Airey Bros.'s Radio

Airey Bros. Radio

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. How UBC Built a Track & Field Dynasty | Laurier Primeau on 5 Straight NAIA National Championships, Olympians & Canadian Recruiting | Ep. 464

    1d ago

    How UBC Built a Track & Field Dynasty | Laurier Primeau on 5 Straight NAIA National Championships, Olympians & Canadian Recruiting | Ep. 464

    Coach Laurier Primeau joins Airey Bros Radio after leading the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to their fifth consecutive NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championship while earning 2026 NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year honors. Coach Primeau has built one of the premier collegiate track & field programs in North America, developing NAIA National Champions, Olympians, Paralympians, All-Americans, Academic standouts, and Canadian National Team athletes while creating a culture focused on long-term athlete development. In this episode we discuss: 🏆 Winning five consecutive NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championships 🇨🇦 How Canadian collegiate athletics differs from the United States 🏃 Recruiting at one of the world's top academic universities 🎓 Why UBC attracts elite student-athletes from across Canada 🔥 Building championship culture through development instead of pressure 🥇 Coaching Olympians, Paralympians, and National Team athletes📈 The future of UBC Track & Field and Cross Country 🏔️ Competing in both U SPORTS and the NAIA Whether you're a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of collegiate track & field and cross country, this conversation provides an inside look at one of the most successful programs in the NAIA. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction to Airey Bros Radio and why the show highlights collegiate track & field, cross country and wrestling 04:05 Official introduction of Coach Laurier Primeau 05:17 Five consecutive NAIA National Championships and Coach of the Year honors 06:35 Coach Primeau's introduction to track & field as a child 09:30 Losing an influential mentor and discovering a passion for coaching 11:10 Coaching while competing at Simon Fraser University 13:20 Auburn University, competing with elite athletes and becoming a teacher 15:00 From high school coaching to leading Scotland's National Team 17:00 Lessons learned coaching Olympians and world-class athletes 19:25 How UBC competes in both U SPORTS and the NAIA 23:40 Which UBC sports compete in the NAIA and why 25:20 Recruiting Canadian student-athletes to UBC 28:20 Why American athletes choose UBC 29:55 UBC academics, engineering, business and balancing elite athletics 32:30 Student population and life at one of Canada's largest universities 33:55 The formula behind five consecutive national championships 35:40 Managing rain delays and adversity at the NAIA Championships 36:45 The plus/minus system that measures athlete development instead of medals 38:30 Building a culture focused on long-term development over pressure 40:10 Why this championship team was different from previous title teams 42:10 The future of UBC men's track & field 44:50 Redshirts, injuries and preparing for another championship run 46:45 Thoughts on the NAIA Outdoor Championships in Asheville 49:25 Summer training, recruiting and Canadian National Championships 52:00 Coaching responsibilities that continue all summer 3:00 Why UBC skips the indoor track season 55:40 Steeplechase coaching and hurdling philosophy 58:50 Why UBC is one of Canada's best universities for student-athletes 1:02:00 Final Four Questions1:02:10 Coffee preferences 1:03:00 Daily habits and fitness routine 1:05:20 Music playlists and recommended books 1:06:55 Favorite foods, travel and Vancouver culture 1:09:00 Final thoughts and closing remarks

    1h 7m
  2. ABR 463 | Building Champions Through Faith, Culture & Connection | Concordia XC/Track Coach Matt Beisel

    6d ago

    ABR 463 | Building Champions Through Faith, Culture & Connection | Concordia XC/Track Coach Matt Beisel

    Coach Matt Beisel joins Airey Bros Radio for Episode 463.  As the Head Coach of Concordia University Track & Field and Cross Country, Coach Beisel has helped build one of the premier programs in the NAIA. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have earned multiple NAIA Top-10 finishes, conference championships, national champions, All-Americans, and a reputation for developing student-athletes both on and off the track.In this episode, Coach Beisel shares his incredible journey from a walk-on athlete to one of the most respected coaches in collegiate track & field. We discuss Concordia's championship culture, recruiting philosophy, athlete development, faith-based leadership, training methodology, double-threshold training, racewalking, and what makes Concordia University such a unique student-athlete experience.Whether you're a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of collegiate cross country and track & field, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Topics Covered: ✅ Building a championship culture at Concordia University ✅ Recruiting student-athletes who fit the Bulldog standard ✅ Faith, leadership, and coaching philosophy ✅ Developing NAIA All-Americans and National Champions ✅ Double-threshold training and modern endurance coaching ✅ Individualized athlete development ✅ The importance of relationships in coaching ✅ Racewalking and growing unique opportunities in track & field ✅ Time management, leadership, and building sustainable success 🎧 Follow Airey Bros Radio: YouTube: @AireyBros Instagram: @aireybrosradio Spotify & Apple Podcasts: Airey Bros Radio ☕ Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros 🏃 Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching: https://www.blacksheependurance.com

