Fired Coaches Podcast

Episode 100!

Marcus Wiegert on coaching and building Fired Coaches PodcastMarcus Wiegert reflects on the six year journey behind the Fired Coaches podcast. With guest host Jon Stoehr guiding the discussion, Marcus shares how small town Wisconsin, college basketball, coaching turnover, and a major career setback all led to the show. We discuss Marcus’s path from athlete to coach to podcast host, the lessons he took from years in Division III basketball, and why he started creating a space for people to talk honestly about being fired or let go.

“I miss being miserable.” - Mike Worrell

02:28 - Why this episode is about Marcus’s story and the podcast’s origin

03:24 - Small town Wisconsin roots and where Marcus’s sports obsession began05:24 - Childhood dreams, scouting interests, and the move toward coaching

06:30 - What track, basketball and football taught him in high school

10:15 - How coaching turnover at Antigo shaped his long term perspective

11:24 - Why he chose Marian

12:36 - Sophomore year breakthroughs and moving from point guard to shooting guard

13:33 - Senior year frustration and team success

15:55 - Starting the college coaching path at UW-Superior

17:37 - D3 culture and Coach Dave Buchanan’s influence

19:03 - Marketing, fundraising, recruiting, development and coaching

20:49 - The return to Marian and doing 30 plus things on-campus

22:26 - The dream job opening and the reality of finishing second

24:49 - Getting the bad news and deciding whether to stay or leave

26:10 - Leaving for summer baseball

31:09 - The idea for Fired Coaches

32:55 - Early goals for the podcast and the first signs it could work

34:20 - Audience growth, consistency, and the pressure to keep improving

37:35 - Goals versus mile markers

39:16 - Why Jon Stoehr prefers to pivot rather than copy rivals

41:51 - The Matt Doherty episode

49:42 - Research methods, AI, and the challenge of asking fresh questions

57:02 - The most outside the box guest and the most nervous interview

61:08 - Curiosity, life changes, and what the podcast has taught him

63:17 - Guests he would love to revisit and keep talking with longer

67:54 - Interviews he’s proud of and when the conversation just clicked

69:24 - What he learned most from guests and how perspective changed

74:23 - Would he coach differently now with everything he has learned

84:45 - Closing praise, congratulations on episode 100, and wrapping up

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.comcoaching, sports leadership, podcasting, resilience, career journey, sports management, small college athletics, sports psychology coaching, podcasting, sports, fired coaches, networking, interview tips, sports psychology, career development

Zach Brandon is a mental performance and leadership coach who previously spent seven years with the Arizona Diamondbacks in mental performance and coach development roles. He now runs MVP Mindset Consulting helping coaches and individuals, has his own podcast called “Win More, Live Better” and his own newsletter, Winning With Words. He was a pitcher at Linfield and won a D3 national title, has worked at IMG Academy, Cal State Fullerton and the previously mentioned Arizona Diamondbacks. Just over a year ago, I think he hosted one of the best podcast episodes of all-time with former Boise State and Washington football coach, Chris Petersen.

01:48 - Managing the long season and mental resilience

04:13 - Transitioning to leadership roles and impact

06:55 - The importance of foundational mental skills

10:14 - Proactive vs reactive mental health strategies

13:04 - The co-creation approach in coaching

16:12 - Building systems for mental skills at home

19:03 - Supporting coaches and addressing burnout

22:00 - The future of mental health in coaching

25:14 - The role of organizations in supporting coaches

28:06 - The importance of coaching oneself

30:52 - Leveraging support and mentorship in coaching

33:55 - Practical techniques for flow and focus

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Ronnie McGill shares how a small-town South Carolina kid who played nearly every position in high school ended up at North Carolina, then worked his way into NFL scouting through a detour in Nashville and a timely introduction. He breaks down what life really looks like inside NFL personnel departments. The tagging and grading process in New England including character, medical and mental flags. Being asked questions on advance scouting by Bill Belichick. He talks about what he learned from working with organizations like the Titans, Patriots, and Texans including why the “Patriot Way” is tough to replicate elsewhere. He shares what he learned from people in the profession like Lake Dawson and Dave Ziegler. He also discusses the realities of the profession, what he misses most about it and the tradeoff between football and family life. Ronnie now has his own consulting company.

