The CALS Report

Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Sports
  • Updated Monthly

Ever wondered what it takes to lead in college sports? Welcome to The CALS Report, your inside track to leadership in college athletics. What began as the Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium, a professional development event for industry leaders, has evolved into a dynamic community—and this podcast is your invitation to join it. In each episode, we bring you fresh insights, real experiences, and untold stories from top leaders in college athletics. Whether you're an established athletics director, an emerging administrator, or simply curious about the inner workings of college sports, The CALS Report is your essential guide to the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. Tune in to learn from those at the forefront of college athletics, and discover what it takes to lead with impact.

  1. Ep. 22 | A Conversation with Houston AD Eddie Nuñez

    1d ago

    Ep. 22 | A Conversation with Houston AD Eddie Nuñez

    This month, Ryan Bradley sits down with Eddie Nunez, Director of Athletics at the University of Houston, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, growth, and navigating a new era in college athletics. Eddie shares his career journey from student-athlete to coach to administrator, including the lessons he learned at LSU and New Mexico that helped prepare him for the opportunity at Houston. He talks about what drew him to the role, the potential he sees in the University of Houston, and why competing in the Big 12 is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. The conversation also takes a deeper look at the evolving role of the athletic director. Eddie discusses what it means to lead like a CEO, build relationships across a major city, grow revenue in a changing financial landscape, and keep an athletic department aligned during a time of constant uncertainty. You’ll also hear Eddie’s perspective on the importance of culture, consistency, and community support, along with what he has learned from working alongside leaders like Kelvin Sampson and Willie Fritz. And as a longtime supporter of CALS, Eddie shares why professional development, genuine relationships, and learning from others remain so important for the next generation of college athletics leaders. It’s an honest and insightful conversation about building something the right way, embracing change, and leading with both urgency and perspective.

    34 min
  2. EP. 21 | A CONVERSATION WITH PITT AD ALLEN GREENE

    May 26

    EP. 21 | A CONVERSATION WITH PITT AD ALLEN GREENE

    In Episode 21 of The CALS Report, Ryan Bradley talks with University of Pittsburgh Athletics Director Allen Greene. Greene shares perspective from his journey through college baseball, professional baseball, and athletic administration, along with lessons learned from leading at multiple institutions and building alignment at Pitt. The conversation touches on the realities of modern college athletics, the importance of culture inside a department, and why developing student-athletes still has to stay at the center of the mission. It’s a thoughtful discussion filled with practical perspective for anyone working in or around college athletics.

    40 min
  3. EP. 20 | Inside Revenue Generation on the Front Lines of College Athletics

    Apr 30

    EP. 20 | Inside Revenue Generation on the Front Lines of College Athletics

    What does it take to go from a solid fundraiser to someone who consistently delivers at the highest level? In this episode of The CALS Report, the conversation goes beyond tactics and into mindset, discipline, and the small habits that build trust over time. Host Quinn Kavanagh, Associate AD for Major Gifts at Tennessee, is joined by two respected industry leaders. Brady Hart serves as Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer at the University of Tennessee, overseeing revenue generation and serving as the sport administrator for football. Denson Hollis is the CEO/Senior Associate AD for Development for Ole Miss Athletics and the sport administrator for men's basketball. Together, they dive into how they built their careers, from vastly different paths to leadership roles, and what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams. The conversation covers everything from creating a culture of “professional problem solvers,” to empowering staff at every level, to the real skills that separate good fundraisers from elite ones. They also unpack today’s biggest challenges, including NIL, evolving donor expectations, and balancing fundraising responsibilities with sport oversight. It’s a candid, practical discussion filled with insight for anyone looking to grow in college athletics or lead at a higher level.

    1h 2m
  4. Ep. 19 | Ryan Alpert | Georgia Tech AD

    Mar 31

    Ep. 19 | Ryan Alpert | Georgia Tech AD

    Georgia Tech AD Ryan Alpert joins The CALS Report for a candid look at his first year in the chair. From navigating high-stakes decisions to empowering his leadership team, Alpert shares what has surprised him most about the role and how he is building a modern athletic department in today’s NIL and revenue-driven era. Plus, registration is open for this year's CALS One-Day event at Georgia Tech in June. Listen in to learn more about this opportunity for athletic departments. 🎧 CALS Report Episode 19 now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

    49 min
  5. Ep. 18 | Joe Castiglione

    Feb 18

    Ep. 18 | Joe Castiglione

    In this episode, we sit down with retiring University of Oklahoma Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione for an in-depth reflection on more than three decades of transformational leadership in college athletics. From the pivotal hiring of Bob Stoops and the launch of a historic capital campaign to Oklahoma’s move to the SEC and the rapidly evolving NIL era, Castiglione offers candid insight into the strategic decisions that positioned Oklahoma for sustained excellence. Beyond championships and conference realignment, Castiglione also reflects on what may be one of his most meaningful legacies: mentoring the next generation of leaders. Over the course of his career, 33 members of his staff have gone on to become athletic directors at other institutions — a testament to his commitment to leadership development and investing in people. At its core, this conversation is about stewardship, values, and building programs that win the right way while creating life-changing experiences for student-athletes And then in "The Lobby" segment, Mississippi State Deputy AD and former OU Assoc. AD Joey Bailey leads a conversation with Mississippi State AD Zac Selmon, Cornell AD Nicki Moore and West Virginia AD Wren Baker about the impact Castiglione's mentorship made on their careers.

