The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

From Friday-night lights to track-side hurdles, Jhad Jones’ coaching journey is anything but typical.In this episode, he opens up about the long road from a football dream to building Buffalo’s next sprint and hurdle stars 🦬Highlights:🏈 Thought track only existed at the Olympics…until he found it himself💥 A “petty bet” sparked his passion for coaching🏃‍♂️ Hustled with two coaching jobs at once (Moorpark & Cal Lutheran)📚 Returned to finish his degree mid-career while coaching🌎 Took a leap from SoCal to Southern Arkansas before landing in Buffalo💬 Shares the hard truths about recruiting in the MAC and building culture“You’ll probably mess up more athletes than you help early on — but you don’t know that until later. Growth takes trial and error.” — Jhad Jones🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read ⁠⁠THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast

Each year at the USTFCCCA Convention, we sit down with coaches for micro 5-10/ish minute interviews. This year we asked them "What are you a nerd about off the track?" in an attempt to learn about these amazing human beings outside of their roles as excellent track/field coaches. Their answers are as diverse as they human they are. We learned we were sitting with Lego enthusiast, history buffs, trail/mountain fans, and so much more.ENJOY!🌟 Explore Our Library:Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan,as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou(Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) andmany more! Find us on Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more foryour listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode,which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill ConnectionsPodcast Network. 📲 Stay Connected: Wantto get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham),email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com,or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Andrew Balser joins us on the Gill1918 Project to teach us about a leadership lesson that made him a better coach, a better father, and a better husband. Early in his professional journey he thought leaders head to have a loud voice. Today he's learned that top leaders have the sharpest ear. Andrew is the head coach of the University of Milwaukee track and field team and has earned the Horizon League Track and Field Coach of the Year award SIX TIMES!Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read ⁠⁠THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast

David is a nationally known T&F announcer and is the Director of Client Relations for Coach O. Pulling from his decades coaching experience, he shares how to simplify the teaching of new concepts for beginner athletes for all coaches, especially brand new coaches, with examples of starting blocks, relay exchanges, training on the road and getting new long jumpers started. If you'd like to contribute an episode to this series, contact David HERE.

From competing as a multi-event athlete at the University of Rhode Island to leading the program as head coach, Trent Baltzell has lived every phase of the collegiate track and field experience.In this episode, Trent shares how authenticity, relationships, and persistence have shaped his coaching journey—from first-time head coach at Assumption to returning home to URI. His story is filled with lessons about leadership, culture, and the power of staying true to who you are.💡 Highlights include:🏃‍♂️ Transitioning from athlete to coach — and learning to lead authentically💬 The challenges of being a first-time head coach at a young age🧩 Building and managing a coaching staff for long-term success🏅 Returning to his alma mater and carrying on Coach Copeland’s legacy🏟️ Designing URI’s brand-new track & field facility from a coach’s perspective“I just tried to be myself — not who I thought a head coach was supposed to be. The athletes can always tell when you’re genuine.” – Trent Baltzell🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read ⁠⁠THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE⁠⁠ for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast

Coach Jamal Moore is a speed and performance coach completing his first full year of coaching for PAP Sports in Upstate SC. Jamal recognizes the importance of positive relationships between coaches, athletes, and parents. He shares his refreshing insights to remind, encourage, and inspire coaches everywhere that those little personal details add up quickly. If you are interested in contributing an episode to this youth-oriented series, contact David Mitchell to learn how.

