The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast

'We are stewards of our programs for a short amount of time," Duane Ross. Today we talk legacy, extreme ownership, and what it's like to win the state championship your first year in track and false start the next. Join us in today's episode to learn about Duane's time at Clemson as an undergrad, his 11 year professional career, and what he defines as culture in his program. 

Who's messing with the thermostat?!  'Cause it is getting HOT in here this week!  This week Lucious, Lamar and Clyde get their buttons pushed and don't hold back on how they feel about some of our topics this week.  We jump in and start the night off with a conversation regarding the FBS...what we that look like going forward?  Then the guys talk about female candidate pools in...

The communication and relationship between coaching staff members is crucial for a positive working environment that 'pulls on the same rope' to accomplish the team's yearly goals. What happens when two members of the staff are married? Find out in today's episode featuring TROY University head coach Marc Davis and his wife the throws coach and Strength & Conditioning coach Michelle Clayton. W...

I mean, there  is nothing else to say but we have a fifth tile and it's the one and only, GAIL DEVERS!  We can only be so blessed to have such a great person with us this first week of December.  The sprinter/hurdler, who just happen to be a BEAST at them both, graced our conversations with her perspectives on what it takes to be a sprinter AND a hurdler at a high level.  She a...

Better known as 'Coach O', Charles has literally done it all in the track and field world. As a former 45 second 400 meter runner he set school records (TROY University), made all-American status and placed 8th at the USA Olympic Trials. He coached champions at school such as TROY U and University of Tennessee. As a meet director and promotor he has served such meets as the Sea-Ray Relays, Gatorad...

SHOW LESS Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  We hope you enjoyed the food, health and joy of the holiday even if you weren't able to spend it with those who are outside of your circle right now.  Just remember, if you need to make room for your dessert just do your prescribed warm up and you'll be all good ;)  Well, to start the show off right, Lucious, Lamar and Clyde reveal what thei...

Today's guest is best described as enthusiastic, positive attitude, empathetic, social media savvy, and an all around great person! Kenny Anderson is in his first season as the head coach of Central Methodist University after spending two years at Johnson C Smith University. We learn about his athletic background while at Florida A&M as well as his beginning coaching career as a college basket...

Creating things, special things, require ingredients. When the key ingredients are missing, not so great!  This week Lucious, Lamar and Clyde chat about the consequences COVID has had in regards to on the field play for collegiate football.  Next week talk about the make up of a great coach; do you agree with their ingredients?  Next we might have left the pie in the oven too long.....

Today we talk with Michael Roberts of Northwood University. Michael brings a unique perspective to coaching having been coached by giants in our industry. Mike Holman coached Michael at Lawrence Central HS in Indianapolis and John McNichols of Indiana State was his collegiate coach. We get to learn of Michael's passion for continual  learning and his curiosity to learn multiple disciplines ou...

Ohweeeee!  Was this a week!?  Lucious, Lamar and Clyde sit down this week for the first time since the announcement of the dropping of the Clemson Men's XC & TF teams.  What "missing pieces" do the gents identify in the abrupt actions of the leadership at Clemson.  After we get past that beast, we address another lingering topic...coaches' education.  What is missing a...

Welcome to our first international coach, Kurt Downs coaches the Border City Athletics Club in Windsor, Canada. Kurt sits down with us and discusses why he started his track club, the advantages and disadvantages of coaching a club of athletes as young as third grade up to post collegiate elite level athletes. We get to discuss Canadian 800m national record holder Brandon McBride and the challenge...

This episode we rebroadcast episode 18 of the Meeting of the Unknowing Minds podcast hosted by Matt Esche of UAB. Matt hosts a panel of track coaches including Tom Sage (VCU), Mike Erb (Indiana U), Scott Williamson (Nevada-Reno) and Darren Flowers (UT-RGV) to discuss pertinent topics in the world of track and field on a weekly basis. This episode their guest is Mike Cunningham, host of the Gill At...

