Parenting is a must-win game. That's true for all of us, including some of the most accomplished coaches and leaders in athletics across the country.
Presented by Black Raven and Little U Productions, Championship Parenting is a weekly master class on parenting and leadership from some of the top coaches, administrators and executives across the landscape of American sports — each of whom have children of their own, and a wealth of relatable stories and insight to share.
It Takes A Village | MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro
Chris Massaro, the Athletic Director at Middle Tennessee State University, discusses his upbringing, values, and the impact of athletics on personal development. Massaro shares insights on parenting, community involvement, and the importance of leadership in both sports and family life. He emphasizes the lessons learned from athletics, the significance of a supportive community, and the values he instills in his children, ultimately reflecting on his proudest moments as a parent and leader.
28 Aug 2025
The Gift of Discipline (& Nacho Dip) | West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez with Rhett & Raquel
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez sits down with host Kolby Paxton—joined by his children Rhett (assistant coach) and Raquel (assistant AD)—to talk family, football, and the values that shaped their lives. From learning playbooks as kids to building careers in athletics, the Rodriguezes share lessons on discipline, resilience, and earned success. Plus, the story behind Ms. Rita’s nacho dip, a family staple that’s become legend. A conversation on parenting, leadership, and legacy you won’t want to miss.
22 Oct 2024
How to Build (& Rebuild) | Oregon Head Basketball Coach Kelly Graves
Kelly Graves, head women's basketball coach of the Oregon Ducks, shares his experiences as a parent and coach. He emphasizes the importance of balancing parenting and coaching, and the lessons he teaches his own children and players. Graves discusses his background and upbringing, as well as the dynamics of raising three boys while being a high-performing coach. He also talks about the value of being part of a team and the pressure on student-athletes to play, highlighting the importance of the overall experience rather than just playing time. Graves shares insights on program rebuilds, emphasizing the significance of recruiting great people and building relationships. In this conversation, Kolby Paxton interviews Kelly Graves, the head coach of the University of Oregon women's basketball team. They discuss the type of individuals Graves looks for when recruiting players, the power of fortitude and perseverance, the development of young athletes, the impact of Sabrina Ionescu, and the role of parents in youth sports. Graves emphasizes the importance of championship character, competitive spirit, and a team-first mentality in his recruits. He shares his personal experience of working on a potato farm and the lessons he learned about resilience. Graves also highlights the exceptional qualities of Sabrina Ionescu and the impact she has had on and off the court. He discusses his approach to mentoring assistant coaches and the importance of hiring great people. Finally, Graves offers advice to parents on how to support and guide their children in sports while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
15 Oct 2024
The Challenges & Benefits of NIL | LSU Head Gymnastics Coach Jay Clark
LSU women's gymnastics head coach, Jay Clark, discusses his experience as the defending national champion and the challenges of managing a team in the NIL era. He reflects on his own upbringing and the influence of his coaches, emphasizing the importance of coaching and parenting in shaping young athletes. Clark shares his parenting style, focusing on firmness with explanation and creating a positive and supportive environment. He also discusses the impact of high-profile athletes on the team culture and the challenges and benefits of the NIL space. Clark offers advice for parents on supporting their child's passion for gymnastics while avoiding burnout.
8 Oct 2024
Balancing Purpose | Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff
Graham Neff, the Director of Athletics at Clemson, discusses his background and influences in this conversation. He grew up in Metro Atlanta and had a tight-knit group of friends who became like family. He was exposed to healthy relationships and parenting through his friends' families. He also mentions Clay Scroggins, a pastor and mentor, who had a significant impact on his faith and leadership development. Professionally, Dan Radakovich, the previous AD at Clemson, has been a mentor to Neff. Neff emphasizes the importance of work ethic and passion in his own life and hopes to instill those values in his children. In this conversation, Graham Neff, the Director of Athletics at Clemson University, discusses the role of faith in his life and how it influences his role as a father. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and creating a supportive environment for children. Neff also shares insights into his process for evaluating talent and finding the right fit for the Clemson athletic program. He highlights the significance of culture, relationships, and authenticity in building a successful team. The conversation concludes with Neff discussing the challenges and joys of raising twin boys and the values he seeks to instill in them, including integrity and the importance of consequences.
1 Oct 2024
The Confidence Paradox | Notre Dame Head Lacrosse Coach Kevin Corrigan
Kevin Corrigan, the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's lacrosse team, shares insights on his upbringing, parenting, coaching philosophy, and the values that shape his program. He emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in character, culture, and community. Corrigan discusses the challenges of balancing confidence and caution in both coaching and parenting, and the need for curiosity and authenticity in leadership. He also addresses the challenges of developing lacrosse skills in areas where the sport is not prevalent and the importance of finding a version of the game that allows for entry and growth.
