Full Transcript for Episode #154: Katelyn Smith

why she values fundraising and creativity, and why she'd rather build something with the right person than chase a resume that just looks good on paper. 00:02:43.834 --> 00:02:45.128 And then there's her culture. 00:02:45.604 --> 00:02:47.433 She wants loud hallways. 00:02:47.584 --> 00:02:49.563 She wants real relationships. 00:02:49.653 --> 00:02:52.683 She wants coaches who bring solutions, not complaints. 00:02:52.954 --> 00:02:56.734 She believes division two can be the most sane division right now. 00:02:57.213 --> 00:03:05.824 Still competitive, still scholarship opportunities, but with a real commitment to the student athlete experience where people know your name. 00:03:06.063 --> 00:03:09.304 The gym is packed and the community is invested. 00:03:09.763 --> 00:03:12.013 This is leadership the way it's supposed to be. 00:03:12.013 --> 00:03:21.282 Work hard, treat people with respect and put the best people in the right positions to create something special for the student athletes going through their college journey. 00:03:21.733 --> 00:03:23.652 So here's part one with Caitlyn Smith. 00:03:23.907 --> 00:03:39.207 Athletic director at Adams State University and make sure you come back for part two on Monday because we're gonna dive into recruiting division two, recruiting the NCAA transfer portal, NIL, and the real world challenges athletic leaders are navigating every day. 00:03:39.448 --> 00:03:40.377 Let's get into it. 00:03:40.557 --> 00:03:42.388 Here's Caitlin Smith. 00:03:43.388 --> 00:03:44.497 Kailyn, so great to see you. 00:03:44.497 --> 00:03:49.478 Thanks for being on the show and talking to us about Adam State and NCAA division two. 00:03:49.897 --> 00:03:50.677 Yeah, absolutely. 00:03:50.677 --> 00:03:51.252 Thank you for having me. 00:03:51.906 --> 00:03:54.816 I love the transition that you've done in your career. 00:03:54.906 --> 00:03:56.075 'cause I was kinda like that. 00:03:56.126 --> 00:04:06.735 I was a teacher and a high school coach and then I moved up to college and then I moved up to ad and it, it takes so many bumps in the road to kinda learn how to do everything. 00:04:06.735 --> 00:04:10.756 And I was a head coach and I don't think anybody ever taught me how to be a head coach then. 00:04:10.756 --> 00:04:12.616 I was an AD and nobody taught me how to be an ad. 00:04:13.066 --> 00:04:15.586 You just have to figure some things out. 00:04:15.635 --> 00:04:21.005 When you went through your transition, you were a cis coach, then you were the business manager for athletics, then your athletic director. 00:04:21.516 --> 00:04:25.565 How has that full circle journey shaped the leader you are today? 00:04:26.766 --> 00:04:29.136 Yeah, I know, I think you hit on a really good point. 00:04:29.136 --> 00:04:30.906 It's definitely all about figuring it out. 00:04:30.935 --> 00:04:35.016 And I think that it's something where an opportunity was given. 00:06:57.725 --> 00:06:58.146 Um. 00:07:01.221 --> 00:07:06.021 It was

there and it's how you just run with it and yeah, figure it out, get thrown in the fire. 00:07:06.172 --> 00:07:09.112 And so I think that's something that has really shaped me to where I am today. 00:07:09.922 --> 00:07:15.982 Coming in at a time that was as difficult of taking over during COVID ultimately, which, I already don't know what I'm doing now. 00:07:15.982 --> 00:07:20.802 You've got this layer on top of it, so it's like an extra wait, what am I doing? 00:07:20.851 --> 00:07:25.401 But that has actually helped me in a lot of ways to where now I'm like, what? 00:07:25.911 --> 00:07:27.112 There's nothing I can't handle. 00:07:27.112 --> 00:07:29.901 That's kinda the attitude that I've tried to have for sure. 00:07:29.901 --> 00:07:32.482 You know those challenges that come to you and you're like. 00:07:33.151 --> 00:07:35.732 We were able to make it this far and make it through everything there. 00:07:35.732 --> 00:07:37.742 Try to attack everything I can head on. 00:07:38.021 --> 00:07:40.572 And that's helped me develop to where I am and who I am today. 00:07:41.007 --> 00:07:41.297 Yeah. 00:07:41.302 --> 00:07:41.531 Yeah. 00:07:41.581 --> 00:07:50.752 It's amazing how many things you have to do on a daily, weekly, monthly, annual basis as an ad that nobody gets to see. 00:07:51.172 --> 00:07:54.891 I remember taking over Maryville's ad job in 2000 and. 00:07:55.766 --> 00:07:57.127 I don't even remember in 2003. 00:07:57.507 --> 00:08:01.047 And our four year NCAA study was due like in three months. 00:08:01.617 --> 00:08:01.797 Oh, yeah. 00:08:02.487 --> 00:08:04.286 And the president goes, we need to get this done. 00:08:04.346 --> 00:08:06.117 And I go, I don't even know what this is. 00:08:06.357 --> 00:08:07.766 I never heard of it before. 00:08:08.016 --> 00:08:10.656 And I dove in and it was like 160 pages. 00:08:10.706 --> 00:08:15.086 I had to get everybody on campus involved and get data and stats. 00:08:16.091 --> 00:08:25.841 What has been some of the big things that you've had to learn about athletics and NCAA athletics that maybe would surprise people about your job? 00:08:26.906 --> 00:08:31.497 Yeah, I think it, a lot of times in my job I say, you never know what you're gonna get. 00:08:31.687 --> 00:08:34.326 You have a compliance, rule book for example. 00:08:34.326 --> 00:08:36.397 You have everything that the NCA says. 00:08:36.397 --> 00:08:38.376 I feel like, yes, that is there. 00:08:38.376 --> 00:08:40.017 But so many other things. 00:08:40.076 --> 00:08:45.581 It's like when you have a job description and it's like other duties as a sign that is I feel like literal in this role. 00:08:45.802 --> 00:08:47.226 I just think, being an ad. 00:08:48.236 --> 00:08:51.716 It's your, you have your hand in everything and that oversight of everything. 00:08:51.716 --> 00:08:52.076 Right? 00:08:52.076 --> 00:08:57.586 And so for me, coming up on the business side of things, and that was really only for, a couple of years. 00:08:57.586 --> 00:09:05.631 So fortunately I learned a lot there because I had a great ad that over, saw and he was at, he allowed me to just do, which helped me figure things out. 00:09:05.902 --> 00:09:11.251 But then coming into the ad role you've got you're a compliance person coming to you and they're asking you questions and you're like. 00:09:11.836 --> 00:09:12.346 Okay. 00:09:12.346 --> 00:09:12.706 Yep. 00:09:12.706 --> 00:09:14.177 And we're just gonna have to figure this out. 00:09:14.297 --> 00:09:20.956 And so I do think that, like only coming up in the one route was definitely something to where I've had challenges with some of the other areas and figuring it out. 00:09:21.147 --> 00:09:28.591 And then that could go into how you have to hire the right people in those roles and let those people do, I don't want to be a compliance officer. 00:09:28.591 --> 00:09:29.432 No, thank you. 00:09:29.491 --> 00:09:32.741 So I'm gonna hire somebody that's gonna be, good in that role. 00:09:32.951 --> 00:09:37.351 And so I think just thinking about, it's funny'cause you'll get emails from, the NCA at a conference and they're like. 00:09:37.636 --> 00:09:38.777 Oh, this is due on this date. 00:09:38.777 --> 00:09:40.667 And you're like, okay, all right. 00:09:40.667 --> 00:09:46.096 We're gonna, we're gonna figure this out so I can totally understand the reporting and then getting the people involved. 00:09:46.307 --> 00:09:51.736 And I think something that's really cool about this is you don't realize how many people have a play in keeping college athletics running. 00:09:52.076 --> 00:09:55.736 You had mentioned going across campus, all the different people you're having to get involved. 00:09:55.787 --> 00:09:56.716 Like we cannot. 00:09:57.047 --> 00:10:00.226 Function without them, especially at such a small school like ours. 00:10:00.261 --> 00:10:14.121 And so I think that's another big thing is when something where we see something or it feels like a challenge it's that reassurance that we know we're not alone in this because of that support and that small, tight-knit community we have here it's important to me. 00:10:15.366 --> 00:10:16.596 It's why I do the podcast. 00:10:16.596 --> 00:10:19.547 It's why I write every week and why I do, everything that I do. 00:10:19.547 --> 00:10:35.067 And my side of this now is not only coaching parents and teenagers on that transition to college, but also I do a lot of executive coaching with coaches who just, they're struggling, they're fighting through this or that. 00:10:35.336 --> 00:10:37.947 They're trying to figure out who they are and who they wanna be. 00:10:37.947 --> 00:10:40.647 Just as much as these families and kids are. 00:10:41.726 --> 00:10:53.366 What role do you feel like you're responsible for in, in terms of just coaching your coaches and making sure they can be the best version of themselves for all your kids At Adam State? 00:10:53.937 --> 00:10:56.346 No, it's a,

that's a really good question and something that I. 00:10:57.206 --> 00:11:03.167 I try to take a lot of pride in because I think, my job is to take care of all of our student athletes, right? 00:11:03.172 --> 00:11:06.261 I can't sit there and be there for all 500 plus of them. 00:11:06.261 --> 00:11:08.871 I can be there as much as I can, but it's impossible to do that. 00:11:08.871 --> 00:11:15.981 So then I need to make sure I'm hiring the right people in those roles to then take care of those student athletes. 00:11:16.081 --> 00:11:21.751 Parents are trusting us with their kids, and so it's so important that we find the right people. 00:11:21.751 --> 00:11:23.072 And I think part of that is. 00:11:23.522 --> 00:11:28.792 How I figured out who I am as a leader, who I am as a person, and then what I wanna instill in our coaches. 00:11:29.011 --> 00:11:35.011 And I think what we've really laid our hat on here is that sort of hard work, blue collar work ethic, right? 00:11:35.131 --> 00:11:38.922 So we're gonna get kids that can come in here that they can work hard. 00:11:39.417 --> 00:11:40.616 They're gonna have to grind. 00:11:40.616 --> 00:11:41.517 Adam states a grind. 00:11:41.517 --> 00:11:42.947 We're a small tight community, right? 00:11:42.947 --> 00:11:44.267 We're very rural there. 00:11:44.267 --> 00:11:46.817 There's nothing, there's really not a lot to do around here. 00:11:46.817 --> 00:11:47.897 Nothing to do on the weekends. 00:11:47.897 --> 00:11:51.346 So if you come here, you're gonna be focused in and do your sport. 00:11:51.346 --> 00:11:52.486 Becomes your job. 00:11:52.892 --> 00:11:56.642 And so I think like when I bring in coaches, like one, that's what I look for in our coaches. 00:11:56.822 --> 00:12:01.461 We may not always have, coaches with all the experience or all, head coaching experience here and here. 00:12:01.642 --> 00:12:06.442 But I like to see those young hungry coaches because I feel like I see that within our athletes. 00:12:06.442 --> 00:12:09.172 So young, hungry athletes that just wanna get better. 00:12:09.532 --> 00:12:10.822 And so when it comes to. 00:12:11.381 --> 00:12:12.552 We work hard around here. 00:12:12.552 --> 00:12:14.861 That's something that we'll always hang our hat on. 00:12:15.111 --> 00:12:20.572 We have, it's always like that, having respect for each other and then just having a great working environment. 00:12:20.621 --> 00:12:22.272 I'll tell you, we have a great culture here. 00:12:22.402 --> 00:12:24.381 Our offices are, they're loud. 00:12:24.572 --> 00:12:28.731 Which I think is a good thing'cause I've been in other departments and sometimes you're like, why is it so quiet? 00:12:28.731 --> 00:12:32.451 I literally work in athletics because I've been in another office and it's way too quiet. 00:12:32.701 --> 00:12:33.601 But it's part of that. 00:12:33.927 --> 00:12:39.177 When you're in this small place, I can literally yell down the hallway and get someone's attention

