The Gill Athletics Track and Field Connections Podcast
Unlock 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. Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.
#142: Gill1918 presents Track Tribe LIVE: (Part 1) "Building a Winning Program" with Lorenze Billups hosted by Kyle Jones
🌟Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such asBoo 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 ownGill1918 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? F...
#141: Gill1918 presents Kyle Jones "Track Tribe Online Community"
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go...
#140: Gill1918 Presents Coach Mike & Cheryl Etheredge “More Than Just a Track Club” Powered by Coach O
In 2003 the Etheredges founded Golden Elite T&F Club in FL with US Army veteran Mike as Head Coach and his wife Cheryl serving as Board President and Co-Leader. Since then, they have directly impacted the lives of over 2,500 youth by using T&F as the platform to promote academics, character development, and a drug-free lifestyle. Mike and Cheryl team up here to share from their experience to inspire coaches and parents learn how to mentor and lead youth beyond athletics into lifetime success.
We'd love to hear from you, too! Contact David Mitchell if...
#358: Mason Rebarchek-Winona State | From “Run Faster Than You Can” to Leading a Program
Some coaching journeys start with a plan.
Mason Rebarchek’s started with a middle school PE teacher… and a simple instruction:
“Run faster than you can.”
From that moment, a hurdler—and eventually a coach—was formed.
In this episode, Mason shares how early influences, unexpected decisions (including nearly joining the military), and a deep love for training shaped his path to becoming the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Winona State.
What stands out most?
He wasn’t a “student of the sport” early on.
He just showed...
#139: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#138: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#137: Gill1918 Presents Sports Dietitian Maddie Riley “Tackling Tummy Troubles” Powered by Coach O
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!
#357: Evan Gerish-Univ of Dubuque | 92 is 50% of 99
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...
#136: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#135: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#134: Gill1918 Presents Coach/Meet Director Steve Stowe "Celebrate Athletes While They're Young” Powered by Coach O
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.
#356: Nate Browne-UC Riverside | From Subprime Mortgages to Coaching Champions
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 t...
#133: Gill1918 presents Dwight Phillips "Triple Jump Training Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#132: Gill1918 presents Dwight Phillips "Triple Jump Training Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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.
#131: Gill1918 Presents Coach/Author Derrhyl Duncan “Inspiring Athletes to Greatness” Powered by Coach O
In just 3.5 years as Director of T&F/XC at The Lawrence School in NJ, Coach Duncan's athletes and teams have earned 22 county, conference, and state team titles to go with 20 HS All-Americans and 2 World Jr Qualifiers. Derrhyl spent 6 years as a pro T&F athlete and combines that knowledge with a very effective coaching style that focuses on developing the whole person. His new book Coach's Playbook shares insights on inspiring others to be great people as well as great athletes.
We'd love to have you join the fun! If you have a...
#355: Rik Moore-Anderson (SC) District 5 XC | Building a Legacy
Rick Moore didn’t set out to become a legendary pole vault coach. He was a football guy. A wrestler. A chicken farmer. A middle school coach trying to figure it out.
Then one junior high track meet changed everything.
From that moment forward, Rik built one of Georgia’s most dominant programs:
🏆 Six straight state titles in the vault
🥇 Multiple 1–2 finishes at the state meet
🚀 Coaching Georgia’s first 16-foot high school male vaulter
🏅 A state team championship… with n...
#130: Gill1918 presents Chris Korfist "Sprint Training" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 Chris Korfist's talk on sprint 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.
#129: Gill1918 presents Dwight Phillips "Long Jump Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 long 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.
#128: Gill1918 presents Dwight Phillips "Long Jump Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 long 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.
#127: Gill1918 Presents David Mitchell “Why Try a Frosh-Soph Meet?” Powered by Coach O
David is a Coach O Ambassador and nationally known T&F announcer. He also serves as the Director of Client Relations for CoachO.com
Leaning on his personal experience as a high school T&F coach, David encourages coaches to attend or host a 9th/10th grade-only meet and shares his insights on how it helps the athletes, coaches, and team.
If you have a topic to share on this podcast, contact David to learn more.
#354: Sol Stephens-Creston Middle School | When Doing Everything Right Still Isn’t Enough
Some coaching stories are about wins.
