In this chat with Ben Wierzba, we learn about his unique path from coaching men’s basketball to women’s basketball. The recent announcement on him being named the head women’s basketball coach at Evansville, his time as the Director of Operations at Army, being let go as the head coach at D2 Illinois Springfield, coaching success as an assistant with Mercer and Miami (OH) women’s basketball, full circle moment at Evansville and much more!

02:49 - Building a Program at Miami of Ohio

05:43 - The Importance of Relationships in Coaching

08:53 - Family Life as a Coach

11:46 - Experiences at West Point and Operations Role

14:46 - The Coaching Family Tree

17:43 - Returning to Evansville and Building a New Program

19:45 - The Importance of Kindness in Coaching

20:31 - Transitioning to Head Coach at UIS

23:43 - Facing Challenges and Learning from Failure

25:48 - Rejuvenation and New Opportunities

27:33 - The Shift to Women's Basketball Coaching

30:29 - Success at Mercer and Building a Winning Culture

32:29 - Returning to Evansville: A New Chapter

33:40 - Reflections on Coaching and Personal Growth

35:23 - The Joy of Winning and Celebrating Success

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

Ryan Hawk (a former college football player at Miami Ohio University and Ohio University) shares details regarding his upcoming book "The Price of Becoming" which can be pre-ordered on Amazon. This will be Ryan's fourth book. In addition to writing, Ryan has a newsletter, is a keynote speaker, leadership coach and host of The Learning Leader! In this episode we talk about his time in corporate sales, launching his podcast, being curious, being careful with AI, family, consistency and the desire to get better!

The Price of Becoming - https://a.co/d/0cT20aYF

The Learning Leader - https://www.youtube.com/ryanhawkJoin the Learning Leader newsletter - https://learningleader.com/blog/

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

Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

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.

Marcus Wiegert shares expert insights on navigating coaching searches at small colleges, emphasizing proactive headhunting, relationship building, and strategic preparation for candidates and institutions.

00:28 - Understanding the Division III Landscape

01:48 - Segmenting Division III Institutions by Resources and Focus

02:45 - Challenges Facing Smaller Schools and How to Address Them

03:40 - The Importance of Active Recruitment in Coaching Searches

04:36 - Building a Strong Candidate Pipeline

05:30 - Forming Effective Search Committees

07:24 - Streamlining the Interview Process

08:19 - Deciding Who Makes the Final Hiring Decision

09:17 - Tips for Candidates to Improve Their Chances

10:15 - Networking and Relationship Building Strategies

11:11 - Using Content Creation to Enhance Visibility

12:36 - Sharing Information and Building Trust

13:34 - The Power of Follow-Up and Persistence

14:31 - Preparing for Interviews and Common Questions

15:07 - Developing a Coaching Portfolio

16:06 - Attaching a Portfolio to Your Application

16:35 - Questions Candidates Should Ask During Interviews

16:54 - Understanding Campus Culture and Fit

Fired Coaches Podcast was created in May 2020 by Marcus Wiegert (former D3 college coach). The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.

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

Join our newsletter: firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/bio

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firedcoachespodcast

Coach Tony Franklin shares his inspiring journey through football, from small-town Kentucky roots to college coaching and building the Tony Franklin System. We talk about his book release after being at Kentucky that blacklisted him from coaching for a bit, getting fired at Auburn, leading successful offenses at multiple Division I stops, coaching Jared Goff, writing, family, resilience, and the importance of doing good for others

05:26 - Kentucky High School Football: Passion and Challenges

09:52 - The Road to College Coaching: Breaking In

12:09 - Writing for Truth: The Impact of 'Fourth Down Life'

16:06 - Building the Tony Franklin System: From Desperation to Success

21:58 - Consulting in Coaching: A New Era of Mentorship

25:00 - Reflections on Coaching Tenure at Auburn

28:47 - The Power of Anger and Resilience

29:55 - Success Stories at Middle Tennessee State and Louisiana Tech

32:35 - Efficient Practice: Balancing Physicality and Health

39:07 - Living Life with No Regrets

42:14 - Family, Balance, and Career Decisions

Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

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.

In this in-depth interview, Coach Grant Mollring shares his journey through football coaching at various levels, from high school to Division II at Nebraska Kearney, NAIA stops at Doane and Hastings and leading his own program at Division III Buena Vista in Iowa. He also shares his insights on recruiting, team building, and leadership. We dive into Nebraska football, being a Dominique Wilkins fan, working with Dan Tudor, building NoMo Athletics and how he gets better from a sport other than football.