or walk down and see a coach. 00:12:39.177 --> 00:12:42.736 And so I think it's also for me, I wanna be available for my coaches. 00:12:42.947 --> 00:12:46.596 I'm gonna be seen, I'm gonna be at events, I'm going to be, around. 00:12:46.687 --> 00:12:50.976 I consider myself like I work in athletics also, so I don't have to sit behind a desk all day. 00:12:51.277 --> 00:12:57.006 And I think that's something that's important for coaches because then that builds that relationship to where we can talk to each other. 00:12:57.006 --> 00:12:59.287 You've got something, come to me, let's figure it out. 00:12:59.407 --> 00:13:00.697 So I'm very much a. 00:13:01.517 --> 00:13:02.386 Really instilled that. 00:13:02.386 --> 00:13:05.746 If Coach you wanna come to me with something, let's, we're gonna talk about solutions. 00:13:05.746 --> 00:13:07.006 We're not here to just complain. 00:13:07.006 --> 00:13:11.596 We're gonna, we're gonna move forward, we're gonna find solutions and we're all gonna make this place better together. 00:13:12.596 --> 00:13:17.756 It's a great transition'cause you guys have been top 20 in the Learfield Directors Cup. 00:13:17.756 --> 00:13:20.037 I'm a consistently a year in and year out. 00:13:21.037 --> 00:13:26.037 And a big part for me, when I go speak at a high school or something like that I tell everybody I want you to remove. 00:13:26.537 --> 00:13:30.197 If the word success from your vocabulary, and I want you to replace it with significance. 00:13:30.826 --> 00:13:33.017 'cause success is mere chance. 00:13:33.067 --> 00:13:36.277 It's, it can be luck, it can be, you had a good day. 00:13:36.817 --> 00:13:43.267 For me, significance is learning how to do that year in and year out and have that sustain success. 00:13:43.657 --> 00:13:47.136 What does that look like for you at the division two level? 00:13:47.136 --> 00:13:48.067 How do you do that? 00:13:48.116 --> 00:13:50.576 How do you make sure there's that consistency? 00:13:50.576 --> 00:13:52.907 Maybe you're not winning a championship every year. 00:13:52.907 --> 00:13:53.506 Maybe you're not. 00:13:54.496 --> 00:13:56.687 Every year in the top three or four in the conference. 00:13:56.687 --> 00:14:05.626 But how do you get your kids and your coaches and all the admin on the same page where you're like, we gotta always be here. 00:14:05.836 --> 00:14:07.907 This is where we're trying to get to every year. 00:14:08.476 --> 00:14:11.626 No, I've definitely been striving to each year make us better. 00:14:11.626 --> 00:14:17.636 And I think that success is I appreciate the way you frame that because there's so many different layers to it. 00:14:17.907 --> 00:14:17.996 Yeah. 00:14:18.027 --> 00:14:20.067 And I think part of that starts with that. 00:14:21.072 --> 00:14:22.211 Recruiting process, right? 00:14:22.211 --> 00:14:27.552 We're gonna get the kids here that know that they're gonna grind work hard and they're gonna give it their all. 00:14:27.761 --> 00:14:32.861 Because that's something that when you're not fully funded, we don't have all the resources. 00:14:33.101 --> 00:14:38.201 But I think one thing we focus on what we can control and what we can control is how we work. 00:15:15.812 --> 00:15:17.491 What are we, are, we're not giving up. 00:15:17.491 --> 00:15:20.101 Like those are the things that we try to hang our hat on and focus on. 00:15:20.402 --> 00:15:22.172 And so as we get that, as we get the right. 00:15:22.532 --> 00:15:25.442 One, you gotta get the right coaches here that understand that and feel that. 00:15:25.692 --> 00:15:28.802 Also knowing hey, I'm not gonna focus on what I don't have. 00:15:28.802 --> 00:15:33.091 I'm gonna focus on what I do have and I'm gonna do the best that I can with what I do have. 00:15:33.331 --> 00:15:34.861 And then that's when we can grow. 00:15:35.111 --> 00:15:42.162 We've seen that in some of our programs, just as they continue to elevate, people get behind that and next thing you know, we're able to give them more. 00:15:42.491 --> 00:15:45.221 But my big thing is when a coach comes in Hey, you've gotta show me. 00:15:45.221 --> 00:15:46.532 You can do with what you got. 00:15:46.752 --> 00:15:47.502 To get started. 00:15:47.741 --> 00:15:54.292 I think another thing that we're super fortunate here is we have, our head coach, Damon Martin our CrossCountry director of CrossCountry Track and Field. 00:15:54.522 --> 00:16:00.012 We have over, I think it's 68 national titles within the sport of track deal. 00:16:00.412 --> 00:16:06.591 Damon has over four, I think he has 40, correct me if I'm wrong, but yeah, I think he has around 40 right now. 00:16:07.086 --> 00:16:13.417 So having that is something that these coaches can come in and really look up to and strive for. 00:16:13.667 --> 00:16:15.706 His office is incredible. 00:16:15.897 --> 00:16:18.057 It's literally lined with trophies. 00:16:18.086 --> 00:16:22.466 And so what we also use that as is, hey, when we're bringing coaches here, on visits, right? 00:16:22.466 --> 00:16:23.606 We're looking for a new head coach. 00:16:23.606 --> 00:16:26.437 Hey this is our standard, but this didn't happen overnight. 00:16:27.037 --> 00:16:37.116 Because I think something that's also super important is that it can get really easy to think that the grass is greener somewhere else, or I'm gonna come in, I'm gonna do this, and then go, no, this didn't happen overnight. 00:16:37.116 --> 00:16:38.466 This was years in the making. 00:16:38.647 --> 00:16:44.917 So we also try to find people that are gonna be committed, that they're bought in and being like, Hey, this is our standard and this is what we're striving for. 00:16:45.216 --> 00:16:46.866 And then that trickles down to the kids. 00:16:47.027 --> 00:16:48.557 We bring kids on recruiting visits. 00:16:48.616 --> 00:16:51.647 Literally any sport will stop by that office and be like. 00:16:51.991 --> 00:16:53.012 Just take a look in there.

00:16:53.142 --> 00:16:54.971 This is what Adam State is. 00:16:55.091 --> 00:16:55.512 That's right. 00:16:55.562 --> 00:17:01.812 And so having that visual I think has really helped too to understand that this is a culture of, a really a culture of excellence, right? 00:17:01.812 --> 00:17:05.922 We're always chasing excellence here and that excellence can also come in many forms. 00:17:06.231 --> 00:17:08.031 One thing too, it's also in the classroom. 00:17:08.221 --> 00:17:13.351 We hit a 3.0 department wide GPA last spring, which is one of the highlights of like my entire career. 00:17:13.406 --> 00:17:13.866 That's great. 00:17:13.866 --> 00:17:14.027 Great. 00:17:14.027 --> 00:17:16.861 Mean that's a lot of work to get to that point. 00:17:17.701 --> 00:17:22.021 The, the best thing is you see them graduating and you see them walk across that stage. 00:17:22.021 --> 00:17:28.392 And I think still one of the most rewarding things is a kid that's been here for all four, five years, however, long that they've been here. 00:17:28.392 --> 00:17:33.371 If they came through COVID and it's wow, you all stayed and you're gonna be better because of that. 00:17:33.682 --> 00:17:37.341 So I think, yeah, there's definitely that We're always chasing excellence in everything that we do. 00:17:39.186 --> 00:17:43.831 You you've used the phrase, the right coaches, getting the right coaches here a couple times. 00:17:44.281 --> 00:17:46.211 And I know you're in the middle of a search right now. 00:17:46.311 --> 00:17:58.151 So I'm gonna since this is all fresh in your brain, I wanna talk a little bit about that process because the last time I applied for a head coaching job and got the job, I think there was 300 applicants. 00:17:58.481 --> 00:17:58.751 Wow. 00:17:59.411 --> 00:18:00.521 And that was for basketball. 00:18:00.551 --> 00:18:03.011 Basketball and football volley a lot. 00:18:03.011 --> 00:18:05.381 Sometimes you just get an immense baseball softball. 00:18:05.381 --> 00:18:07.061 You get an immense amount of applicants. 00:18:07.391 --> 00:18:10.331 People just come out of the woodworks to apply for jobs. 00:18:11.801 --> 00:18:17.442 Talk a little bit about how that journey begins for you once that job is posted. 00:18:17.491 --> 00:18:18.431 And'cause. 00:18:19.841 --> 00:18:23.771 Just in what we talked about before we recorded, it's obvious you have the right mindset. 00:18:23.771 --> 00:18:26.021 We can't, this can't be eight weeks long. 00:18:26.171 --> 00:18:28.181 This can't take two and a half months to get a coaching. 00:18:28.451 --> 00:18:32.231 We need somebody here recruiting, building relationships yesterday. 00:18:32.561 --> 00:18:32.801 Yep. 00:18:33.131 --> 00:18:36.461 So talk a little bit about that, because it's maddening. 00:18:36.491 --> 00:18:42.506 If I told the average person, here's 20 applicants, you've gotta find the best person we're gonna hire. 00:18:42.556 --> 00:18:47.446 Now we're talking about a head job at a

