Sort of a different episode. When I first started the podcast, every 7th episode was interviewing individuals who hadn’t been fired. On this episode I sat down with Josh Washington and Charles Ruffing.

Back in 2010-11, I was in my 3rd year coaching college basketball and my first year back at my alma mater. The 2010-11 season was not pretty. We went 4-21. Josh was a senior on that team and Charles was a freshman. Fast forward to 2026 and both individuals are on Division I coaching staffs. Josh is at Jacksonville University as the men's basketball strength and conditioning coordinator (Josh was a previous FCP guest on episode #35). Charles is at Western Illinois University as an assistant men’s basketball coach.This episode reflects on their basketball careers, coaching philosophies, and lessons learned from their playing days. Their candid insights reveal how setbacks, humility, continuous learning, and relationships shape successful coaching careers, regardless of playing pedigree.

01:15 - Reconnecting with college basketball memories from 2010-2011

02:10 - Lessons from a challenging season and resilience

03:55 - Anecdote about leadership, and accountability

06:56 - Navigating team dynamics between younger and older players

08:24 - Handling losing streaks & maintaining a positive team culture

10:42 - The importance of self-awareness, humility, and continued learning in coaching

12:12 - The influence of playing pedigree on coaching opportunities

12:58 - The role of mindset, impostor syndrome, and passion in career development

14:27 - The transition from pedestrian player to successful coach and the chip on shoulder

15:37 - The importance of mentors, humility, and growth through adversity

16:33 - Building confidence and understanding success as a formula

17:44 - The reality of rocky seasons and ongoing learning as a coach

18:39 - Does division level matter? Differentiating division 1, 3, JUCO, and NBA experiences

19:08 - Financial and resource disparities across divisions and their effect on coaching

20:35 - Recognizing the value of lower-level coaching experience in career development

22:00 - Falling in love with the process and adapting to resources

24:33 - Growth from player to coach and the importance of self-identity

26:55 - The turning point to becoming an avid reader and continuous learner

28:10 - The impact of mentors and learning styles in coaching development

29:38 - The passion for learning and outside-the-box thinking in coaching

30:52 - Inspirational quotes on confidence and perseverance

33:05 - Reflection on decisions, success, and relationships beyond wins and losses

Book References:-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho-The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande-The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon-Give and Take by Adam Grant-Forty Eight Laws of Power by Robert Greene

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/

Discover the intriguing career path of Jared Ambrose. From growing up in a coaching family to leading teams at the collegiate level. Gain insights into the realities of coaching, the challenges of playoff runs, and the evolving landscape of college football including NIL and transfer culture. We talk about his time in coaching at Delaware (including a Joe Flacco story), helping build Towson with his brother Rob, and his stint as Interim Head Coach at Albany. 02:21 - The story of coaching transitions and connections05:55 - The Delaware playoff run and Joe Flacco's legendary throw07:28 - Navigating the FCS playoffs09:26 - Challenges of tournament logistics and team resilience11:03 - Highs and lows: From playoff appearances to national title games14:34 - A decade spent coaching with his brother at Towson16:16 - Experience working with his brother, Rob Ambrose, and organizational growth18:51 - Towson's remarkable rise from obscurity to championship contender21:20 - Recruitment of Terrance West22:20 - The impact of NIL, transfer portal, and recruiting at FCS level25:54 - Returning to Delaware and achieving success in recent seasons30:14 - The 2023 season challenges: Injuries, roster chaos, and COVID disruptions34:15 - Reflections on coaching stability, pressure, and organizational integrity38:48 - Transitioning out of coaching and focusing on family and community endeavorsFired 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/

In this episode, Coach Tony Shiffman shares his experience playing college football at Illinois College, managing injuries, passion for offensive line play, journey coaching high school in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Iowa, significance of organizing, coaching college at Lake Forest and Elmhurst, career setback, staying involved and networking.

02:20 - Transition from playing to coaching, injuries shaping career decisions

03:36 - The unique mentality and resilience required in football injuries

05:13 - Handling injuries and the importance of resilience in student-athletes

06:03 - Passion for offensive line and its culture in football

07:19 - What makes offensive line the most unique position group

10:16 - Building experience across different states and coaching environments

11:55 - Deciding when to pursue a head coaching role

13:15 - Moving into college coaching and the learning curve involved

17:43 - The quick turnaround to Lake Forest and Elmhurst roles

19:42 - The realities of coaching at the college level and balancing responsibilities

22:17 - Recruiting strategies and regional relationship-building

24:56 - The 2022 coaching experience and lessons learned

26:07 - The significance of having a support network and staying connected

28:16 - The evolving opportunities for remote coaching roles and analysis

33:08 - Connecting with other coaches and remaining involved in football community

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!

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In this episode, Coach Scott Wachenheim shares his remarkable journey through military service, college coaching, and leadership at VMI. Discover insights on building resilient programs, taking hard jobs, and lessons learned from decades of coaching at various levels. We talk about his stops at Air Force, Arkansas, Colorado, Utah State, Rice, Liberty, Washington Redskins (Commanders), Virginia and as head coach at VMI.

01:00 - Journey to the Air Force Academy

03:25 - Influence of Coach Hatfield

06:52 - Transition from Player to Coach

10:07 - Early Coaching Experiences and Success

13:56 - Coaching at Utah State

21:25 - Evolution of Offensive Strategies

23:27 - Becoming Offensive Coordinator at Rice

27:34 - Career Transition to Liberty and NFL

34:54 - Lessons from the NFL Experience

36:11 - Transitioning to VMI: A Unique Challenge

40:03 - Building a Program at a Military Institute

50:04 - Overcoming Adversity: The COVID Season

53:09 - Deciding to Step Away from Coaching

57:01 - Life After Coaching: Finding New Purpose

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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast

We talk about Coach Brian White's new book, "The Locker Room is Not For Sale". We travel through his college football journey from Fordham, Notre Dame, UNLV, Wisconsin, Syracuse, Washington, Florida, Boston College, Colorado State and now Bowling Green. During the episode we learn about being real, mentorship, recruiting, his love for cooking, staying connected to players, being fired, his thoughts on Aaron Hernandez and a special Lou Holtz story.

