Airey Bros.'s Radio

Airey Bros. Radio
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Airey Bros Radio is the #1 podcast for Wrestling, Cross Country & Track & Field athletes chasing opportunities at the HS, NAIA, JUCO, NCAA DII, DIII & D1 levels. Hosted by brothers Rich & Jimi Airey, we do the legwork so you don’t have to. Our mission: spotlight programs, coaches & stories overlooked by the mainstream. From high school dynasties to national championship programs, we bring you recruiting insights, culture deep-dives, underdog journeys & the knowledge we wish we had growing up. 🎧 Weekly live shows & highlights | 🔗 IG @aireybrosradio | Spotify & Apple Podcasts – Airey Bros Radio

  1. 3d ago

    ABR 475: Jason Russell | Thomas More Wrestling, NCAA DII, Recruiting & the Transfer Portal

    Thomas More University Head Wrestling Coach Jason Russell joins Airey Bros Radio for Episode 475! Coach Russell is entering his 10th season leading the Saints and has guided Thomas More Wrestling through one of the more unique journeys in college wrestling — from NCAA Division III to the NAIA and ultimately into NCAA Division II and the G-MAC. In this episode, Coach Russell takes us through his wrestling origin story, his path into college coaching, building Thomas More into a nationally competitive program, and the challenges and opportunities that came with transitioning between divisions. We get into NCAA Division II wrestling, college wrestling recruiting, the transfer portal, high school wrestler development, Ohio and Kentucky wrestling, scholarships, program culture, U23 competition, the Midlands Championships, and what Thomas More looks for in future Saints. Coach Russell also explains why recruiting isn't just about state titles and rankings. His philosophy centers around finding athletes who genuinely love wrestling, want to compete, and want to develop. We also discuss the modern transfer portal and why Coach Russell believes elite college wrestling programs need a combination of high-level high school recruits, developmental athletes, and selective transfer additions. Coach Jason Russell / Thomas More Highlights 🏆 Entering his 10th season as Head Wrestling Coach at Thomas More University 🏆 2022 Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year 🏆 Led Thomas More to a program-best 7th-place finish at the 2023 NAIA National Tournament 🏆 Helped develop conference champions, national qualifiers, All-Americans and Scholar All-Americans 🏆 Guided Thomas More through its transition into NCAA Division II and the G-MAC 🤼 Building the next chapter of Thomas More Wrestling 📺 YouTube: Airey Bros Radio 📱 Instagram: @aireybrosradio This episode is fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching.   Looking for ultra marathon, endurance or nutrition coaching?  Black Sheep Endurance https://www.blacksheependurance.com/ ☕ Support Airey Bros Radio: https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros ⏱️ EPISODE 475 SHOW NOTES / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Airey Bros Radio mission & helping student-athletes find college opportunities 01:18 — HOWDY & ALOHA! Episode 475 begins 01:41 — Airey Bros Radio, Black Sheep Endurance & supporting the show 02:12 — Introducing Thomas More Head Wrestling Coach Jason Russell 03:21 — Coach Russell's wrestling origin story 05:03 — How cross country helped Russell's wrestling 08:00 — Growing up in Ohio & Northern Kentucky 09:49 — When Russell knew he wanted to become a college coach 12:27 — Wisconsin-Whitewater & the road to Thomas More 14:26 — Recruiting differences: NCAA DIII vs. NAIA vs. NCAA DII 16:40 — Thomas More begins its athletic transition 17:49 — NCAA DIII → NAIA → NCAA Division II 18:57 — Competing in the NCWA & opportunities in college wrestling 20:42 — Building Thomas More into a Top-10 NAIA program 21:03 — The "gut punch" of another divisional transition 23:14 — Competing in NCAA Division II 24:01 — Why Thomas More's seniors stayed through the transition 25:03 — National champions, All-Americans & a third-place team finish 26:29 — Why recruits should look at Thomas More University 27:12 — Majors, Cincinnati & the Thomas More experience 27:36 — Required internships & preparing athletes for careers 30:48 — Why career preparation matters for student-athletes 32:03 — Recruiting Ohio, Kentucky and beyond 33:09 — Kentucky high school wrestling hotbeds 33:42 — Northern Kentucky wrestling & community development 34:26 — Recruiting battles across Kentucky 36:23 — 2026-27 recruiting class & summer development 37:44 — U23s, opens & opportunities beyond NCAA DII 38:07 — Competing at the Midlands Championships 38:45 — Scheduling opponents across college wrestling divisions 40:10 — Ohio vs. Kentucky wrestling 40:37 — Why Kentucky wrestling is on the rise 41:22 — What Jason Russell REALLY looks for in recruits 42:22 — Championships, friendships & the college experience 45:29 — The changing landscape of college wrestling 45:54 — High school recruiting vs. the NCAA transfer portal 46:19 — How Russell believes elite rosters should be built 46:49 — Why recruiting never stops once an athlete gets to campus 47:41 — Kentucky's one-division state wrestling tournament 48:26 — THE FINAL FOUR 🤙 48:34 — Coffee or energy drinks? 49:20 — Coach Russell's energy drink stories 50:51 — Daily habits & staying motivated as a coach 51:58 — Inspiration & finding motivation outside wrestling 53:20 — Podcasts, coaching education & What Drives Winning 54:19 — Who controls the music in the Thomas More wrestling room? 55:22 — Coach Russell's guilty pleasure 55:55 — Family ancestry & tracing his roots 57:55 — Will Coach Russell's son become a wrestler? 58:39 — Closing thoughts & what's ahead for Thomas More Wrestling

