Culture Classroom

In this second installment of our AD series with Jonathan Adams, we dive into the role of an Athletic Director as a leader of coaches. Jonathan shares how the challenges of Covid became a surprising blessing, giving his department the opportunity to take a deep dive into building a sustainable culture rooted in core values, a clear mission, and a compelling vision. He also breaks down his interview process, emphasizing that hiring isn’t just about resumes and experience—it’s about building intentional relationships and finding the right cultural fit. Get ready for an insightful conversation on how to empower coaches, strengthen leadership, and create a thriving athletic department.

In this episode of The Culture Classroom, we sit down with Jonathan Adams, Athletic Director at Westminster Christian Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. A former collegiate baseball umpire, Jonathan took an uncommon path back to his alma mater — one that shaped his unique perspective on leadership and athletic administration. He shares why effective leadership begins with modeling the standards you expect and reminds us that culture is defined not by what you say, but by what you allow. Jonathan explains why head coaches in his department are called program directors — leaders responsible for the full development of their sport, from youth to varsity. At the heart of Westminster’s approach is the Earn Everything mentality, a mindset that demands accountability, resilience, and consistency from coaches, athletes, and parents alike. Jonathan also outlines the Wildcats’ culture, vision, and purpose statement while highlighting the qualities every athletic director should pursue: clarity, accountability, humility, and the discipline to surround yourself with great people. This is a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and building athletic programs that last.

In this episode of The Culture Classroom, we sit down with Michelle York, Athletic Director at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tennessee, to talk about the purpose behind athletic administration. Michelle shares why stepping into this field is a choice rooted in passion — and why her favorite part of the job is working with parents to connect them with the athletic department, build trust, and align around a shared mission and vision. She explains the role of a “Chief Reminding Officer” in keeping the “why” front and center, and offers valuable advice for aspiring athletic directors: surround yourself with great people, and never lead without a mentor. Whether you’re an administrator, coach, or leader in any field, Michelle’s insights will challenge and inspire you to lead with clarity, connection, and purpose. Stay tuned for this insightful episode, brought to you by Ballfrog! Visit them at www.ballfrog.com and request a free demo from John Craig at 615-578-0547 or email him at john@ballfrog.com

In today’s episode of The Culture Classroom, we sit down with Brad Cox, the Athletic Director at West Point High School in West Point, Mississippi. We dive into the tremendous success the Green Wave have had in football and explore how Brad measures success across the entire athletic department. Brad’s journey from basketball coach to principal, and now athletic director, provides a unique perspective on leadership and building a winning culture. Stay tuned for this insightful episode, brought to you by Ballfrog! Visit them at www.ballfrog.com and request a free demo from John Craig at 615-578-0547. Links to the genius marketing from Brad on rising money for the championship football rings. Jail or Bail Fundraiser https://www.facebook.com/61559499851096/videos/952645850413930 https://www.facebook.com/61559499851096/videos/9378129278967669

In this episode, we explore the evolving role of coaches in today’s sports landscape and the growing need for a deeper commitment to athletes’ mental well-being and psychological health. Coaching is no longer just about drills, strategy, and physical performance—it’s about understanding the whole person. We discuss why it’s critical for coaches to move beyond outdated, dehumanizing methods that overlook the complex, vulnerable humans working in front of them. Athletes rely on their coaches not only for guidance toward excellence in sport but also for emotional support, empathy, psychological safety, and mentorship. The best coaches know how to blend physical training with mental resiliency, helping athletes perform at their highest level while also caring for their emotional and psychological needs. In this episode, we talk about the essential tools and mindset coaches need to support the whole athlete—not just the competitor on game day. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on what it means to truly coach the person, not just the player.

Because not every group is really a team. Welcome to Culture Classroom, the podcast for coaches and leaders who want to build real, connected, high-performing teams. We talk about what actually makes a team work—shared leadership, accountability, flexible roles, and common goals—without the fluff. Think of it like this: geese flying in that classic “V” formation or in the hockey movie: The Mighty Ducks their flying V formation to score the winning goal in hockey - know how to work together to go farther. Your team can too. Tune in for stories, strategies, and down-to-earth advice you can use right away—whether you’re leading on the field, in the locker room, or anywhere you want to build a stronger culture.

Is there a moment that instantly takes you back to your 10- or 12-year-old self? In this episode, we rewind to 1991 and 1992—two unforgettable years in baseball history—with the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves taking center stage in back-to-back World Series. But this isn't just about baseball. It’s about moments that matter—those flashes of time that stick with us for a lifetime. Whether it was staying up past bedtime to watch extra innings, or hearing the roar of the crowd through the TV, these experiences shaped who we are. We reflect not just on the past, but also on the present: Are we creating those kinds of moments today? For our kids, our coworkers, our friends—every interaction is a chance to build lasting impact. Step into the nostalgia, but don’t stop there—let’s talk about making moments that matter now.

