Ladies and gentlemen, you are truly in for a treat today as we sit down with our guest Dexter Wood. As a football coach, Dexter won 3 state championships at Buford High School in Georgia and set the state of Georgia consecutive win streak record at 47 games in 2004. Coach Wood retired from coaching in 2005 with a career record of 257 wins 92 losses and 3 ties. In 1988, Dexter was a charter member of the Georgia Athletic Director’s Association and served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors from 1989 until 1996. 
 
 The definition of a humble servant leader, Dexter Wood’s influence reaches far and wide as he never hesitates to work with other leaders to help them maximize their potential. Grab something to write with and on as we settle in and get to know Mr. Dexter Wood.

1:19- Introduction

4:17- What led you to athletics?

6:50- Focusing on the Goals; Overcoming the Noise

9:52- Common Truths of Productive Leadership

14:09- Lessons from Coach ‘Bear’ Bryant

19:51- Learning Leadership from a Losing Season
                 -‘Finding a Person who is Hungry for Responsibility’

24:07- An Organized, Productive Preseason Coaches Meeting

28:27- Taking Care & keeping Your Energy Up
                 -Date Nights with Spouse & Kids

36:00- Gauging & Shaping the Morale of Your Staff

38:08- Importance of Helping Other ADs

40:09- Value of the GADA

43:45- Not Losing Site of the Ones You Serve

47:12- 4 C’s to Hiring Coaches

52:34- Be a Better Leader than Coach

56:33- 2-Minute Drill

 

Book Mentions: Good to Great (Jim Collins)

 

You can follow Buford Athletics on Twitter @bufordathletics

 

About Hangin With The AD Podcast….

Hangin with the AD is an interview style podcast where Don Baker, Cobb County School District Director of Athletics, partners with Josh Mathews, Pope High School (GA) Athletic Director, to discuss hot topics and lessons learned with leaders in the world of athletics.  These leaders include high school athletic directors at the district and local school levels; college athletic administrators; leaders in spaces that connect to athletics such as nutrition, wellness, recruiting, student-athlete recognition; current and former athletes; and others, who can help athletic administrators develop themselves and their programs for a better daily experience for their athletic communities.          

We hope you enjoy the time we spend with these special guests.  Please leave us a review or rating to help us know how you were benefited from this podcast or how we can improve it.  Thank you for listening.  And until next time, thank you for spending your time, Hangin with the AD.         
 
 Don Baker, CMAA.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram)

Josh Mathews, CMAA...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA (East Cobb) @jwmathews14 (twitter & instagram)