Contacts Coaching Podcast

On the Contacts Coaching podcast, longtime Jesuit High School (Sacramento) history teacher and cross country coach Walt Lange recounts how getting cut from freshman baseball led him to running, being recruited by UCLA, and then coaching after training on his own at Loyola University of Los Angeles. He describes early coaching at St. Bernard’s near Playa del Rey, a move to Sacramento (including a brief stint as a stockbroker), and joining Jesuit in 1970, where he has coached cross country for 56 years and previously served about 20 years as head track coach. Lang credits assistant coaches, the American River Parkway training environment, and tools like Strava, and explains how Jesuit uses VDOT-based training groups and recognition to scale workouts for all levels. He discusses shifts from high-mileage eras to modern threshold/tempo approaches, the role of confidence and health, Tahoe summer camp, and balancing multi-sport participation, ending with the importance of an understanding spouse.

00:00 Meet Coach Walt Lange

00:41 From Baseball Cut to Runner

02:14 College Running and Early Coaching

05:54 Move to Jesuit and Early Success

09:16 56 Years of Coaching Longevity

10:09 Assistant Coaches and Team Roles

14:30 Strava and the Internet Era

18:28 VDOT Groups and Recognition

20:50 Tahoe Camp and Team Size

25:54 Coaching Every Ability Level

28:52 Hundred Mile Weeks

30:58 Tempo Training Explained

33:09 Threshold Versus Intervals

35:13 Cross Country Confidence

39:05 Motivating Young Runners

42:41 Year Round Training

49:25 Blueprint And Sundays

51:33 Late Bloomers Story

54:32 Coaching Wisdom Finale

https://sites.google.com/view/jesuitdistance/home

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRPvxaGrR4gIcFaBXAZRwjw1eCiHUFYFMDL-grwavt0zlKXGmhhpM4yPLS9ScarhskXS3apXk3VmEEI/pub

https://www.youtube.com/JesuitTrack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCVnMvq3nx8&list=PLKYXiqAHWASjAZyQlIUBUq7JVd0QYU-FL

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, Athletic Director Chris Stevens from Immanuel High School returns to discuss his journey and the key elements of managing a high school sports program. Stevens, a 30-year veteran football coach now in his fourth year as an athletic director, was recently honored with the Rookie of the Year award by the Central Section. He shares his experiences transitioning from public to private education, the importance of budgeting and fundraising, managing family involvement in school sports, and creating memorable experiences for student-athletes. Stevens provides invaluable insights into how to balance the logistical and emotional demands of the job while fostering a supportive environment for athletes and coaches. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the world of high school athletic administration and gain practical advice for navigating this challenging yet rewarding field.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

00:34 Chris Stevens' Major Award

02:49 Journey to Becoming Athletic Director

04:43 Public vs. Private School Administration

15:05 Balancing Family and Career

20:53 Fundraising and Development in Schools

31:01 Finding the Perfect Tournament

31:28 Prepackaged Deals vs. DIY Trips

32:52 Creating Memorable Experiences

34:35 Innovative Team Bonding Ideas

39:02 Senior Night Celebrations

49:22 Managing Budgets in Private Schools

57:11 Fundraising Strategies and Challenges

01:03:20 Closing Thoughts and Networking

In a special Contacts Coaching podcast episode, Stevenson alumna Danielle Koval—Director of Compliance for Financial Aid and revenue sharing at the University of Oklahoma—shares her path from being a swimmer and water polo player at Stevenson to swimming at Fresno State, working in student-athlete academic services, moving to UNLV, and then joining OU after taking a financial aid role just before COVID. She compares working environments across Fresno State, UNLV, and a Power Four brand like Oklahoma, emphasizing the scale of budgets, the weight of a global brand, and the constant pace of compliance changes driven by lawsuits and reactive policy shifts. The conversation explains how college athletics finances work, why most sports operate at a loss, and how football revenue and attendance underwrite broader departmental resources. Koval details how athletic scholarships and financial aid function across headcount and equivalency sports, why FAFSA and campus/college-level scholarships matter, and how tuition waivers and programs like the Western Undergraduate Exchange reduce costs. She breaks down the shift from NCAA scholarship limits to roster caps under the new landscape, including how schools decide whether to fully fund expanded rosters and how new scholarships can count against the revenue-sharing cap. The episode also covers OU’s revenue-sharing approach (six sports), Title IX defensibility pressures, preferred walk-on dynamics under roster caps, the increased role of agents in everyday issues, and how contracts are renegotiated annually amid early signing day and the transfer portal. Koval discusses the challenges of paying athletes while preparing them for life after sports, including OU’s financial literacy programming, and closes with a personal reflection on changing her mindset from perfectionism to giving herself grace as circumstances shift.

00:00 Welcome & Meet Danielle Koval (OU Compliance + Financial Aid/Rev Share)

00:33 Danielle’s Athlete-to-Administrator Journey: Fresno State → UNLV → Oklahoma

05:31 Leveling Up: What Changes from Mid-Major to Power Program?

