Welcome back to the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. Today’s episode is one we’ve been excited about for a long time, because we’re diving into a space that’s become a true game-changer at every level of athletics: mental performance.

Our guest today is Kellen Lee — a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with a master’s degree in Sport Psychology and a PhD in Performance Psychology. Kellen has worked across elite environments, from professional athletics to military and organizational settings, and since January of 2023, he’s been serving as a mental skills coach for the Seattle Mariners at the major league level. He’s also fluent in Spanish, which adds another layer to the way he connects with athletes and teams.

In this conversation, we’re talking about what’s changed in athletics, why mental skills are no longer a luxury but a necessity, how leaders can build flexibility and trust, and what athletic directors should actually be looking for if they’re ready to bring mental performance into their programs. We’ll also dig into leadership, human connection, resistance, and even how tools like AI can support growth when used the right way.

We like to call this the “back of the baseball card” conversation — so we’ll let Kellen fill in the rest. Settle in. There’s a lot to learn today.

Welcome back to the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Seymour, an athletic director at Fishers High School in Fishers, Indiana, where he has served since 2014. Rob is the past president of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, a member of the NIAAA national teaching faculty for LTC 714, and an National Federation of State High School Associations Level 3 certified coach. 

In this conversation, Rob shares his “back of the baseball card” story, explains how he uniquely shares the AD role at Fishers, and offers insights on culture change through the lens of Indiana football, purpose-driven leadership, and game-day event management as hospitality inspired by Unreasonable Hospitality. We also dive deep into AI—why Rob embraced it early, how he’s using it today for visuals, videos, and daily AD work, how to educate coaches in a rapidly evolving space, and what athletic administrators may still be overlooking about AI’s impact on our profession.

Welcome back to the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast

This is a special episode for us, because we’re joined once again by a familiar voice and a great friend of the show—Steve “Throney” Throne.

Each year, we’re fortunate to sit down with the current President of the NIAAA, and this annual conversation has become one of our favorite traditions. In 2025, that role belongs to Steve Throne, and today we’re excited to reflect on his year of service, leadership, and vision for athletic administrators across the country.

For those who may be new to the podcast, Steve serves as the activities director and an assistant principal at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska. He first joined us back on Episode 87 in 2023. Later that year, the NIAAA Board of Directors selected him as President-Elect, and throughout 2025 he has served as President of the NIAAA.

In this episode, we’ll catch up with “Throney,” as he’s known nationwide, to talk about his presidential theme, Link It Up, the relationships that define our profession, innovative programs happening at Millard South, and what athletic administrators can take away from this year’s National Athletic Directors Conference.

Whether you’re a veteran AD, a first-time conference attendee, or someone simply looking to grow as a leader, this conversation is packed with insight, energy, and practical takeaways.

So settle in—this is our annual conversation with the NIAAA President, Steve Throne.

Today we have the privilege of welcoming back a familiar face — our most tenured guest — Brian Dodd. This episode has become a highlight of our year because Brian joins us annually to unveil his Top 10 Sports Books, giving us plenty of ideas for our Christmas lists and leadership libraries.

Brian’s blog, Brian Dodd on Leadership, continues to be a must-read for anyone in or out of formal leadership roles, consistently reaching more than 70,000 readers each month. He’s an author, the co-host of the Pursuit of Service Podcast, and, truthfully, our resident expert when it comes to curating an annual list of books that challenge and inspire us.

Today’s episode is one of those special moments for our podcast — a true honor to sit down with one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Our guest is Pro Football Hall of Famer, College Football Hall of Famer, and Georgia legend Champ Bailey. Over a 15-year NFL career with Washington and Denver, Champ became the gold standard at the cornerback position — earning 12 Pro Bowl selections, seven All-Pro honors, and a reputation as one of the most complete defensive players in football history.

But for all the accolades and highlight reels, what has always set Champ apart is who he is off the field — a humble leader, a devoted teammate, and now, a passionate advocate for developing the next generation of athletes through his partnership with Positive Athlete.

In this conversation, we talk with Champ about leadership, the importance of doing the little things right, and why recognizing athletes for their character is every bit as important as celebrating their stats.

So sit back and enjoy this special episode as we hang out with one of the best to ever do it — Hall of Famer Champ Bailey — right here on Hangin’ with the AD.

Welcome to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD podcast!

In today’s episode, we’re joined by someone who knows a thing or two about building leaders and pursuing excellence. Our guest is Bailey Miles, the founder and host of the Building Excellence Podcast. Bailey is an entrepreneur who’s spent time in the home-building business and other ventures, and some may recognize him from his days on the hardwood — both as a collegiate player and coach.

