Kenneth Shropshire’s Post

Coach Nick Saban’s news on retiring from the University of Alabama's football program truly marks the end of an era.   I’ve been a college football fan for as long as I can remember. It started off by going to Walter Camp Fan Fest every year, trying to score some autographs from what I thought could be the next group of NFL stars. Some athletes at Walter Camp Fan Fest allowed the fans to take pictures with them, make small talk with the fans, one even had a slice of pizza with my buddy and I.   As I got older, college football turned into me having an excuse to order wings from my favorite spot in town (Archie Moore’s…IYKYK) every Saturday and watch with my friends to kick off our weekend.   When my best friend went down to Clemson University, I officially had “a dog in the fight” to watch every Saturday when we headed to college. I went to visit him for a game and that changed it all for me. The pride of the university, the diehard fans, the rivalry, the stadium – the list goes on.   Let me explain what he has done through his dynasty with college football.   Key highlights: ·        His on-field success includes 7 total National Championships – 6 with the University of Alabama. ·        2-time AP College Football Coach of the Year. ·        Coached 4 Heisman Trophy winners. ·        44 First Round NFL Picks coached at University of Alabama (through 2023).   Financial Impact to the University of Alabama: ·        Saban's success has led to a significant increase in revenue for the university's athletic department. In 2022, Alabama football brought in $130.87 million of the $214.37 million in revenue for the department. This means that football accounted for about 61% of the department's revenue. ·        Saban's teams have consistently filled Bryant-Denny Stadium, to help the bottom line for ticket sales and revenue. ·        He helped boot local businesses, attracted tourism, and revitalized the entire Tuscaloosa community.   The Intangibles: ·        Saban's success has also helped to boost the University of Alabama's brand, which can lead to increased enrollment and other benefits over time. ·        Saban has put the University of Alabama on the map as a national powerhouse in college football and one of the most well-respected programs out there.   As a wealth advisor helping clients work towards retirement, I feel there are some valuable lessons we can take away from Coach Saban’s #retirement announcement. Coach Saban's dynasty wasn't built overnight. It took years of meticulous planning, strategic recruiting, and relentless pursuit of his long-term vision. Retirement planning is no different than this mentality, and it requires you to identify your goals, craft a customized investment strategy that’s right for you, and make smart decisions along the way.   Congrats on this next chapter, Coach Saban. #RollTide 🐘  

A little bit of sports trivia to kick off our Monday morning: Who is the most successful college basketball coach of all time, with 1,203 games won in 45 years and a winning percentage of 82%? Most of us would immediately think of Coach K or Jim Boeheim. Think again. Her name, yes I said HER, is Tara VanDerveer at Stanford. Those incredible stats belong to a coach that most of us have likely never heard of before and whose name often gets overlooked. At 70, she is on the verge of becoming the winningest college basketball coach of all time, surpassing the iconic Coach K. Her insights on success, adaptability, and leadership are as relevant today as ever, applicable not just to sports but to any field where individuals strive to achieve greatness. Below are some takeaways that stood out to me as fresh and unique, and serve as a departure from some of the often-repeated platitudes we see in similar articles: 💡 Experiment and Adapt: VanDerveer's willingness to abandon her team's successful offensive strategy after 12 years, a bold move that resulted in an NCAA championship in 2021, highlights the importance of embracing change and taking risks. In a world that often values stability, her willingness to challenge convention is a refreshing reminder of the power of innovation. 💡Continuous Learning and the Art of Asking for Help: VanDerveer is a lifelong learner who draws inspiration from various sources, including professors, assistants, and players. Her experience learning the piano in her mid-40s highlights the importance of vulnerability and asking for help. In a landscape where leadership often prioritizes and rewards self-reliance, her openness to seeking assistance and learning from others challenges traditional leadership norms. 💡Individualized Leadership Approach: VanDerveer believes in understanding each player's unique needs and tailoring her leadership accordingly. This individualized approach stands in contrast to the often-cookie-cutter leadership advice we encounter. VanDerveer's emphasis on personalized leadership showcases a deep understanding of human and team dynamics. 💡Adapting to Change and Supporting Younger Colleagues: VanDerveer encourages her fellow Boomers not only to welcome change but to actively support and mentor younger colleagues. She underscores the significance of demonstrating that accumulated experience can serve as a guiding force, helping younger generations reach heights they might not attain independently. (This last part is certainly something Millennials, Gen X'ers, and Boomers could all do a better job of embracing). . . . #womeninbusiness