08:34 The OU Brand & Culture of Excellence Across Sports

11:23 Money Talks: Football Revenue, Facilities, and Funding Other Sports

12:51 Is College Athletics Sustainable? NIL ‘Funny Money’ to Revenue Share

17:26 Scholarships 101: Headcount vs Equivalency (and Why ‘Full Ride’ Is Rare)

20:46 New Era: Roster Caps, Scholarship Flexibility, and the 20.5M ‘Salary Cap’

24:30 Financial Aid Hacks: FAFSA, Department Scholarships, WUE, and Tuition Waivers

30:10 Reallocating Aid: When Top Students ‘Free Up’ Scholarships for Other Sports

31:41 The Scholarship Funding Crunch: Revenue Sports vs. Everyone Else

32:24 Tuition Waivers & Campus Support: How Schools Make Full Funding Work

34:33 OU’s Self-Sustaining Model and the ‘Front Porch’ Value of Athletics

36:13 Roster Caps vs. Scholarship Limits: Why Walk-Ons Are Disappearing

37:53 Revenue Share at OU: The 6 Sports in the Pool (and Why Gymnastics)

39:36 Preferred Walk-Ons, Practice Bodies, and Stretching the Rev-Share Dollar

41:35 Inside Football Rev-Share Tiers: Contracts, Cutoffs, and Annual Renegotiations

46:03 Culture & Pay Equity: Avoiding Locker-Room Blowups in the NIL Era

47:43 Transfer Portal Reality Check: The Grass Isn’t Greener (and Many Don’t Land)

48:52 Recruiting Goes Pro: Agents, Negotiations, and the New GM Job

50:25 Preparing Athletes for Money & Life After Sport: Literacy, Taxes, Careers

55:15 Closing Reflection: Changing Your Mind, Letting Go of Perfection

Welcome to the Contacts Coaching podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mike Luevano, host, and founder of the Between the Shots Show. Mike shares his extensive background in education, development work, and his latest venture that combines golf with deep, meaningful conversations about life, vulnerability, and masculinity. From his upbringing in San Jose to his work with nonprofit organizations and his passion for sports, Mike provides valuable insights into building relationships, personal growth, and the importance of open dialogue. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how to navigate life's challenges and the transformative power of real, heartfelt conversations.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:13 Mike's Early Life and Career

03:09 Nonprofit Work and Development

05:35 Fundraising Strategies and Community Involvement

12:55 The Concept of 'Between the Shots'

24:07 A Lifestyle Show with Purpose

24:26 Fatherhood and Legacy

25:31 The Importance of Vulnerability

28:24 Creating Safe Spaces for Open Conversations

30:55 Personal Growth and Self-Reflection

37:07 Setting and Achieving Goals

40:38 Building and Maintaining Relationships

45:08 Conclusion and Future Plans

Tune in to the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we dive deep with Rick Jackson, the Athletic Director of Madison High School in Greater San Diego. With 26 years at the same school, Rick shares his journey from coaching multiple sports at Scripps Ranch to becoming a pivotal figure at Madison. In this episode, Rick reflects on his transition from being a head coach to stepping into an administrative role, the significance of maintaining relationships with student-athletes, and the importance of fostering a supportive and multi-sport culture. Discover insights into the challenges of modern athletics, insights on countering the temptation of sports specialization, and learn about the impactful Leadership Council initiative. Join us for a captivating conversation filled with valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned coaches and athletic directors alike.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:21 Rick Jackson's Coaching Journey

02:09 Balancing Multiple Coaching Roles

03:02 Family and Coaching

04:18 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes

05:08 Challenges in Youth Sports Specialization

08:42 Building a Positive Sports Culture

08:52 Managing Small School Athletics

14:00 Transitioning from Coaching to Administration

14:37 Organizational Skills in Coaching

17:34 Reflections on Coaching Football

18:53 The Importance of Relationships in Coaching

26:06 Competing Fall Sports

26:23 Balancing Coaching and AD Responsibilities

28:10 Challenges of Dual Roles

30:59 Parental Influence and Spectator Behavior

33:05 Leadership Council Initiatives

37:33 Encouraging Multi-Sport Participation

43:21 Retention and School Culture

45:57 District Collaboration and AD Networking

47:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we are joined by Paul Caffery, the Director of Athletics at LaHabra High School. Paul shares his extensive background in coaching and administration, highlighting his journey from growing up in an athletic family to becoming an athletic director. He discusses the vital role of community culture, the importance of multi-sport athletes, and shares invaluable insights on creating cohesive and branded athletic programs. Paul also delves into the challenges of balancing coaching duties, family life, and handling unexpected health issues. Towards the end, he provides advice for new athletic directors on establishing effective systems and fostering strong relationships within the sports community. Don't miss this insightful discussion packed with practical tips and heartfelt experiences on leading successful high school athletic programs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:26 Paul Caffery's Athletic Background

