Bechler Leadership & Search

We've done nearly 50 searches in a little more than 2 years - specializing in meeting the needs of small colleges. Around 80% of these searches have come from repeat clients because we work hard and get results.

Every coaching candidate should answer the same core questions during the interview. Follow-up can vary, but consistency gives your committee a much fairer and more meaningful comparison.

CAPTAINS: The most important person you should lead is YOU. You have to lead yourself positively before you can ever expect to lead anyone else. Don't expect others to follow your lead if you're not doing what you're supposed to do. Be an example to your teammates.

Dr. Peter Dryer ( @pdryer7 ), Arizona Christian University Director of Athletics/Dean of Students, joins @AnthonyGrassi23 at the 2025 NACDA Convention. ~ via @smallcollegeath youtube.com/watch?v=-snC55…

High-maintenence candidates become high-maintenence employees.

In coach interviews, there are some obvious red flags. And there are also some more subtle ones. As an Athletic Director, make sure you're paying attention to these red flags in the interview process: linkedin.com/pulse/red-flag…

Congratulations to @FriendsU_AD and all the @FriendsFalcons teams. This is a well-deserved achievement. The Falcons are successful athletically, as well as away from the fields of competition. Good job.

William Penn Director of Athletics @grantfarris joins @KristenEargle to highlight his first six months leading, what key structural changes he’s implemented, adding sports, and what key ways he positioned himself for an AD role. ~ via @smallcollegeath youtube.com/watch?v=T07wI9…

LEADERSHIP IS LONELY "If you are going to be a leader, you’re not going to please everybody. You have to hold people accountable. Even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable." (Kobe Bryant) ~ via @ChambersHoops

HEY COACHES - Yes, even if the job wears a tracksuit, you need to dress well on a Zoom interview, Coach. Interviews are about leadership presence, not daily attire. What you wear changes how you sit, speak, and carry yourself. ~ via @RecruitwithDan

Top stories in today's NAIA.ticker: ➤ @AACsports taps Stancil as Interim Commish ➤ More from the @NAIA's Davidson ➤ PCSA revision deadline looms ➤ @GPACSports Westra earns NAIA accolade Read more: drvco.omeclk.com/portal/public/…

Everyone wants to level up their career, but very few actually take action. And let’s be real: it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you! ~ via @BDStan

Winning can hide cultural problems for a while. It rarely fixes them. Eventually culture shows up in retention, recruiting, conduct issues, and reputation. ADs need to make culture building a priority in every coaching search.

"You don't show up on game day and expect to be great. Greatness happens in practice. You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." (Michael Jordan)

"PROGRESSING THE PIPELINE" This article from @AD_University is adapted from The Pipeline Project: 2024 Employment Overview, NCAA Football Bowl Subdivisions: athleticdirectoru.com/articles/progr…

A coach who sees campus support areas as obstacles will eventually create strain. A coach who sees them as partners usually strengthens the department. You can often hear that mindset in how coaching candidates describe past colleagues.

"Hiring is guessing. Firing is knowing." (Gary Vaynerchuk)

Favorite time of the year getting the @sbubearcats football staff together. Love this coaching staff. #Roll🐈‍⬛’s

PLAYERS: Making excuses in the off-season about why you aren't in the gym or at training sessions will lead to making excuses during your season as to why you are on the bench.

ADs want coaches who understand context. One-size-fits-all answers usually fall flat. Understand the school. The program's history. The conference. The roster. When you do and can show that, your interview will go much better. ~ via @RecruitWithDan

Almost every coaching candidate can talk about leadership. The better question is: Can they provide evidence of it? Stories about people they've developed are usually more revealing than polished leadership statements.