    1h 17m
  3. ABR 462 | Chris Freije on Rebuilding New Mexico Highlands Wrestling, Developing NCAA All-Americans

    Jun 18

    ABR 462 | Chris Freije on Rebuilding New Mexico Highlands Wrestling, Developing NCAA All-Americans

    Airey Bros Radio Episode 462 welcomes New Mexico Highlands University Head Wrestling Coach Chris Freije. A former NCAA Division II National Finalist and RMAC Champion, Coach Freije joins us to discuss his wrestling journey from Arizona to Western Colorado, his coaching stops across NCAA Division II, NAIA, and NJCAA wrestling, and his vision for building New Mexico Highlands into a national contender. Coach Freije shares lessons learned from coaching at programs across the country, the importance of culture and family within a wrestling program, recruiting overlooked talent, developing NCAA All-Americans, and what makes Las Vegas, New Mexico a unique destination for student-athletes.We also discuss Ivan Smith's All-American season, the future of Cowboys Wrestling, the transfer portal, recruiting philosophy, academic excellence, and how New Mexico Highlands is positioning itself for success in the highly competitive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).Whether you're a wrestler, coach, recruit, parent, or college wrestling fan, this episode offers valuable insight into NCAA Division II wrestling, athlete development, and building a championship culture. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE• Chris Freije's wrestling journey from Arizona to NCAA Division II National Finalist • Learning under legendary coach Miles Van Hee • Coaching at Colorado Mesa, Lander, Kentucky Wesleyan, Cloud County, Lindsey Wilson, Fairmont State and more • Taking over New Mexico Highlands Wrestling • Building a family culture inside the Cowboys program • Recruiting the Southwest, Midwest and East Coast • Developing NCAA All-Americans and National Qualifiers • Ivan Smith's All-American season • Transfer portal strategy and roster building • Academic success and student-athlete development • Why New Mexico Highlands is a hidden gem for recruits • The future of Cowboys Wrestling in the RMAC ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 01:05 Show Introduction 02:09 Introducing Coach Chris Freije 03:43 NMHU Wrestling Camps & Recruiting Information 05:18 Chris Freije's Wrestling Origin Story 06:29 Learning Under Miles Van Hee at Western Colorado 09:36 Knowing He Wanted To Be A Coach 12:18 Growing Up With A Wrestling Coach Father 14:52 Coaching Across The Country & Returning West 18:29 Recruiting To Las Vegas, New Mexico 22:39 East Coast Recruiting & Building A National Roster 24:38 Ivan Smith's All-American Season 26:33 Building A Coaching Staff & Program Infrastructure 27:55 Creating Buy-In & Developing Wrestlers 30:57 Looking Ahead To The 2026-27 Season 32:36 Following Legendary Coach Doug Moses 34:31 Managing A Roster Of 22 Newcomers 37:40 Transfer Portal Strategy & Recruiting Philosophy 39:30 What Makes A Great NMHU Wrestler 42:12 Academic Support & Student Success 44:12 Why New Mexico Highlands Wrestling Is On The Rise 45:15 Wrestling In A True Wrestling Town 46:44 Future Home Duals & Unique Wrestling Venues 47:22 Final Four Questions 🎙️ Follow Airey Bros Radio YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61TKhMCXCfmfZRYb22saFe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-s-radio/id584404045 ☕ Support The Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros 🏃 Fueled By Black Sheep Endurance Coaching https://www.blacksheependurance.com/

    58 min
  4. ABR 461 | Justin Ensign on Oklahoma City Wrestling's Historic NAIA Trophy Finish,

    Jun 11

    ABR 461 | Justin Ensign on Oklahoma City Wrestling's Historic NAIA Trophy Finish,

