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Time for year three of the CALS Report. First up, the big interview featuring CALS host and TCU Director of Athletics Mike Buddie. You'll enjoy hearing about his unconventional path from college baseball to the MLB to the AD chair, how TCU balances resources across sports while dealing with revenue sharing, NIL, rising costs and roster investment and his advice for young athletics professionals. He also shares what makes TCU and Fort Worth special as CALS26 approaches. Plus, Airshare Chief Revenue Officer Dylan Haynie joins us for this month’s Sponsor Spotlight to talk about how Airshare helps coaches, administrators, athletes and more make the most of their time with flexible, efficient air travel options built for the demands of college athletics.

In this edition of The CALS Report, Ryan Bradley sits down with DePaul University Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy for an in-depth look at the strategy behind building a stronger, more competitive athletics department. Peevy took over leadership of DePaul Athletics in August 2020, entering the role at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and facing challenges ranging from facilities and revenue generation to brand positioning and organizational culture. Six years later, his leadership has earned him a five-year contract extension through 2031 and an elevation to Senior Vice President. Peevy discusses DePaul’s new five-year strategic plan, Beyond the Dream, and the lessons learned from the university’s first strategic planning cycle. He shares how DePaul has strengthened its facilities, fundraising, organizational culture and brand — including growing annual fundraising from $1.1 million before his arrival to a department-record $15.6 million last year. The conversation also explores how DePaul is setting measurable goals for competitive success, revenue growth, donor engagement and institutional impact while navigating the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics. Peevy explains why investing in people is just as important as investing in facilities, how student-athlete and campus feedback shaped the plan, and why a successful athletics department must demonstrate its value to the university far beyond wins and losses. Plus, Peevy reflects on his longtime involvement with CALS, the importance of developing the next generation of college athletics leaders and why continued learning remains essential — even after reaching the AD chair.

Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill joins Ryan Bradley to discuss leadership, conference realignment and the rapidly changing college athletics landscape. He shares his perspective on revenue sharing, the transfer portal, the future of FCS football and the NCAA men’s basketball selection process, along with valuable career advice for aspiring athletic administrators.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does leadership look like in today’s ever-changing college athletics landscape? Episode 14 of The CALS Report features Beth Goetz, Iowa Director of Athletics, in a candid Big Interview that covers CALS 25, leading in college athletics today, the Ben McCollum hire, and the continued impact of Caitlin Clark on women’s sports and the Iowa brand. Goetz shares her approach to building alignment across campus, supporting coaches through change, and defining what sustainable success looks like in the Big Ten. She reflects on the leadership lessons shaping Iowa’s next chapter and what it means to create a culture that elevates everyone around it. Then in The Lobby, we’re joined by JP Abercrombie (Notre Dame), Kortne Gosha (Nebraska), and Reyna Gilbert-Lowry (Virginia Tech)—three respected leaders who help us look back on CALS 25 in Columbus. They share highlights, personal takeaways, and the deeper impact of the CALS community 15 years in. Also in this episode: ⚡ Real conversations on leadership, mentorship, and the future of college athletics. 🌟 Reflections from CALS 25 — what makes this community special and why it continues to grow.

In honor of the 15th Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium (CALS), coming October 5–7 in Columbus, we’re sharing a special bonus episode of The CALS Report. This compilation features some of the most respected voices in college athletics reflecting on what CALS means to them—and to the industry. From ADs to commissioners, executives to thought leaders, each clip highlights the power of connection, community, and leadership development that has defined CALS since 2011. Featured voices include: Wren Baker • Bubba Cunningham • Ross Bjork • Hunter Yurachek • Zac Selmon • Graham Neff • Troy Dannen • Greg Sankey • Desiree Reed-Francois • Tommy McClelland • Clay Scroggins • Graham Rossini • Jeremiah Dickey • Randale Richmond • Bryan Blair • Jeff Mitchell

What does leadership look like when the stage gets bigger—and the stakes do too? Episode 13 of The CALS Report features Ross Bjork, Ohio State Director of Athletics and host of CALS 25, as he joins our Ryan Bradley for a wide-ranging Big Interview on culture, scale, and leading in the new era of college sports. Bjork reflects on his first year in Columbus—what he learned inheriting a powerful culture, how he’s building trust to make hard decisions, and the disciplined approach required to sustain a broad sport portfolio amid revenue sharing and roster caps. He shares lessons from a national championship season, talks balancing tradition with innovation (“honor tradition, don’t think traditionally”), and unpacks the art of tuning out the noise while communicating with conviction. We also zoom out on the future of NIL, the new College Sports Commission, and why clarity and transparency are the real currency of leadership today. Bjork closes with candid advice to rising ADs: stay adaptable, master the whole enterprise, and invest in relationships that last. Also in this episode: ✈️ Sponsor Spotlight with Airshare – CRO Dylan Haynie breaks down how private aviation is evolving to serve athletics departments and donor travel. ⚡ Leadership. Strategy. Real talk from the front lines. Episode 13 is a masterclass on where college athletics is headed next.

What does it take to lead with vision—and navigate the shifting landscape of college athletics? Episode 12 of The CALS Report brings together two of the most respected voices in the industry for timely insights and perspective. In The Big Interview, Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter joins host Ryan Bradley for a candid conversation on leadership, decision-making, and building momentum in Oxford. From the bold hire of Lane Kiffin to the rise of Rebel football and beyond, Carter reflects on the challenges, opportunities, and relationships that have shaped his tenure—and what it takes to align coaches, administrators, and fans behind a shared vision. Then, ESPN’s Pete Thamel stops by with a special segment on the state of college football. With the season kicking off in earnest, Thamel breaks down the storylines he’s watching most closely, shares his perspective on the future of the CFP, and reflects on what makes College GameDay such an iconic stage—and discusses Lee Corso's final episode. Episode 12 is a front-row seat to leadership in action and storytelling at its best—reminding us that the conversations shaping college athletics are as dynamic as the game itself.