, his time with LEARFIELD and applied lessons to his job as an AD today, playing for Bill Snyder, adopting a son, a politically correct assessment of Memphis BBQ…..and more.
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This week’s “From the Chair” features Washington St AD Pat Chun. Pat discusses the arrival of new PAC12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff, the Alliance, what it means to have great Presidential alignment, development strategy, doing more with less but still expecting championship performance, the flag waver society, the Palouse, and whether Lane Kiffin or Mike Leach is a better Twitter follow. All that and more…..
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This week’s “From the Chair” features Eastern Michigan AD Scott Wetherbee. Join us as Scott discusses mentors and his career path, what it means to “outwork” people in college athletics, how he has honed his fundraising chops at EMU leading to the University’s biggest gift in history, what it looks like to engage a student body when your athletic facilities are off-campus, the ins and outs of the transfer portal and more….
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Vanderbilt AD Candice Storey Lee joins “From the Chair” and discusses the decentralizing of NCAA activity around allowing conferences to set the standards for educational related benefits being distributed to student-athletes, her career at Vanderbilt and the advantages of her length of time on campus, the importance of having smart people around you who are willing to challenge you in the right way, her perspective on how athletics has approached race relations and some of the major movements happening in our country, and what she would be doing if she wasn’t an Athletic Director.
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Join us as Boise State University AD Jeramiah Dickey talks starting a new job during a pandemic, hiring a coach within his first week on the job, conference realignment for Boise State, and his favorite place to eat Mexican! All that and more on this episode of From the Chair.
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Charlotte AD Mike Hill joins “From the Chair” and discusses the role former Florida AD Jeremy Foley played in his career and in his leadership philosophy, the excitement on the Charlotte campus with the University trajectory, new athletic and institutional branding and the progress being made in Football since its launch in 2013. Mike also gives his thoughts on NIL, the role Chris Fuller plays on his staff and lastly….what’s on his surprising Spotify playlist and what band he’s seen live over 20 times.
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Join us as University of Tennessee AD Danny White unpacks what it has been like growing up in a family steeped in athletic administration experience, why he chose to come to Tennessee, why Josh Heupel was his choice for football coach and his excitement around seeing UCF’s upcoming move to the BIG12. All that and more on this episode of From the Chair…..
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Ohio AD Julie Cromer joins “From the Chair” for an informative discussion on her perspective as both a long term NCAA staff member and a senior level staff member and AD on campus to offer insights on historical context around governance, communication gaps and what might be forthcoming as the industry examines the future of the college athletic model. Julie also unpacks how evidence based decision-making informs her coaching hires and in the midst of this year’s realignment news, why G5 schools still play a critical role in college athletics.
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Join us as Utah St AD John Hartwell dives in on his philosophy on new coach hires, how he led his MBB search without a search firm involved and why fit matters among other key factors in the hiring process. We will also look at John’s career track, thoughts on leadership development for the industry’s rising stars, John’s thoughts on recent conference realignment and pick up a real estate tip along the way.
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Join us as Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork discusses a host of topics including his career track and mentors, personal lessons learned from the pandemic, how to manage through leadership transitions, why coaching continuity matters, the most recent realignment news and the future of the NCAA.
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