division, two level scholarships. 00:18:47.686 --> 00:18:50.446 It's good money, great opportunity. 00:18:51.256 --> 00:18:59.206 You've got all these people that are coming at you, and everybody's mom and brother and sister are calling you to say, Hey, you should hire this person, right? 00:18:59.726 --> 00:19:06.596 What is that beginning, middle, and end look like for you, and how do you deal with all that from a mental perspective? 00:19:07.506 --> 00:19:12.261 Yeah, no, I think I, we, I feel like in athletics we always have this like sense of urgency, right? 00:19:12.266 --> 00:19:18.476 And I think sometimes that's probably my biggest hangup is sometimes other areas of campus don't have that same sense of urgency. 00:19:18.656 --> 00:19:23.206 So it's usually I am very much if I know a coach is leaving, boom, I'm on it. 00:19:23.236 --> 00:19:24.596 'cause I gotta get that posted right away. 00:19:25.241 --> 00:19:28.241 From the state of Colorado, we do have to have the job posted for two weeks. 00:19:28.241 --> 00:19:30.851 So I know I've got at least that two week waiting period. 00:19:31.061 --> 00:19:32.771 But we're doing all the work in the backend. 00:19:32.931 --> 00:19:45.141 We're creating timelines, we're reviewing candidates, we're, sorting, starting to sort through them so that way when that two week date hits we're reviewing on that day to then be able to do those first round interviews. 00:19:45.531 --> 00:19:52.181 And I think, for me it's, it's crazy because I think my first, like summer here, I think we had about seven searches. 00:19:52.826 --> 00:19:57.266 We were just like, it was again, that out of COVID we weren't able to hire. 00:19:57.266 --> 00:19:59.726 So now all of a sudden I've gotta hire all these people. 00:19:59.926 --> 00:20:02.846 That was, my first experience, for example, hiring a football coach. 00:20:03.056 --> 00:20:07.196 And we actually ended up doing internal, so it wasn't as intensive, but oh my goodness. 00:20:07.196 --> 00:20:10.371 Hire a football coach is probably one of the hardest things that I've done. 00:20:10.631 --> 00:20:12.916 Just the amount of, I, I completely agree. 00:20:12.916 --> 00:20:15.196 It was the hardest search I've ever done when I had to hire a football coach. 00:20:15.406 --> 00:20:19.296 Yeah, just the amount of phone calls to people and I'm over here just oh my God. 00:20:19.326 --> 00:20:20.016 It's a lot. 00:20:20.016 --> 00:20:24.266 And I think what I think is, so it's really easy to like doubt yourself, right? 00:20:24.266 --> 00:20:26.546 It's really easy just to be like, oh my gosh, is this the right person? 00:20:26.546 --> 00:20:27.356 Is this the right person? 00:20:27.446 --> 00:20:32.396 So it really took me some time to then feel like what I'm looking for and what I know is gonna be the right fit. 00:20:32.676 --> 00:20:34.876 Because I think I'm over here I don't know anything about football. 00:20:34.936 --> 00:20:37.756 I'm like, I can know some basics, but I'm not gonna know that. 00:20:38.026 --> 00:20:38.086 Yeah. 00:20:38.086 --> 00:20:42.166 And so I think for me it's really looking at what kind of experience does someone have. 00:20:42.491 --> 00:20:49.317 We do have, usually your minimum qualifications and that's all laid out already, but I'm not always I could have two resumes and. 00:20:50.116 --> 00:20:52.336 One could have a lot more experience. 00:20:52.336 --> 00:20:54.346 Maybe on paper is way more qualified. 00:20:54.466 --> 00:21:01.196 But if we get to that first interview we're bringing on campus and I'm sitting in a room talking to'em, I feel like that's when I really try to sort through'em. 00:21:01.446 --> 00:21:03.936 I think because it can be so different from step by step. 00:21:04.236 --> 00:21:08.706 But what I really found is that I find people, or I try to find people. 00:21:09.036 --> 00:21:11.046 That one have been at smaller schools. 00:21:11.076 --> 00:21:12.576 'cause that does help a little bit, right? 00:21:12.606 --> 00:21:19.746 As many times sometimes as you have those that have maybe been bigger schools and they're like, oh, I know what it's like to work at a, a small school. 00:21:19.746 --> 00:21:22.146 It's if you haven't done it, it can be a little challenging, right? 00:21:22.356 --> 00:21:25.836 Sometimes we can work through it'cause we've had that too, and it's been great. 00:21:26.166 --> 00:21:31.341 But really trying to find those people that have proven and shown that they've grinded and they found ways with what they have. 00:21:32.016 --> 00:21:34.536 I say all the time that we have to get creative here. 00:21:34.776 --> 00:21:36.876 And that's something that I really look for in people. 00:21:36.876 --> 00:21:38.076 Can you get creative? 00:21:38.256 --> 00:21:39.846 Can you think outside of the box? 00:21:40.067 --> 00:21:44.296 One big question we ask is, how are you gonna recruit kids and how are you gonna recruit'em here? 00:21:44.446 --> 00:21:46.516 What are you gonna show that we can offer? 00:21:46.796 --> 00:21:54.186 So I really try to have that conversation with'em, and I think that it's truly those fit is just such an important thing for me. 00:21:54.186 --> 00:21:58.361 And I wish I had a very clear cut of like how I do it, but for me it's very. 00:21:59.256 --> 00:22:02.016 When I, we bring finalists on campus and I sit down with them. 00:22:02.016 --> 00:22:04.567 I feel like it's, a lot of times I gut check too, right? 00:22:04.567 --> 00:22:09.576 Of I know that this person may not be the most qualified, but they're a better fit for our department. 00:22:09.786 --> 00:22:15.576 And the ones that have been better fits are the ones that have actually lasted longer than the ones that might have been more qualified. 00:22:15.786 --> 00:22:18.817 So really for me it's and again our department's so small, right? 00:22:18.817 --> 00:22:20.496 So it's like we're doing the meetings. 00:22:21.126 --> 00:22:25.986 Meeting with

all the coaches and staff at one time, and next thing you know, they're like little puppies running around the office. 00:22:25.986 --> 00:22:26.976 Like I'll ask, what'd you think? 00:22:26.976 --> 00:22:27.516 What'd you think? 00:22:27.516 --> 00:22:30.636 But because it's like everybody also cares. 00:22:30.817 --> 00:22:34.386 Everybody wants to bring someone in that's gonna fit what we already have. 00:22:34.626 --> 00:22:37.036 We don't have any coaches that are just in and out all day. 00:22:37.036 --> 00:22:38.146 We've got coaches that have. 00:22:38.521 --> 00:22:41.761 All the kids are like besties and they're all running wild. 00:22:41.761 --> 00:22:43.321 So we're like, Hey, you got a kid? 00:22:43.321 --> 00:22:43.891 This is great. 00:22:43.891 --> 00:22:45.181 This is a, great fit for you. 00:22:45.371 --> 00:22:49.081 We do a lot of things as a staff and it's Hey, who's gonna be a good golfer with us? 00:22:49.081 --> 00:22:51.761 Or who's gonna, things like that, that we think about. 00:22:51.761 --> 00:22:56.621 So it really, truly, for me, fit will outweigh what's on paper. 00:22:56.821 --> 00:23:00.481 And sometimes figure out weight qualifications, I guess sometimes for me is what I'm. 00:23:00.886 --> 00:23:01.576 I think about there. 00:23:01.906 --> 00:23:02.956 Absolutely. 00:23:03.001 --> 00:23:05.631 You've gotta have the right person on that bus with you. 00:23:05.631 --> 00:23:10.221 And that has to be the person you wanna work with every day that can handle conflict with you. 00:23:10.221 --> 00:23:12.771 'cause you know you're gonna have that can handle the chaos. 00:23:13.101 --> 00:23:14.361 Because you know you're gonna have that. 00:23:14.571 --> 00:23:14.661 Yeah. 00:23:14.661 --> 00:23:17.301 Who's that person you want in that foxhole with you? 00:23:17.301 --> 00:23:17.311 Yeah. 00:23:17.871 --> 00:23:20.751 And who's gonna get along with your staff and the other coaches? 00:23:20.811 --> 00:23:22.731 It, there's so many levels to that. 00:23:23.331 --> 00:23:24.321 I wanna go backwards though. 00:23:24.321 --> 00:23:27.621 I'm gonna, I'm gonna pick on you a little, just pick on your brain a little bit. 00:23:27.801 --> 00:24:08.086 You are reading the cover letter, are there a couple things that kind of jump out at you at a cover letter and you're like, okay, I'm excited to read this resume now? 00:24:08.596 --> 00:24:14.416 Or, and are there things that are like, okay, ai did this or this person put two sentences together? 00:24:14.626 --> 00:24:20.176 Are there things, are there good and bad when you're reading a cover letter that kind of pop in your head right away? 00:24:20.746 --> 00:24:21.026 Yeah. 00:24:21.026 --> 00:24:23.666 Authenticity is one of'em is something that I look for. 00:24:24.281 --> 00:24:30.281 I'm also very big on if your cover letter doesn't match your resume, that's usually a big red flag for me. 00:24:30.641 --> 00:24:33.371 Or if there's something where I'm very big on like dates. 00:24:33.371 --> 00:24:35.381 So if there's a date that's like an end date. 00:24:35.831 --> 00:24:39.791 But it's not if they're in their most previous role and it's not present, it's to an actual end date. 00:24:39.911 --> 00:24:45.621 So then I'm over here you better be addressing that in your cover letter because I wanna know'cause, and my thing is, it's gonna be asked more. 00:24:45.651 --> 00:24:47.091 Especially in this world, right? 00:24:47.331 --> 00:24:48.471 Of college athletics. 00:24:48.591 --> 00:24:50.451 And so I think really just that authenticity. 00:24:50.451 --> 00:24:52.611 I like to see people that have taken programs. 00:24:52.611 --> 00:24:52.971 I like to. 00:24:53.406 --> 00:24:59.956 I like to try to feel out how they respond and interact with their student athletes as well. 00:25:00.116 --> 00:25:00.596 Like that. 00:25:00.716 --> 00:25:02.816 Do you, are you gonna be there for your student athletes? 00:25:02.816 --> 00:25:04.856 You're gonna be hard on'em, but you're gonna love'em too. 00:25:05.006 --> 00:25:05.366 Can do. 00:25:05.366 --> 00:25:08.516 They show that kind of work ethic and that grind in the cover letter. 00:25:08.636 --> 00:25:10.706 And again, that just comes out to being very real. 00:25:10.956 --> 00:25:14.386 I mean we've seen I think all sorts of things in cover letters. 00:25:14.396 --> 00:25:18.131 We've seen the wrong school listed where it's just like a template one and then it's moved over. 00:25:18.131 --> 00:25:18.141 Yeah. 00:25:18.476 --> 00:25:22.856 I also like to see a little bit about why you wanna be at Adam State, because I think that's super important. 00:25:23.166 --> 00:25:28.876 What attracts you about this role and what have you done makes you feel like you'd be a good fit here? 00:25:29.206 --> 00:25:31.716 So those are the, some of those points I think I look at initially. 00:25:32.946 --> 00:25:33.186 All right. 00:25:33.186 --> 00:25:34.686 Let's talk about the resume now. 00:25:35.226 --> 00:25:38.226 Are there things that you just know that you've gotta have? 00:25:38.226 --> 00:25:40.126 You've talked about small school history. 00:25:40.176 --> 00:25:45.486 I always wanted to have three head coaches experience, and then I wanted some assistance. 00:25:45.486 --> 00:25:50.856 I wanted to have that mix that we were interviewing those people that were ready for that next jump. 00:25:51.126 --> 00:25:55.896 But I also wanted us to be able to compare those to those coaches that have been doing this for a while. 00:25:55.896 --> 00:26:02.076 Where are you at with that and what you're looking for before you move them ahead to maybe that first zoom or phone interview? 00:26:02.971 --> 00:26:05.551 Exactly what you just said, we usually look for some variety. 00:26:05.551 --> 00:26:10.171 So looking at some of those that have been in the head coaching chair, because I think that also brings a lot of value. 00:26:10.321 --> 00:26:13.021 Someone that's done it they've