02:16 - First scholarship offers and how App State and UNC entered the picture

09:48 - The knee injury and conversation in Nashville

14:17 - Why Lake Dawson changed his view of how to succeed in the NFL

17:28 - The reality of 21-hour workdays in New England and low starting pay

20:28 - Why New England coaches and scouts often had to be developed inside the system

21:23 - Why the Patriots culture was hard to copy elsewhere

24:18 - The tag-heavy scouting system and how New England organized player evals

27:48 - Knowing when to shut it down during marathon workdays

30:44 - What a year-round NFL scout’s lifestyle actually looks like

32:46 - Early mornings and waiver wire deadlines

36:39 - Why Houston felt like the right next step

38:23 - Being the sole expert on a weekly opponent advance

39:43 - How Belichick used questions to test whether staff really did the work

45:43 - Following beat writers and social media for hidden details

48:54 - Choosing family time over the NFL lifestyle

50:53 - Why missing weddings, births, and milestones is part of the job

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Andrew Wingreen talks on building programs from scratch, next-play mentality, and the lessons behind his book Win One Won. Wingreen is the current head men’s basketball coach at New College of Florida (NAIA). Coach Wingreen shares what it takes to launch programs from scratch and the idea of winning one moment at a time. We discuss his path from student assistant to head coach, the value of “losing with” the right people and doing what it takes to staff in the profession. Andrew also previews his next book, Return the Cart, which focuses on culture, small choices, and personal accountability. He has coached at Northland International, Rockford, Bob Jones, Bethel (IN), Lancaster Bible and Stetson.

00:54 - Taking over New College of Florida and building from nothing

06:11 - The heart condition that redirected Andrew from playing to coaching

08:34 - Recruiting to a remote Christian school in northern Wisconsin

10:43 - Moving to Rockford and working multiple jobs

13:29 - Why Bob Jones was hard to say yes to and why he eventually did

16:29 - Losing the head coaching opportunity at Bob Jones

18:39 - The next-play mindset after a sudden career and housing setback

20:23 - How a marriage retreat helped him get Bethel assistant gig

21:34 - Why one year at Bethel was a major career accelerator

23:14 - Getting his first head coaching job at Lancaster Bible

24:47 - Moving to Stetson for a Division I opportunity

29:30 - “Win One One” book

31:29 - What’s next with Return the Cart

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Darren Savino, associate head coach at UCLA and a 30-year Division I veteran, explains his path from playing at St. Anthony in Jersey City to Seton Hall, St. John’s, East Carolina, New Mexico, Quinnipiac, Murray State, Rutgers, Cincinnati, and now UCLA. Coach Savino shares what he learned from Bob Hurley Sr., talked about his Division III playing career, and why genuine relationships have been the backbone of every opportunity he’s earned. We discuss how old-school camp culture helped young coaches network and learn, why being willing to take any job kept Savino in the profession, how a tough stretch without work led him to building a routine, how he found out a job was still open by listening to sports talk radio and his tight knit relationship with Mick Cronin.

01:05 - Growing up with Bob Hurley and learning the game at St. Anthony

02:38 - Jersey City toughness, St. Anthony’s challenges, and a fighter’s mindset

04:03 - Why Division III shaped his love for coaching and the game

05:48 - How camp basketball used to build careers and relationships

9:27 - Seton Hall administrative year taught him how the business works

11:41 - Fran Fraschilla and St. John’s

16:54 - Getting fired at St. John’s

17:53 - Taking a low-paid job at East Carolina

22:39 - How David Pump connected him to Mick Cronin at Murray State

25:21 - Why Murray State worked so quickly and why Coach Cronin stood out as a coach

26:41 - Choosing Rutgers over Cincinnati to be closer to family during a difficult health situation

29:59 - The stressful job search after Rutgers and using Panera Bread as a work base

32:48 - The lesson of building real relationships

38:56 - What 16 years of stability with Coach Cronin has meant at Cincinnati and UCLA

40:30 - How he keeps learning through Euro basketball and reading

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Coach Jim Boone shares his extensive coaching journey, from playing at West Virginia State to leading programs at the Division II and Division I levels. Coach Boone discusses becoming a head coach at a young age, implementing Pack Line Defense, being let go at Eastern Michigan, rebuilding programs, relationships with Don Meyer and Bob Starkey, staying in touch with players and giving back to the game. He has been a head coach at Division I Robert Morris and Eastern Michigan, Division II California University of Pennsylvania, Tusculum, West Virginia Wesleyan, Delta State, Arkansas Fort Smith, Division III Greensboro and currently the head coach at NAIA Missouri Valley College.

02:00 – Early playing days and coaching influences

04:15 – Balancing family and coaching career with an MBA pursuit

10:45 – Transition to head coach at California U of Pennsylvania

13:20 – Building a culture and early successes

16:00 – Turning down opportunities

17:50 – Breaking into NCAA Division I with Robert Morris

20:10 – Growth and success at Robert Morris, rankings, and championships

24:50 – Defensive philosophy: from aggressive press to learning from Dick Bennett with pack line

28:50 – Giving back: clinics, mentorship, and coaching philosophy

30:40 – Moving to Eastern Michigan

36:00 – Leading teams through adversity and resource limitations

39:20 – Reflection on coaching longevity and staying connected

49:55 – The importance of relationships and giving back in coaching

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Listen to Jake von Scherrer's journey through coaching, athletic administration, and podcasting. He spent time at the high school and college level (Umpqua, Missouri Valley College, Norwich). Spending time working in seven different states. He talks about early influences with coaching, adaptability, networking, processes, learning from career setbacks, starting his podcast and much more!