    ABR 475: Jason Russell | Thomas More Wrestling, NCAA DII, Recruiting & the Transfer Portal

  2. Aug 19

    ABR 474: Dax Charles | CSU Pueblo Wrestling, NCAA DII Recruiting & Building Champions

    Coach Dax Charles, Head Wrestling Coach at Colorado State University Pueblo, joins Airey Bros Radio for Episode 474! Entering his 18th season leading CSU Pueblo Wrestling, Coach Charles has spent decades building, rebuilding, and carrying forward the tradition of ThunderWolves wrestling. A former NCAA Division II National Champion, three-time All-American and NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Famer, Charles has coached national champions, national finalists, All-Americans, national qualifiers and RMAC champions during his career. In this episode, Coach Charles breaks down what he looks for when recruiting NCAA Division II wrestlers, why relationships and character matter more than recruiting services, and the four standards every wrestler in his program is expected to live by: go to class, come to practice, stay out of trouble and win. We also dive into Coach Charles' journey from Louisiana football player to national champion wrestler, training around elite wrestlers and judo athletes, the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete, and how his coaching philosophy has evolved from the old-school grind toward smarter training designed to peak athletes for the postseason. Coach Charles also tells the story of returning to CSU Pueblo to rebuild the wrestling program, carrying on the legacy of legendary coach Doug Moses, developing young men beyond wrestling, and why he believes Division II athletics can give student-athletes something they can carry for the rest of their lives. Plus, we look ahead to the 2026–27 CSU Pueblo Wrestling season, including returning national qualifiers, young talent to watch and why Coach Charles believes the ThunderWolves are positioned to make a jump in the RMAC. Whether you're a high school wrestler, college recruit, parent, coach or NCAA wrestling fan, this conversation is packed with insight on recruiting, development, discipline, leadership and building a championship culture. Topics include: NCAA Division II Wrestling • CSU Pueblo Wrestling • RMAC Wrestling • College Wrestling Recruiting • Wrestling Scholarships • Multi-Sport Athletes • Coaching Philosophy • Championship Culture • Doug Moses • Colorado Wrestling • Student-Athlete Development • NCAA Wrestling 🌟 FOLLOW & SUPPORT AIREY BROS RADIO 🎥 YouTube: @AireyBros 📸 Instagram: @aireybrosradio 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 🏃‍♂️ Black Sheep Endurance CoachingBlack Sheep Endurance ☕ Support Airey Bros RadioBuy Me a Coffee — Airey Bros SHOW NOTES / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Airey Bros mission & helping student-athletes discover college opportunities 01:48 — HOWDY & ALOHA! Episode 474 begins 02:39 — Introducing CSU Pueblo Head Wrestling Coach Dax Charles 04:16 — Coach Charles' 36-year connection to CSU Pueblo 04:41 — Recruiting wrestlers to CSU Pueblo 06:02 — Why Coach Charles responds to every recruiting questionnaire 06:49 — Recruiting advice: narrow your search to 3–5 schools and build relationships 07:04 — Division II wrestling, NIL & what Coach Charles wants from recruits 07:36 — The four things wrestlers can earn at CSU Pueblo 08:49 — The long-term value of NCAA Division II athletics 10:28 — Jimi's personal recruiting connection with Coach Charles 11:53 — Dax Charles' wrestling origin story 13:22 — Why he chose wrestling over college football 15:23 — Competing against Iowa & training around elite wrestlers 16:08 — Judo, combat sports & training near the Olympic Training Center 18:01 — Why Coach Charles believes in multi-sport athletes 20:00 — The problem with specializing too early 21:30 — Are young wrestlers reaching their potential too early? 23:03 — How Coach Charles' training philosophy has evolved 24:00 — Midwest Classic, RMAC competition & peaking for Nationals 24:58 — Recruiting outside Colorado & what he wants from East Coast wrestlers 27:07 — "Show me, don't tell me" — proving yourself in the wrestling room 27:27 — Balancing wrestling with Colorado's outdoor lifestyle 29:07 — Building a balanced roster through high school, JUCO & transfer recruiting 30:07 — Why today's high school wrestlers are ready for college competition 31:38 — How Dax Charles became a college wrestling coach 33:10 — CSU Pueblo drops wrestling — and the road to bringing it back 34:05 — Taking a pay cut to return and carry on the program's tradition 35:39 — University of Southern Colorado → CSU Pueblo 36:48 — Doug Moses' influence on Dax Charles 38:30 — Coaching his brother & establishing "dominance" 41:00 — Treating wrestlers like family 42:18 — Coach Charles' four non-negotiable program rules 44:03 — Preparing for the 2026–27 wrestling season 44:39 — Summer training & athlete accountability 45:37 — Recruiting relationships & perceptions of Pueblo 47:54 — How CSU Pueblo's campus and facilities have evolved 49:02 — Character vs. talent when evaluating recruits 52:03 — What people should know about CSU Pueblo Wrestling 53:06 — Returning wrestlers & names to watch in 2026–27 54:42 — Why Coach Charles expects CSU Pueblo to make a jump this season 54:58 — RMAC rivalries & competing against fellow Division II coaches 58:13 — The Airey Bros Final Four 58:42 — Coach Charles' daily 7 A.M. weightlifting routine 59:00 — Stargate & Coach Charles' love of sci-fi 59:18 — Pueblo green chile & Coach's guilty pleasure

    ABR 474: Dax Charles | CSU Pueblo Wrestling, NCAA DII Recruiting & Building Champions

  3. Aug 12

    ABR 473 | Dylan Anderson – Florida Tech Cross Country & Track | Building a DII Contender

