Coaches At Crown Brew Getting Coffee

In Episode 59 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with Darren Lindsey, the veteran coach who has turned Marion High School Wrestling into one of the top programs in Southern Illinois.

Since taking over in 2017, Lindsey has guided the Wildcats to a 168–38 record, four South Seven Conference titles, and two regional championships, while also pioneering the school’s girls’ wrestling program—now one of the fastest-growing in the state. But his story goes far beyond wins and losses. A former Herrin High standout, college All-American, and Illinois State Police SWAT officer, Lindsey’s life has been defined by grit, service, and mentorship.

In this episode, Kerry and Coach Lindsey dive into the values that wrestling teaches—resilience, discipline, and mental toughness—and how those lessons apply to life long after the final whistle. They talk about building a program from the ground up, the balance between toughness and compassion, and the evolution of the sport, from backyard beginnings to the booming rise of girls’ wrestling.

It’s a conversation about character, community, and competition—and how the sport that tests you more than any other can also shape who you become.

In Episode 58 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, Kerry Martin sits down with Jim Miller, the coach whose presence, standards, and expectations shaped Carbondale basketball for nearly thirty years. With more than 550 career wins, including 445 at Carbondale, Miller didn’t just rack up championships and postseason hardware—he built a day-to-day identity for what it meant to be a Terrier. He believed in structure, discipline, practice habits, and the power of players understanding and embracing their roles. And in a conference as competitive as the South Seven, where every road trip feels like a rivalry and every gym has a history, that foundation mattered. In this episode, Kerry and Coach Miller talk about how you create culture and then protect it through changing personalities, changing eras, and changing expectations. They discuss the challenge of coaching in a community that cares deeply, the lessons that come from losing as much as winning, and the emotional transition from always thinking about the next practice, the next scout, the next game—to finally having time to reflect on what it all meant. It’s an honest look at leadership, pressure, growth, and the relationships that make coaching worth the hours most people never see.

In Episode 57 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee—presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography—host Kerry Martin welcomes longtime Sparta High School cross country and track coach Mark North, whose career has become synonymous with excellence, mentorship, and community.

A Carbondale native and 2015 Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, North guided Sparta’s boys and girls programs to decades of dominance, including 20 boys’ conference titles, 14 girls’ conference titles, 18 regionals, six sectionals, and a 2004 state championship. His teams consistently ranked among the best in Illinois, while standout athletes like Becky Garrett captured individual state titles under his guidance.

Known as both an inspiring coach and a beloved history teacher, North built his legacy on enthusiasm, consistency, and genuine care for his students and athletes. His programs were defined not just by wins and trophies, but by camaraderie, character, and the simple joy of running. Since retiring from coaching, North has remained deeply involved in the sport as an IHSA starter and referee, continuing to give back to the next generation of competitors.

In this heartfelt episode—Coach North reflects on his upbringing in Carbondale, the mentors who shaped his philosophy, and the memories that defined more than three decades of teaching and coaching. From state championships to classroom lessons, from Sparta’s muddy cross-country courses to IHSA state meets, his story is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose.

Don’t miss this conversation with a true Southern Illinois coaching legend whose life in education and athletics continues to inspire those who’ve had the privilege to call him “Coach.”

In Episode 56 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with Southern Illinois University head baseball coach Lance Rhodes.

From his roots in Sikeston, Missouri, to his playing career at Saint Louis University and Southeast Missouri State, to his rise through the coaching ranks at Wabash Valley College, SEMO, and the University of Missouri, Rhodes has built a career marked by recruiting success, program-building, and consistent winning. Since being named the eighth head coach in SIU baseball history in 2019, he has transformed the Salukis into one of the nation’s most dynamic programs, guiding them to their first 40-win season since 1990, a school-record winning streak, and national recognition as an offensive powerhouse.

Known as a proven recruiter and steady leader, Rhodes emphasizes culture, relationships, and accountability as much as player development and on-field results. His teams have broken program records, produced top national offensive numbers, and achieved some of the highest fielding percentages in school history—all while reflecting the hard-working, grounded personality of their coach.

In this episode, Rhodes reflects on his coaching journey, from his early years learning the game and competing alongside future pros, to the lessons gained at Missouri and Wabash, to the opportunity and challenges of leading Saluki baseball. He also shares his thoughts on recruiting, sustaining success, the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the balance of tradition and innovation in today’s game.

Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with a coach whose vision and leadership have revitalized Saluki baseball and inspired players and fans throughout Southern Illinois and beyond.

In Episode 55 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with one of Southern Illinois’ most respected coaches and athletic directors—John Kretz.

From his early playing days at Christopher High School and Rend Lake College, to launching new programs as a young coach, to leading both basketball and football teams across the region, Kretz built a career defined by integrity, discipline, and consistency. Best known for his 14-year tenure as head football coach and athletic director at Christopher High School (1993–2007), he also guided successful basketball programs at Ziegler-Royalton and Du Quoin, while serving as an assistant on the 1982 Z-R state championship football team.

Throughout his journey, Kretz became known not just for wins, but for valuing every player, running efficient and focused practices, and mentoring both athletes and young coaches. His legacy continues through his family, including his granddaughter Amiah Hargrove, a rising basketball star at the University of Nebraska.

In this episode, Kretz reflects on his decades in coaching, the lessons learned from mentors and peers, the Black Diamond Conference battles that shaped his career, and the joy of watching his former players succeed on and off the field. Don’t miss this conversation with a coach whose influence reaches far beyond the scoreboard—into the lives and communities of Southern Illinois.