01:41 Transition to Public School Education

02:21 Coaching Career and Health Challenges

03:54 Return to La Habra as Athletic Director

05:43 Building a Supportive Athletic Culture

12:34 Challenges and Learning as a New AD

19:20 Promoting Multi-Sport Participation

26:29 Transitioning Between Seasons

26:41 Lessons from the Sporting Goods Industry

27:54 The Importance of Branding

30:18 Building Relationships and Trust

33:03 Challenges of Being an Athletic Director

35:23 Networking and Mentorship

39:48 Balancing Approachability and Efficiency

47:39 Changing Perspectives on Student Interaction

52:42 Evaluating Coaches Effectively

55:56 Conclusion and Future Plans

In this episode of Contacts Coaching Podcast, Jamie Wood, founder of Hyphenated Athletics Coach, joins Coach Clymo for an insightful discussion on the transformation from compliance roles to NIL Directorship at Texas A&M, and into independent NIL consultancy. Wood shares his journey, leveraging his extensive background to support athletes, families, institutions, and brands in the complex NIL space. The conversation delves into the realities of college athlete recruitment, the evolution of compliance, and the burgeoning role of NIL deals. Listen as they explore the long-term impacts of these changes on athletes' post-graduation networks and professional opportunities, and the role of third parties in the current collegiate athletic landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction

00:30 Transition from Compliance to NIL Director

01:29 Understanding Compliance and NIL

02:29 The Evolution of Athlete Compensation

06:05 Marketability and NIL Opportunities

14:10 Recruitment and Transfer Dynamics

17:51 Navigating the New Athletic Landscape

23:32 The Future of College Athletics

30:01 Navigating Third-Party Influence in College Sports

31:09 Financial Education for Athletes: Are Schools Doing Enough?

32:42 The Changing Dynamics of Recruiting

34:02 The Role of Professional Experience in College Sports

34:37 High School Athletes and Early Recruitment

35:17 NCAA's Stance and Legal Challenges

36:41 Revenue Sharing and the College Sports Commission

39:13 Scholarship Dynamics and Athlete Eligibility

43:18 Transfer Portal and Its Impact on College Sports

51:21 The Reality of Walk-Ons and Roster Management

54:32 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Athletes

Join us in this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we sit down with John Hoy, Athletic Director at the John Cooper School and President of the Southwest Preparatory Conference. John shares his journey from growing up in Wisconsin and coaching basketball at LSU to his current roles in Texas. He dives into the challenges and triumphs of leading at both high school and college levels, the importance of multi-sport participation, and the evolving landscape of youth sports. Learn about his strategies for effective communication, building a strong athletic culture, and finding the right coaches. Whether you're an aspiring coach or a seasoned athletic director, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

04:07 Journey from Wisconsin to LSU

07:30 Transition to Coaching and College Experience

11:59 From College to High School Athletics

18:30 Challenges and Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation

22:23 The Value of High School Sports

26:16 Navigating Adversity in Team Sports

27:31 Encouraging Cross-Disciplinary Learning

28:23 Building a Strong Coaching Staff

31:08 Effective Communication Strategies

36:22 Leadership and Collaboration in Athletics

38:13 Supporting Inexperienced Coaches

43:48 Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth

Join us in this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we sit down with Allison and Jake Johnson, head coaches of the Vanden High School Girls Basketball program. They share their journey from college basketball to coaching high school, discussing the challenges and successes they've encountered along the way. Dive into how they build a strong team culture, handle challenges, and balance the human aspect with discipline in sports. Discover practical tips on keeping players accountable, fostering competitiveness, and navigating the fine line between strictness and flexibility. Whether you're a coach, player, or sports enthusiast, this episode is a goldmine of wisdom on effective coaching and team management.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:49 Allison's Coaching Journey

02:04 Jake's Coaching Journey

03:16 Transitioning from JV to Varsity

04:54 Building a Winning Program

08:38 Balancing Toughness and Tact

14:39 Encouraging Competitiveness and Effort

27:37 Creating a Positive Team Culture

29:33 Holding Kids Accountable and Human Connection

30:33 Legacy and Accountability in Coaching

31:21 Alumni Pride and High School Memories

33:33 Learning from Other Sports and Coaches

38:42 Balancing Rules and Flexibility

50:41 Correctional Officer Insights in Coaching

55:12 Adapting Parenting and Coaching Styles

56:23 The Importance of Listening and Patience

58:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome back to the Contacts Coaching podcast! In this episode, we sit down with JTO Sullivan, a UC Davis Legend and owner of the QB School YouTube channel. We dive deep into JT's journey from an all-around athlete in the 80s and 90s to an NFL quarterback, and now a successful content creator and coach. JT shares insights on his playing career, his pivot from aspiring college coach to YouTube entrepreneur, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. We also explore his innovative coaching methods, including his approach to developing players and creating high-level football content. Whether you're an aspiring athlete, coach, or a fan, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:34 Early Life and Sports Journey

01:58 College and Professional Football Experiences

02:47 Transition to Coaching and Education

04:28 Content Creation and YouTube Success

05:16 Lessons from Football and Life

20:39 Parenting and Coaching Philosophy

22:34 High School Coaching Challenges

30:13 Coaching Methodologies and Challenges

31:04 Adapting to High School Coaching

32:00 The QB School: Origins and Growth

32:46 YouTube, Patreon, and Courses

36:22 Target Audience and Content Strategy

37:33 Simplifying Complex Concepts

42:51 Innovative Coaching Techniques

53:54 Youth Sports and Changing Perspectives