proven that they can do it. 00:26:13.351 --> 00:26:16.411 But then I also like to look at some of those young hungry assistant coaches. 00:26:16.621 --> 00:26:21.161 I think too, there, there's a big difference for me because I was an assistant coach. 00:26:21.441 --> 00:26:27.741 You can tell the difference between the different layers of assistant coaches, so sometimes those assistant coaches at bigger schools. 00:26:28.146 --> 00:26:34.416 You're really not doing a lot of X's and O's or you're maybe just barely touching it unless you're up at this level of it. 00:26:34.416 --> 00:26:34.476 Yeah. 00:26:34.656 --> 00:26:37.836 So it's assistant coaches definitely don't scare me. 00:26:37.836 --> 00:26:45.696 I love seeing hungry assistant coaches, but there is that layer of what level of assistant coach, because I know assistant coaches can grind because I've done it. 00:26:45.946 --> 00:26:50.956 But I also know that there's, different layers to where if you were an assistant coach and only doing this. 00:26:51.556 --> 00:26:53.236 This could be a big step for you. 00:26:53.286 --> 00:26:53.466 Totally. 00:26:53.466 --> 00:27:01.006 And so I was trying to shoot those gradual steps, but I love having it, in a perfect world, it's really nice to have kind of a different variety that we're able to bring. 00:27:01.226 --> 00:27:03.506 Because then when we bring'em to campus, it makes it a lot. 00:27:03.506 --> 00:27:05.516 We see it all, which I really appreciate. 00:27:06.806 --> 00:27:09.716 Every school's a little bit different how they go about that next step now. 00:27:09.716 --> 00:27:11.036 Okay, now we're gonna interview. 00:27:11.436 --> 00:27:13.086 In a lot of schools, the HR will tell you. 00:27:14.091 --> 00:27:17.691 Whatever questions you're asking this candidate, you have to ask the same ones to the next candidate. 00:27:17.721 --> 00:27:17.931 Okay. 00:27:17.981 --> 00:27:26.661 There's just the politic, the politics of it and making sure you're crossing your t's of do in your i's when you see there's some things in a resume. 00:27:26.661 --> 00:27:28.761 You're like, gosh, I really like this person. 00:27:29.391 --> 00:27:30.891 This is the kind of energy I want. 00:27:30.891 --> 00:27:33.291 I love the authenticity of the cover letter. 00:27:33.291 --> 00:27:35.901 It seems like they put some real thought into wanting to be here. 00:27:35.951 --> 00:27:38.411 And what this place means to us, but. 00:27:38.936 --> 00:27:47.356 Gosh, I don't know if they, I don't see that they have a real history of running an offense or I don't see that they've been the closer with recruiting. 00:27:47.896 --> 00:27:56.821 Are there things that you want to get into in that first phone call with them to answer those questions no matter what your standard list is? 00:27:57.841 --> 00:27:58.851 Yeah, so definitely. 00:27:59.661 --> 00:28:02.511 The way we do it is we have our first round, zoom interviews. 00:28:02.571 --> 00:28:07.791 I'm very fortunate to have a staff that's been in place that they've got that down, and I put people in there that I trust. 00:28:07.791 --> 00:28:11.391 I'm like, you all tell me who you feel like, you wanna bring to that next step. 00:28:11.721 --> 00:28:16.541 And then after that I'll do a little bit more of a dive into their, a little bit closer into the resume cover letter. 00:28:17.001 --> 00:28:23.691 And then talk to my committee to then get some feedback where they're like, Hey, someone's really good in this area, but we do have some questions about this. 00:28:23.871 --> 00:28:25.791 So I take their feedback first. 00:28:25.791 --> 00:28:32.201 And then I also do my own feedback specifically with football, just'cause that was a, we did that search over a little over a year ago. 00:28:32.441 --> 00:28:33.911 Again, I knew nothing about football. 00:28:33.941 --> 00:28:35.561 I was like, yeah, football coach. 00:28:35.561 --> 00:28:36.521 Yeah, it's all the same, right? 00:28:36.551 --> 00:28:37.751 Yeah, no, very different. 00:28:37.961 --> 00:28:41.951 So then I'm getting people asking me, do you want like a defensive coach or an offensive coach? 00:28:41.951 --> 00:28:42.401 And I'm like. 00:28:42.691 --> 00:28:52.291 So that was actually something that was really cool'cause I was able to, we actually had a variety of both offensive and defensive sides of the ball, so it was really cool to be able to dive into that a little bit. 00:28:52.291 --> 00:28:52.351 Yeah. 00:28:52.711 --> 00:28:55.391 But I'll be completely honest, like I hate interviews. 00:28:55.421 --> 00:28:56.711 I absolutely hate'em. 00:28:56.981 --> 00:29:00.271 I know we have to do them, which is why I've moved away. 00:29:00.686 --> 00:29:04.466 We do our first round Zoom interviews, and those are all obviously same questions, all of that. 00:29:04.706 --> 00:29:08.066 But when I bring them to campus, we don't do any sort of formal interviews. 00:29:08.246 --> 00:29:12.696 What we do is we set their schedule to very much I want you to meet with all these different people. 00:29:12.696 --> 00:29:15.156 You're gonna meet with all of our coaches and staff. 00:29:15.306 --> 00:29:18.716 I want you to meet one-on-one with our strength staff our athletic trainers. 00:29:18.746 --> 00:29:20.846 'cause I want you to know who you're gonna be working with. 00:29:21.026 --> 00:29:23.176 Do you all see, do we have similar philosophies? 00:29:23.176 --> 00:29:31.356 Do we feel like, because if you have a coach come in and they're like, no, I wanna do all my own, training and strength that's usually that's sometimes that can be a little bit of a turnoff, right? 00:29:31.576 --> 00:29:35.986 I'll usually meet with them and then what we'll do is we'll have them also meet with the team. 00:29:35.986 --> 00:29:42.826 So anytime it is a head coach, we will always include the student athletes because I think that their voices are very important. 00:29:43.606 --> 00:29:50.266 We also make it clear

that it's hey, just because if you all really want this person, it doesn't always mean that you know you're gonna get it right. 00:29:50.476 --> 00:29:56.206 But we do provide feedback for them, and I actually go in there after they've met with all for this next search, it'll be three of them. 00:29:56.476 --> 00:29:59.776 So I'll go in there, find a separate time to meet with them and get their feedback. 00:30:00.086 --> 00:30:06.286 I will be, it's actually cool to see that a lot of times it actually aligns with where I'm at and like our committee's at. 00:30:07.021 --> 00:30:13.961 But I do take that feedback very seriously because I do understand that so far we've been aligned, but there could be that time when it doesn't align. 00:30:13.961 --> 00:30:20.471 Next thing they don't like it and that, but I also think another layer of that is, Hey, we all really like this person. 00:30:20.471 --> 00:30:21.581 You all really like this person. 00:30:21.581 --> 00:30:24.646 If they don't work out, this really, no one else we can blame except ourselves, right? 00:30:24.746 --> 00:30:25.176 That's right. 00:30:25.226 --> 00:30:26.696 Everybody's at fault on this one. 00:30:26.966 --> 00:30:28.046 And so I include them. 00:30:28.126 --> 00:30:35.436 And then we do a lot of, instead of sitting down formally with the search committee, you're gonna go to lunch with them and you all are just gonna have good, engaging conversations. 00:30:35.676 --> 00:30:38.136 And I think that's something that we really found works for us. 00:30:38.466 --> 00:30:51.036 Because again, it's back to what I was saying earlier, it's all about finding the right fit and it's really just we used to joke that one of my former compliance individuals he was, he would sit down with them and he was like our vibe check guy. 00:30:51.336 --> 00:30:56.166 So we would be like, let's see what he thinks because he is usually got the best vibe reader on all of'em. 00:30:56.171 --> 00:30:58.476 And what's kind, I just having a vibe check guy in it. 00:30:58.686 --> 00:31:00.936 Yeah, it's really helpful, I'll tell you. 00:31:01.176 --> 00:31:03.371 But it, it's cool though to see like the way we've gone through it and. 00:31:03.916 --> 00:31:14.236 Usually people do become aligned and then after that, obviously especially if you come down to where you can't decide between a couple we'll obviously reference checks and really take the time to do it'cause it's a big decision. 00:31:14.296 --> 00:31:15.076 It really is. 00:31:15.076 --> 00:31:18.106 And it's something that you wanna, be as, as right as you can be on it. 00:31:18.676 --> 00:31:19.186 Yes. 00:31:21.431 --> 00:31:26.411 It is it's so trying and I completely understand where you're coming from the interview perspective. 00:31:26.441 --> 00:31:34.701 'cause it is, it's just it's monotonous and it's almost like you're rooting for this person to blow your doors off. 00:31:34.701 --> 00:31:36.801 Just come in and inspire us. 00:31:36.801

--> 00:31:38.151 Just come in and motivate us. 00:31:38.151 --> 00:31:38.811 Please. 00:31:39.081 --> 00:31:39.891 That's what we want. 00:31:39.891 --> 00:31:40.971 That's what the kids want. 00:31:41.301 --> 00:31:41.781 Yep. 00:31:41.871 --> 00:31:43.971 And oftentimes you get somebody that. 00:31:44.601 --> 00:31:45.741 Doesn't understand. 00:31:45.791 --> 00:31:46.961 We are hiring you to be a coach. 00:31:46.991 --> 00:31:47.681 Coach is here. 00:31:48.371 --> 00:31:49.921 Give us give us your coach attitude. 00:31:49.921 --> 00:31:50.401 Yeah. 00:31:50.671 --> 00:31:50.731 Yeah. 00:31:50.731 --> 00:31:52.201 And we, you don't always get that. 00:31:53.381 --> 00:31:57.351 I am struck because I'm going through, I'm interviewing for three jobs right now. 00:31:57.601 --> 00:32:06.051 I'm running the interview for three jobs right now, or I'm hiring three college coaches and I'm struggling with how bad the writing is. 00:32:06.201 --> 00:32:06.441 Yeah. 00:32:06.471 --> 00:32:08.211 We've seen that too, where. 00:32:09.691 --> 00:32:13.771 You're not telling me in the cover letter why you want, why you're even applying for this job. 00:32:14.551 --> 00:32:16.481 Why, like you said it's so important. 00:32:16.481 --> 00:32:18.791 Why here, why what are you gonna do here? 00:32:19.241 --> 00:32:27.301 And I've been writing a ton about it in my blog about, this is what you're, I wanna see in a cover letter and this is what I wanna see in your resume. 00:32:27.351 --> 00:32:29.151 Don't tell me how many games you won. 00:32:29.201 --> 00:32:30.741 I wanna see the specifics. 00:32:30.791 --> 00:32:34.241 What is it about coaching that you've learned along the way? 00:32:35.486 --> 00:32:37.256 That makes you prepared for this job. 00:32:38.336 --> 00:32:49.896 Talk a little bit about when you do see that resume, are there things that surprise you sometimes in a good way where you're like. 00:32:51.356 --> 00:32:52.886 I haven't seen a lot of that. 00:32:52.886 --> 00:32:56.636 Is there any of those resumes you're looking at right now and going, I like that. 00:32:56.636 --> 00:33:00.716 I like,'cause not every coach will put, this is my team GPA for the last four years. 00:33:00.816 --> 00:33:01.056 Yeah. 00:33:01.056 --> 00:33:04.066 Not every coach will say I was involved with this. 00:33:04.116 --> 00:33:07.896 I wasn't just the soccer coach, I was also doing this on campus. 00:33:07.896 --> 00:33:09.771 Are those things important to you? 00:33:10.821 --> 00:33:11.791 I would say, yeah. 00:33:11.841 --> 00:33:13.191 A lot of times coaches, yes, you're right. 00:33:13.191 --> 00:33:15.666 Defer to like wins and losses and that is good to see. 00:33:16.551 --> 00:33:18.081 We do like to see GPA. 00:33:18.111 --> 00:33:22.401 I think it is good to see that as well as retention, just to try to get a little bit of an idea. 00:33:22.701 --> 00:33:26.106 And another big one here that, and it's actually one of the questions that we asked. 00:33:26.751