As a college football analyst and content creator, I am always looking into the factors that drive success for college football programs. Today, I want to highlight a pivotal aspect that often goes unnoticed: financial commitment and strategic alignment within athletic departments. A prime example of this is James Madison's journey, which was written about in a recent article by Front Office Sports. James Madison recently transitioned to FBS (the highest level of CFB), but this transition started with financial commitment and strategy. Since 2010, James Madison's approach has been visionary. They've invested heavily in their football program, matching or even exceeding the budgets of many FBS teams while they were still in FCS (formerly known as 1-AA). This strategic financial commitment to football — $11 million in 2022 alone — paired with an aligned vision from the top down, has set a new standard. Their athletic department budget in 2022 was $58 million, surpassing every other Sun Belt program. But it’s not just about the numbers. It's about the foresight to invest in areas that actually matter: expanding their football stadium to a 27,000-seat capacity with an eye for further expansion, enhancing practice facilities across sports, and investing in coaching salaries. The result? An 8-3 finish in their first FBS schedule in 2022, and an 11-1 record this year. Their success is a testament to the power of strategic financial planning and alignment from top to bottom in a college athletic department. JMU has proven that commitment even further by making a splash with their recent head coaching hire -- Holy Cross' Bob Chesney. As FOS put it -- it's about dressing for the job you want, not the job you have. The James Madison story is a powerful reminder for all of us in sports and media: success on the field begins with a strong foundation off it. It's about investing wisely, aligning goals, and committing to excellence at every level. The game isn’t just played on the field; it’s shaped by decisions made in conference rooms and offices.

If you’re interested in the transformative power of youth sports, and its ability to cultivate leadership, camaraderie, and community, I recommend reading the book Lebron [https://amzn.to/3NvaZ33] by Jeff Benedict (New York Times Best Seller), and watching the documentary More Than A Game [https://lnkd.in/ejtehZJm], directed by Kristopher Belman. With meticulous research from hundreds of interviews and thousands of pages of primary source material, Jeff Benedict writes a riveting and insightful narrative of Lebron’s early life. The documentary, which I recommend watching while reading the book, makes the writing come alive with a large cache of home videos of these kids and their youth coaches from years before they became famous. I’ve followed LeBron since he started playing professionally but was surprised by many of the insights. How did a group of five neighborhood kids forge deep bonds with each other, and end up playing on a team that defeated basketball powerhouses from all over the country? Why did these kids make the unexpected decision to play at St. Vincent St. Mary, and how did they deal with the racial implications? How did their high school coaches navigate the pressure and national media attention, while working to impart their players with life lessons? How did young Lebron intentionally cultivate his inner circle, and not fall prey to the all-consuming chaos of becoming a nationally recognized basketball prodigy? The book and documentary are an inspiring look at how sports can shape young lives, forge unbreakable bonds, and teach invaluable life lessons. There are additional insights that span Lebron’s professional career and private life. But the lessons from the early years stood out to me. If you enjoyed this content, you can read my prior posts or subscribe to my weekly newsletter at http://liketolearn.io

