The Underground Huddle

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 18th Underground Huddle, we welcomed College Football Playoff (CFP) Executive Director Rich Clark.  As the Executive Director of the CFP, he oversees the strategic direction and operation of one of the most iconic events in American sports. Stepping into the role during a period of unprecedented transformation, Clark is the driving force behind the playoff’s expansion to 12 teams. His leadership is defined by a commitment to expanding opportunity for student-athletes while preserving the unique tradition and intensity that defines college football.

Before entering the world of sports administration, Rich completed a legendary 38-year career in the United States Air
Force, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant General. His unique blend of elite military precision and a lifelong passion for the game allows him to lead through complexity with a steady hand. He is focused on building a championship environment that balances the evolution of the sport with the core values of integrity, humility, and excellence.

Recorded August 2026.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 17th Underground Huddle, we welcomed Coach "Bones" Fassel, associate head coach and special teams coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. Widely regarded as one of the premier special teams minds in the league, Fassel has built a reputation for aggressive, creative strategies that change the momentum of a game in an instant. Prior to joining the Titans, Fassel spent several years as the special teams coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams, where he even served as the Rams’ interim head coach in 2016. Throughout his career, he has consistently led top-tier units, earning praise for his ability to develop young players into all-pro talent.

Recorded May 2026.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 16th Underground Huddle, we welcomed back keynote speaker and author Alan Stein, Jr.! Recorded December 2025.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 15th Underground Huddle, our guest was Caleb Kimbrough, the head basketball coach at Hampden-Sydney College and a current client of ours at BUILD. Now entering his seventh season as head coach, Coach Kimbrough has led his team to three straight 20-win seasons. Two years ago, the Tigers posted a 31-3 record and made it to the national championship game in the Division III tournament. With multiple championships, All-Americans, records, and coach of the year awards to his name, Coach Kimbrough is the definition of a Disciplined Leader. Not because of the accolades, but because he prioritizes the most important things in his life: his wife, Marlee, and his three children, Nash, Shep, and Rae O’Grady. Recorded September 2025.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 
 
 For the 14th Underground Huddle, our guest was Chris Vaughn, assistant director of college scouting for the Dallas Cowboys. He joined the Cowboys in 2017 as an area scout after 18 years coaching college football with stops at Texas, Memphis, Ole Miss, and Arkansas. Today he works closely with the Cowboys VP of Player Personnel on talent evaluation. A former linebacker at Murray State, Vaughn is originally from Tallahassee, Fla., and most importantly is a husband to Marquette and a father to three children. Recorded June 2025.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 13th Underground Huddle, our guest was Dr. Chris Howard. Ben met Dr. Howard in 2009 as a sophomore at Hampden-Sydney College when he became the President at the school and since then he has been the President at Robert Morris University and is now the Executive Vice President at Arizona State University. Dr. Howard played running back at the U.S. Air Force Academy, was on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, and boasts a long list of leadership accomplishments. Most importantly, Dr. Howard is a husband to Barbara and father to Cohen and Joshua. Recorded March 2025.

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 
 
 For the 12th Underground Huddle, we welcomed Brian Callaghan, the co-founder of Apex Systems and a recipient of the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Virginia. Recorded December 2024.

UNDERGROUND HUDDLE #12: Brian Callaghan

Once per quarter, Ben and Sam Rogers with BUILD Coaching Company host The Underground Huddle - an interview with a prominent leader in sports or business with BUILD clients and other select guests present. All attendees live our mission to build an army of Disciplined Leaders and share our vision to be a resource for and a connector of current and aspiring leaders in small business, sports, and other areas of life. 

For the 12th Underground Huddle, we welcomed Brian Callaghan, the co-founder of Apex Systems and a recipient of the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Virginia.  

A short message meant to encourage, inspire, and serve as a call to action, THURSDAY FIRE is posted weekly. This is the 340th THURSDAY FIRE, written by BUILD Founder Ben Rogers on March 19th, 2026. To request a THURSDAY FIRE in print or to learn more about leadership development with BUILD, please visit www.buildthearmy.com or email [email protected]. Our mission is to build an army of Disciplined Leaders. Thanks for helping us build the army!