--> 00:33:33.441 Is their experience fundraising fundraising and running camps, because that's a staple for a head coaching job here. 00:33:33.651 --> 00:33:36.891 And so I don't wanna see there's a lot of ways you can fundraise, right? 00:33:36.891 --> 00:33:39.751 But I wanna see a little bit more than we sold t-shirts, right? 00:33:39.831 --> 00:33:42.381 I wanna see a little bit more back to that. 00:33:42.381 --> 00:33:52.671 Cre creativity is something that we're really looking for because we do understand we've got, limited resources and or can you show to me that you can find a way to make up some of those gaps? 00:33:53.406 --> 00:33:56.806 Or you're telling me you wanna go into this tournament, it's okay, where's the money for it? 00:33:56.806 --> 00:33:57.886 How are you gonna raise this? 00:33:57.886 --> 00:34:00.046 Or it better already be in the bank before we spend it. 00:34:00.356 --> 00:34:01.916 So I think that's something too, that coaches. 00:34:02.741 --> 00:34:08.981 Coaches are, especially at this level, and I could say arguably at all levels, they're not just coaches. 00:34:09.161 --> 00:34:11.621 They are sometimes fill parental roles. 00:34:11.621 --> 00:34:13.422 They are counselors. 00:34:13.422 --> 00:34:16.632 They are like the people that get called in the middle of the night. 00:34:16.632 --> 00:34:20.702 They, sometimes, like they're, they feel like the judge, the jury, and every they just feel like everything. 00:34:20.942 --> 00:34:30.961 And so we do try to also see that and capture that as well, knowing that we need someone that's gonna be, they're gonna see these students as more than just athletes because it. 00:34:31.382 --> 00:34:34.161 It's crazy how many times our coaches would be like wanted to be a head coach. 00:34:34.161 --> 00:34:35.362 I thought I would just be able to coach. 00:34:35.362 --> 00:34:35.572 Yep. 00:34:35.572 --> 00:34:35.871 Nope. 00:34:35.871 --> 00:34:37.702 Jokes on you, because there's a lot more to it. 00:34:38.061 --> 00:34:38.871 That's right. 00:34:40.072 --> 00:34:41.762 There is it's such a big job. 00:34:41.817 --> 00:34:44.217 You have to be the CEO of a program. 00:34:44.292 --> 00:34:47.727 You have to be, you have to have a business mind. 00:34:47.997 --> 00:34:48.267 Yeah. 00:34:48.577 --> 00:34:56.707 If you don't have that entrepreneurial spirit, it, it can, you're gonna struggle as a head coach at any level. 00:34:58.207 --> 00:34:59.677 Talk a little bit about pipelining. 00:35:00.052 --> 00:35:16.097 I preach this when I'm doing some coaching with adsd, especially young adsd i'll talk about if you don't have a folder in your desk, for every sport, for every coach that you run across, you see an assistant that comes to campus that's you're playing against and they're dynamic. 00:35:16.097 --> 00:35:22.967 If you're not keeping a list of coaches that when, if your coach leaves, you have some ideas. 00:35:23.022 --> 00:35:24.852 You're always starting from zero. 00:35:25.392 --> 00:35:32.162 Where are you at with that pipelining philosophy in terms of I'm not just gonna wait to see who applies. 00:35:32.732 --> 00:35:35.872 I'm gonna, I'm gonna I'm gonna encourage some people to apply. 00:35:36.112 --> 00:35:37.192 Are you in that world? 00:35:38.422 --> 00:35:42.142 It's funny because I always tell, I have an extremely like guilty conscience. 00:35:42.322 --> 00:35:49.592 So I feel like if I were to, I almost feel guilty if I were to like reach out to somebody and be like, Hey because I feel like I'm such a people person. 00:35:49.592 --> 00:35:52.772 I have great relationships, especially with the ADSD in our conference. 00:35:52.962 --> 00:35:55.542 To where that, so there has been sometimes be like, Hey. 00:35:55.962 --> 00:35:57.552 Definitely wanna reach out to this person. 00:35:57.552 --> 00:35:58.422 Is that okay? 00:35:58.692 --> 00:35:58.842 Alright. 00:35:58.842 --> 00:36:00.762 So I do have a little bit of that. 00:36:00.822 --> 00:36:07.962 Our coaches are also very well connected for example, it's like our basketball coaches were like, Hey, I know a couple volleyball coaches at this school I was at. 00:36:07.962 --> 00:36:12.552 So I feel like the coaches also do a lot of that work for me, which I do appreciate. 00:36:12.942 --> 00:36:13.032 Yes. 00:36:13.072 --> 00:36:18.592 Another big thing that we do look at my first, I would say, line of defense or layer is alumni. 00:36:18.592 --> 00:36:19.942 Do we have any alums? 00:36:20.257 --> 00:36:22.357 That are in that world that wanna come back. 00:36:22.357 --> 00:36:27.397 Because I will say we have found a lot of success in bringing back a lot of our alums to campus. 00:36:27.527 --> 00:36:28.697 People that have gone out. 00:36:28.737 --> 00:36:30.447 Our football coach is a great example. 00:36:30.537 --> 00:36:35.817 Went out, had coached at a couple different D two schools, had been at DC, was doing so many good things. 00:36:36.177 --> 00:36:37.527 He checks so many boxes, right? 00:36:37.527 --> 00:36:38.667 He's ready for the next step. 00:36:38.667 --> 00:36:39.747 Ready for the head job. 00:36:39.747 --> 00:36:41.727 He's got the love for Adam State. 00:36:41.727 --> 00:36:48.087 And obviously not I think with certain searches though I feel like there's some of our areas where not a lot of coaches came outta that sport, and that's okay too. 00:36:48.237 --> 00:36:55.727 But that is something that we always try to keep in touch with too, is bringing back those alums, especially those alums that were part of really good and successful programs. 00:36:55.727 --> 00:36:55.787 Yeah. 00:36:55.957 --> 00:36:57.097 Because that's what they, they've. 00:36:57.817 --> 00:37:00.967 Their blood set and tears here and they've worked through it and they know what it's like. 00:37:00.967 --> 00:37:02.857 So we've seen a lot of that too. 00:37:04.747 --> 00:37:09.727 I'm gonna, we'll say August 12th, I wanna put you in front of all your

athletes. 00:37:09.727 --> 00:37:12.817 I'm sure you do something before every season with your athletes, right? 00:37:12.817 --> 00:37:18.427 You get everybody in a room or a gym and talk to all your football, soccer, and Yep. 00:37:18.517 --> 00:37:19.417 Volleyball players. 00:37:20.677 --> 00:37:27.777 What are some of those things and come at it from the perspective of the parents that are listening, the high school coaches that are listening to this. 00:37:27.857 --> 00:37:44.777 On the mindset of those kids that are transitioning to college, transitioning to that division two high level of athletics, what are some of those things you're talking to your student body about that you expect from them for their upcoming season? 00:37:46.067 --> 00:37:50.537 Yeah, my coaches joke with me'cause they pretty much know my spiel'cause it's really not long. 00:37:50.777 --> 00:37:57.017 When I do talk to the students, because I'm very, I, what I really focus on is letting them know that I'm here for them. 00:37:57.317 --> 00:38:01.517 My door's always open, you know where to find me, reach out to me if you need anything at all. 00:38:01.517 --> 00:38:04.307 So I think that's a big one that I hit on is knowing that I'm there for them. 00:38:04.667 --> 00:38:09.667 Another big thing I hit on is don't do stupid things because we will find out about it. 00:38:09.917 --> 00:38:12.077 They always think they're sneaky, they're not. 00:38:12.347 --> 00:38:16.157 Usually things always come back to us, especially in a small campus, small community. 00:38:16.277 --> 00:38:17.237 And we talk about that. 00:38:17.237 --> 00:38:19.787 We talk about there's people in the community that watch you. 00:38:19.787 --> 00:38:21.107 They know who you are. 00:38:21.297 --> 00:38:24.657 A lot of you wear Adam State outta your athletic stuff all the time. 00:38:24.807 --> 00:38:30.057 So just remembering that and really to be good stewards of the community and be involved in the community. 00:38:30.657 --> 00:38:32.007 Is a lot of things that we hit on. 00:38:32.007 --> 00:38:35.007 So it's a lot of that from a kinda that care Hey, we're here for you. 00:38:35.007 --> 00:38:38.757 We care about you, we wanna see you all be successful and what we're here for. 00:38:38.757 --> 00:38:46.457 And then we do have everybody in our department introduce themselves, all of our support staff, because I think that's important that they know who people are. 00:38:46.677 --> 00:38:50.847 I do think that it's gotten a lot better, but I think it's interesting. 00:38:50.847 --> 00:38:52.392 My trajectory as an ad was. 00:38:53.337 --> 00:38:55.947 I was almost too accessible and available to start. 00:38:56.197 --> 00:39:03.122 Because I think sometimes, students would come talk to you and it was good to hear from them, but sometimes you're like, okay we've gotta work on some other things. 00:39:03.122 --> 00:39:06.412 We gotta be a little bit tougher that,'cause like you talk, they're saying