The Eyes on Effect: How the University of Alabama and Michigan Replaced a Legend and a National Champion in 7 Days. The expression “dance like no one is watching” refers to the idea that you’d act differently if the eyes of others and their judgement didn't encumber you. And this is what is happening in hiring, and it is affecting businesses’ ability to hire successfully. In fact, for creating the conditions of effective and efficient hiring, businesses need more eyes, not less, on the process. This January, after winning the national championship, Jim Harbaugh announced his resignation as football coach at the University of Michigan. A week prior, Nick Saban, winner of seven national championships, resigned from his coaching duties at the University of Alabama. And how long did it take the Universities of Michigan and Alabama to replace them? A combined 7 days. According to an SHRM report, across businesses, industries and roles, it takes an average of 42 days to fill a vacancy. Yet, two universities could replace their coaches in less than a week combined. So, what made it possible for them to hire so quickly? 4 factors: With Harbaugh, a succession plan was already in place. The University of Michigan was prepared for the eventuality that Harbaugh would leave, and knew what they would do when he did. In both cases, the universities were aware of the risks and costs involved in waiting to hire new head football coaches. A delay in hiring a new coach would risk the university losing players to the ‘transfer portal.’ Aware that other team's coaches would try to convince players to leave their current school while the future there and who'd they'd be playing for was uncertain. The brands of Michigan and Alabama made them attractive landing spots for other coaches. And most importantly, people were watching. The entire fanatical world of college football was paying attention to what these two football programs would do. Every delay would be scrutinized by the national sports media. Every day that passed without a new head coach would be another day that the Athletic Director and the University President would be forced to field questions about who would run their football programs next and why finding a replacement was taking so long. The fact is that the ‘eyes’ matter. When you’re being watched, critiqued, and questioned, you become accountable for the delays, for the missed opportunities, for the inefficiencies in your process. And you fix them. Imagine what hiring might look like if business leaders and executives put a closer eye on their organization’s hiring process. Because I’m willing to bet that if they did, the average time to fill would no longer be 42 days. Talenthunt helps companies attract, acquire, and keep their employees. Talk to us today to find out how we can help you with your next great hire at https://talenthuntinc.com #TimeToHire #Recruiting #Football

Over the past several days, Georgia Football has witnessed a number of its players enter the Transfer Portal, sparking concern among the Georgia Faithful. This shift isn't a reflection of culture but rather a consequence of the changes in College Football and player empowerment. Here's what I believe is happening... Players like Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a National Champion and 1st Team All-American, are leveraging the portal to assess their monetary value on the open market - a move fitting for a player of his caliber. Any parent with a child in a similar position would encourage them to explore all opportunities that could enhance their future. Alternatively, players have evaluated their current position on the depth chart and don't foresee a significant role in their immediate future at their current school, prompting them to seek opportunities elsewhere. This assessment likely stemmed from honest discussions with family, coaches, teammates, and personal reflection - all positives. In any case, this marks the natural progression for College Football in the Name, Image, and Likeness/Transfer Portal era, akin to NFL Free Agency. This era will introduce the role of General Manager to CFB. The associated title might read something like "Director of Roster Management" or "Director of Player Affairs," focusing on evaluating the current roster, opposing rosters, and potential targets when the "Portal" opens. Like any business, change accompanies disruption, and those who adapt will thrive. For every player that departs, Coach Kirby Smart & Co. will likely sign an All-SEC Caliber Student-Athlete or a 4-5 star recruit to fill the void. Whether or not you like this change is up to you, but I believe once the dust settles from a few negative repercussions, a set of rules will be put in place that will enhance the sport and make for a more entertaining and better product. Additionally, I believe it will enhance competition by creating more parity among the Power-5 Conferences. Once again, it will be up to the NCAA to take a collaborative approach with the institutions and their associated athletic conferences to find solutions that will smooth the transition into these uncharted waters. As I've said before, I am bullish on Charlie Baker's leadership capabilities as he understands business while also being empathic to the Student-Athlete, as he was a Divison-I athlete at Harvard University, his wife a gymnast at Northwestern University, and his children all were NCAA student-athletes. To put it plainly; he's got skin in the game. The future of College Sports is bright.

Creating a Winner's Psyche: Delving into the Youth Sports Paradigm In a world where today's youngsters are tomorrow's leaders, there is a crucial need for spaces that nurture their overall growth. Youth sports present a perfect environment to achieve this. But could we be doing it better? Growing up in the realm of youth sports, I realized its potential was not just in developing healthy bodies, but whole individuals. It shapes character, instills discipline, and cultivates teamwork skills—all of which are vital beyond the sports field. However, despite its immense potential, there are significant gaps. Ensuring that every young athlete experiences holistic growth requires more than just robust training programs—it needs a mindset shift from all stakeholders involved. This was the spark that led me to create the Youth Sports Toolkit—a bridge to transform youth sports into an ecosystem that goes beyond winning games to building future leaders. But how can we all step up? By understanding our roles better—parents need to foster supportive environments, coaches should focus on instilling values along with tactics and kids ought to understand it’s not just about winning but growing. Youth sports can be more—it can be a breeding ground for tomorrow's visionaries and leaders. And for this transformation to take place, it starts with each one of us. So let's get into the game and together redefine the meaning of victory!

