We’re going belly-to-belly with Coach Quinn White, the legendary Taylor University XC coach who led the Trojans to the only two NAIA team titles in school history (Men 2020, Women 2022). With 12 straight Crossroads League titles, dozens of All-Americans, and 200+ scholar-athletes developed under his watch, Coach White has built an NAIA powerhouse grounded in faith, culture, and blue-collar work ethic.

As he prepares to retire after 16 seasons, we dive into his origin story, the “Mad Dogs” & “Jarheads” culture, double-threshold training (and why he protects athletes from junk miles), mental-health tools for coaches (“the gray dog”), and how Taylor keeps identity rooted in Christ first, athlete second. We also preview this season’s outlook (women #1, men #3 as of recording), the Florida State nationals course, and what’s next for Taylor XC.

If you love college running, team culture, and honest coaching wisdom, this one’s for you.

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Show notes / chaptered topics

• Intro & mission – why we spotlight NAIA/JUCO/D2/D3 programs
  
  
• Coach White’s origin story – from third-grade race to Taylor runner to coach
  
  
• Building Taylor into a champion – men ’20, women ’22; combined title pride
  
  
• Culture: Mad Dogs & Jarheads – team unity, pre-race “Prince of Peace” tradition
  
  
• Faith-driven coaching – passion vs. identity; Christ at the center
  
  
• Training philosophy – double-threshold days, individualized mileage, staying healthy
  
  
• Mental health for coaches – the “gray dog,” panic attack to tools & therapy
  
  
• 2025 season outlook – women #1, men #3; Florida State course; schedule cadence
  
  
• Recruiting & the right fit – like-minded, team-first, blue-collar workers
  
  
• Family in the program – coaching his son & daughter; legacy & leadership
  
  
• Taylor academics & community – exercise science, business, education; chapel
  
  
• Books & frameworks – Inner Excellence, One Word (this year: Love),
  In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day; picture-book read-alouds (e.g., Jumanji)
  
  
• Final Four – coffee, daily rituals, music (Rush!), guilty pleasures (dark chocolate & gum)

• Closing – retirement perspective, gratitude, and what’s next for Taylor XC