    Airey Bros Radio Episode 461 welcomes Oklahoma City University Head Wrestling Coach Justin Ensign following the most successful season in OCU Wrestling history.After leading the Stars to a 3rd-place finish at the 2026 NAIA Wrestling National Championships, Coach Ensign joins us to discuss the journey behind Oklahoma City University's first-ever national team trophy, five All-Americans, conference championships, recruiting, culture, academics, and the future of one of the fastest-rising programs in college wrestling.Coach Ensign shares his wrestling roots in New Jersey, his coaching journey from Wagner College to Central Missouri and ultimately Oklahoma City University, where he has transformed the Stars into a national contender.We also dive into the incredible story of MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Rafael Lovato Jr. joining the roster this season and the impact he had on the team.Whether you're a wrestler, coach, recruit, parent, or fan of college wrestling, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a championship-caliber NAIA wrestling program.🔥 In This Episode:• Oklahoma City University's historic 3rd-place finish at the 2026 NAIA Wrestling National Championships • Winning OCU Wrestling's first-ever national team trophy • Building a championship culture and elite team environment • Recruiting Oklahoma's top wrestling talent • Coaching philosophy and athlete development • The importance of academics and student-athlete success • Justin Ensign's journey from New Jersey wrestler to nationally recognized head coach • Wagner College and Central Missouri coaching experiences • What makes Oklahoma City University unique for recruits • Rafael Lovato Jr.'s impact on the OCU Wrestling program • The future of OCU Wrestling and competing with NAIA powers Grand View, Life, and Southeastern 02:33 Official Show Introduction 03:19 OCU Wrestling's Historic 2026 Season 05:10 Recruiting at Oklahoma City University 06:15 Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham Debate 07:47 Oklahoma City Food Favorites 11:46 Justin Ensign's Wrestling Origin Story 17:45 Why Oklahoma City University Was the Right Fit 23:37 Breaking Down OCU's Historic NAIA Trophy Run 25:45 The Rafael Lovato Jr. Story 30:31 Becoming a Top-3 NAIA Wrestling Program 31:34 Coaching Rafael Lovato Jr. 35:04 Enjoying the Historic Season & Planning Ahead 37:03 Recruiting Oklahoma's Best Wrestlers 39:23 Wrestling Culture: Oklahoma vs. New Jersey 41:44 One-State Champion Debate 44:04 Academic Programs at Oklahoma City University 47:12 Faith, Campus Life & Student Experience 48:33 What Coach Ensign Looks For In Recruits🎙️ Follow Airey Bros RadioYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AireybrosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61TKhMCXCfmfZRYb22saFeApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-s-radio/id584404045☕ Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros🏃 Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching https://www.blacksheependurance.com/#Wrestling #CollegeWrestling #NAIAWrestling #OCUWrestling #OklahomaCityUniversity #JustinEnsign #RafaelLovatoJr #WrestlingRecruiting #CollegeAthletics #WrestlingCoach #NAIA #AireyBrosRadio #CombatSports #StudentAthlete #WrestlingPodcast

    1h 10m
  5. Coach Kenny Anderson | Building a National NAIA Track & Field Powerhouse at Central Methodist University | Airey Bros Radio Episode 460

    Jun 4

    Coach Kenny Anderson | Building a National NAIA Track & Field Powerhouse at Central Methodist University | Airey Bros Radio Episode 460