things about coaches and sometimes you're like. 00:39:08.147 --> 00:39:10.427 Just trying to take that deep breath and you're like what's the problem? 00:39:10.477 --> 00:39:13.057 Just because a lot of times it comes back to playing time too. 00:39:13.057 --> 00:39:16.057 And so I've also made it very clear that like I do not discuss playing time. 00:39:16.327 --> 00:39:19.777 That is not something that I will ever be a part of because that's not my job. 00:39:20.197 --> 00:39:24.367 And so a lot of times when you're peeling back these layers, like if we've got real issues, I don't know about'em. 00:39:24.637 --> 00:39:28.477 But if you're upset because you're not playing, I unfortunately, I really can't help you. 00:39:28.852 --> 00:39:34.012 That's helped me get to this better point to where it doesn't feel like every kid's coming to you, because they're not playing. 00:39:34.162 --> 00:39:37.192 But also not scared to bring the real issues to my attention. 00:39:39.412 --> 00:39:41.902 I was an ad college ad at 27. 00:39:41.902 --> 00:39:46.132 You wanna talk about unprepared and I think. 00:39:46.957 --> 00:39:50.137 Maybe the youngest coach I had might've been in their late thirties. 00:39:50.137 --> 00:39:52.567 Everybody else was probably 39 to 50. 00:39:53.017 --> 00:39:58.297 So I just remember how challenging that was to just earn their trust. 00:39:58.352 --> 00:40:07.162 When you talk about everything you just talked about with kids, which is just fantastic, it's the right approach, it's the right idea and you're talking about the right challenges that you've had to face to learn in that. 00:40:08.062 --> 00:40:10.912 What are some of the things you're doing with your coaches? 00:40:11.932 --> 00:40:16.912 To get them to understand not only your expectations, but that they can trust you. 00:40:17.447 --> 00:40:19.952 That you're doing this collaboratively. 00:40:20.282 --> 00:40:24.452 You gotta be the boss, you gotta make the hard decisions, but you're doing it with them. 00:40:24.822 --> 00:40:28.267 Where does, is that individual meetings, is that in staff meetings? 00:40:28.317 --> 00:40:29.397 Where do you build that? 00:40:30.492 --> 00:40:30.822 Yeah. 00:40:30.822 --> 00:40:32.102 No I appreciate that too. 00:40:32.102 --> 00:40:34.987 And I understand I think I was 28, so Yeah, you're over here. 00:40:35.037 --> 00:40:36.417 I have no idea what I'm doing. 00:40:36.667 --> 00:40:40.117 It, I feel like a lot of it happened fluidly. 00:40:40.117 --> 00:40:40.517 I, I. 00:40:41.392 --> 00:40:45.952 I, I, luckily, I was in this department before, so I already had an idea about how it ran. 00:40:45.952 --> 00:40:48.652 So I feel like the operational side of it, I could handle that. 00:40:48.682 --> 00:40:50.452 Just like I said, I hate interviews. 00:40:50.452 --> 00:40:51.412 I also hate meetings. 00:40:51.502 --> 00:40:52.282 Absolutely hate'em. 00:40:52.592 --> 00:40:57.152 So I am very much a, I'm gonna pop into your office, you're gonna pop by mine. 00:40:57.152 --> 00:41:00.042 We're gonna, text text me, call me, do whatever. 00:41:00.042 --> 00:41:04.122 So I think one, I make myself accessible to them, like literally 24 7. 00:41:04.522 --> 00:41:07.632 When we do bring no co no coaches in, it's I should know about something. 00:41:07.632 --> 00:41:09.132 I shouldn't hear about it from someone else. 00:41:09.132 --> 00:41:13.302 Just like we would ex the students should let the coach know,'cause the coach shouldn't know about from someone else. 00:41:13.302 --> 00:41:15.002 And, as it goes up the ladder there. 00:41:15.292 --> 00:41:19.512 And so I really just think it's the interaction with coaches and just being human. 00:41:19.542 --> 00:41:21.217 Like I don't feel like I am. 00:41:22.192 --> 00:41:23.332 I'm above anyone, right? 00:41:23.332 --> 00:41:24.352 Yes I am the boss. 00:41:24.352 --> 00:41:27.797 I'm running everything, but I truly don't feel like I come in like that. 00:41:27.907 --> 00:41:28.987 I don't know if that makes sense. 00:41:28.987 --> 00:41:29.917 It makes complete sense. 00:41:29.947 --> 00:41:30.247 Yeah. 00:41:30.397 --> 00:41:30.457 Yeah. 00:41:30.457 --> 00:41:34.867 Just things like that to where it's we're all in this together because we all have the same common goal. 00:41:35.077 --> 00:41:42.542 And I think by me not coming in, that top down mentality has really helped, bring everybody up to where it's like, all hey, let's see what Caitlyn thinks, but run it by me. 00:41:42.542 --> 00:41:43.052 Okay, great. 00:41:43.052 --> 00:41:43.352 Boom. 00:41:43.352 --> 00:41:43.742 Good. 00:41:43.902 --> 00:41:44.172 And kind. 00:41:44.172 --> 00:41:52.062 It's funny like with the student athletes, sometimes the coaches would bring stuff to me and at first it's like you're trying to take everything in, but it's like that's not sustainable. 00:41:52.452 --> 00:41:58.242 And so part of me becoming a better leader, I would say a lot of it is going from being a manager to a leader, right? 00:41:58.332 --> 00:42:01.272 Because I'm so used to managing, I'm so used to like the day-to-day boom. 00:42:01.302 --> 00:42:03.402 'cause I came up on their op operation side. 00:42:04.137 --> 00:42:08.087 But becoming that leader is more of I let my coaches do and I let my staff do. 00:42:08.237 --> 00:42:11.987 And then also being a little bit clearer on what needs to come to me and what does not. 00:42:12.227 --> 00:42:20.267 And I think that's also helped a lot because it was like, when you try to take everything in it, like I said, it's just not sustainable and it'll burn you out. 00:42:20.577 --> 00:42:23.942 And so we really got a pretty good I think system where again, it's. 00:42:25.272 --> 00:42:27.222 If we need to call a meeting, we will. 00:42:27.222 --> 00:42:28.782 And I'll do preseason end of season. 00:42:28.782 --> 00:42:33.012 Like I'll do all of those, like more sit down check-ins mostly just to make sure we have the time to talk.

00:42:33.232 --> 00:42:36.712 Because I think that's also important because things can get so busy and crazy. 00:42:36.712 --> 00:42:38.452 So we will set aside time in that way. 00:42:38.452 --> 00:42:41.022 But in terms of just current standing meetings with coaches. 00:42:41.022 --> 00:42:41.802 I don't have that. 00:42:41.802 --> 00:42:45.552 Our support staff, we meet every week obviously,'cause we gotta go through the day to day in the week. 00:42:45.552 --> 00:42:48.382 But I think it's just like that lead by example. 00:42:48.382 --> 00:42:49.852 I'm very much, a servant leader. 00:42:49.852 --> 00:42:50.992 I'm gonna help when I can. 00:42:50.992 --> 00:42:53.722 I'm gonna, but yeah, I am gonna have to make those tough decisions. 00:42:53.812 --> 00:42:57.382 And if I do have to make a tough decision, you are gonna be included in that. 00:42:57.382 --> 00:42:58.612 You are gonna know the why. 00:42:58.612 --> 00:43:01.042 You are going to know why we are doing what we are doing. 00:43:01.352 --> 00:43:03.362 And so yeah, those conversations aren't fun, but. 00:43:03.782 --> 00:43:05.462 It's needed because it's my job. 00:43:05.462 --> 00:43:10.412 But that comes with building that respect and those relationships to make those conversations a little bit easier. 00:43:11.792 --> 00:43:14.072 You talk about telling the kids don't do stupid stuff. 00:43:14.382 --> 00:43:15.552 Don't do stupid stuff. 00:43:15.647 --> 00:43:20.457 And it's almost like the adult way you talk to the coaches is this, is what I'm hearing from you is. 00:43:21.437 --> 00:43:25.697 I'm your boss, but don't put me in a position where I have to be your boss, right? 00:43:25.752 --> 00:43:26.642 Yeah, pretty much, right? 00:43:26.717 --> 00:43:31.637 If you've got something coming up, something you're worried about, something you're hearing, something I, I'm gonna eventually hear about. 00:43:32.432 --> 00:43:33.542 Be proactive. 00:43:33.692 --> 00:43:35.402 Get in here and tell me what's going on. 00:43:35.402 --> 00:43:36.782 Tell me that you need some help. 00:43:36.782 --> 00:43:39.842 Tell me you, you wanna work through something and we'll do it together. 00:43:39.922 --> 00:43:40.222 Yeah. 00:43:40.432 --> 00:43:41.272 It's really the same thing. 00:43:41.272 --> 00:43:42.472 Don't do stupid things. 00:43:42.802 --> 00:43:43.522 Oh, completely. 00:43:43.612 --> 00:43:44.422 Oh, I could, yeah. 00:43:44.572 --> 00:43:45.472 Say that about both. 00:43:46.402 --> 00:43:48.802 Don't get drunk at Applebee's on a Saturday night. 00:43:49.162 --> 00:43:49.342 Yeah. 00:43:49.582 --> 00:43:55.402 Not expect somebody to tell me about it, or just something bad to happen because you were drunk at Applebee's at one o'clock in the morning. 00:43:55.402 --> 00:43:55.492 Yeah. 00:43:57.177 --> 00:43:57.957 Yeah, I know it is. 00:43:57.957 --> 00:44:00.722 It's funny how similar that is, and I think back to. 00:44:01.897 --> 00:44:05.617 You coaches expect their athletes to tell

them when things happen, right? 00:44:05.617 --> 00:44:06.847 So they don't hear from somebody else. 00:44:06.847 --> 00:44:08.047 And it's the same exact thing. 00:44:08.047 --> 00:44:11.497 Hey coach, I better hear it from you before I hear it from anybody else. 00:44:11.497 --> 00:44:17.857 And I've had coaches that, or they'll go off or they'll do something, they'll come in and tell me and they'll be like, I know what was wrong and I'm gonna go fix it. 00:44:17.857 --> 00:44:18.412 And you're like, good. 00:44:19.457 --> 00:44:19.747 Okay. 00:44:21.122 --> 00:44:21.842 And go ahead. 00:44:21.857 --> 00:44:25.312 Yeah, so that's a blessing because okay. 00:44:25.462 --> 00:44:31.132 At least you're telling me, because if you're telling me you're gonna go fix it, and I don't, not sure you know how to fix it. 00:44:31.192 --> 00:44:31.372 Yes. 00:44:31.462 --> 00:44:33.622 At least you told me before you tried to fix it. 00:44:33.622 --> 00:44:33.712 True. 00:44:33.712 --> 00:44:33.802 That. 00:44:36.237 --> 00:44:39.717 Can I give you a couple of ideas before you try and go fix this? 00:44:39.767 --> 00:44:40.307 Exactly. 00:44:40.427 --> 00:44:43.637 How about we take a breath and calm you down first and right. 00:44:44.447 --> 00:44:44.867 Yes. 00:44:45.262 --> 00:44:45.542 I love that. 00:44:45.542 --> 00:44:46.142 They're great though. 00:44:46.362 --> 00:44:49.937 But I do, I'm very fortunate and blessed to have some great coaches right now. 00:44:49.937 --> 00:44:51.047 And I truly am. 00:44:51.047 --> 00:44:51.577 And yeah. 00:44:51.607 --> 00:44:52.297 Yeah, it's been fun. 00:44:54.277 --> 00:45:01.477 Caitlin, why division two for that family that doesn't get division two doesn't understand the division levels? 00:45:02.377 --> 00:45:04.357 What makes division two so great? 00:45:04.357 --> 00:45:06.967 What makes it such an attractive fit for the right kid? 00:45:07.507 --> 00:45:11.857 I think right now, division two is the most, what feels like the most sane division. 00:45:12.137 --> 00:45:16.847 We still have that student athlete mentality, and I think we will continue to hang on to that. 00:45:17.387 --> 00:45:20.802 Division two, in my opinion, is so special because one it's still competi. 00:45:21.827 --> 00:45:24.587 You can still earn and make, get some scholarship money, right? 00:45:24.587 --> 00:45:30.557 Like you have that opportunity to get some money and then do the sport that you love at a very high level. 00:45:30.817 --> 00:45:34.087 I think about division two and where we're at. 00:45:34.087 --> 00:45:38.017 We are, I've said it a couple times, we have a really tight knit community here, right? 00:45:38.017 --> 00:45:38.917 We're very rural. 00:45:39.277 --> 00:45:41.587 And so something that I could think about and see is. 00:45:41.992 --> 00:45:49.732 We've watched other gyms, we've seen some D ones and they're, maybe some mid-majors or smaller division ones, and they've got no one in the stands. 00:45:49.732 -->