02:30 - Influence of mentors and early coaching experiences

04:10 - Transition from high school to college coaching

09:30 - The importance of documenting processes and systems in coaching

12:15 - Building relationships and navigating change

15:00 - The impact of Steve Prefontaine on Olympic and college track culture

18:00 - Moving across the country and embracing new coaching environments

25:00 - The role of persistence career opportunities

30:00 - Handling setbacks, layoffs, and career transitions

34:10 - Launching and growing the Educational AD Podcast

38:00 - Lessons learned from podcasting and giving others a voice

41:30 - Reflecting on the joys of coaching relationships and community impactFired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Football Coach Mike DuFrane started his career at Division III with playing success at UW-Whitewater where he was part of a national championship program. He spent many years coaching D3 and D2 football across the Midwest (Minnesota-Morris, Carthage, Loras, Marietta, St. Scholastica, Finlandia, Northern Michigan) and is currently an assistant football coach at Enterprise High School in Alabama. This episode dives into roster building, building programs, developing recruiting relationships across Midwest, importance of family and much more!

00:00 - Introduction and Mike’s background from Whitewater to coaching

02:00 - The culture of Whitewater football and its influence

05:00 - Transition from player to coach: early stops at Morris and Carthage

08:00 - Building programs with small rosters during COVID-19

12:00 - Methodologies for recruiting during challenging circumstances

15:00 - The importance of program identity and standing out from traditional powerhouses

18:00 - Creative practice strategies with limited athlete availability

22:00 - Finlandia’s challenges and program shutdown experience

26:00 - Moving to Division II at Northern Michigan and key lessons learned

33:00 - The transition to Alabama: new opportunities and facilities

37:00 - Family-driven decisions and life in the deep south

41:00 - Future outlook and coaching philosophy

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Learn about Coach Jarod Dodson’s football coaching journey. Spending time at Division III, Division II, Division I (FCS and FBS). He talks about his time at South Dakota, Michigan Tech, Buffalo, Old Dominion, South Dakota School of Mines, Alfred State, St. Thomas (MN) and now as the offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Stetson. He talks about Midwest culture, being let go at Alfred State, relationship building, family, transition of divisions, Turner Gill and Lance Leipold at Buffalo, self-growth, honesty and much more!

01:06 - Growing up in California and early football experiences

02:44 - Transition from coaching defense to offense at South Dakota

05:12 - From South Dakota to Buffalo with Turner Gill

12:28 - Lessons learned from coaching changes at Buffalo

15:31 - Handling career setbacks and staying resilient

24:26 - Coaching at South Dakota Mines and building programs from the ground up

26:37 - Becoming head coach at Alfred State

34:33 - Transitioning through multiple levels and the significance of program growth

37:15 - Coach Dotson's upcoming book "Coaching With My Boots On"

38:13 - Family impact and supporting his wife and kids during transitions

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.

Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

Follow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Learn about the coaching journey of Chris Kreider, from his humble beginnings playing at Lebanon Valley College to his current role coaching at Georgia Tech. This episode offers insights into growth, adaptability and family balance. His Division I stops at Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, George Mason, VMI, Rice, Georgia State and SMU. He has also coached high school, NAIA and NCAA Division II. He has worked for Paul Hewitt, Dan Earl, Scott Pera and Rob Lanier at the Division I level. Topics include: job transition, importance of family, networking, leveraging technology, working at a military institution and much more!

01:30 - Chris Kreider’s early coaching roots and background

03:15 - How a missionary upbringing influenced his love for basketball

08:45 - Breaking into coaching through camp circuits and networking

11:20 - Mentorship from Scott Pera and UCLA camp experience

14:50 - First coaching job at Great Falls and lessons learned

18:10 - Transitioning to high school coaching, balancing family, and career decisions

21:30 - Volunteering at USC Aiken and gaining Division II experience

25:10 - Preparing for Division I roles

28:00 - The significance of administrative roles before coaching on the court

31:30 - Transition to Georgia State, SMU, Rice and the impact of coaching under Rob Lanier 34:00 - The importance of family support and managing professional life

36:20 - Full circle moments at Georgia Tech and lessons on reputation

38:00 - Continual growth through learning and technology in coaching

39:00 - Final thoughts on career reflections and future aspirations

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/