    Coach Kenny Anderson joins Airey Bros Radio following a historic weekend for Central Methodist University Track & Field at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor National Championships. Under Anderson's leadership, the CMU men finished 7th nationally with 10 All-Americans, while the women also earned a Top-10 national finish with 9 All-Americans. The conversation dives into national championship performances, athlete development, recruiting philosophy, faith-based leadership, and what it takes to build a nationally competitive program in the NAIA. Coach Anderson shares his unique journey from electrical engineering and basketball coaching to becoming one of the most respected track & field coaches in the country. We discuss creating a family culture, developing overlooked athletes, handling the transfer portal era, and why student-athletes can thrive at smaller schools. Whether you're a recruit, coach, parent, or track & field fan, this episode provides an inside look at one of the fastest-rising programs in the NAIA. Connect with Airey Bros Radio 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61TKhMCXCfmfZRYb22saFe 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/airey-bros-s-radio/id584404045☕ Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aireybros 🏃 Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching: https://www.blacksheependurance.com Show Notes & Timestamps 0:00 Why Airey Bros Radio shines a light on NAIA, NCAA DII, DIII & NJCAA programs 1:00 Introduction of Coach Kenny Anderson & Central Methodist University 2:05 CMU's Top-10 finishes at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Championships 3:20 Social media, recruiting and Coach "Cut The Check" 4:08 Kenny Anderson's coaching origin story 6:36 From hurdler to coach: favorite events to train 7:22 Recapping the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Championships 8:18 Women's 4x400 relay DQ and lessons learned 9:31 The rise of CMU's 800-meter program 10:31 School records and All-American performances 11:11 Handling pressure on the national stage 12:27 Coach accountability and leadership philosophy 13:44 Creating elite expectations regardless of division 14:25 Building for next season before nationals even end 15:12 Graduates, transfers, NIL and roster management 16:03 Developing athletes who move up to NCAA Division I 18:02 Recruiting athletes who want to stay four years 19:44 Central Methodist culture: Communication, Trust & Family 20:32 Faith, leadership and building relationships 22:16 Athlete-led accountability and team ownership 23:37 Why recruits choose Central Methodist University 25:20 Faith opportunities on campus and within the program 27:00 Watching student-athletes grow as people 28:46 Coaching at a faith-based institution 30:06 Popular academic majors at CMU 30:26 Marine Biology in the middle of Missouri? 32:20 Taking over the program and exceeding expectations 34:43 Three freshmen headed to the U20 Championships 35:29 Why U20 qualification is huge for the program 36:24 Recruiting athletes who want the small-school experience 38:22 Recruiting locally, nationally and internationally 40:00 Building international recruiting pipelines 41:48 Being a Director of Track & Field 42:34 Leadership, staff development and delegation 45:24 Managing budgets, travel and expense reports 46:04 Comparing NAIA National Championship venues 48:08 Coaching the 800 meters and training philosophy 49:44 What CMU looks for in recruits 51:11 Creating a memorable student-athlete experience 52:25 The Final Four Questions 53:15 Daily habits and morning routines 54:11 Music, playlists and New Orleans bounce mixes 55:09 Florida roots, seafood boils and playing saxophone 56:12 Kenny Anderson's guilty pleasure: Burger King 57:10 Closing thoughts and appreciation for NAIA coaches

    59 min
  6. ABR 459 | Coach KC Rock (Embry-Riddle Wrestling) | Building NAIA National Champions at America’s Premier Aerospace University

    May 28

    ABR 459 | Coach KC Rock (Embry-Riddle Wrestling) | Building NAIA National Champions at America’s Premier Aerospace University