00:45:50.572 And we're over here. 00:45:50.572 --> 00:45:51.562 We've got a small gym. 00:45:52.537 --> 00:45:53.707 It's tight there. 00:45:53.707 --> 00:45:58.207 It's pretty, pretty tight, but we pack that thing and it is loud and it is fun. 00:45:58.507 --> 00:45:59.947 That's so much better, isn't it? 00:46:00.067 --> 00:46:04.777 See, and that's what I think all the time is I just feel like I'd rather have that experience. 00:46:04.777 --> 00:46:12.157 I'd rather be here, be able to play, be surrounded by people who actually care about me and who actually know my name. 00:46:12.467 --> 00:46:14.147 I think that's something, I love that. 00:46:14.147 --> 00:46:15.767 I love getting to know the student athletes. 00:46:15.767 --> 00:46:18.992 It's awesome and it's just being able to see them and do what they love. 00:46:19.742 --> 00:46:21.242 Is the reason that we do what we do. 00:46:21.242 --> 00:46:27.992 And I just think that sometimes at some bigger schools it can feel very disconnected or you don't maybe know all the different people in the department. 00:46:27.992 --> 00:46:29.702 Like I said, we're, we are all in one building. 00:46:29.702 --> 00:46:31.742 We are way too close for you to not know who we are. 00:46:32.142 --> 00:46:37.982 And it also shouldn't be a scary thing, if the ad walks into practice shouldn't be like, oh no, it should just be like normal. 00:46:38.042 --> 00:46:43.352 And I think that's something that we try to really instill is that we're all gonna be around, we're all available. 00:46:44.267 --> 00:46:52.747 People will know your name here and they're gonna really appreciate you and appreciate you for being a human, for being a student, for being who you are outside of your sport, right? 00:46:52.747 --> 00:46:56.077 'cause it's not just all about you as a basketball player or you as a baseball player. 00:46:56.317 --> 00:46:57.847 So much more to you than that. 00:46:58.417 --> 00:46:59.287 Totally agree. 00:47:00.217 --> 00:47:06.757 Talk a little bit to the family out there that's in Colorado, surrounding states that doesn't know much about Adam State. 00:47:07.297 --> 00:47:10.267 Why is it a great place to come visit and give it a look? 00:47:10.987 --> 00:47:11.467 Oh yeah. 00:47:11.472 --> 00:47:11.942 No, it is. 00:47:11.992 --> 00:47:15.982 It's so unique and I will say Adam State is in Alamosa, Colorado. 00:47:15.982 --> 00:47:17.422 Like I said before, it's very rural. 00:47:17.642 --> 00:47:28.022 I came from a kind of a city in Washington and I drove in here and I'm not gonna lie, I drove in and I started crying because I could not believe what I had gotten myself into. 00:47:28.482 --> 00:47:28.782 Don't look at you. 00:47:29.737 --> 00:47:30.027 Yeah. 00:47:30.427 --> 00:47:34.722 I was like, and here we are, 11 years later or whatever it is. 00:47:34.752 --> 00:47:39.372 But I really, truly think that Adam State is a place that you have to make the most of. 00:47:39.822 --> 00:47:41.682 You can easily come here and be like, oh, it's small. 00:47:41.682 --> 00:47:42.462 There's nothing to do. 00:47:42.462 --> 00:47:43.692 No, you're just not looking. 00:47:43.902 --> 00:47:46.422 And so we really try to sell that, that there's things to do. 00:47:46.582 --> 00:47:49.642 It may not be the big city, but there's so many other options. 00:47:49.642 --> 00:47:57.082 Going downtown, going outdoorsy, things, going hiking, it's a way for students to experience things that they never would. 00:47:57.392 --> 00:48:03.812 Being able to take, working with some other different groups across campus and taking these kids out to these small communities and they're seeing things. 00:48:04.057 --> 00:48:05.497 They never would've seen before. 00:48:05.497 --> 00:48:07.557 Even like carrot, we have a lot of farming here, right? 00:48:07.557 --> 00:48:14.527 So potato farms, carrot farms, a lot of, all the ag stuff we have getting them to experience that I think is something that's so cool. 00:48:14.797 --> 00:48:18.877 And then back to it, it's a community where people will know who you are. 00:48:19.617 --> 00:48:25.307 They'll see you downtown, they'll see you out at one of the coffee shops or out at, one of the restaurants and they'll be like, oh, great game last night. 00:48:25.307 --> 00:48:26.537 Or, how's everything going? 00:48:26.537 --> 00:48:30.737 And they it's really a unique and special place in that kind of way. 00:48:30.947 --> 00:48:39.817 And I think that's something that it's cra crazy because every time we're with candidates and they ask us why I'm a state for you, I feel like this is a question we get a lot and cont over and over. 00:48:39.817 --> 00:48:41.767 I feel like we say it's the people here. 00:48:42.127 --> 00:48:45.477 I know that sounds crazy, but it's it really is the people. 00:48:45.477 --> 00:48:50.307 It's like that you're in that community where people wave, when they're on their bike or walking like everybody waves. 00:48:50.697 --> 00:48:57.977 Like I was in a Washington DC for the NCA convention and I remember I was walking around seeing some of the sites and I'm so used to just waving at people. 00:48:57.977 --> 00:48:59.477 I look like a fricking crazy person. 00:48:59.477 --> 00:49:02.767 'cause I'm like, just waving and oh, you don't do this here. 00:49:02.797 --> 00:49:06.907 So it's like when it almost feels cliche, but it's like real. 00:49:07.027 --> 00:49:17.587 And I think that's something that, I think one of my favorite things too is when we have athletes that come in and then they be, they get engulf themselves in the community and then they end up staying because they love it here. 00:49:17.647 --> 00:49:19.447 That is one of the coolest things for me. 00:49:20.357 --> 00:49:21.197 It's such a good point. 00:49:21.197 --> 00:49:23.657 'cause, I've, I always recruited outta state. 00:49:24.012 --> 00:49:27.582 I was a big believer 60% of my roster was gonna be outta state. 00:49:27.582 -->

00:49:29.382 'cause I wanted kids to stay. 00:49:29.382 --> 00:49:31.872 I wanted them to fricking learn how to do their laundry on their own. 00:49:31.872 --> 00:49:38.082 I wanted them to learn how to deal with a roommate that maybe they didn't know, didn't relate to very well, and they had to figure it out. 00:49:38.472 --> 00:49:38.772 Yeah. 00:49:39.252 --> 00:49:40.752 And when I, when that happens. 00:49:41.457 --> 00:49:42.807 All of a sudden they're not going anywhere. 00:49:42.807 --> 00:49:43.407 They love it. 00:49:43.467 --> 00:49:44.757 They're not looking to transfer. 00:49:44.757 --> 00:49:46.707 They're not looking at the other side of the fence. 00:49:46.707 --> 00:49:54.927 Yeah, and I think that's what's really great about Adam State is okay, maybe there's not a rock concert five minutes away. 00:49:54.967 --> 00:49:55.237 Okay. 00:49:55.237 --> 00:49:59.647 Maybe there's not a professional baseball game five minutes away, but the fact that. 00:49:59.852 --> 00:50:02.462 You get to play division two, high level sport. 00:50:02.792 --> 00:50:04.112 Get a great education. 00:50:04.412 --> 00:50:11.672 You're gonna build this family, this sisterhood and brotherhood and get to know all these people and it just, there's nothing better. 00:50:11.732 --> 00:50:16.442 You can move to Seattle and Denver and Chicago when you're 22. 00:50:16.472 --> 00:50:20.792 You can go get a job if you want a big city, but go somewhere where you can learn how to be an adult. 00:50:21.462 --> 00:50:26.622 Learn how to get to know people and I grew up in a town of 2000 people, i'm always waving back to you, Caitlyn. 00:50:26.652 --> 00:50:27.462 I promise you always. 00:50:27.762 --> 00:50:27.822 Yeah. 00:50:27.822 --> 00:50:28.062 Thanks. 00:50:28.062 --> 00:50:28.242 Yeah. 00:50:28.842 --> 00:50:29.772 Someone hopefully will. 00:50:29.832 --> 00:50:30.292 Yeah, that's right. 00:50:32.002 --> 00:50:33.172 Coach, this is awesome. 00:50:33.222 --> 00:50:34.962 I wanna talk some recruiting with you. 00:50:34.962 --> 00:50:37.662 We'll do that in part two, but I wanna do a little rapid fire with you. 00:50:37.712 --> 00:50:41.462 Just whatever comes to your head, some fun stuff so people get to know you a little bit. 00:50:41.892 --> 00:50:43.032 What's your favorite part? 00:50:43.122 --> 00:50:43.692 11 years. 00:50:44.092 --> 00:50:45.532 Big city girl, small town. 00:50:45.532 --> 00:50:47.332 What's your favorite part of living in Alamosa? 00:50:47.962 --> 00:50:48.832 Oh, it's the mountains. 00:50:48.837 --> 00:50:52.072 Just being surrounded by mountains, being able to drive not that far, and go hiking. 00:50:52.372 --> 00:50:52.522 Yeah. 00:50:52.522 --> 00:50:53.992 I love the outdoors now. 00:50:54.652 --> 00:50:59.392 I, we moved to Colorado 11, 12 years ago and I wish we would've moved here 10 years before that. 00:50:59.872 --> 00:51:00.292 I'm single. 00:51:00.292 --> 00:51:04.042 I cross country meet or basketball. 00:51:05.772 --> 00:51:07.752 I know you're highly involved in both. 00:51:07.992 --> 00:51:09.522 I know that's such a tough one. 00:51:09.522 --> 00:51:15.132 Like my, like heart is like basketball, but I will say there is nothing like being out a cross country meet. 00:51:15.132 --> 00:51:16.992 It is so fun. 00:51:16.992 --> 00:51:17.982 It's crazy. 00:51:17.982 --> 00:51:18.792 It's loud. 00:51:19.182 --> 00:51:20.202 People running everywhere. 00:51:20.202 --> 00:51:20.802 It's awesome. 00:51:20.802 --> 00:51:21.632 So that's a tough one. 00:51:22.997 --> 00:51:27.527 You'd never wanna go to a cross country meet at six 30 when you're in your warm bed in October. 00:51:27.857 --> 00:51:30.407 But once you get there, you're like, I'm so glad I can. 00:51:30.647 --> 00:51:31.577 Oh, it's awesome. 00:51:32.187 --> 00:51:35.662 The start is my favorite part where there's just like this whole mob of people taking off. 00:51:35.662 --> 00:51:37.102 Yeah, I agree. 00:51:37.982 --> 00:51:40.202 Early morning workout or late evening walk. 00:51:40.782 --> 00:51:41.472 Honestly, both. 00:51:41.472 --> 00:51:45.402 I'm an early morning person, but I like my later evening walks with the dogs. 00:51:45.522 --> 00:51:52.572 Yeah, it's when you got a beautiful view like you guys have in Alamos, it's the best time of advantage, the best time of the day. 00:51:52.572 --> 00:51:58.187 And at dusk is there a book, a leadership book that you think everybody should read, or at least coaches should read? 00:51:58.477 --> 00:51:58.837 Is there. 00:51:59.782 --> 00:52:00.112 Yeah. 00:52:00.112 --> 00:52:04.132 And actually I'll say the one that we are working on as an executive team on our campus too. 00:52:04.132 --> 00:52:12.402 But it's called Do Hard Things and I think it just speaks to a lot of these jobs aren't easy otherwise I think everybody would do it and like things are gonna be hard. 00:52:12.402 --> 00:52:15.702 And I think just remembering it's a privilege to do what we do. 00:52:15.982 --> 00:52:18.682 And the hard things make it good in a crazy way. 00:52:19.312 --> 00:52:21.052 A lot of coaches have been bringing that book up. 00:52:21.052 --> 00:52:21.532 I love it. 00:52:21.892 --> 00:52:24.202 Most underrated, division two experience. 00:52:24.577 --> 00:52:27.757 Is there something that really makes Division two unique? 00:52:28.597 --> 00:52:32.737 I would say because of where we're at sometimes in some ways it is the game day environment. 00:52:32.737 --> 00:52:37.087 I think really people don't think it's a lot and they're just coming into a gym, playing and leaving. 00:52:37.087 --> 00:52:41.417 No, it's the, we're able to surround it with different sponsorships, with things going in the crowd. 00:52:41.417 --> 00:52:43.637 Like I think that's something that we've seen at a lot of schools. 00:52:43.637 --> 00:52:48.267 Even that game day experience, it can be just as fun and exhilarating as some of that higher level. 00:52:49.377 --> 00:52:51.207 What's