What makes Bailey stand out is his ability to connect lessons from sports, business, and life to help others grow into leaders of impact. His podcast has featured incredible voices across leadership and athletics — and today, he’s joining us to share some of the insights he’s gathered along the way

We’ll talk about what it means to build a personal leadership brand, how great leaders refine theirs with humility, and why the people you surround yourself with early in your career might matter more than what you’re doing. We’ll also dive into the concept of excellence — what it really looks like, why it’s not loud but steady, and how we can make it normal in our daily lives.

And of course, we’ll wrap up with the question Bailey asks all his guests — What does building excellence mean to you?

It’s a powerful conversation with a genuine leader and lifelong learner. So let’s jump into it — here’s our conversation with Bailey Miles.

Welcome to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD podcast. Today, we’re excited to bring you a conversation with Phil Rison, the Executive Director of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Phil stepped into this role in January of 2023 after serving six years as Associate Executive Director and has been a key leader in interscholastic athletics for decades.

A past president of the NIAAA and former Executive Director of the Kentucky High School Athletic Directors Association, Phil has also been a longtime member of the national teaching faculty for the legal courses—working alongside the legendary Lee Green. His contributions to our profession have been recognized through some of the NIAAA’s highest honors, including the Award of Merit, the Jim Watkins Award of Excellence, and the Distinguished Service Award. Most recently, he was inducted into the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame.

In this episode, we’ll talk with Phil about how the role of the athletic director has evolved over the years, the lessons he’s carried forward from mentors and experiences, and the responsibility athletic administrators have in shaping school culture and student success. We’ll also hear his thoughts on leadership, tradition, and what it means to serve as an executive in today’s organizations.

It’s a rich conversation with one of the most respected leaders in our profession. Let’s jump right into our interview with NIAAA Executive Director, Phil Rison.

Welcome to this episode of the Hangin’ with the AD podcast. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Patrick Irving, Director of Athletics for Pittsford Schools in the Rochester, New York area. Patrick is the first New York athletic director we’ve had on the show, and he brings an incredible perspective from his journey through four AD stops since 2011 to now leading a department of over 115 teams across two high schools.

In this episode, Patrick shares how Pittsford’s unique setup blends both school-specific and combined teams—including football—and the dynamics that come with managing such a large program. We also dive into his philosophy of building a culture where every student can belong, be challenged, and feel supported. Patrick opens up about his service on the NIAAA Publications Committee, the power of writing as a leadership tool, and even what advice he’d give his younger self just starting out as an AD.

We’ll talk about leading with presence, the importance of mission and core values, and how they show up daily in Pittsford Athletics. Whether you’re a veteran administrator or just getting started, you’ll find plenty of insight and inspiration in this conversation. Let’s settle in and get to know Dr. Patrick Irving.

Today on the Hangin’ with the AD podcast, we’re adding a new twist to our guest lineup. We’ve talked with high school and collegiate athletic directors, authors, speakers, and performance coaches—but this is the first time we’ve welcomed a TikTok star into the conversation.

Chris Harris is the athletic director at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Florida, a role he’s held since 2022. Before joining ECS, Chris spent six years as the Athletic and Activities Director at South Fort Myers High School. He’s a former collegiate athlete, a successful coach with state titles in both football and track, and now, a social media voice giving thousands of people an authentic look into the day-to-day life of a high school AD.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Chris uses TikTok not just for laughs or highlights, but as a leadership tool—to advocate for athletic administrators, educate communities, and tell the real story of what we do. We’ll also explore his thoughts on visibility as a leader, the power of a reset, leading with intention, and why now is the time for ADs to tell their own stories.

Whether you’re an athletic director, a coach, or just curious about life behind the scenes of high school sports, this conversation is packed with insight, energy, and encouragement. Let’s get to it—here’s our conversation with Chris Harris.

Welcome back to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast, where we sit down with leaders who are making a lasting impact in the world of athletic administration. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Sam Ferguson, the newly appointed Director of Athletics at the University of Texas-Tyler. Dr. Ferguson brings over 25 years of experience in college athletics, including leadership roles at Abilene Christian, McMurry University, and Averett University.

In this conversation, you’ll hear how Sam’s personal leadership values—centered around character, community, and the courage to innovate—are shaping the future of UT Tyler Athletics. We also dive into topics like avoiding distractions as a leader, family life in athletic administration, navigating career transitions, and lessons learned over nearly two decades as an AD. And of course, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk about the Patriots’ dominant softball program and what makes it truly elite.

This is a conversation full of wisdom, warmth, and practical takeaways for anyone looking to lead with purpose. Let’s settle in and get to know Dr. Sam Ferguson.