    Episode 459 of Airey Bros Radio features KC Rock, Head Wrestling Coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, following one of the biggest seasons in program history. Coach Rock joins ABR LIVE after leading Embry-Riddle Wrestling to a 4th place finish at the 2026 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Championships with TWO individual national champions — Yoshiya Funakoshi (141) and Kenneth Copley (285). In this episode, Coach Rock breaks down: Embry-Riddle’s rise into a national NAIA powerhouseBuilding elite wrestling culture with high academic standardsRecruiting student-athletes to one of the top aerospace universities in AmericaThe realities of NAIA scholarship models and roster buildingCoaching philosophy, leadership, and athlete developmentHis journey from Boise State wrestler to nationally respected college coachLife in Prescott, Arizona and why Embry-Riddle is such a unique opportunity for recruitsThe conversation also dives into: NAIA Wrestling, Embry-Riddle academics, engineering and aviation degrees, college recruiting, NCAA vs NAIA wrestling, JUCO pathways, scholarship structures, Prescott Arizona culture, and how to balance elite athletics with demanding academic majors.Whether you're a wrestler, parent, recruit, coach, or fan of college wrestling, this episode offers an inside look at building championship culture at one of the most unique universities in the country.🎧 Airey Bros Radio spotlights college wrestling, cross country, and track & field programs across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels. ☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching | 🏃‍♂️ Black Sheep Endurance Coaching 🎥 YouTube: Airey Bros YouTube 🎧 Spotify: Airey Bros Radio Spotify 📸 Instagram: Airey Bros Radio Instagram ☕ Support the show: Buy Me a Coffee Show Notes & Timestamps 00:00 – Why Airey Bros Radio spotlights overlooked college programs & opportunities01:25 – Intro: Coach KC Rock joins ABR LIVE02:00 – Embry-Riddle’s 4th place finish at the 2026 NAIA National Championships02:25 – Two national champions & NWCA academic success03:30 – Memorial Day message & honoring military families04:20 – Coach Rock’s connection to Wyoming wrestling culture05:20 – Wrestling origin story & growing up with a wrestling coach father07:30 – From engineering major to college wrestling coach08:45 – Boise State wrestling & early coaching experiences09:30 – Nearly becoming a PGA teaching professional10:20 – Golf lessons that helped his wrestling mindset12:30 – College wrestling coaches and golf culture14:00 – Stories about UFC legend Jens Pulver at Boise State16:10 – Junior college wrestling journey & the value of JUCO athletics18:30 – Coaching stops at Wyoming, Boise State & Utah Valley19:20 – Transitioning from NCAA Division I to NAIA Wrestling21:50 – What makes Embry-Riddle different from other universities22:40 – Aerospace engineering, flight school & elite academic programs23:40 – FBI/CIA pathways through Global Security & Intelligence Studies25:40 – Recruiting pilots, engineers & high academic wrestlers27:00 – Honest recruiting conversations with student-athletes28:10 – Balancing engineering majors with college wrestling29:40 – Arizona recruiting pipelines & scholarship realities31:00 – Building a Top 4 NAIA national tournament team32:00 – Inside Embry-Riddle’s 2026 NAIA tournament run33:20 – Yoshiya Funakoshi’s turnaround from conference struggles to national champion35:40 – Cascade Conference wrestling toughness explained36:20 – Returning lineup & expectations for next season37:30 – Why Coach Rock loves the NAIA 12-man national format38:10 – Breaking down NAIA scholarship models & recruiting budgets40:00 – What makes 4th place nationally so impressive at Embry-Riddle41:50 – Arizona wrestling opportunities & Arizona Christian rivalry43:00 – Embry-Riddle campus size, culture & graduate programs44:20 – Why Embry-Riddle is an investment in long-term career success46:20 – Flight school costs & career return on investment47:10 – Recruiting East Coast wrestlers to Arizona48:40 – Why Prescott is ideal for pilots & outdoor athletes49:10 – Other college wrestling programs with aviation pathways50:40 – Prescott Arizona hiking, restaurants & outdoor culture52:00 – Whiskey Row, local food spots & Arizona lifestyle

    1h 9m
  7. ABR 458: Coach Dustin Dimit on Rowan’s NCAA DIII Indoor National Championship | Building a National Power in Track & Field

    May 20

    ABR 458: Coach Dustin Dimit on Rowan’s NCAA DIII Indoor National Championship | Building a National Power in Track & Field

    Coach Dustin Dimit returns to Airey Bros Radio after leading Rowan University Men’s Track & Field to the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor National Championship. In Episode 458, we dive deep into Rowan’s historic national title run, the culture behind one of the top NCAA DIII track & field programs in the country, and what it takes to build a championship-caliber team year after year. Coach Dimit breaks down the emotional rollercoaster of winning the NCAA title by ONE point, balancing team chemistry across every event group, recruiting high-level student-athletes, managing pressure at nationals, and transitioning from indoor success into another outdoor championship chase. We also discuss:NCAA Division III Track & Field recruitingBuilding championship cultureCoaching philosophy & leadershipTeam-first mentalityAll-Americans & national championsManaging athletes during finals weekIndoor vs outdoor track season preparationRowan Track & Field’s rise to national prominenceRecruiting New Jersey & national talentThe mental side of championship competitionRowan finished the indoor season with: 🏆 NCAA DIII Indoor National Champions 🔥 17 All-Americans 🥇 Multiple Individual National Champions 📈 21 Conference Titles 💪 One of the deepest rosters in Division III Track & FieldWhether you’re a coach, athlete, recruit, parent, or fan of college track & field, this episode gives incredible insight into what separates good programs from national championship programs. 🎧 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 / Rowan Track & Field history & New Jersey track connections 1:06 — Airey Bros Radio opening & episode introduction 2:17 — Coach Dustin Dimit joins the show 3:31 — Rowan Track & Field recruiting & social media strategy 4:15 — Coach Dimit talks traveling through Japan & New Zealand 6:07 — Upcoming Laos trip & traveling internationally as a coach 7:53 — Coach Dimit’s origin story into track & field & coaching 10:32 — Growing up in Ohio near Mount Union 11:43 — Teaching while coaching & grinding toward full-time college coaching 13:12 — Advice for young coaches trying to break into college athletics 14:50 — Taking a lower-paying coaching job for long-term growth 17:28 — How athletic director experience helped him as a head coach 20:34 — Breaking down Rowan’s NCAA DIII Indoor National Championship 21:59 — The pressure and emotion of a one-point national title win 23:24 — Big performances that changed the team race 24:12 — Managing emotions during championship meets 26:36 — What finally pushed Rowan over the hump to win nationals 28:29 — The importance of depth in NCAA track & field 30:19 — Team culture, accountability & athlete leadership 32:01 — Transitioning from indoor season to outdoor track 34:42 — Rowan dominates the NJAC Championships 35:30 — Chasing another NCAA national title outdoors 36:35 — Preparing athletes physically & mentally for nationals 38:21 — Managing finals week & championship preparation simultaneously 41:08 — Competing at nationals on Wisconsin-La Crosse’s home track 43:50 — Last chance meets & qualifying drama 44:53 — Recruiting momentum after winning a national title 46:14 — Building elite training groups within event squads 46:44 — Internal competition & brotherhood on championship teams 48:04 — Friendly rivalries between teammates & event groups

