#075 - Hiring the Right Leader in Collegiate Sport Performance: Lessons Learned

Adam Ringler -

In this episode of The Decoding Excellence Show, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to hire the right person to lead a collegiate performance and holistic-oriented department.

After nearly a decade at the University of Colorado—contributing to a sport science and high performance model while working with Women’s Basketball and Volleyball—I’ve seen firsthand what works, what fails, and why so many NCAA programs miss the mark.

This isn’t about titles, certifications, or flashy tech. It’s about leadership.

The kind of leadership that:

  • Understands the demands of the weight room and the locker room.
  • Earns trust across sports medicine, nutrition, psychology, and coaching staffs.
  • Inspires a culture where athletes thrive and practitioners grow.

Whether you’re an athletic director, coach, or practitioner, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you evaluate talent for these critical roles—and why social media clout isn’t a substitute for real-world experience.

🎧 What You'll Learn From the Show:

  • The three non-negotiables every Director of Sport Performance should have.
  • Why NCAA programs fail when they chase trends over substance.
  • How to spot a true leader versus a résumé or Instagram-built persona.
  • Lessons from building Colorado’s sport science program over 9 years.
If your program is serious about athlete health, performance, and staff longevity, this conversation is a must-listen.

Whether you’re on your own walk, stuck in traffic, or setting up the gym—this is your behind-the-scenes peek into how I think, plan, and process high performance.

Thanks again for listening to the Decoding Excellence Show! I appreciate all the support growing this Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning, and High-Performance Coaching resource. If you have taken anything away from the show, please login to iTunes and navigate to ⁠⁠⁠Decoding Excellence⁠⁠⁠ page and leave us a FIVE STAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.

If you haven't already, you can head over to ⁠⁠⁠AdamRingler.com/Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ and sign-up for my weekly newsletter. This is a newsletter for the curious. It's chalked full of interesting articles I've read through the week, things I'm exploring and finding fascinating through my week, and a collections of thought experiences and resources I've cultivated.

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If any of the material resonates with you, I'd love for you engage with me at ⁠⁠⁠@AdamRingler⁠⁠⁠

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