Some are about rebuilding.
This one is about truth, belief, and resilience when the system fails you.
Sol Stephens’ journey spans classrooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, and boardrooms — from a second-grade teacher who changed his life, to building successful college programs, to having that program cut while doing everything right.
This is not a bitter conversation.
It’s a grown one.
In this episode, Sol shares:
🧠 How self-awareness became his greatest coaching skill
🏃♂️ Why “math and science” ap...
#126: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "400m Training Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 400m 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.
#125: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "400m Training Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 400m 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.
#124: Gill1918 Presents Olympic Gold Medalist Latasha Colander Clark “Give Yourself the Grace to be Great” Powered by Coach O
Latasha is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 4x4, World Record Holder in the 4x2, 2-time Olympian, and Hall of Famer. Currently, she leads Christ Studios and the LC Treasures Within Foundation which provides scholarships to students. Latasha shares from her journey moving from perennial HS state champ to Olympic champion and encourages young athletes, their parents, and coaches to provide patience and grace during their process of growth toward greatness.
We'd love to hear from you, too! Contact David Mitchell to learn how to join the Gill1918 Youth Series team of presenters.
<...#353: Devin Green | When Coaching Takes a Backseat to Fatherhood
Some coaches leave the sport because they’re burned out.
Some leave because they’ve lost their passion.
Devin Green stepped away for a different reason — his son.
In this deeply honest conversation, Devin walks us through a coaching journey that started with a high-school 4x400 emergency, grew through years of building programs in Arizona, and ultimately led to one of the hardest decisions a coach can make: choosing family over the stopwatch.
This isn’t a retirement story.
It’s a priori...
#123: Gill1918 Presents Dr. Dillon Martinez “Effective Feedback"
Coach Dr. Dillon Martinez talks to us about ways to effectively give our athletes feedback as well as the six mistakes when giving feedback. This episode is perfect for coaches of all events of all ages. A link to his book can be found here: https://a.co/d/0aCWfu9i
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coachingpodcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicatedto empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elitecoaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field po...
#122: Gill1918 presents Erik Jenkins "Coaching the Relays Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 Erik Jenkins' talk on the relays. 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.
#121: Gill1918 presents Erik Jenkins "Coaching the Relays Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 Erik Jenkins' talk on the relays. 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.
#120: Gill1918 Presents Coach Kamara Sitton “The Importance of Female-Only Competition Opportunities” Powered by Coach O
Kamara Sitton is instrumental in bringing The Pink Spike Festival Girls/Women Only T&F Meet and scholarship to life each spring. Kamara is a coach for the Titans Track Club (AAU) in Upstate SC. She earned her Master's in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University and uses it in a variety of sports-related contexts. She enthusiastically provides reasons why female-only sporting events benefit not only the participants but society overall.
If you have a topic to share, contact David Mitchell to learn how.
#352: Rick and Brett Witt-UW-Stevens Point | A 50-Year Coaching Legacy, A Father–Son Transition
What happens when a program built over five decades gets handed—quite literally—from father to son?
In this special father–son edition of the Gill Connections Podcast, longtime UW–Stevens Point legend Rick Whitt and current head coach Brett Whitt sit down together to share one of the most unique coaching journeys you’ll ever hear.
From handwritten recruiting letters sent to his own son, to navigating health scares, career pivots, Division I vs. Division III realities, and ultimately a seamless leadership transition—this episode is about far more than tr...
#119: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "High Hurdles Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 high 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.
#118: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "High Hurdles Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic
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 high 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.
#117: Gill1918 Presents Coach/Author David Emeott “Coaching Your Own Children” Powered by Coach O
Dave has coached hundreds, maybe thousands of athletes over his career at East Kentwood HS in MI. Coaching his own 3 kids came with many joys and also lessons learned for him and every member of the family. He shares what he now knows so that others can navigate the challenges and form great memories together. Dave's book Beyond the Finish Line: The Art of Transformational Coaching remains among the best-selling T&F books since its release in late 2025.
Got something to share with youth coaches/athletes? Contact David Mitchell to find out how.