    Florida Tech Head Cross Country & Track & Field Coach Dylan Anderson returns to Airey Bros Radio for Episode 473 following his appointment as the new leader of the Panthers program. Coach Anderson joins the Bros to talk about his move from the University of Evansville back home to Florida, taking over Florida Tech Cross Country & Track & Field, and his vision for building a championship-level NCAA Division II program in the Sunshine State Conference. We dive into recruiting at one of the nation's premier STEM-focused universities, Florida's deep high school running talent pool, international recruiting, the transfer portal, individualized training, building team culture, and creating a Division I-level experience within a Division II program. Coach Anderson also discusses balancing demanding majors like engineering and aviation with college athletics, Florida Tech's connections to the Space Coast, NASA, SpaceX and other major employers, plus his plans to reconnect the Panthers with the Melbourne running community. And, of course, we finish with the Airey Bros Final Four — coffee, daily practices, what Coach Anderson is reading, and his new Florida guilty pleasure: a Pub Sub on the beach. 🎙️ Airey Bros Radio – Episode 473 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major podcast platforms. 🌟 FOLLOW & SUPPORT AIREY BROS RADIO 🎥 YouTube: @AireyBros 📸 Instagram: @aireybrosradio 🏃‍♂️ Black Sheep Endurance Coaching https://www.blacksheependurance.com/ ☕ Support Airey Bros Radio – Buy Us a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros

    ABR 473 | Dylan Anderson – Florida Tech Cross Country & Track | Building a DII Contender

  4. Aug 5

    ABR 472 | Danny Zarzutzki | Building Georgia Southwestern Cross Country | NCAA DII Recruiting, Scholarships & Team Culture

    Coach Danny Zarzutzki, Head Cross Country Coach at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building an NCAA Division II cross country program from the ground up, recruiting student-athletes, developing championship culture, and why GSW is one of the best values in Division II athletics. Coach Zarzutzki shares his unique coaching journey, transitioning from basketball to cross country, growing a new program, recruiting high school runners, creating an unforgettable student-athlete experience, and helping athletes succeed in the classroom, on the course, and in the community. Whether you're a high school runner, cross country coach, parent, recruiter, or student-athlete exploring NCAA Division II opportunities, this episode provides valuable insight into college recruiting, scholarships, academics, and what it takes to build a successful collegiate cross country program. Topics CoveredGeorgia Southwestern State University Cross CountryNCAA Division II Cross Country RecruitingCollege Running Recruiting TipsBuilding a Cross Country ProgramStudent-Athlete DevelopmentNCAA Transfer PortalTeam Culture & LeadershipScholarships & Financial AidHope ScholarshipCommunity EngagementAcademic SuccessNursing & Business ProgramsCoaching PhilosophyCross Country TrainingRecruiting High School Runners🎙 Listen & Follow Airey Bros Radio ▶ YouTube 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 📸 Instagram 🏃 Black Sheep Endurance Coaching ☕ Support the Show Thank you for supporting independent conversations that shine a spotlight on NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA, Junior College, and the coaches and student-athletes helping grow collegiate distance running and wrestling.

    ABR 472 | Danny Zarzutzki | Building Georgia Southwestern Cross Country | NCAA DII Recruiting, Scholarships & Team Culture

  5. Jul 29

    ABR 471 | Coach Jacob Burgamy | Building an NCAA Division II Cross Country Powerhouse at Augusta University

    Coach Jacob Burgamy, Head Cross Country & Track & Field Coach at Augusta University, joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building one of the premier NCAA Division II distance running programs in the country. Since taking over the Jaguars program, Coach Burgamy has continued Augusta University's championship tradition while developing NCAA National Championship qualifiers, Peach Belt Conference Champions, NCAA All-Americans, conference champions, school record holders, and nationally competitive distance runners. In this episode we discuss: 🏃 Building a championship culture at Augusta University 🏆 Winning multiple Peach Belt Conference Championships 🎓 Recruiting NCAA Division II student-athletes 🔥 Developing runners from freshmen into NCAA National Championship qualifiers 📈 Heat training vs. altitude training 💪 Double Threshold Training 🎙 Athlete development & coaching philosophy 🌎 Recruiting Georgia, the Southeast, and internationally 📚 Balancing academics with high-level collegiate athletics Coach Burgamy also shares his journey from collegiate athlete to head coach, lessons learned from longtime Augusta coach Adam Ward, why culture always beats talent, and what it takes to consistently compete among the nation's best NCAA Division II Cross Country programs. Whether you're a runner, coach, recruit, parent, or fan of collegiate distance running, this episode offers valuable insight into building championship teams and developing athletes the right way. 🎧 Listen & Follow Airey Bros Radio 🎙 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AireyBros 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3x8M4J8m4iQ4g7F3K6D6mM 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-radio/id1527841344 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio/ 🏃 Black Sheep Endurance Coaching https://www.blacksheependurance.com/ ☕ Support Airey Bros Radio https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros If you enjoy conversations with NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA and collegiate coaches from across the country, please subscribe, rate the show, and share this episode with someone who loves running, coaching, and college athletics.