24 Sept 2024
Emphasizing Process-Focused Leadership | Arkansas Head Softball Coach Courtney Deifel
Courtney Deifel, head coach of the University of Arkansas softball team, discusses the balance between being a coach and a mother. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner and talks about the challenges of managing her time during the softball season. Courtney also shares insights on the influence of the program on her children and the role models they have in the female athletes on the team. She discusses the early start of travel ball and the decision-making process for parents. Courtney also touches on the importance of focusing on the process rather than the results, both in coaching and parenting, and the challenges of social media in today's society.
17 Sept 2024
Never Say No | K-State Head Baseball Coach Pete Hughes
Kansas State head baseball coach, Pete Hughes, discusses the importance of parenting and raising a family while being a coach. He shares his experience of raising five children and the value of having them grow up in a college environment. Hughes talks about each of his children and their accomplishments, highlighting their unique talents and career paths. He emphasizes the importance of communication, listening, and understanding each child's individual needs. Hughes also shares his own upbringing in Brockton, Massachusetts, and how it shaped his values and resilience. He reflects on his college experience as a multisport athlete and his perspective on specialization in youth sports. In this conversation, Coach Pete Hughes discusses his experiences and insights as a college baseball coach and a father. He shares the influence of great leaders in college athletics on his coaching style and philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of consistency, discipline, and community in building a successful team culture. Coach Hughes also offers advice on coaching and parenting, including the value of high reps in skill development and the importance of limiting screen time for children. He concludes by discussing the impact of the 19 Ways program on his team and the community.
10 Sept 2024
Foundations in Football, Lessons for Life | LA Tech Head Football Coach Sonny Cumbie
Louisiana Tech head football coach Sonny Cumbie discusses his upbringing in Snyder, Texas, and his love for sports. He emphasizes the importance of accountability, structure, and quality time in both parenting and coaching. Cumbie shares his approach to parenting his two boys, highlighting the need to support their interests while also teaching them the value of practice and hard work. He also discusses the challenges of managing frustration and expectations in both his own children and his players. Cumbie acknowledges the influence of his own coaches and mentors in shaping his coaching style and leadership philosophy.
3 Sept 2024
Guiding Passion Without Pressure | Alexa & Darryl Keckler
Alexa and Darryl Keckler discuss the unique challenges and advantages of being married to another coach and how this influences both their coaching and parenting styles. They emphasize the importance of understanding what each other is going through, supporting each other during different sports seasons, and prioritizing the parent-child relationship over athletic success.
They highlight the importance of allowing their children to explore their interests without forcing them into specific sports or activities, and they emphasize teaching their children that their value isn't tied to their athletic performance but to who they are as individuals.
The Kecklers also discuss the complexities of youth sports, particularly the pressures of specialization and the influence of club coaches. They advocate for multi-sport participation and caution against early specialization, emphasizing the need for children to enjoy their sports experience.
Both coaches stress the importance of the life skills and values that sports teach, such as teamwork, hard work, and the importance of the journey rather than the destination — sharing insights into how they instill these values in both their children and their athletes.
27 Aug 2024
Accountability & Balance | TCU Head Football Coach Sonny Dykes
Sonny Dykes, head football coach at TCU, shares insights on his upbringing in a coaching family and the influence of his parents. He emphasizes the importance of work ethic, family dynamics, and the impact of his mother's love for the arts. Dykes discusses his parenting approach, balancing his coaching career with family life, and creating a family atmosphere within his team. He highlights the value of community and continuity in creating consistency for his family and the families of his coaching staff. Dykes also discusses his leadership philosophy and the importance of holding young people accountable while caring for them as individuals.
20 Aug 2024
Parenting with Presence | West Virginia Head Football Coach Neal Brown & Brooke Brown
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown and his wife, Brooke Brown, discuss their upbringing, parenting approach, and the importance of sports in their children's lives. They emphasize the value of being present for their kids and supporting their interests and activities. They also talk about the challenges of parenting teenagers and the need to adapt to each child's individual needs. The Browns highlight the importance of enjoying the process and having fun in sports, rather than focusing solely on outcomes. They also discuss the role of coaching in their parenting style and the importance of being a unified front for their children.
13 Aug 2024
Preview: Championship Parenting with Kolby Paxton
Parenting is a must-win game. That's true for all of us, including some of the most accomplished coaches and leaders in athletics across the country.
Presented by Black Raven and Little U Productions, Championship Parenting is a weekly master class on parenting and leadership from some of the top coaches, administrators and executives across the landscape of American sports — each of whom have children of their own, and a wealth of relatable stories and insight to share.
Each Tuesday, host Kolby Paxton chops it up with guests like TCU head football coach Sonny Dykes, Arkansas head softball coach Courtney Deifel, Notre Dame men's lacrosse coach Kevin Corrigan, and Clemson athletic director Graham Neff, just to name a few.
Championship Parenting makes its debut on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Here's a sneak peak of what's ahead.
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