Auburn AD John Cohen hit the ground running after being named to the position in October 2022. Previously, Cohen was the AD at SEC foe Mississippi State. He talks about his mentors in current SEC ADs Greg Byrne and Mitch Barnhart and how they helped shape him into an AD while still being a baseball coach. Cohen shares what a head coach experience brings to the AD chair and whether the changes in college athletics will result in more coaches looking to administration roles. Cohen talks extensively about how he has put together his senior leadership team at Auburn and what he looks for in a senior associate AD caliber position. Cohen rounds out the conversation talking about the current events in college athletics, including how he makes a decision and filters information, and what current and future ADs should know about baseball playoffs and conference realignment effects as he rolls off the D1 Baseball Committee.

1. Mentors. Can you share what you learned from being around Greg Byrne and Mitch Barnhart as a coach or administrator that helped you realize your AD potential?

2. Coaching Background. What are some specific ways you being a successful baseball coach helped you have a shorter learning curve to the AD position?

3. Coach to AD Chair. AD positions used to primarily be the next chapter for a coach. With the demands placed on coaches to continuously recruit 24/7, will we see coaches get into administration again?

4. Evaluating Head Coaches. How do you like to hire and evaluate head coaches?

5. Navigating Change. How are ADs able to navigate so many constant changes and uncertainties these last several years and looking ahead to the next 10+ years? Is there reliable information getting to you or is it trying to read or listen and determine what’s real or not?

6. Updating Presidents. What is it like trying to keep a president updated on everything right now?

7. Decision-Making Process. Lots of decisions to be made as an AD of such a high-profile branded school like Auburn. What is your process for a major decision?

8. Senior Administration Team. You have made several additions and reappointments within your senior leadership team since arriving at Auburn. How did you go about identifying the needs and finding the correct people to plug into those important positions?

9. Senior Associate ADs. What does a typical senior administration meeting look like for you?

10. Baseball Playoff Issues. What should current or future ADs understand about college baseball playoff issues in evaluation and

11. Realignment Effects on Baseball. Will conference realignment we’ve seen in 2023 have any effect on college baseball and the tournament?

12. Thoughts on the Future. What will college athletics look like at this level 10 or 20 years from now?