    ABR 471 | Coach Jacob Burgamy | Building an NCAA Division II Cross Country Powerhouse at Augusta University

  6. Jul 22

    ABR 470: Coach Terica Harris on Building USC Beaufort Cross Country & Track into a Peach Belt Contender | NCAA Division II

    Coach Terica Harris joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Cross Country & Track & Field program into one of the fastest-rising programs in the Peach Belt Conference. Entering her fourth season as Head Coach, Harris has already guided the Sand Sharks to conference champions, school records, NCAA qualifiers, relay champions, All-Conference performances, and a Peach Belt Conference Freshman Field Athlete of the Year while helping establish a winning culture at one of NCAA Division II's youngest programs. A former seven-time Big East Champion at Marquette University, Harris shares her journey from standout student-athlete to head coach, including her time as a graduate assistant at Southeastern University where she helped the Fire earn conference championships and the 2023 NAIA Men's Indoor National Championship before taking over the USCB program. In Episode 470, we discuss what it takes to build a program from the ground up, recruiting student-athletes to a growing university, creating championship culture, balancing academics and athletics, and developing athletes capable of competing at the conference and national levels. Coach Harris also shares her philosophy on leadership, mentorship, recruiting, summer training, managing a growing roster, and why Beaufort, South Carolina has become an outstanding destination for student-athletes looking to compete while earning a quality education. We also discuss: • Building a new NCAA Division II Track & Field program • Peach Belt Conference Cross Country & Track & Field • Recruiting student-athletes from the Southeast and beyond • Creating championship culture • Developing sprinters, jumpers, throwers & distance runners • Coaching philosophy & athlete development • Growing roster numbers and program depth • Morning practice vs. afternoon practice • Summer training expectations• USCB academics, nursing & marine biology programs • Life in Beaufort, Hilton Head & the South Carolina Lowcountry • Advice for future collegiate athletes and coachesSince arriving at USC Beaufort, Coach Harris has helped lay the foundation for one of the Peach Belt Conference's fastest-growing programs, building both competitive success and a culture centered around academics, accountability, and long-term athlete development. Program Highlights 🏆 Peach Belt Conference Champions 🏆 Peach Belt Freshman Field Athlete of the Year 🏆 Conference Relay Champions 🏆 Multiple School Records 🏆 NCAA Division II National Qualifiers 🏆 One of the fastest-growing NCAA Division II Track & Field programsWhether you're a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of NCAA Cross Country & Track & Field, this episode provides tremendous insight into building a collegiate program, recruiting the right student-athletes, and creating a championship culture from the ground up. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all podcast platforms. ☕ Support the show (Value for Value)👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AireyBros 🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching👉 https://www.blacksheependurance.com 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros 📸 Follow on Instagram👉 https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio

    ABR 470: Coach Terica Harris on Building USC Beaufort Cross Country & Track into a Peach Belt Contender | NCAA Division II

  7. Jul 17

    ABR 469: Coach Mark Misch on Building UCCS into an NCAA Division II Distance Running Powerhouse | Cross Country & Track

