THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST Colorado's Sean Carlson: The Championship Formula—Tough Leadership, Uncompromising Standards & How to Win at Every Level
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Aug 26, 2025 Sean Carlson, the Director of Cross Country & Track and Field at the University of Colorado, has a rich history of transforming athletic programs. He shares his insights on athlete empowerment and building a winning culture. The conversation dives into the challenges of collegiate coaching, emphasizing the balance between high standards and creating a supportive team environment. Carlson also addresses the importance of integrity in achieving success, the evolving NCAA landscape, and how he recruits dedicated athletes to uphold a culture of excellence.
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Recruit For Cultural Fit
- Be brutally honest in recruiting about your program's lifestyle and expectations.
- Protect your culture by recruiting athletes who clearly fit those standards.
Systems Drive Turnarounds
- Successful program turnarounds rely on systems: recruiting, training, admin, and program structure.
- With the right resources and people, rebuilding is a question of when, not if.
Invest In The Committed
- Invest most energy in athletes who show unwavering commitment and buy-in.
- Allocate coaching time to those who reciprocate effort instead of wasting it on uncommitted athletes.
