Jed Hughes Podcast

I am saddened to hear about the passing of Luis Sharpe. Mel Farr and I recruited him from Detroit, he became a 13 year NFL player and captain. Through his faith, Luis persevered through tremendous personal difficulties including drug issues and the death of his daughter. A great man. Well Wishes to his family.

During his tenure as University of Oregon Athletic Director, Pat Kilkenny reinstated baseball, among other things. Kilkenny is Jed's guest for Episode 101 and they discuss the recent developments on the West Coast in college athletics. Oregon is currently a member of the Pac-12 Conference which saw a massive shake-up in the past week with USC and UCLA agreeing to join the Big Ten Conference in 2023. Kilkenny, Oregon graduate, close friend of Phil Knight, and co-founder of the Lucky Duck Foundation, is the former chairman and chief executive officer of the San Diego-based Arrowhead General Insurance Agency. He grew his business into a nationwide organization and sold the company in 2006. 

Since kicking off the podcast in 2020, University of Michigan Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to a Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff spot in 2021. Also significant, Coach Harbuagh is Jed's guest for Episode #100. Harbaugh is focused entirely on next season and discusses recruiting, the transfer portal, along with the NCAA's recent developments surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness. Harbaugh notes: our philosophy on coming to the University of Michigan is it is going to be a transformational experience.

Dr. Donald Rinchuse is Jed's guest for Episode #99. He is certainly an accomplished individual who has used sports to build a career centered around helping others. Dr. Rinchuse shares his story and notes: I aligned my sports enthusiasm for my desire to be educated. Dr. Rinchuse is an orthodontist, an educator, formerly of University of Pittsburgh Dental School, and a coached recreation sports in his free time. Dr. Don and his twin brother's orthodontic program at Seton Hill University is unique and discussed.

Steffen Visk, Assistant Head of Strength and Conditioning, has been with IMG Academy since 2008 and has used his expertise while training every sport on campus at every level. Throughout Episode #98, Visk walks listeners through mythology, technologies and advanced programming utilized across all levels. Being an advocate of Science in training, Steffen was able to introduce technologies and advanced programming never before seen at IMG Academy. Steffen has also been pivotal in developing Professional Combine Programs. He has coached over 200 college-athletes during their transition to get drafted into the NFL and NBA, with notable alumni Russel Wilson, Luke Kuechly, Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Butler, and Ja Morant. During NFL, NBA or MLB off seasons he has coached many professional athletes. In addition, Coach Visk has led the Strength and Power programs for over a dozen Olympic medalists, including multiple athletes winning multiple Gold Medals.

Omar Khan chats with Jed Hughes after being named the new General Manger for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Khan, who worked under former GM Kevin Colbert for over two decades, speaks on topics including strategy and alignment in Episode #97. Khan most recently served as the team's VP of football and business administration, but he's held a variety of roles in Pittsburgh's front office since arriving in 2001. Khan attended college at Tulane before breaking into the NFL with the Saints in 1997 on their operations staff. He explains his journey to the professional ranks that included writing letters to all teams asking for advice. During his tenure, Khan has helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls, three AFC titles and 10 division titles.

Dan Costello, Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer (Phoenix Suns Properties) joins Jed Hughes for Episode #96. Costello mentions that he has learned more from losing seasons, however the Suns have not lost much in the past few seasons finishing 2022 with the top record in the NBA. Costello joined Phoenix in 2006 and discusses the current innovations and the newest technology, including a digital sportsbook, occurring within the organization and around the league

Kenny Smith is a longtime member of TNT’s Inside the NBA studio show and joins Jed Hughes for Episode #95. While Smith has been an analyst, Inside the NBA has won four Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Studio Show – Daily. Smith makes regular appearances on NBA TV and has served as analyst for Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ combined coverage of the NCAA March Madness Division I Men’s Basketball Championship since 2011. Prior to a career in television, the "Jet" had a storied college and pro career. Smith was recruited by legendary coach Dean Smith to join the North Carolina Tar Heels where he earned consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior in 1987. Smith was selected by Sacramento in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft with the sixth overall pick. He won back-to-back NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and his vision for analysis and building an NBA championship-level team will be explored in this week's episode.

Jed Hughes coached against Anthony Muñoz while he was playing at the University of Southern California and after being the third player selected overall in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Muñoz joins Hughes for Episode #94 to discuss his outstanding career. The two-time All-America lineman eventually started 164 of 168 games from 1980 to 1990 as a professional. He wanted to be considered one of the best all-time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 and he expresses how his passion is now centered around the Anthony Muñoz Foundation.

Derrick Brooks is considered one of the best linebackers in NFL history and joined Jed Hughes for Episode #93. A nine-time Al-Pro, Brooks was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft, where he remained to play his entire 14-season professional career. Derrick was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and, in September 2014, was enshrined into the Ring of Honor by the Bucs. He also served on the Super Bowl Host Committee of Super Bowl 55. He graduated from Florida State University as a two time first-team All-American, and a member of the '93 Seminoles National Championship team. Recognized as often for his hard work on and off the field, Brooks has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. Brooks himself says: At the end of the day that's what Derrick Brooks is all about... servant leadership.