In Episode 54 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with one of Southern Illinois’ most successful basketball coaches—Randy Smithpeters. From his early years learning the game in McLeansboro’s golden era of hoops, to volunteering under Hall of Fame mentors, to becoming the longtime head coach at Harrisburg High School, Smithpeters built a career defined by fundamentals, discipline, and winning basketball. Over three decades, he guided the Bulldogs to more than 500 victories, 12 regional titles, six super-sectional appearances, seven Sweet Sixteens, three Elite Eights, and the program’s crowning achievement—a 2013 state championship. His teams became synonymous with postseason success, dominating at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament and setting records at the Carmi White County Invitational.

In this episode, Smithpeters reflects on his coaching journey, the challenges and triumphs of building Harrisburg into a powerhouse, and the mentors who shaped his philosophy. He also opens up about family—how his wife Patricia held things together at home during his long coaching career, and how his sons Tyler and Kyle have carried the Smithpeters legacy into the college ranks at John A. Logan College and the University of Missouri. Don’t miss this conversation with a coach whose impact goes far beyond the win-loss column, shaping athletes, programs, and communities across Southern Illinois.

In Episode 53 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with Marion High School baseball coach Kyle Geiger. From his days as a multi-sport standout at Center Grove High School in Indiana, to being drafted by the Minnesota Twins and playing five seasons in professional baseball, to now leading one of Southern Illinois’ premier programs, Geiger’s story is defined by perseverance, adaptability, and a lifelong love for the game.

At Rend Lake College, he became an all-conference and all-region catcher, earning team MVP honors and catching the eye of the Twins’ scouts. His pro career included an All-Star selection with the Fort Myers Miracle and a Catcher of the Year award in the Can-Am League with the Ottawa Rapids. After hanging up the gear, Geiger turned to coaching—first at Du Quoin, where he guided the Indians to conference and regional titles and was named SCCA Coach of the Year, and now at Marion, where in just two seasons he has delivered multiple 20-win campaigns, South Seven Conference championships, and back-to-back SCCA Coach of the Year honors.

In this episode, Coach Geiger reflects on his journey from the grind of minor league baseball to building championship culture in Southern Illinois. He shares stories of resilience, leadership, and what it means to earn the trust of a team and community. Don’t miss this conversation with one of the region’s rising coaching voices.

In Episode 52 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with one of Midwest’s most respected college basketball coaches—Rodney Watson. From his small-town roots in Paris, Illinois, to more than two decades on the SIU sidelines under Rich Herrin, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter, and Chris Lowery, Watson helped guide the Salukis to 11 Missouri Valley Conference titles, nine NCAA Tournament bids, and a run that turned Carbondale into one of the nation’s toughest places to play.

In 2009, Watson took over at the University of Southern Indiana, where he became the winningest and longest-tenured coach in program history. Over 11 seasons, he led the Screaming Eagles to nine 20-win campaigns, multiple NCAA Division II Tournament appearances—including a Final Four run—and built a culture of toughness, accountability, and family.

In this episode, Coach Watson reflects on his coaching journey, from learning under legends to carving out his own legacy. He shares the lessons of resilience that carried him from farm life to the national stage, the mentors who shaped his philosophy, and the values of loyalty, faith, and community that have guided his career.

Don’t miss this conversation with a coaching legend whose impact has stretched from high school gyms to NCAA arenas—and whose story continues to inspire.

In Episode 51 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with one of Southern Illinois’ most recognizable voices—retired broadcaster Mark Kiesling. From his start at WSIL in 1981, to 16 years as sports director, to two decades as a trusted news anchor, Kiesling built a career defined by professionalism, respect, and storytelling.

As a host of Sports Extra, he turned Friday nights into a regional tradition, spotlighting athletes, coaches, and communities in a way that became Southern Illinois’ own version of SportsCenter. After shifting from sports to news, he guided viewers through some of the region’s biggest stories over four decades, earning multiple broadcasting awards along the way. Kiesling also served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, investing in coaches and young people across Southern Illinois, before returning to the anchor desk and later stepping into retirement.

Now, he’s entering a new chapter—this fall, Kiesling is launching Illinois Backroads, a WSIU series that celebrates the people and places of our state. In this episode, he reflects on his journey from small-town Missouri kid to one of Southern Illinois’ most trusted media figures. He shares stories of building Sports Extra, the lessons learned in both sports and newsrooms, and the values of faith, respect, and connection that have guided his path.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode with a Southern Illinois legend whose career has touched generations of athletes, coaches, and viewers.

In Episode 50 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee, presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Videography, host Kerry Martin sits down with Southern Illinois basketball veteran and current Marion High School girls basketball head coach—Erik Griffin. A Carrier Mills native, Griffin was an All-State selection, McDonald’s All-American honorable mention, and a key player in the Rich Herrin-led turnaround at Southern Illinois University, helping the Salukis to a then-school-record 26 wins and a Missouri Valley Conference title.

After college, Griffin took over his alma mater’s program at just 22 years old before making his mark at Meridian High School—leading the Bobcats to the 2015 Class 1A state championship game in his first season and collecting multiple regional championships over the years. Known for his emphasis on discipline, accountability, and belief, Griffin has built competitive, tight-knit teams at every stop, leaving a lasting impact on the athletes and communities he’s served.

Now at Marion, Griffin recently guided the Wildcats to one of the most successful seasons in program history, blending years of experience with a fresh approach to culture and confidence-building. In this milestone episode, he reflects on growing up in a basketball-rich community, the lessons learned from both playing and coaching at high levels, and how relationships, trust, and shared goals have shaped his philosophy. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his playing days, the emotional highs and lows of tournament runs, and why building a program is as much about molding character as it is about winning games.

Don’t miss this landmark 50th episode filled with perspective, history, and inspiration.