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.

Welcome to episode 142 of the Hangin’ with the AD podcast, where we explore the intersection of leadership, athletics, and education through the voices of those making a real difference in the lives of student-athletes.

 Today’s episode brings a fresh perspective to the show—one from the whistle’s point of view.

 We’re joined by Marcus Woods, a highly respected official at both the high school and collegiate levels. Marcus has worked some of the biggest games in the country—including a recent college football national championship—and he’s earned a reputation for professionalism, consistency, and a deep understanding of what makes great officiating.

 In this conversation, we dive into what makes officiating fun, what makes it challenging, and what athletic directors and coaches can do to create a better experience for officials. Marcus also shares what defines a great official, how top officials handle missed calls, and why officiating might be the perfect next step for former athletes, coaches, or anyone looking to stay involved in the game.

 And for our coaches and ADs—Marcus offers powerful insight on what makes a coach great from the official’s perspective, and how leadership shows up on the sidelines.

 Whether you’re looking to better support your officials, recruit new ones, or simply understand the game from a different angle, this episode delivers.

 Here’s our conversation with veteran official Marcus Woods.

Welcome to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD podcast, where we talk leadership, culture, and the journey through athletics with those who are making an impact in the world of sports and beyond.

In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Alex Demczak—a former Division I quarterback at the University of Missouri who has since become a bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Alex co-wrote The Sale with Jon Gordon, a book that puts integrity at the center of personal and professional success. He’s also the author of Thrive U and The World Needs Your Book, and he’s helping others tell their stories through his company, Streamline Books.

In this conversation, we talk with Alex about the Four Laws of Integrity outlined in The Sale, the importance of mentorship, and what it truly means to be a high-performance leader. We also dive into practical strategies for encouraging others, the art of public speaking, and why integrity—not talent—is the real foundation for lasting success.

If you’re a coach, athletic director, or leader looking to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact, this episode is full of insight and inspiration. Let’s get to it—here’s our conversation with Alex Demczak.

Welcome back to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast, where we sit down with athletic directors and leaders who are shaping the future of high school sports. Today, we’re excited to bring on someone who knows a thing or two about building championship-level programs—both on the field and in the front office.

We’re joined today by Jason Brett, the athletic director and assistant principal at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. And yes, for those listening outside the Peach State—it’s HOW-ston, not Houston like the city in Texas.

Jason is a hometown product, originally from Perry, Georgia, and his journey through athletics is about as well-rounded as they come. From playing baseball at Valdosta State and in the Mets organization, to coaching at the collegiate level, to winning two state championships as the head baseball coach at Houston County—Jason has done it all. And now, he’s helping lead one of the top all-around athletic programs in the state.

We’re going to talk with Jason about that transition from coaching to administration, how to build standards that last, and what it means to lead with connection and consistency. So let’s settle in and get to know Coach Jason Brett.

Today we bring you another edition of our Single Topic Series as we dive into the emerging world of AI and how it fits into the world of the athletic administrator. We head to Pearl Mississippi and speak with Chris Chism who serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Pearl Public School District who is becoming a go-to resource in the space of AI. 

Welcome to another episode of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. This week we head west to Texas and sit down with leadership author and speaker Stephen Mackey. The episode kicks off with Mackey outlining his "6 Habits of Championship Character," a blueprint for cultivating student-athletes who pursue excellence in every aspect of life. He shares insights on whether these habits follow a specific order and which habit he believes is the essential starting point when developing champions from scratch.

We close with a discussion on excellence — what it truly means, why it is a non-negotiable for leaders, and why so many people settle for less rather than choosing to pursue excellence consistently.

Whether you're an athletic director, coach, educator, or leader in any space, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, authentic encouragement, and actionable strategies for shaping the next generation of leaders. Let’s settle in and get to know Stephen Mackey

Welcome to a special Masters Week edition of the Hangin’ with the AD Podcast. Today we have the distinct honor of sitting down with a man who stands at the helm of one of the most revered institutions in all of sports—Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club.

In this conversation, recorded just days before the azaleas bloom and the world turns its eyes to Augusta, Chairman Ridley takes us inside the inner workings of an event that has become synonymous with tradition, excellence, and vision. We explore what it truly means to lead an organization where the standard is not just maintained—but raised year after year.

We’ll talk about the discipline it takes to manage time when the calendar never slows down, how to lead with purpose at the highest level, and what it takes to turn long-term vision into reality while honoring a legacy that spans generations.

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a leader, or simply someone inspired by excellence—you’re in for a rare glimpse behind the green curtain. Let’s settle in and get to know Chairman Fred Ridley.

Today we stay closer to home and sit down with author and speaker Clay Scroggins. His book “How to Lead When You're Not in Charge” is a must for anyone whether they are in a position of leadership or not. Everyone answers to someone, and Clay left us with some great nuggets as we all look to get better in the space and place, we are in currently. Let’s settle in and get to know Clay Scroggins.

Today we stay a little closer to home but revisit the college ranks and sit down with Jim Peeples who serves as the Director of Athletics at Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. Jim is a product of being surrounded by some of the best in the business when he was younger, and he talks about how it shaped him into the leader he is today. He is an intentional servant leader and he left us with some great leadership lessons in this conversation. Let’s settle in and get to know Coach Jim Peeples.