    Coach Mark Misch joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building one of the nation's premier NCAA Division II distance running programs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) .Entering his 20th season leading the Mountain Lions Men's Cross Country program, Coach Misch has established UCCS as a perennial national contender, guiding the program to 11 NCAA Division II National Championship appearances while coaching NCAA Champions, All-Americans, Olympians, Olympic Trials qualifiers, national record holders, and some of the most accomplished distance runners in Division II history. In Episode 469, Coach Misch shares his coaching journey from growing up in southeast Kansas to building a nationally respected program in Colorado Springs. We discuss the philosophy behind developing championship distance runners, creating a culture centered around character and accountability, recruiting student-athletes from across the country, and helping runners thrive both academically and athletically. We also dive into what makes Colorado Springs one of the world's premier endurance training destinations, the advantages and challenges of altitude training, competing in the always competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), and preparing athletes to compete on the national stage year after year. We also discuss: • Building championship culture • NCAA Division II Cross Country recruiting • Altitude training & athlete development • Character-based coaching philosophy • Developing NCAA Champions & Olympians • Competing in the RMAC • Creating academic excellence within a championship program • Recruiting student-athletes from across the country • Leadership, accountability & team culture • Coaching through adversity and athlete development • Advice for aspiring collegiate runners and coaches During his tenure at UCCS, Coach Misch has helped establish one of the premier distance running cultures in NCAA Division II while mentoring generations of student-athletes who have gone on to become coaches, educators, professionals, and leaders. Program Highlights: 🏆 11 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championship Appearances 🏆 NCAA Division II National Champions & All-Americans 🏆 Olympians & Olympic Trials Qualifiers 🏆 RMAC Championships & National Qualifiers 🏆 2025 Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee 🏆 20 Seasons Leading UCCS Men's Cross Country Whether you're a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of collegiate Cross Country & Track & Field, this episode offers tremendous insight into building successful teams, developing great people, and sustaining excellence over two decades. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all podcast platforms. ☕ Support the show (Value for Value)👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AireyBros 🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching👉 https://www.blacksheependurance.com 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros 📸 Follow on Instagram👉 https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio Show Notes / Time Stamps 0:00 — Intro, ultrarunning discussion & welcome 0:21 — Airey Bros Radio opening 1:10 — Introducing Coach Mark Misch & UCCS accomplishments 3:27 — UCCS recruiting resources & Mountain Lions athletics 5:24 — Recruiting athletes to Colorado Springs 7:22 — Finding the right fit: academics, culture & team environment 10:06 — Why Colorado has become a distance running destination 12:22 — Coaching athletes through altitude adaptation 15:14 — Competing for recruits in the RMAC 16:00 — Building a program around character, integrity & culture 17:38 — Academic excellence at UCCS 19:00 — Scholarship opportunities & roster management 21:08 — Evaluating recruits & athlete potential 24:18 — Coach Misch's origin story 28:28 — The road atlas training log that shaped his coaching career 31:48 — Lessons learned through adversity 33:04 — Helping athletes process success and disappointment 36:43 — Building lasting relationships with student-athletes 39:09 — Developing future coaches through the program 41:22 — The UCCS coaching tree 43:01 — Green flags and red flags during recruiting 48:15 — Communication, leadership & building consistent team culture 51:10 — 20 years at UCCS and what makes the program special 54:44 — Advice for student-athletes considering the junior college route Final Four QuestionsClosing Thoughts

    ABR 469: Coach Mark Misch on Building UCCS into an NCAA Division II Distance Running Powerhouse | Cross Country & Track

  8. Jul 14

    ABR 468: Coach Brad Herbster on Building Appalachian State into a Sun Belt Cross Country Powerhouse | NCAA Division I Distance Running

