A Proactive Coaching podcast interview with Mick Hoffman, newly named executive director of the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association), former coach, athletic director, and assistant superintendent in the Vancouver (WA) School District, hosted by Bruce Brown. Topics covered: how a character-coaching scenario in 2001 changed his trajectory, the Vancouver coaches school, building district-wide core covenants (trust, integrity, excellence) across four high schools and eight middle schools, writing action statements for players, coaches, and ADs, aligning hiring and assessment to the covenants, surveying every athlete, never firing a coach for losing — only for not living the vision, the difference-maker Suzy Adams, the apricot pie lesson about letting people find it for themselves, challenges to anticipate, extending culture work beyond athletics to security and maintenance departments (AJ Panter's transformation), honoring people through awards like the Rolla Mitchell Award, and leadership as humility, resilience, and selflessness.
Coaches · Podcast
We Never Fired a Coach for Losing
Mick Hoffman, executive director of the WIAA, on changing the culture of four high schools and eight middle schools at once — covenants with action statements, and hiring aligned to them.
This episode is part of the Proactive Coaching membership.
Start 7 days free See what membership includesProactive Coaching Podcast · The Best Coaches You’ve Never Heard Of ·
Keep reading — and listen — with a Proactive Coaching membership.
Members hear every episode and read the full transcript — plus all booklets, videos and articles.
Article · 2 min read
Can attitude actually be taught — and how do I teach it?
Read
Article · 1 min read
What do I do when my players are playing scared?
Read
Article · 1 min read
How do I build real confidence in my athletes?
Read
Article · 1 min read
How do I prevent hazing and build positive traditions instead?
Read