Nick DiMarco, Assistant Athletic Director for Peak Performance at Elon University, joins the show to break down the systems, leadership principles, and operational details behind building one of the premier sports performance departments in the country. Nick recently released his new book, The Director’s Manual, a must-read resource for coaches looking to step into leadership roles or elevate the programs they currently lead.

In this conversation, we dive into how to build a place people compete to work at, why creating stability in your role requires detaching yourself from any one sport coach, and the importance of always thinking one category above your current position. Nick also shares his framework for hiring staff, what true commitment to operational detail looks like, and how to lead in a way that allows your program to sustain success long after you leave.

Beyond the tactical takeaways, one of the most valuable parts of this episode is getting an inside look at how Nick thinks, builds systems, and creates vision within a high-level department.

🔗Check out more from Nick👇

Instagram: @dimarco.w.nick

Nick’s Book — The Director’s Manual: Get The Director’s Manual on Amazon 

Nick DiMarco Substack

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Director's Manual

01:12 Transitioning into a Director Role

05:51 Navigating Change and Resistance

08:45 Serving All Teams Equally

12:16 Taking Ownership as a Director

18:30 Establishing Administrative Relationships

23:09 Commitment to Operational Detail

31:25 Navigating Tough Conversations in Leadership

33:11 Hiring for Gaps: Building a Diverse Team

38:14 Uncovering True Character in Interviews

42:00 Creating a Desirable Work Environment

46:36 The Importance of Career Progression

48:42 Defining Your Hedgehog Concept

52:48 Building Sustainable Leadership

01:01:16 The Journey to Writing a Book