    Coach Brad Herbster joins Airey Bros Radio to discuss building one of the premier NCAA Division I distance running programs in the country at Appalachian State University. In Episode 468, we dive into Coach Herbster's coaching journey from standout student-athlete at South Carolina to becoming one of the nation's most respected collegiate distance coaches. We discuss the culture behind Appalachian State's rise to the top of the Sun Belt Conference, developing championship-caliber athletes, recruiting in today's NCAA landscape, and why Boone, North Carolina has become one of the best training environments for distance runners in America. Coach Herbster also shares lessons learned from coaching at Texas, Pittsburgh, Clemson, Charlotte and Appalachian State while discussing athlete development, the Transfer Portal, roster limits, championship expectations, and building programs capable of competing on the national stage. We also discuss: • NCAA Division I Cross Country recruiting • Building championship culture • Athlete development & coaching philosophy • Recruiting domestic talent • The Transfer Portal & roster management • Developing elite distance runners • Summer training strategies• The importance of Boone's altitude and trail system • Appalachian State academics & student life • Advice for future collegiate runners and coaches Appalachian State Men's Cross Country has quickly become one of the premier distance programs in the Sun Belt Conference under Coach Herbster's leadership. Recent accomplishments include: 🏆 Three Consecutive Sun Belt Men's Cross Country Championships 🏆 Sun Belt Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2023 & 2024) 🏃 One of the fastest developing distance programs in NCAA Division I 🔥 Multiple Conference Champions, NCAA Qualifiers & All-Conference performers 📈 Building toward national championship contention Whether you're a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of NCAA Cross Country & Track & Field, this episode offers tremendous insight into building championship programs and developing student-athletes at the highest collegiate level. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all podcast platforms. ☕ Support the show (Value for Value) 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AireyBros 🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching 👉 https://www.blacksheependurance.com 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube👉 https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros 📸 Follow on Instagram👉 https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio Show Notes / Time Stamps 0:00 — Intro, Airey Bros Radio mission & connecting student-athletes with college programs 6:03 — Airey Bros Radio opening & Coach Brad Herbster introduction 8:10 — Appalachian State recruiting resources & summer camp opportunities 9:18 — Coach Herbster's coaching journey & opening a running specialty business 13:33 — Growing up in Texas, discovering distance running & competing with his identical twin brother 19:12 — How owning a business shaped his coaching philosophy 22:35 — Why Appalachian State was the perfect opportunity 24:00 — The Fire Tower Project & alumni support 26:00 — Recruiting domestic athletes & building championship teams 27:25 — Three straight Sun Belt Championships & taking the next step nationally 28:12 — Why Boone is one of America's best distance running destinations 31:14 — Program goals, championship expectations & regional competition 35:33 — Developing elite middle-distance & distance runners 37:35 — Transfer Portal recruiting success stories 39:31 — Summer training, communication & athlete accountability 42:15 — Double-threshold training philosophy 42:48 — Previewing the 2026 Cross Country season 44:22 — Sun Belt Championships & conference competition 48:05 — Designing fair championship cross country courses 49:45 — Appalachian State academics & student opportunities 51:13 — Life in Boone, North Carolina outside of running 53:07 — Ski town culture & mountain lifestyle 55:40 — Why Boone continues attracting elite runners Final Four Questions | Closing Thoughts

    ABR 468: Coach Brad Herbster on Building Appalachian State into a Sun Belt Cross Country Powerhouse | NCAA Division I Distance Running
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4.9
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About

Airey Bros Radio is the #1 podcast for Wrestling, Cross Country & Track & Field athletes chasing opportunities at the HS, NAIA, JUCO, NCAA DII, DIII & D1 levels. Hosted by brothers Rich & Jimi Airey, we do the legwork so you don’t have to. Our mission: spotlight programs, coaches & stories overlooked by the mainstream. From high school dynasties to national championship programs, we bring you recruiting insights, culture deep-dives, underdog journeys & the knowledge we wish we had growing up. 🎧 Weekly live shows & highlights | 🔗 IG @aireybrosradio | Spotify & Apple Podcasts – Airey Bros Radio

Information

  • Creator
    Airey Bros. Radio
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    394
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Airey Bros. Radio
  • Show Website
    Airey Bros.'s Radio

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