Whit Babcock, Director of Athletics at Virginia Tech, joins Mike Hamilton on the From the Chair Podcast as the two discuss Babcock's involvement in the transition of legendary football coach, Frank Beamer, playing a football game at the Bristol Speedway, and advice to those looking to become athletic directors.

From the Chair Hosted By Mike Hamilton

Whit Babcock (Virginia Tech)

Wren Baker, Vice President & Director of Athletics at North Texas, joins Mike Hamilton on the From the Chair Podcast as the two discuss Baker’s path to his current position. From graduate assistant to middle school principal to AD and head basketball coach, Baker’s background is highlighted throughout the discussion. The two also dive into UNT’s recent success in athletics and how the department’s momentum can be traced to its strategic plan.

Wren Baker (University of North Texas)

Chris Del Conte, Vice President of Athletics at Texas, joins Mike Hamilton on the From the Chair Podcast to discuss his recent move to join the University of Texas. Del Conte talks about the massive size of the department and his approach to bring success to the department. He discusses how his background shapes his philosophy on people, relationships, and why he works in athletics. He also discusses his philosophy on being present, dressing nice, and the importance of first impressions.

Chris Del Conte (Texas)

Desiree Reed-Francois, AD at UNLV, talks about how an major accident in her family led to her career in athletics. She reflects on working with legendary coaches such as Pat Summitt and Frank Beamer. The discussion also touches on the benefits of diversity as she has hired former student-athletes, as well as a number of people from different ethnicities to work in her department. Throughout the conversation, Reed-Francois emphasizes the importance of having a purpose for working in college athletics.

Desiree Reed-Francois (UNLV)

Hunter Yuracheck, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at University of Arkansas, discusses his unique situation of being hired less than 24 hours before the new football coach was named. He heaps praise on the Chancellor and the interim AD, Cromer Peoples, for simultaneously executing two major searches in a relatively short period of time. He also talks on the outstanding job done by his predecessors, Jeff Long and legendary Coach and AD, Frank Broyles. Speaking on culture, Yurachek emphasizes how important it is for everyone in the organization to understand how important they are.

Hunter Yurachek (University of Arkansas)

Sean Frazier, Director of Athletics at Northern Illinois University, discusses how his experience with college ice hockey as an NCAA D2 & D3 AD helped propel him to his current position. He roots his leadership philosophy in getting the right people in the right positions, developing them, and empowering them to be able to do the job on a daily basis. Speaking about his mentors, Frazier is very hearty in his appreciation for his development under Barry Alvarez and others he has learned from over his career.

Sean Frazier (Northern Illinois University)

Gary Barta, Director of Athletics at the University of Iowa, discusses his battle with prostate cancer and his staff's adjustment to his absence. He also speaks about his concerns with college athletics, specifically identifying money as the root of most if not all issues. The tenured AD recalls legendary summer retreats with others who serve in the chair as being very instrumental in developing many of the relationships that exist in the industry today.

Gary Barta (Iowa)

Joe Hamilton, Colorado State Director of Athletics, talks about the benefit of having a new on-campus football stadium. CSU decided to build the new digs as opposed to renovating the existing stadium which was located four miles off-campus. Hamilton discusses how this decision and execution has brought a new energy on campus. The conversation also touches on his leadership influences, the importance of detaching every once in while, and who he follows on Twitter.

Joe Parker (Colorado State)

In this episode of From the Chair, host Mike Hamilton speaks with Todd Stewart, Director of Athletics at Western Kentucky. Stewart discusses how his background in communications and media relations provided excellent training for his current role leading an athletics department. He also discusses the benefits of the relatively recent conference move and how it has proven to be a successful transition.

Todd Stewart (Western Kentucky)

In this episode of From the Chair, show host & former Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton speaks with Mark Coyle, Director of Athletics at University of Minnesota. Coyle discusses how his experiences working in multiple FBS conferences helped shape his style and leadership philosophy. Having hired three football coaches to three different institutions in a span of six years, Coyle relays a healthy understanding of the uniqueness of every search process. The conversation also delves into the transition from Deputy AD to taking on the responsibility as the Director of Athletics.

Mark Coyle (Minnesota)

Lee Reed, Director of Athletics at Georgetown explains his motto of “Student-Athlete driven, Coach centered, Administrator assisted.” Reed goes into depth on the impact of his time spent away from college sports, managing a portfolio of McDonalds restaurants. This wide ranging conversation also touches on recent head coaching hires, making the decision to accept a new position, the reasons he attends the NACDA Convention, and the people in the industry who had the biggest influence on his career.

Lee Reed (Georgetown)

In this episode of From the Chair, host Mike Hamilton speaks with Dan Radakovich, Director of Athletics at Clemson University. Radakovich talks about how a note on a napkin from his football coach led to a new athletics facility. Radakovich covers how important it is for athletic administrators to support coaches by giving the coach the resources needed to be successful. Also, as he serves his final year on the College Football Playoff selection committee, Radakovich identifies what he believes to be the reason why the current system is better than previous football championship structures.

Dan Radkovich (Clemson)

Former Tennessee AD Hamilton visits with Kentucky’s Barnhart in the latest edition of From The Chair from ADU. Barnhart talks on the importance of matching resources with expectations, as well as the enthusiasm Mbb coach Calipari brings to UK. Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, running marathons, and serving on the bball selection committee...much more.

Mitch Barnhart (Kentucky)

AthleticDirectorU is proud to introduce our newest feature, From the Chair with Mike Hamilton. Mike Hamilton, former Director of Athletics at Tennessee, will have intimate conversations with sitting AD's on their backgrounds, leadership philosophies, and contemporaneous issues in college athletics. In the first edition of From the Chair, Mark Ingram, Director of Athletics at UAB, talks about his journey from earning a scholarship as a walk-on football player, to being hired as the AD to help bring football back to a school that eliminated it not even a year before. Lots here in this in-depth & intimate conversation.

Mark Ingram (UAB)

Former University of Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton sits down with athletic directors from across the Division I landscape.

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From the Chair Hosted By Mike Hamilton

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