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Eight years ago (this past Tuesday), I was told that I was runner-up for the men’s basketball job at my alma mater.

By far the worst day professionally for me.

I’d done everything I could to get the job. For a guy that hadn’t had a ton of confidence in his career, I absolutely nailed the interviews. Yes, plural as I had to interview over three days. More on that down the road.

It killed me.

Four years of playing at the school (two-time captain), being indispensable on campus working in various departments, reaching an NCAA Tournament, traveling for camps and coaching at two other institutions. Doing everything they'd tell you to do to get the job!

However, like many guests have found on this podcast, when time passes you realize there's more waiting for you on the other side.

I've been provided the opportunity to work with great friends at Lakeland University in Sam Schroeder and Kurt Jansen, spend more time with family/friends, attend weddings/funerals, work at great companies and connect with a ton of people via this podcast.

At the time you couldn’t convince me that life would be better and have more meaning to it.

But, as Blackhawk says, “your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night.” My kid being born (in the middle of the night during a playoff game at Lakeland) in my last year actively involved in basketball. Truly being engaged in her life and seeing her grow. Knowing me as “dad” and not “coach”. Yeah, it’s had more meaning.

Getting a chance to interview someone that I look up to was a ton of fun. No, Ryan has not been a coach. But, he was a highly decorated athlete that had to deal with adversity when he arrived to campus at Miami (OH).

Ryan Hawk (a former college football player at Miami (OH) University and Ohio University) shares details regarding his upcoming book "The Price of Becoming" which can be pre-ordered on Amazon. This will be Ryan's fourth book. In addition to writing, Ryan has a newsletter, is a keynote speaker, leadership coach and host of The Learning Leader! In this episode we talk about his time in corporate sales, launching his podcast, being curious, being careful with AI, family, consistency and the desire to get better!

The Price of Becoming

The Learning Leader

Learning Leader Newsletter

In this chat with Ben Wierzba, we learn about his unique path from coaching men’s basketball to women’s basketball. The recent announcement on him being named the head women’s basketball coach at Evansville, his time as the Director of Operations at Army, being let go as the head coach at D2 Illinois Springfield, coaching success as an assistant with Mercer and Miami (OH) women’s basketball, full circle moment at Evansville and much more!

Speaking of Ryan Hawk, he recently interviewed Clark Lea on his Learning Leader podcast. Coach Lea has been leading the Vanderbilt football program since 2021. He’s an alum and the perfect fit for the Commodores. A shorter episode with a ton of great nuggets. My favorite thing about this convo is Coach Lea doesn’t use coaching cliches.

Nearly a month diving full-time into the podcasting world. I saw this older blog post from Ryan Holiday. Known for his books, this blog post is inspiration for creators but I think can help anyone. Some really good life lessons tucked away in here.

Pretty cool website I stumbled on. If you’re a nerd or just want to take a trip down memory lane with what websites used to look like. You are in luck!

Web Design Museum

^{Fired Coaches Podcast started in May 2020. The podcast interviews coaches, scouts, media and others connected to the sports world that fell from the mountaintop. They were either fired, resigned or told that their contract would not be renewed. Level does not matter. The story does.}