    1h 31m
  6. Ep.17 | Tulane AD David Harris and JMU AD Matt Roan on winning conference titles, earning CFP berths and replacing head coaches in one wild month + Hoops Talk in The Lobby with 2 sport admins

    Jan 30

    Ep.17 | Tulane AD David Harris and JMU AD Matt Roan on winning conference titles, earning CFP berths and replacing head coaches in one wild month + Hoops Talk in The Lobby with 2 sport admins

    Episode 17 of The CALS Report is a powerful look at leadership, momentum, and navigating success in today’s college athletics landscape. The Big Interview takes listeners inside what can only be described as a whirlwind month at Tulane and James Madison. Athletic directors David Harris and Matt Roan join Ryan Bradley to reflect on the rapid-fire reality of winning conference championships, earning College Football Playoff berths, and then immediately navigating head coaching changes. It is a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about balancing celebration with crisis management, keeping student athletes at the center during uncertainty, and leading calmly when everything is moving at once. In The Lobby, the focus shifts to basketball, with veteran coach Dane Fischer leading a thoughtful conversation with Jonathan Botros of Texas Tech and Josh Cowan of Mississippi State. Together, they unpack basketball sport supervision, the evolving demands of the role, and practical advice for the next generation of athletic administrators. Episode 17 reflects what The CALS Report does best: real conversations, shared experiences, and leadership lessons that extend far beyond the game.

    1h 26m
  7. Episode 16 | College Football News with Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger + Hiring a Head Football Coach in 2025

    12/19/2025

    Episode 16 | College Football News with Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger + Hiring a Head Football Coach in 2025

    In the big interview, we’re talking to Ross Dellenger, Yahoo Sports senior college football reporter. He shares his takes on some of the biggest issues shaping college football right now. The College Football Playoff. Expansion. Conference power. Private equity. And the uncertainty around federal legislation like the SCORE Act. Ross talks with our own Ryan Bradley about the decisions being made right now, the debates happening behind the scenes, and what it all means moving forward. After that conversation, we head into The Lobby. Brakston Brock, Associate Athletic Director for Development at Oklahoma State, leads this segment. He’s joined by two senior leaders who’ve just lived through major head football coach searches. Reid Sigmon, Deputy Athletic Director at Oklahoma State. And Rhett Hobart, Deputy Athletic Director at Auburn. Together, they walk through what the hiring process really looks like today. The crowded coaching carousel. A compressed calendar. Confidentiality. Search firms. And the pressure to get it right. It’s a candid conversation about leadership, process, and decision-making at the highest level.

    1h 27m
  8. Inside the AD Chair with Justin Moore (Tulsa) and Fernando Lovo (New Mexico) + The Leadership Playbook with Better

    11/29/2025

    Inside the AD Chair with Justin Moore (Tulsa) and Fernando Lovo (New Mexico) + The Leadership Playbook with Better

    This episode begins with a deep-dive conversation with Justin Moore (Tulsa) and Fernando Lovo (New Mexico), two new athletic directors navigating unprecedented change in college athletics. They discuss stakeholder education around NIL and revenue sharing, the pressure of early coaching hires, aligning with campus leadership, and how relationship-driven markets like Tulsa and Albuquerque shape resource strategy and fan engagement. In the second segment, The Leadership Playbook, leadership experts Kevin DeShazo and Seth Kindig from Better (bebetterleaders.com) share actionable tools for young and mid-career administrators. They highlight why leadership forms the foundation (“the pie crust”) of every department’s success and outline systems for daily reflection and self-evaluation that accelerate growth. Follow The CALS Report on Instagram & TikTok (@thecalsreport), on LinkedIn at the Collegiate Athletic Leadership Symposium, and on YouTube.

    1h 33m
See All (29)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Ever wondered what it takes to lead in college sports? Welcome to The CALS Report, your inside track to leadership in college athletics. What began as the Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium, a professional development event for industry leaders, has evolved into a dynamic community—and this podcast is your invitation to join it. In each episode, we bring you fresh insights, real experiences, and untold stories from top leaders in college athletics. Whether you're an established athletics director, an emerging administrator, or simply curious about the inner workings of college sports, The CALS Report is your essential guide to the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. Tune in to learn from those at the forefront of college athletics, and discover what it takes to lead with impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The CALS Report

You Might Also Like