Huge congratulations to Stanford University WBB coach Tara VanDerveer on her decades-long success of coaching, leading, and learning from Stanford's Women's Basketball team. Tara will soon become THE most winning college basketball coach of all time (surpassing Duke's legendary Coach K's record!). I'm honored to know Tara and have her players as students in my classes. There is simply nothing better than watching and learning from excellence in action. Love this great article from The New York Times article capturing Tara's philosophy on coaching, leading AND learning through her decades-long tenure as head coach. Paraphrasing a few key statements from Tara on "How to Win More Games than Anyone:" * Hire right. As my dad said, “You can’t win the Kentucky Derby on a donkey.” And not just players but staff. Be sure they complement you more than compliment you. * Have a vision for your players, and give them the tools. Maximize people’s strengths and minimize their weaknesses. * Don’t be the center of attention. Don’t micromanage, and seek input. Outwork the players on your team. * Every behavior is communication — not just words but also eye contact and body language. * Learn the art of the controlled meltdown * Love what you do. And I have great people around me — assistant coaches who complement me with different strengths. * Don't be afraid to to take risks and experiment. * Be a lifelong learner — from professors, assistants, players. I watch other Stanford teams practice and ask coaches about their training methods. Let's go CARD! https://lnkd.in/gS5s5DgW

College athletics is uniquely American. Sports teaches life lessons the classroom cannot. For example, an astonishing majority of C-suite women were former college athletes. College sports are threatened on two levels. First, faculties and administrators increasingly reject the character development role athletics fulfills within the Academy. Non-revenue athletic teams are seen strictly as cost centers. So are Humanities Departments, but the relative value viewpoint has shifted. Sports will face first cuts in any austere cycle, as during COVID. The athletes themselves have been categorized as privileged, lumped alongside legacies when admissions are scrutinized. Few Athletic Directors have publicly defended their athletes from this characterization. Second, the NCAA's vision overtly professionalizes football and basketball--which may be overdue--but puts additional financial pressure on the majority Olympic sports via a revenue sharing proposal that will lead to more cuts. In short, the more amateur sport athletes you support, the more dollars you owe. NLRB rulings will further accelerate the university drive to reduce loss-leading sports. Today Dartmouth basketball decided to unionize even though the program loses money. Stepping back, this reduces the chance of their sons and daughters playing in the future. Congress must write some sensible legislation that allows our professionalized athletes to be compensated while protecting the constellation of amateur sports whose athletes go on to uniquely represent school and country.

🚨 Ever buy a ticket to a college football game or work in athletics or development? Then, give your opinion and help a colleague with their doctoral research! Tim Rice is asking for our help! Feel free to share broadly with your network. 🚨 SURVEY: https://lnkd.in/g4YKS8hA A NOTE FROM TIM: My name is Tim Rice and I'm a graduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change & Leadership. I'm conducting research for my dissertation titled: Beyond the Game: Optimizing Stakeholder Value in the Evolving Landscape of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The goal of the research is to identify what key stakeholder groups in the FBS find most valuable about their experience in the industry - extracting areas of consensus and mutual interest. The 5-10 minute survey is anonymous and identities will be kept confidential. Results will be included in my dissertation and provided upon request in late 2024.    If you are (or previously were) engaged with FBS level college football as a donor, ticket buyer, alum/fan, athletics admin, campus executive, football staff, current/former athlete, or faculty; your participation would be greatly appreciated. If you are unsure which group to select, please select "other" and write in your role.    Please note: ·  The survey will remain open until January 26, 2024. ·  Participation is completely voluntary and not associated with my previous work for LEAD1 Association. ·  Reasonable measures will be taken to protect the personal identities of participants. ·  Results may be shared in future projects and with other researchers. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this study, please contact me at [email protected]