01:36 - Writing the Book: The Locker Room's Power

04:32 - The Impact of the Locker Room and Brotherhood

06:06 - Connecting Through Authenticity and Realism

12:55 - The Importance of Coaching Outside the Lines

14:52 - Mentorship, Street Life, and Life Lessons

16:02 - Living the Coaching Lifestyle and Family Balance

18:13 - The Role of Faith and Realism in Life and Coaching

22:43 - Staying Connected with Past Players

24:56 - Coaching Aaron Hernandez and Life Lessons

29:24 - Handling Turbulence and Staying Resilient

44:19 - Cooking, Hobbies, and Personal Passions

49:30 - Overcoming Challenges: Parkinson's and Personal Growth

53:33 - Lou Holtz Story

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/

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In this episode, Mike Rittelmann shares his journey from a D3 football player and coach to scout, highlighting the importance of networking, talent evaluation, and the unique aspects of CFL and the College Gridiron Showcase.01:19 - Growing up in Pennsylvania and love for football02:09 - Transition from player to coach and evaluator03:31 - Challenges of moving from athlete to coach04:27 - Impact of coaching on understanding the game06:34 - Networking and building a career in scouting10:05 - Getting involved with CFL and international leagues12:11 - The talent in CFL and differences from NFL14:00 - Adjustments from CFL to NFL scouting15:14 - College Gridiron Showcase: From list to opportunities16:44 - Success stories of players from CGS19:29 - Evaluating prospects from all levels of college football21:07 - The importance of outliers and unique talents22:44 - Canadian players and CFL draft process24:39 - The art of scouting and continuous learning26:36 - How to improve as a scout and industry insightsFired 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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast

Dan Schumacher shares his extensive journey in college athletics, highlighting his strategic approach to facility upgrades and program turnarounds. Discover insights on navigating NCAA processes, building winning teams, and adapting to the evolving landscape of college sports. We talk his experience as an athlete and working at Winona State, being an athletic director at D2 Lewis University, D1 Chicago State University, D3 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and D3 Northland College. 01:24 - Transitioning from Private Sector to Athletics04:50 - Turning Around Athletic Programs06:34 - Challenges and Successes at Chicago State09:30 - The Role of Facilities in Athletic Success11:49 - Understanding Division III Athletics13:57 - Strategic Planning for Enrollment and Sports16:11 - Building Facilities and Enhancing Programs18:44 - The Importance of Facilities in Recruitment19:42 - The Journey to Northland College21:40 - Finding the Root of Issues23:18 - Rearranging Facilities for Better Functionality25:36 - Hiring Practices and Coaching Strategies29:36 - Navigating Different Hiring Processes32:20 - Staying Current in College AthleticsFired 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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast

In this episode we take a trip down memory lane. We learn about how Coach Scott Pera got his start in coaching. We discuss the Hoosiers 2.0 story at Annville-Cleona, coaching James Harden at Artesia and Arizona State, making the jump to college coaching, how he got connected to Mike Rhoades, getting his opportunity to be the head coach at Rice, being let go, getting better and his current role as general manager of Penn State men's basketball. Take a listen!01:04 - The Roots of Honesty and Trust in Coaching

02:19 - Starting Out: From Baseball to Basketball

05:10 - The 1999 Annville-Cleona State Championship Run

08:20 - Memorable Moments in High School State Championships

10:37 - Transition to California and Artesia High School

19:10 - Journey to Division I: Arizona State and Rice

22:30 - Coaching James Harden

25:09 - Returning to Pennsylvania and Coaching at Rice

31:38 - Recruiting Trey Murphy and Building a Program

34:56 - Being Let Go at Rice

39:05 - Reflections on Family, Moving, and Coaching Aspirations

40:36 - Transition to Penn State and Current Role

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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast

Cory Marquardt's journey from student manager at Drake, navigating coaching changes, building relationships and embracing life's uncertainties. This episode offers insights into resilience, adaptability, and the power of relationships. We talk all things basketball, including Drake, high school basketball, UW-Stevens Point and getting better. Lot of fun with this one!

02:45 - Athletic Background and Early Coaching Experience

03:48 - Choosing Drake University: A Journey of Discovery

09:59 - Growth and Responsibilities in the Basketball Program

18:08 - Navigating Coaching Changes at Drake

23:49 - Embracing Change and Building Resilience

25:12 - Returning to Roots: The Journey Back Home

30:37 - Building Relationships: The Heart of Coaching

36:57 - Embracing Change: The Coaching Carousel

42:19 - Finding Balance: Life After 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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast

In this episode, Tyler Frings shares his journey from a college volleyball player at Carthage to then to coaching and building a men's volleyball program from scratch at Marian University. He discusses the growth of men's volleyball, the importance of culture and community in sports, and insights into recruiting, program development, and the future of the sport.

01:40 - Curiosity and Lifelong Learning

05:05 - Athletic Background and College Volleyball Journey

09:27 - Transitioning to Coaching at Carthage College

15:20 - Coaching Experience at Cardinal Stritch University

20:36 - Building a Volleyball Program from Scratch at Marion University

26:53 - Challenges and Growth in the Early Years of Coaching

30:00 - Reflecting on Coaching and Moving Forward

33:26 - The Future of Men's Volleyball

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/Follow on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/fired-coaches-podcast