    1h 10m
  8. ABR 457: Jeremy Provence | Building Jacksonville State Track & Field, Gritty Recruiting & Conference USA Growth

    May 13

    ABR 457: Jeremy Provence | Building Jacksonville State Track & Field, Gritty Recruiting & Conference USA Growth

    On episode 457 of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Jeremy Provence, Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at Jacksonville State University. Coach Provence shares his journey from growing up on a rural Arkansas farm to becoming a Division I head coach, building programs at the University of the Ozarks, North Alabama, and now Jacksonville State. We talk recruiting diamonds in the rough, developing gritty student-athletes, creating a family culture with athletes from 14 countries, the jump from Division III to Division I, Conference USA competition, double threshold training, ultra running, trail racing, and why Jack State is a program on the rise. ☕ Support the show (Value for Value): 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AireyBros 🏃‍♂️ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching: 👉 https://www.blacksheependurance.com Show Notes 2:04 — Welcome to Airey Bros Radio 2:16 — Introducing Coach Jeremy Provence of Jacksonville State 3:00 — Coach Provence’s coaching resume and program-building background 3:50 — Where recruits can find Jacksonville State XC/TF 5:17 — Jacksonville State summer track & field camp 7:09 — Through line: Coach Nathan Rankin and the Ozarks connection 7:37 — Coaching a dual-sport wrestling and running athlete 12:16 — Coach Provence’s origin story 12:42 — Growing up rural in Arkansas 14:18 — Finding cross country through basketball conditioning 16:18 — Running at the University of the Ozarks 18:25 — Falling in love with coaching as a grad assistant 19:35 — Recruiting athletes with similar rural, gritty backgrounds 20:44 — Finding diamonds in the rough 25:15 — From Ozarks to North Alabama to Jacksonville State 25:54 — Biggest differences moving from D3 to D1 28:39 — What makes a good fit at Jack State 30:17 — Grit, growth mindset, and team-first culture 32:12 — Recruiting Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and internationally 34:31 — Building a unified team with athletes from 14 countries 36:16 — Creating family through community service and team activities 38:03 — Jacksonville State’s relationship with the town 40:13 — Conference USA outdoor championship preview 41:16 — Key event groups for Jacksonville State 43:11 — Double threshold training philosophy 45:51 — Athlete input, training debates, and coaching transparency 48:40 — How much coaching is science vs. art? 50:57 — Balancing coaching, family, and ultra running 53:22 — Pinhoti 100 and Alabama trail running 55:29 — Why it’s an exciting time at Jacksonville State 57:45 — Final Four: coffee, daily rituals, music, and guilty pleasures 58:32 — Running streak and coaching by example 59:28 — Listening to Zach Top and classic country sounds 1:00:38 — Disc golf as a guilty pleasure 1:02:08 — Closing thoughts with Coach Provence

    1h 3m
4.9
out of 5
38 Ratings

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

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