Join us as we kick off Season 7 of the Gill Connections podcast as we welcome newly named Univ of Texas throws coach Mo Saatara to the show. From surviving a revolution to shaping world champions — Mo Saatara’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of excellence. In this episode, Mo shares how his journey from Iran to Northern Arizona, Michigan, Cal Berkeley, and now Texas has shaped him as both coach and person. He reflects on losing his job through no fault of his own, guiding world champion hammer thrower Camryn Rogers, and now leading the throws program for one of the nation’s premier track & field teams. 🧠💪✨ Highlights:🧭 Life lessons from a revolution and how they shaped his coaching resilience🧱 Building team culture at Michigan and Cal Berkeley🎯 Coaching Cameron Rogers to world and North American records🧠 Why great coaches focus on an athlete’s strengths, not their weaknesses🔥 Inside the mindset of elite throwers and what separates pros from collegians🏆 The move to Texas — stability, support, and the pursuit of championships“When you’re in the fire, you either stand still and get burned, or you roll down the hill, scrape yourself up, and live to keep going.” — Mo Saatara🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Coach Emeott's East Kentwood HS teams have won 8 State Titles and a National Team Championship. At EK they've built one of the biggest T&F programs in the country. Learn how they recruit within their district and why those methods matter to both the team and to each athlete.If you’d like to contribute an episode, email David Mitchell at clientrelations@coacho.com.

From football dreams to track passion, Bradley Moon’s journey is one of faith, humility, and servant leadership. As founder of Sprint Free Training and co-creator of the upcoming Remotion app, Bradley’s story shines a light on what happens when coaching goes beyond ego — focusing instead on relationships, respect, and doing it “for the kids.”In this inspiring season finale, Mike and Bradley unpack:🏈 Transitioning from football player to track coach🧠 Learning through mentors like Coach Bird, Coach Black, and Altis🙌 Building trust between club and high-school coaches💡 Coaching philosophy rooted in humility and servant leadership📲 How technology (like Remotion) can support underserved athletes🙏 Using coaching as a platform for ministry and mentorship“There has to be a level of humility in coaching. I never want an athlete to think I’m bad-mouthing another coach — we’re all here to serve the kids.” — Bradley MoonAs Season 6 comes to a close, this episode is the perfect reminder that success in track and field isn’t measured by medals — it’s measured by impact.🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Tanya is Founder & CEO of Sportspreneurs-A Division of Activate International and a Coach O Ambassador. She is our presenter for this, the first episode in the Youth and Beginner Series Powered by Coach O. If you’d like to contribute an episode, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact David Mitchell at clientrelations@coacho.com to learn more about how you can get involved and/or to give feedback about this exciting new series within the Gill1918 Project.

This week, we flip the script and feature one of our amazing dealer partners who helps us empower coaches every single day. Meet Mike McCarroll — former pole vaulter, college coach, and now a Game One sales rep helping athletic programs across Texas get the equipment they need.Mike shares his journey 📈:🦅 Growing up a proud Texas pole vaulter with a family legacy🎓 Choosing McMurry University over a D1 powerhouse — and how that changed everything🤕 The injury that unexpectedly launched his coaching career👨‍🏫 High school cross country, college multis, and the joy of building athletes🛠️ His transition into serving all sports through Game One🤝 The impact of helping coaches elevate their programs🗣️ “You’ve got to do what you enjoy doing. If you’re passionate about something — go for it.” — Mike McCarrollWhether you’re a coach, a rep, or someone somewhere in between, Mike’s story is a reminder that the journey doesn’t always go as planned… but often ends up exactly where you’re supposed to be.🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into nearly 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Shannon is the Founder & CEO of MyBya.com and the MyBya App, the author of The Lactate Revolution and a 4-time World Championships Triathlon top-10 finisher. This speed-focused talk is the third in a series that Shannon has prepared for us on using lactate data to improve training and performance.If you've got a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn more.

