Contacts Coaching Podcast

Navigating the Complexities of Athletic Directing: Insights from Chris Stevens of Immanuel Schools

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, Athletic Director Chris Stevens from Immanuel High School returns to discuss his journey and the key elements of managing a high school sports program. Stevens, a 30-year veteran football coach now in his fourth year as an athletic director, was recently honored with the Rookie of the Year award by the Central Section. He shares his experiences transitioning from public to private education, the importance of budgeting and fundraising, managing family involvement in school sports, and creating memorable experiences for student-athletes. Stevens provides invaluable insights into how to balance the logistical and emotional demands of the job while fostering a supportive environment for athletes and coaches. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the world of high school athletic administration and gain practical advice for navigating this challenging yet rewarding field.00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back00:34 Chris Stevens' Major Award02:49 Journey to Becoming Athletic Director04:43 Public vs. Private School Administration15:05 Balancing Family and Career20:53 Fundraising and Development in Schools31:01 Finding the Perfect Tournament31:28 Prepackaged Deals vs. DIY Trips32:52 Creating Memorable Experiences34:35 Innovative Team Bonding Ideas39:02 Senior Night Celebrations49:22 Managing Budgets in Private Schools57:11 Fundraising Strategies and Challenges01:03:20 Closing Thoughts and Networking

OU Compliance Director Danielle Koval on Scholarships, Financial Aid, NIL & Revenue Sharing in College Athletics

In a special Contacts Coaching podcast episode, Stevenson alumna Danielle Koval—Director of Compliance for Financial Aid and revenue sharing at the University of Oklahoma—shares her path from being a swimmer and water polo player at Stevenson to swimming at Fresno State, working in student-athlete academic services, moving to UNLV, and then joining OU after taking a financial aid role just before COVID. She compares working environments across Fresno State, UNLV, and a Power Four brand like Oklahoma, emphasizing the scale of budgets, the weight of a global brand, and the constant pace of compliance changes driven by lawsuits and reactive policy shifts. The conversation explains how college athletics finances work, why most sports operate at a loss, and how football revenue and attendance underwrite broader departmental resources. Koval details how athletic scholarships and financial aid function across headcount and equivalency sports, why FAFSA and campus/college-level scholarships matter, and how tuition waivers and programs like the Western Undergraduate Exchange reduce costs. She breaks down the shift from NCAA scholarship limits to roster caps under the new landscape, including how schools decide whether to fully fund expanded rosters and how new scholarships can count against the revenue-sharing cap. The episode also covers OU’s revenue-sharing approach (six sports), Title IX defensibility pressures, preferred walk-on dynamics under roster caps, the increased role of agents in everyday issues, and how contracts are renegotiated annually amid early signing day and the transfer portal. Koval discusses the challenges of paying athletes while preparing them for life after sports, including OU’s financial literacy programming, and closes with a personal reflection on changing her mindset from perfectionism to giving herself grace as circumstances shift.00:00 Welcome & Meet Danielle Koval (OU Compliance + Financial Aid/Rev Share)00:33 Danielle’s Athlete-to-Administrator Journey: Fresno State → UNLV → Oklahoma05:31 Leveling Up: What Changes from Mid-Major to Power Program?08:34 The OU Brand & Culture of Excellence Across Sports11:23 Money Talks: Football Revenue, Facilities, and Funding Other Sports12:51 Is College Athletics Sustainable? NIL ‘Funny Money’ to Revenue Share17:26 Scholarships 101: Headcount vs Equivalency (and Why ‘Full Ride’ Is Rare)20:46 New Era: Roster Caps, Scholarship Flexibility, and the 20.5M ‘Salary Cap’24:30 Financial Aid Hacks: FAFSA, Department Scholarships, WUE, and Tuition Waivers30:10 Reallocating Aid: When Top Students ‘Free Up’ Scholarships for Other Sports31:41 The Scholarship Funding Crunch: Revenue Sports vs. Everyone Else32:24 Tuition Waivers & Campus Support: How Schools Make Full Funding Work34:33 OU’s Self-Sustaining Model and the ‘Front Porch’ Value of Athletics36:13 Roster Caps vs. Scholarship Limits: Why Walk-Ons Are Disappearing37:53 Revenue Share at OU: The 6 Sports in the Pool (and Why Gymnastics)39:36 Preferred Walk-Ons, Practice Bodies, and Stretching the Rev-Share Dollar41:35 Inside Football Rev-Share Tiers: Contracts, Cutoffs, and Annual Renegotiations46:03 Culture & Pay Equity: Avoiding Locker-Room Blowups in the NIL Era47:43 Transfer Portal Reality Check: The Grass Isn’t Greener (and Many Don’t Land)48:52 Recruiting Goes Pro: Agents, Negotiations, and the New GM Job50:25 Preparing Athletes for Money & Life After Sport: Literacy, Taxes, Careers55:15 Closing Reflection: Changing Your Mind, Letting Go of Perfection