<...#351: Fireside chat with HoF Coach Randy Huntington Part 2 | Big Rocks, Coaching the Coach & the Long View of Track & Field
Part 2 of our fireside chat with Randy Huntington goes deeper than technique and medals. This is a conversation about legacy, empathy, curiosity, and what it really means to coach—especially when the next phase of life begins.
Randy reflects on his time in China, the isolation and growth that came with it, and how those experiences reshaped how he thinks about athletes, coaches, and the profession itself. We talk about the danger of losing the big rocks while chasing details, why simplicity is often the highest form of mastery, and why great coaches learn to...
#116: Gill1918 presents Zontavious Johnson "Coaching the Short and Long Hurdles Part 2"
Back in the fall of 2025, Coach Marques Lowe (Gill podcast alum!) and the Vipers Track Club hosted a Central Illinois Pre-Season Coaches Clinic. To increase the value to other coaches, he has allowed those presentations to be published on the Gill1918 Project Podcast.
Today we feature Part 2 of Olivet Nazarene University's Zontavious Johnson's (Gill podcast alum!) deep dive into coaching both the Short and Long hurdles. He's had great success in these events, so you're sure to get value from his talk. If you missed Part 1 from yesterday, go back and listen to that...
#115: Gill1918 presents Zontavious Johnson "Coaching the Short and Long Hurdles Part 1"
Back in the fall of 2025, Coach Marques Lowe (Gill podcast alum!) and the Vipers Track Club hosted a Central Illinois Pre-Season Coaches Clinic. To increase the value to other coaches, he has allowed those presentations to be published on the Gill1918 Project Podcast.
In the first part of a two-parter, Zontavious Johnson (Gill podcast alum!) of Olivet Nazarene University gives us a deep dive into coaching both the Short and Long hurdles. He's had great success in these events, so you're sure to get value from his talk. Check out Part 2 tomorrow!
<...
#114: Gill1918 Presents Coach Evander Wells “How I Use AI as a Coach” Powered by Coach O
Evander is the Men's and Women's Associate Head T&F Coach at the University of North Florida primarily coaching sprints, jumps, and hurdles, but also juggling all of the other duties of an NCAA coach. In clear, easy steps, he shares how he uses artificial intelligence (A.I.) to help him be more focused and productive in many tasks, so that he gets to be the best coach he can be for his athletes. Learn more about UNF T&F and follow Coach Wells Instagram and X.
If you have a topic you'd like...
#350: Fireside chat with HoF Coach Randy Huntington Part 1 | World Records, China & the Cost of the Craft
🎉 Episode 350! That number deserves something special — and this conversation absolutely delivers.
For this milestone episode, Mike sits down with Randy Huntington, one of the most influential and unconventional coaches in the history of track & field. From coaching world record holders to spending over a decade reshaping Chinese track & field, Randy’s journey doesn’t fit neatly into any box — and that’s exactly why this conversation matters.
This is Part 1 of a multi-part conversation that goes far beyond X’s and O’s.
In Part 1, we dive i...
#113: Gill1918 presents Mike Erb "How to be a Great Assistant Coach Part 2"
Back in the fall of 2025, Coach Marques Lowe (Gill podcast alum!) and the Vipers Track Club hosted a Central Illinois Pre-Season Coaches Clinic. To increase the value to other coaches, he has allowed those presentations to be published on the Gill1918 Project Podcast.
Up today is Part 2 of Mike Erb (Gill Podcast alum) speaking on How to be a Great Assistant Coach. This is a great discussion on what is expected of GREAT assistant coaches and how it can help improve your career. If you missed Part 1 yesterday, you might want to go back...
#112: Gill1918 presents Mike Erb "How to be a Great Assistant Coach Part 1"
Back in the fall of 2025, Coach Marques Lowe (Gill podcast alum!) and the Vipers Track Club hosted a Central Illinois Pre-Season Coaches Clinic. To increase the value to other coaches, he has allowed those presentations to be published on the Gill1918 Project Podcast.
Up today is Part 1 of Mike Erb (Gill Podcast alum) speaking on How to be a Great Assistant Coach. This is a great discussion on what is expected of GREAT assistant coaches and how it can help improve your career. Today is Part 1, join us tomorrow for Part 2.
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