Season 14, Episode 1: The Art of Winning by John Weaver & John Torrey

In this episode, we dive into the concept of success and why time is the key ingredient in achieving it. We explore the idea that true success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about the time you invest in your craft, relationships, and personal growth. We look at the three S's (Survival, Success, and Significance) Whether you’re an athlete, coach, student, or professional, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you measure success. It’s not about overnight achievements—it’s about the hours, days, and years of effort that build greatness. Tune in as we break down why T-I-M-E is the ultimate secret to success.

In this episode we discuss we explore the powerful concept of "Surrender the Outcome." Many athletes, coaches, and competitors focus so much on results that they lose sight of the journey. But true success comes from preparation, effort, and trusting the process—without being consumed by the end result. We discuss how embracing this mindset can free athletes from unnecessary pressure, allowing them to perform at their best. Through stories of perseverance, faith, and resilience, we highlight how letting go of control over outcomes can lead to breakthroughs on and off the field. Join us as we unpack what it means to fully commit, give your best effort, and trust that whatever happens is part of a greater plan. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or fan, this episode is packed with insights that can help you shift your perspective and find peace in the process. Ballfrog was built by high school parents and sports fanatics. Our goal has never changed: empower athletic departments, parents, students, and the local community to stay connected and grow together. Visit them at www.ballfrog.com and request a demo.

This episode we discuss how to avoid the burnout of the season as a coach and player. We look at different ways to handle it and where it might come from. All that and more in this episode of the Culture Classroom.

We're Back! First time back in 6 months recording content for you - OUR listeners! Thank you for being loyal listeners to this podcast. We dive into key takeaways in 2024 and what we are looking forward to in 2025.

What does it take to BE A CHAMPION? Coach Weaver talked to the MRA Football team today about what it looks like when you surrender the outcome. This is the second part of the Focus 4 or Concentration Quadrant. We also discuss the dangers of just focusing on winning. Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

We discuss the importance of concentration and the four quadrants that include Broad External, Broad Internal, Narrow External, and Narrow Internal Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

We told you we were back! We dive into a topic that we have never really discussed on the CCP. Egos, Insecurities, Self-Esteem and Self Worth. What makes them appear? Your self-esteem is an assessment of your self-worth; how much or little are you of value to yourself and to others? Your ‘self’ concept is founded on a high self esteem; what are your self-beliefs (I am confident, I am honest, I am loyal) and do they help you actualize who you want to be in other words, your ideal ‘self’? The ego is the opposite of self-esteem. The problem with the ego is it can often ‘disguise’ itself as your self-esteem and it is important to become aware of this behavior when it arises. Your ego has a number of different definitions, but its most commonly agreed definition is it is your self-defense mechanism and more importantly, your false concept. You might realize that insecurity and self-importance are really just two sides of the same coin of self-absorption. Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

We are BACK! After a much needed break and recharging of the batteries, we talk about our new adventures. One of us moved to another state for a new job to coaching the other is coaching a new position on the football field. We discuss all that and more in this new season and new episode of the CCP. Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

How many people do you know that like Homework or Summer School? For one of us ... this is not words that should be put together, for the other it's a way to sharpen the IQ of the members on your sports team. Whether you like to give or do homework, this episode was a fun one to record and listen to how the idea of giving homework changes from one of us. Below is the link to the document that is talked about in the podcast. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1flStVVxbFCickJvXAe7Kttwd9wdYnh2XDDtIpIn0yls/edit?usp=sharing Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

The ability to bounce back, adapt, and recover in the face of adversity, challenges, or significant stress. It involves the capacity to withstand and navigate through difficult situations, setbacks, or traumatic experiences without being overwhelmed or giving in to despair. Resilient individuals often demonstrate a combination of mental toughness, emotional strength, adaptability, and a positive mindset. We look at how to get back to green. We also talked about it at length in the Season 6: Stay Green Link to Podcast Here: https://soundcloud.com/user-318237258/season-6-episode-5-stay-green-with-john-and-jt?si=5318f895826e4e8686b28dff3a9de357&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

The Culture Magic! Many people, coaches, fans, players talk about the word culture. JT and John look back in time at the 1981 New York Jets Sack Exchange. There are so many layers that make a culture happen. We dive into the incentives, rewards, accountability, competitiveness, drive, the will to do well, the will to victory is when the magic happens. Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.

Today John and JT discuss what does winning require? There is a list you can generate and have a team activity with the WILT journal below. They also discuss Football Character according to AL Davis. Remember: File, Make A Copy, and its all yours to add, edit, and delete https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DjR0n1Ayq2CHA-VFNUGqNXdi0flqnpwyBpCE4LIsZ2Q/edit?usp=sharing Follow us on Twitter: Coach Weaver @CoachWeaverMRA | Coach Torrey @mistertorrey ∙ The Culture Classroom is powered by Pro Quick Draw. PQD is a powerful plug-in used on Microsoft Visio & PowerPoint for coaches to organize, format, and export playbooks, scout cards & presentations efficiently. Visit them at www.proquickdraw.com to request your FREE Trial Today! @PQDSystem on Twitter.