To celebrate Boo Schnexnayder's induction into the 2025 USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame tonight in Dallas, Tx we're replaying his original interview from 2021. As you can imagine, Boo's episode is our #1 most listened to episode EVER! In an effort to uplift and honor his amazing legacy (that continues to be built to this day!) we hope you enjoy listening to this episode again, and if it's your first time listening, ENJOY!Congratulations Boo! We love you and are grateful for all you do for our sport and for our coaches!Original episode description: A Legacy of Coaching Excellence: A Conversation with Boo SchexnayderJoin host Mike Cunningham on the Gill Athletics Connections Podcast for a heartfelt and enlightening episode featuring the wise and wonderful Boo Schexnayder. This episode is a must-listen for track and field coaches at both the high school and college levels, as it explores the philosophy, experiences, and wisdom of a coach who has left an indelible mark on the sport.Boo Schexnayder's story is one of passion, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days as a high school athlete in Louisiana to his current role as a coaching consultant, Boo shares his journey, his coaching philosophy, and his vision for the future of the sport.In this episode, Boo talks about the challenges and rewards of coaching, the nuances of working with various events, and the importance of building relationships with athletes. He also discusses his transition from engineering to coaching, his love for the chess match of coaching, and his impact on the lives of countless athletes and coaches.One of the standout moments in the conversation comes when Boo reflects on his career and his approach to coaching. He shares, "I kind of loved the chess match of coaching... I'm a problem solver by nature... I also like the fact that there are infinite variables in coaching... there really is no single road map to success and so many coaches do it in different ways."This episode is not just about the technical aspects of coaching; it's about understanding the human aspect, the individuality of athletes, and the importance of authenticity, connection, and continuous learning. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, Boo Schexnayder's experiences, wisdom, and passion for the sport will inspire and motivate you.Tune in to this engaging conversation and let Boo's journey guide you in your own coaching endeavors. ⁠WATCH ON YOUTUBE⁠Want to have an exploratory conversation about YOUR track equipment needs?Connect with us: Host Mike Cunningham on Twitter: ⁠@mikecunningham⁠Email: ⁠sales@gillathletics.com⁠Phone: 800-637-3090Twitter: ⁠@GillAthletics⁠Instagram: ⁠@GillAthletics1918⁠Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/gillathletics⁠LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/gillathletics/

From Glenwood alum to head coach, Mike Garber shares how a mentor’s relentless positivity shaped his coaching, why he treats the classroom like five daily “shows,” and how he helps athletes do what they never thought possible.🧠 Mindset shift: from “have to” → “get to”🦸 Mentors & modeling: Coach Mike Johnson’s lasting impact🏫 Teaching first: tech in the classroom, FCA, and lifelong learning🔁 The four stages of coaching: eager → intoxicated → sober → serene🧩 Building staff & culture: assistants, clarity, and service🏃 Program roots: returning home to Glenwood and staying for the long haul👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family balance: gratitude for a spouse who makes it possible🔮 What’s next at Glenwood: belief, confidence, and unlocking ceilings“I was called to be here. This is my calling.” — Mike Garber🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs Tuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍

Every year at the USTFCCCA Convention, we do a LIVE taping of the Gill Connections podcast. Leading up to this year's LIVE taping on December 15th, we'll be showcasing last year's interviews. Look for information on where we'll be hosting this year's event, as we typically host on YouTube LIVE but are also looking at potentially adding Twitch to the mix. Check out the new Twitch.tv Gill Athletics channel in the meantime and we'll see you on December 15th!

Every year at the USTFCCCA Convention, we do a LIVE taping of the Gill Connections podcast. Leading up to this year's LIVE taping on December 15th, we'll be showcasing last year's interviews. Look for information on where we'll be hosting this year's event, as we typically host on YouTube LIVE but are also looking at potentially adding Twitch to the mix. Check out the new Twitch.tv Gill Athletics channel in the meantime and we'll see you on December 15th!

Every year at the USTFCCCA Convention, we do a LIVE taping of the Gill Connections podcast. Leading up to this year's LIVE taping on December 15th, we'll be showcasing last year's interviews. Look for information on where we'll be hosting this year's event, as we typically host on YouTube LIVE but are also looking at potentially adding Twitch to the mix. Check out the new Twitch.tv Gill Athletics channel in the meantime and we'll see you on December 15th!

Excited to tell you about a FREE online Track and Field clinic starting tomorrow December 12th and continuing all day on December 13th.Our friends at Glazier Clinics have set up a fantastic clinic for ALL EVENTS absolutely FREE. Tell a friend and make sure no one gets left out of this valuable Coaching Education opportunity.Go online HERE to register for the event. That's all you have to do, then look at the amazing schedule featuring MANY Gill Connections Podcast alums.