Follow Coach Mollring and NoMo Athletics on X: https://x.com/coach_Mollring

02:51 - Growing Up in Nebraska: The Impact of Nebraska Football

05:51 - The Journey Begins: Coaching High School Football

08:21 - Transitioning to College Football: The Kearney Experience

11:22 - The Role of Education: Balancing Teaching and Coaching

14:29 - Climbing the Ranks: From Doane to Hastings

20:19 - The Move to Buena Vista: Adjusting to Division III Football

23:10 - Overcoming Adversity: Lessons from COVID-19

23:34 - Turning Point: From Struggles to Success

31:14 - Navigating Challenges: The Impact of Injuries and Roster Depth

36:29 - New Beginnings: Launching No More Athletics

44:23 - Continuous Growth: Learning and Adapting in Coaching

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

Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

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.

In this episode, Coach Scott Sorenson shares his extensive journey through college basketball coaching, from high school basketball and the University of Minnesota to international leagues, and his insights on building a coaching career, navigating small college challenges, and the importance of adaptability and networking. We talk what he learned from the coaches he has worked for, coaching tennis and softball and living the dream!

00:00 - Introduction to Scott Sorenson's Journey

05:44 - Transitioning from College to Coaching

11:24 - Navigating Opportunities and Luck in Coaching

17:06 - Getting Started in Coaching Today

22:43 - Lessons Learned from Coaching at Different Levels

32:52 - The Legacy of Coaching Excellence

38:26 - Transformational Coaching vs. Transactional Relationships

43:38 - Recruiting in Remote Areas

49:24 - The Impact of COVID-19 on College Athletics

54:30 - Finding Stability at the University of Dubuque

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

Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

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.

Episode #63 with someone I would call a legend in the basketball world. Adam Nelson. The trusted source when it comes to job openings and movement in the men's and women's basketball world on Hoop Dirt. Adam Nelson details his career coaching that started as a student at South Carolina and Boston College. He then spent many years in Division III and Division I. Head Coaching stops at Becker, Newbury and Suffolk. We talk about his coaching experience, building Hoop Dirt, being trustworthy, how NIL and transfer portal has changed predictability on coaching changes and work-life balance.

00:00 - Introduction to Coaching Journey

02:53 - Early Coaching Experiences and Lessons Learned

05:43 - Transitioning to Division III Coaching

08:48 - Navigating Division I Coaching Challenges

11:26 - Building a Career in Division III

14:28 - Recruitment Strategies and Challenges

17:19 - The Birth of HoopDirt and Networking in Coaching

21:28 - The Unique Niche of Coaching News

23:19 - Transitioning from Coach to Entrepreneur

26:51 - Skills from Coaching to Business

29:58 - The Evolution of News Reporting in Coaching

34:02 - Navigating the Modern Coaching Landscape

36:16 - Balancing Family and Business Growth

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

Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespod

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.

On this episode we talk to Anthony Leonelli, head men's basketball coach at Fisher College (NAIA). We learn about his unconventional coaching journey through Division III and NAIA basketball, including being fired from Green Mountain College after a 21-4 season. Coaching in the ABA, building a college baseball program and much more!01:19Early Sports Influences and Love for Basketball02:46First Steps into Coaching and Camp Experience03:12Managing at Akron and Learning from Top Coaches05:29Transitioning from Assistant to Head Coach13:20The Green Mountain Head Coaching Experience18:28Challenges and Lessons from Green Mountain21:28Reflections on Administrative and Institutional Challenges24:40Finding Success at Fisher College36:23The NAIA Tournament and Small College BasketballMake sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFired 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.

In this interview with a recent National Champion, Coach John Bowler shares his journey from a decorated player to a successful junior college coach, highlighting lessons learned, building culture, and strategies for sustained success. Discover how resilience, relationship-building, and a focus on process over outcome have driven his remarkable achievements.His path from high school to Eastern Michigan, overseas, Delta State, Des Moines Area Community College, UW-Milwaukee and now Parkland College in Illinois!00:00Introduction and Background01:57Playing in Chicago High School Basketball02:57Path to Eastern Michigan and Overseas Career08:37Coaching at Delta State12:26Lessons Learned at DMACC19:44Winning the National Championship and Overcoming Adversity31:21Building a Culture of Continuity and Trust40:19Reflections on Success, Failure, and GrowthMake sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFired 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.

In this episode we talk about Coach Tony Aker's journey from playing football at UWSP to coaching at UWSP. His time as an offensive coordinator at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Being named the head coach at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Leading a program during COVID. Coaching FCS football.00:59Growing Up in Indiana and Early Influences02:24Playing Career and Transition into Coaching07:16Transitioning from Point to Eau Claire and Carroll11:40Building Relationships and Overcoming Program Challenges14:41Pivoting to Eau Claire and Transition to Carroll31:01Growth as a Coach and Leadership Lessons38:56First Year at Lawrence During COVID45:54Dealing with Program Challenges and Resilience58:21Reflections on Coaching During Difficult Times01:11:33Current Role at Dayton and Future OutlookMake sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFired 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.