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Concordia University Irvine

Masters in CoachingMasters in Coaching

A Podcast Series with iHeartMedia

Masters in Coaching Podcast

Tim Cates hosts the Masters in Coaching Podcast. Take your coaching to the next level with Concordia's fully online Master’s in Coaching and Athletics Administration. Thousands of coaches and athletic administrators have completed our program and are now affecting positive change in top-rated institutions across the nation. In addition, we have expanded our program to now offer a Master of Science in Coaching and Exercise Sciences.

Kevin Kiernan

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXX: Kevin Kiernan

Posted on 4/10/2025 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates sits down with longtime high school basketball coach and current Mater Dei HS Athletic Director Kevin Kiernan. Over his coaching career he has won 900 games, 12 CIF-SS titles, 6 CIF-State championships and 2 National Championships in girls basketball. Kevin helped build the girls basketball program at Troy HS and has spent the last 17 years at Mater Dei where in 2024 he was named the WBCA National GBB HS Coach of the Year. Kevin has had many players go on to play college basketball and has seen several former players make it to the WNBA. Since 2021, Kevin has been serving as Athletic Director at Mater Dei, overseeing one of the biggest brands in high school sports.

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Perry Webster

Masters in Coaching Episode LXXIX: Perry Webster

Posted on 4/3/2025 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates sits down with Fullerton College basketball coach Perry Webster to talk about his journey from player to coach. After being named the head coach at Fullerton College at the age of 26, he has won multiple Conference Championships and State Championships over the last decade while leading the Hornets. Perry is the only person in California Community College history to win state championships in three different roles - head coach, assistant coach and player. He talks about the importance of getting his MCAA from Concordia University Irvine for his coaching career.

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April Ross

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXVII: April Ross

Posted on 3/10/2025 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates sits down with one of the greatest professional beach volleyball players in history, April Ross. A 3x Olympic medalist and the winner of a Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, April’s career spans over three decades, and her journey has been nothing short of legendary. From her days as an indoor volleyball star at USC, where she helped lead her team to two National Championships, to becoming a dominant force on the professional beach volleyball circuit, April’s accolades are a testament to her incredible work ethic, skill, and dedication to the sport. After making a name for herself in the world of professional beach volleyball, April has transitioned into coaching and continues to inspire the next generation of athletes. In addition to her athletic achievements, April also graduated from Concordia University Irvine and the MCAA Program.

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Crystal Rosenthal

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXVI: Crystal Rosenthal

Posted on 3/3/2025 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates talks with Concordia University Irvine Associate Vice President of Athletics Crystal Rosenthal about the growth and success of the Eagles athletic department. She is also the Women's Softball Coach and just picked up her 700th career win! Crystal talks about sustaining a winning program for over two decades and the importance of a strong culture as one of the pillars in athletics. She is one of the first graduates of the MCAA from Concordia University Irvine.

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Bryan Lynton

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXV: Bryan Lynton

Posted on 10/25/2024 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates talks with Murrieta Valley HS water polo coach Bryan Lynton about his 30 years in education and coaching. He has won 9 CIF Southern Section Championships and been named the Regional Coach of the Year 3 times by USAWP. Bryan is the head coach of both the boys and girls water polo teams at Murrieta Valley HS, while also working with USA Water Polo as a coach and technical director. Bryan is a graduate of the MCAA from Concordia University Irvine.

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Dan O'Dell

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXIV: Dan O'Dell

Posted on 10/24/2024 by Tim Cates

Tim Cates talks with former Penn State standout and current Mater Dei HS girls volleyball coach Dan O'Dell about his playing career and the success he's had bulding a championship program in Southern California. Coach O'Dell talks about the growth of volleyball in the US, the competitive play in Southern California and whether your child needs to play club sports to better their game. Coach O'Dell discusses why it was important for him to pursue his MCAA from Concordia University Irvine.

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Daniel Stange

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXIII: Daniel Stange

Posted on 10/23/2024 by Tim Cates

Former Major League pitcher Daniel Stange talks with Tim Cates about his journey in professional baseball and then his coaching career. The former big leaguer went back to school and got his MCAA from Concordia University Irvine which led to a AD job and opportunities to coach college baseball. Tim and Daniel also get into some serious baseball chatter about the art of pitching and the state of the game in 2024.

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Ben Benavides

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXII: Ben Benavides

Posted on 8/23/2024 by Tim Cates

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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Dan Lydns

Masters In Coaching Episode LXXI: Dan Lynds

Posted on 7/26/2024 by Tim Cates

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 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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Chris Acker

Masters In Coaching Episode LXX: Chris Acker

Posted on 5/10/2024 by Tim Cates

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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