your best stress reliever at the end of it? 00:52:51.207 --> 00:52:51.717 A long day. 00:52:53.022 --> 00:52:55.962 Probably trying to get out go for a walk, get outside. 00:52:55.992 --> 00:53:03.267 Sometimes I do wish I was better at it, but I have found that when I when it's not windy, I will say the windier can get a little rough sometimes when it's not windy. 00:53:03.267 --> 00:53:05.732 Getting outside is something you're a dog mom. 00:53:05.732 --> 00:53:06.992 You don't have much choice with that. 00:53:06.992 --> 00:53:07.412 I do. 00:53:07.412 --> 00:53:07.892 I have to. 00:53:07.892 --> 00:53:08.702 It's like my duty. 00:53:08.762 --> 00:53:09.152 Yeah. 00:53:10.022 --> 00:53:10.532 Yeah. 00:53:11.092 --> 00:53:13.172 If you weren't in athletics what career would you be in? 00:53:13.652 --> 00:53:14.017 Oh gosh. 00:53:15.242 --> 00:53:16.262 That's a hard one. 00:53:16.312 --> 00:53:16.882 'Cause it's weird. 00:53:16.882 --> 00:53:19.342 I can't see myself in anything but athletics. 00:53:19.392 --> 00:53:20.202 Oh gosh. 00:53:20.322 --> 00:53:27.762 I feel like if anything it would just be something where I could travel a lot because I love to travel, so anything that would be around that or helping people travel. 00:53:27.762 --> 00:53:29.052 'cause I like organizing trips. 00:53:30.402 --> 00:53:35.172 If I were to interview the 22-year-old version of yourself, could you imagine yourself as an 80? 00:53:35.592 --> 00:53:36.582 Oh, absolutely not. 00:53:36.642 --> 00:53:37.272 No way. 00:53:38.382 --> 00:53:38.532 Never. 00:53:39.592 --> 00:53:41.782 I dunno, anybody that dreams about that, do they? 00:53:41.782 --> 00:53:43.972 Especially once you get the job and you realize what it is. 00:53:44.362 --> 00:53:45.172 Like what, yeah. 00:53:45.222 --> 00:53:46.242 Who would wanna do this? 00:53:46.292 --> 00:53:46.472 Yeah. 00:53:48.872 --> 00:53:50.347 Favorite thing about working with student athletes? 00:53:51.452 --> 00:53:53.072 Oh my gosh, they're so funny. 00:53:53.252 --> 00:53:54.572 And they keep you young too. 00:53:54.632 --> 00:54:03.062 Yeah, and I think I like the student athletes, especially at the college level because you can be so real with them and like just tell'em how it is and they look at you like, how dare you say that? 00:54:03.062 --> 00:54:04.532 I'm like yeah, figure, figure it out. 00:54:04.532 --> 00:54:10.362 And so I just love that you can be that honest, like give'em crap sometimes it's the best. 00:54:10.962 --> 00:54:12.557 There's so much I don't miss about. 00:54:13.362 --> 00:54:26.637 Working at the college level, but those, working with a, an athletic staff every day and having the kids every day, just that they just keep it so fresh and, oh, there's never the next day's, never like the day before, right? 00:54:26.967 --> 00:54:27.507 Oh, no. 00:54:27.927 --> 00:54:29.157 And they keep you so young. 00:54:29.157 --> 00:54:30.387 I like to think that I'm not, I. 00:54:30.867 --> 00:54:33.867 Kind of young still, but then they say things and you're like, what? 00:54:34.407 --> 00:54:36.987 So yeah, really they keep me up to date with everything also. 00:54:37.037 --> 00:54:39.137 I'll send my 60-year-old daughter to you for a weekend. 00:54:39.137 --> 00:54:39.257 You? 00:54:39.257 --> 00:54:39.437 Yeah. 00:54:40.247 --> 00:54:40.287 Oh gosh. 00:54:40.287 --> 00:54:40.362 Yeah. 00:54:40.522 --> 00:54:41.402 That'll be perfect for you. 00:54:41.927 --> 00:54:42.917 Let's finish on this one. 00:54:43.157 --> 00:54:46.097 What's one leadership trait you are still working on? 00:54:47.237 --> 00:54:51.017 I think a big one is and I've gotten better at, but that kind of like that delegation piece. 00:54:51.017 --> 00:54:53.657 I know I talked about it earlier, but I think it's really that. 00:54:54.047 --> 00:55:01.337 Going from a manager to a leader and truly feeling okay, I am leading, we've got everything in place, doing all the doing everything. 00:55:01.337 --> 00:55:03.107 So just getting better at something comes my way. 00:55:03.107 --> 00:55:07.437 It's okay to give it to somebody else or say, Hey, this is for so and so instead of me. 00:55:07.467 --> 00:55:08.757 But definitely that's a big one. 00:55:08.757 --> 00:55:11.317 And really shifting those gears and shifting that mindset. 00:55:13.117 --> 00:55:17.797 Caly, I'm really picky who I invite on this podcast because it's usually selfish. 00:55:17.797 --> 00:55:18.907 It's people that I'm like. 00:55:19.792 --> 00:55:20.902 I've read enough about you. 00:55:20.902 --> 00:55:22.412 I'm like I want to get to know you. 00:55:22.532 --> 00:55:23.672 You've blown me away. 00:55:23.672 --> 00:55:24.752 You're awesome. 00:55:24.812 --> 00:55:27.572 I'm so thankful you're in our state here in Colorado. 00:55:27.962 --> 00:55:38.932 I'm so thankful that you're representing a great school in Adams state and I'm so appreciative of your honesty and your authenticity and the love that you have for your people that you represent. 00:55:38.932 --> 00:55:40.012 So thanks for doing this today. 00:55:40.402 --> 00:55:40.672 Yeah. 00:55:40.672 --> 00:55:41.722 Thank you so much for having me. 00:55:41.722 --> 00:55:43.492 You've been great as well, so I really appreciate it. 00:55:44.222 --> 00:55:46.622 Anybody that's listening come back on Monday. 00:55:46.682 --> 00:55:48.932 We're, I've taken a lot of her time. 00:55:48.932 --> 00:55:51.422 I'm hoping she's gonna gimme about 10, 15 more minutes. 00:55:51.692 --> 00:56:00.572 We're gonna dive into recruiting and really talk about division two recruiting in the portal and NIL and all those crazy things that you have to deal with every day. 00:56:00.572 --> 00:56:03.722 So I see you all in a couple of days. 00:56:04.832 --> 00:56:13.172 You just heard part one of my conversation with Kaitlyn Smith, athletic director at Adams State University, and I'll tell you this, Kaitlyn is the real deal. 00:56:13.172 --> 00:56:13.862 She's honest. 00:56:13.862 --> 00:56:18.152 She's humble, and she leads with the kind of conviction that you don't have to explain. 00:56:18.152 --> 00:56:24.722 She knows her job is to build an environment where coaches and student athletes can become the best versions of themselves. 00:56:25.169 --> 00:56:28.979 And she doesn't run from the reality of a small campus in a small town. 00:56:29.159 --> 00:56:30.269 She leans into it. 00:56:30.539 --> 00:56:39.029 She sees it as an advantage because in places like that, people know your name, they care, they show up, and they hold you accountable in the best way. 00:56:39.569 --> 00:56:55.439 In part two, we're gonna shift into recruiting and talk division two realities how families should evaluate fit, what the transfer portal is doing to roster management, how NIL is showing up at different levels, and what athletes can do right now to position themselves the right way. 00:56:55.439 --> 00:56:56.339 So don't miss it. 00:56:56.429 --> 00:57:05.639 And if you want more tools to help you navigate recruiting, parenting, coaching, and the entire college athletics journey, head over to coach matt rogers.com. 00:57:05.639 --> 00:57:16.389 You can find my podcast episodes, my weekly blog, my books, recruiting journals, and you can schedule a recruiting strategy session if you want a clear plan for what's next. 00:57:17.059 --> 00:57:20.929 Until next time, stay focused on what you can control. 00:57:20.929 --> 00:57:24.079 Stay humble and keep chasing significance.