Please keep in mind, this episode of Athletics LLC was recorded BEFORE the news of Clemson's Men's XC & TF teams being cut.     Looking deep into what these certain situations actually present themselves as...Lucious, Lamar and Clyde start the conversation with the hot topic of NFL "speed".  Should those players be at US Trials and allowed to compete?  Who do you think...

Proud to have an extremely successful coach on this week's episode in Ron Grigg, head coach of Jacksonville University. Ron talks with us today about starting out as a DIII athlete and how he moved through the coaching ranks from high school, Coppin St, Wheaton and now Jacksonville University. You'll enjoy Ron's unique aspect with track and field and how he qualified to run at the Penn Relays afte...

Off the track, before and after a coach has the stopwatch, whistle and notebook in their possession, how should you be managing yourself?  What are things that one needs to be cognizant of?  First Lucious, Lamar and Clyde speak on how to manage the successes and failures in the athlete and coach relationship.  In mention of those aspects, the guys go into their mulligans of their co...

In a professional environment where coaching tenure is decreasing, Brian Bedard is the exception. As a Colorado State alum and now having served over 30 years as an assistant and head coach, Brian has found 'home' in Ft. Collins. Today we discuss his coaching background leading to his time at Colorado State, how he took Olympian Casey Malone from a skinny 175' high school discus thrower to the Wor...

Do you know what you need to do to set yourself (or your athletes) up for success?  Let's start with the races, how important is setting up the start?  Do you agree with Lucious, Lamar and Clyde?  Going along with races, when then dig deeper as to how often should one race?  How much comp does an athlete need to see?  Speaking of competitions, when will we see the effects...

This episode we get to meet Dillard University head coach Nile Legania. Nile is born and raised in New Orleans who made a long career as a local high school and summer track club coach. We learn why he moved to the collegiate level and why the time was right.  You'll enjoy learning about Nile's athletic background winning a state championship in Louisiana High School track and playing footbal...

Whew!  What is UNBREAKABLE in track and field!?   Let Lucious, Lamar (he's back!) and Clyde tell y'all what is and isn't!  Between the collegiate and professional records that exist, which of those are the guys saying aren't touchable?  Then what is/are the major obstacle(s) for track and field athletes as they transition to a professional athlete status?  Lastly, the...

Rob's positive impact on the sport of track and field is immeasurable. He has participated as an athlete, a coach, and now as a sales rep for MF Athletics and the creator of the National Throws Coaches Association (NTCA). As a speaker at many clinics and as an ambassador for our sport, Rob talks to us about how he became a track coach and how he came to work at MF Athletics. Rob and host Mike Cunn...

Just as it seems some of occupants of seats in leadership are doing, the gentlemen are going to project their thoughts as to why some decisions are being made currently that are effecting the sport of Athletics.  Since our recording, changes have occurred but we discuss what could be the justification for the reducing of Men's T&F at Minnesota.  Maybe they heard us?!  Then the g...

Ernest has an amazing background in coaching at a variety of schools including Sacred Heart University, Western Carolina University (his alma mater), Marian University, and currently at Tiffin University. With a jumps and hurdles background, he attacks each event group with an 'understanding' mentality, one of the many subjects we get in to with him in today's episode. First up, we talk about his...

Fortune, visiting the past and predicting the future!  That is what you can expect this week on episode 26: Magic Crystal Ball!  First we travel back in time to visit a past Olympic games to watch in person and while we are in the past we bring up some noteable WOMEN sprinters who seem to be forgotten for their achievements.  Then we travel to the future and predict the final result...

After a successful six years of coaching throwers at the University of Central Florida, Jennifer has been with Gill for over 10 years. She joins us today to talk about her ultra successful high school and collegiate career, what led her into coaching, and how she came to Gill Athletics. We focus on how her track background as both an athlete and a coach help on a daily basis with her career at Gil...

Happy day everyone!  In this week's episode of Athletics LLC, find out WHY LAMAR HATES THE WOMEN'S DECATHLON!?  It's not what you might assume!  What are the opinions of the guys regarding the addition of two Power 5 schools playing football and staying on the topic of football, what NFL teams do the guys have going to the SB this year???  Then the guys reveal what sport they w...