Exploring Vulnerability, Masculinity, and Life's Journey with Mike Luevano

Welcome to the Contacts Coaching podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Mike Luevano, host, and founder of the Between the Shots Show. Mike shares his extensive background in education, development work, and his latest venture that combines golf with deep, meaningful conversations about life, vulnerability, and masculinity. From his upbringing in San Jose to his work with nonprofit organizations and his passion for sports, Mike provides valuable insights into building relationships, personal growth, and the importance of open dialogue. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how to navigate life's challenges and the transformative power of real, heartfelt conversations.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:13 Mike's Early Life and Career03:09 Nonprofit Work and Development05:35 Fundraising Strategies and Community Involvement12:55 The Concept of 'Between the Shots'24:07 A Lifestyle Show with Purpose24:26 Fatherhood and Legacy25:31 The Importance of Vulnerability28:24 Creating Safe Spaces for Open Conversations30:55 Personal Growth and Self-Reflection37:07 Setting and Achieving Goals40:38 Building and Maintaining Relationships45:08 Conclusion and Future Plans

From Coach to Leader: The Journey of Madison High School's Athletic Director, Rick Jackson

Tune in to the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we dive deep with Rick Jackson, the Athletic Director of Madison High School in Greater San Diego. With 26 years at the same school, Rick shares his journey from coaching multiple sports at Scripps Ranch to becoming a pivotal figure at Madison. In this episode, Rick reflects on his transition from being a head coach to stepping into an administrative role, the significance of maintaining relationships with student-athletes, and the importance of fostering a supportive and multi-sport culture. Discover insights into the challenges of modern athletics, insights on countering the temptation of sports specialization, and learn about the impactful Leadership Council initiative. Join us for a captivating conversation filled with valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned coaches and athletic directors alike.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:21 Rick Jackson's Coaching Journey02:09 Balancing Multiple Coaching Roles03:02 Family and Coaching04:18 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes05:08 Challenges in Youth Sports Specialization08:42 Building a Positive Sports Culture08:52 Managing Small School Athletics14:00 Transitioning from Coaching to Administration14:37 Organizational Skills in Coaching17:34 Reflections on Coaching Football18:53 The Importance of Relationships in Coaching26:06 Competing Fall Sports26:23 Balancing Coaching and AD Responsibilities28:10 Challenges of Dual Roles30:59 Parental Influence and Spectator Behavior33:05 Leadership Council Initiatives37:33 Encouraging Multi-Sport Participation43:21 Retention and School Culture45:57 District Collaboration and AD Networking47:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Building Championship Cultures: Paul Caffery's Journey as an Athletic Director

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we are joined by Paul Caffery, the Director of Athletics at LaHabra High School. Paul shares his extensive background in coaching and administration, highlighting his journey from growing up in an athletic family to becoming an athletic director. He discusses the vital role of community culture, the importance of multi-sport athletes, and shares invaluable insights on creating cohesive and branded athletic programs. Paul also delves into the challenges of balancing coaching duties, family life, and handling unexpected health issues. Towards the end, he provides advice for new athletic directors on establishing effective systems and fostering strong relationships within the sports community. Don't miss this insightful discussion packed with practical tips and heartfelt experiences on leading successful high school athletic programs.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:26 Paul Caffery's Athletic Background01:41 Transition to Public School Education02:21 Coaching Career and Health Challenges03:54 Return to La Habra as Athletic Director05:43 Building a Supportive Athletic Culture12:34 Challenges and Learning as a New AD19:20 Promoting Multi-Sport Participation26:29 Transitioning Between Seasons26:41 Lessons from the Sporting Goods Industry27:54 The Importance of Branding30:18 Building Relationships and Trust33:03 Challenges of Being an Athletic Director35:23 Networking and Mentorship39:48 Balancing Approachability and Efficiency47:39 Changing Perspectives on Student Interaction52:42 Evaluating Coaches Effectively55:56 Conclusion and Future Plans