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Masters in Coaching | Concordia University Irvine

Masters in Coaching Podcast

A special edition of Coach’s Playbook

Tim Cates of iHeart Radio’s AM 570 LA Sports interviews alumni and instructors from Concordia’s Master's in Coaching & Athletics Administration program. Discover why developing a coaching philosophy impacts your career and influences the lives of athletes from high school to the professional level.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXXII: Ben Benavides

Posted on 8/23/2024 by Tim Cates - 0 minute read

It's a return visit for Ben Benavides, who talks with Tim Cates about his new role as Athletic Director at the Edgewood ISD in San Antonio. He was a standout athlete, who returned to coach high school football for nearly 25 years before elevating to his new position within the school district. Ben is a graduate of the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine and talks about his experience in the program and how it helped him in his career.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXXI: Dan Lynds

Posted on 7/26/2024 by Tim Cates - 0 minute read

Tim Cates talks with Palomar College Athletic Director Dan Lynds about his career as football player, football coach and coming back to oversee the Comets athletic department. He has helped with the building of a new football stadium and and softball stadium on campus at Palomar College. Dan also talks about his experience coaching football in Japan. Dan is a graduate of the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine and talks about his experience in the program and how it helped him in his career.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXX: Chris Acker

Posted on 5/10/2024 by Tim Cates - 0 minute read

Tim Cates talks with new Long Beach State Basketball Coach Chris Acker about getting his dream job in college hoops. After serving as an assistant coach at San Diego State the last five seasons, Coach Acker is excited about building the Beach program and taking it to new levels in the Big West Conference. He talks about the importance of mental health with coaches and players. Coach Acker is a graduate of the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine and talks about his experience in the program and how it helped him in his growth as a coach.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXIX: Brooke Nicholson

Posted on 12/21/2023 by Tim Cates - 0 minute read

Tim Cates talks with Brooke Nicholson about career coaching volleyball to now the new Athletic Director at Mission Viejo High School. Brooke was a standout volleyball player, an All-American in college and has a been a successful coach the last decade before taking on a new role at her alma mater. Brooke is a graduate of the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine and talks about how her experience in the program has helped her get to the position she is in now at Mission Viejo HS.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXVIII: Dr. Jen Rizzo

Posted on 12/14/2023 by Tim Cates - 0 minute read

Tim Cates talks with Dr. Jennifer Rizzo about her new role at Orange Lutheran High School here in Southern California. She's a former volleyball player, coach and longtime athletic trainer that has taken on the job of starting a Health and Human Performance Program at Orange Lutheran. Dr. Rizzo talks about how more and more high schools have athletic training programs for student to learn and possibly pursue a future in that field. Dr. Rizzo talks about her time in China during the pandemic. She is a also a graduate of the MCAA program from Concordia University Irvine and has returned as an adjunct professor.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXVII: Brent Dohling

Posted on 12/4/2023 by Tim Cates - 1 minute read

Brent Dohling talks about his job as District Coordinator of Athletics, PE, & Health with the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Prior to that, Brent spent over a decade as a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal in Orange County. Brent is a graduate of the MCAA program from Concordia University Irvine and has returned as a adjunct professor. He also talks about his experience as an actor in the movie "Money Ball" along side Brad Pitt.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXVI: Eric McCurdy

Posted on 11/22/2023 by Tim Cates - 1 minute read

Eric McCurdy is the Athletics Director and Associate Vice President California State University at Dominguez Hills. He has experience in the private and public sectors. And he currently just completed his first full year in this role.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXV: Gardy O’Flynn

Posted on 8/29/2023 by Tim Cates - 1 minute read

Tim Cates catches up with Gardy O'Flynn about his days in pro baseball and now 24 years teaching and coaching. Gardy is a nationally recognized throwing specialist with National Pitching East and Tom House Sports. He is also a graduate of the MCAA program from Concordia University Irvine.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXIV: Lindsey Behonick

Posted on 8/23/2023 by Tim Cates - 2 minute read

Tim Cates catches up with Oregon State women's volleyball coach Lindsey Behonick about taking over the Beavers program and her goals as a 1st time head coach. Lindsey was one of the top assistant coaches in the country while at Pittsburgh and before that at Concordia University Irvine. Lindsey was an All-American volleyball player at Concordia University Irvine before she got her MCAA from Concordia University Irvine and pursued a career in coaching.

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Masters In Coaching Episode LXIII: Brenda Villa

Posted on 8/16/2023 by Tim Cates - 1 minute read

Tim Cates catches up with 4x Olympic medalist and Hall of Famer Brenda Villa about her journey from LA to Palo Alto to representing the United States in four different Summer Olympics. Brenda is the most decorated player in the history of women's water polo. She is now the head girls water polo coach at Orange Lutheran High School and a student in the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine.

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