Stay ConnectedUnlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach’s interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track.
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The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 2 of Vince Anderson's talk on acceleration training. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 1 of Vince Anderson's talk on acceleration training. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
Maddie is an internationally recognized sports dietitian on a mission to get science-backed nutrition information into the hands of coaches, parents, and athletes. She was a D1 runner who went on to be a USATF Indoor finalist at 3k and is the founder of Maddie Riley Nutrition. Maddie shares insights along with practical strategies to prevent and overcome common tummy troubles for athletes of all ages.
NOTE: This episode was previously released in November. With outdoor T&F in full swing, Maddie's wisdom holds much value for coaches again today!
If you've got a topic to share or one you'd like to hear, contact David Mitchell.
Evan Gerish didn’t take the traditional path to becoming a college coach… and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so powerful.
From a kid racing his uncle in the driveway… to a self-made hurdler… to having his career cut short by a heart condition… Evan’s journey is full of unexpected turns.
And somewhere along the way, he became what he proudly calls a “hurdle nerd.”
But this episode isn’t just about hurdles—it’s about identity, resilience, and the impact of coaching beyond the track.
🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🧠 Why development beats shortcuts in coaching
🏃 How Evan built elite hurdlers without elite resources
🎯 The truth about recruiting: “It’s a sales job”
📉 What happens when your athletic identity gets taken away
🔁 The powerful mindset: “92 is 50% of 99”
🎤 The unforgettable moment Evan shares his original slam poetry
Evan’s story is a reminder that great coaches aren’t built in straight lines—they’re shaped through adversity, curiosity, and a relentless desire to help others grow.
💬 Quote from Evan:
“I loved bringing someone along and showing them how to do something that worked for them.”
If you’re a coach who cares about development, relationships, and doing this the right way… this one will stick with you.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into over 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 Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!
🎙️ 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! 🎧👍
The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 2 of Sammy Dabbs' talk on the intermediate hurdles. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 1 of Sammy Dabbs' talk on the intermediate hurdles. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
Steve is the creative force behind @Speedy_Sto on IG where his weekly U12 T&F Rankings are published. He's also the meet director of The Speedy Sto Rankings Showcase each May in High Point, NC. Steve makes a compelling case for each of us to celebrate athletes early to help them shape great character for the future---beyond sports and into adulthood.
If you've got a topic on your heart to share with our youth T&F audience, contact David Mitchell to learn more.
Nate Browne didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a Division I head coach. He grew up racing cousins in a church parking lot in Iowa. He chased a scholarship. He switched from the 400m to the 800m and found his event. He built All-American credentials.
And then he walked into the business world.
📉 Yellow Pages sales.
📉 Subprime lending.
📉 A $12,000 year and $30,000 in credit card debt.
Until one morning he realized something powerful:
He loved the hour and a half coaching more than the eight hours in the office.
In this episode, Nate walks us through:
🏃♂️ The race that turned him into an 800m runner
📚 How a mentor changed his life—and redirected it
💼 Why making “good money” still felt wrong
🎤 The moment he realized coaching was his calling
🧠 How he learned to coach the whole person
👩🏫 The lesson that changed how he coaches women
👥 Why assistant coaches must be developed—not managed
🏆 What makes UC Riverside a life-changing experience
This isn’t just about winning Big West titles.
It’s about building champions for life.
“When I stop being excited to wake up and impact young people, that’s when I’ll get out of coaching.” – Nate Browne
If you care about mentorship, leadership, or becoming a better coach and person—this one is for you.
🌟 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!
🎙️ 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! 🎧👍
The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 2 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the triple jump. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phillips.
Today we share part 1 of Dwight Phillip's talk on coaching the triple jump. Enjoy!
Don't forget to join us over on YouTube for the video version of Monday's Gill Connections Podcast as well as Twitch.TV for 24/7 track/field Gill Connections Podcast interviews.
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