Episode 31: Jared Benko - Director of Athletics - Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, GA

Episode # 31  … Jared Benko, 1st Year at Ga Southern Today’s guest is Jared Benko. Jared is the Director of Athletics at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro; GA and we are so excited to have him sit down with us again. Jared joined us almost one year ago for episode 5 as he was literally on the road from his previous position as Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Financial Officer for nearly four years at Mississippi State University.  A common sense and down to earth leader, I challenge you to find a more “people first” AD. Jared walks us through his first year “owning his own shop” as AD at Ga. Southern and breaks down some of the highlights and challenges that any new leader faces as they look to embrace the past while instilling their vision for the future. There’s plenty to learn from in this one…let’s settle in and catch up with a friend of the show…Mr. Jared Benko. 1:16 - Introduction 3:58 – The Story of Year One 6:25 - Number One Priority as a New Leader 11:08- Taking Ownership of the Job 15:13- Assessing Candidates Beyond the Interview 23:37- Evaluating the Talent on Your New Team 31:28- Using a Pandemic for Improvement 34:39- Enhancing the Student-Athlete Experience 39:24- Having a Servant Mentality 44:31- Being Engaged with Fans  50:28- What has Year One Taught You About Yourself? 53:47- 2-Minute Drill  You can follow Jared Benko on social media Twitter: @GSAthletics @JaredBenkoInstagram: @GSAthletics                   Find out more about Mr. Jared Benko and Georgia Southern University Athletics at:  Georgia Southern Athletics About Hangin With The AD Podcast….Hangin with the AD is an interview style podcast where Don Baker, Cobb County School District Director of Athletics, partners with Josh Mathews, Pope High School (GA) Athletic Director, to discuss hot topics and lessons learned with leaders in the world of athletics.  These leaders include high school athletic directors at the district and local school levels; college athletic administrators; leaders in spaces that connect to athletics such as nutrition, wellness, recruiting, student-athlete recognition; current and former athletes; and others, who can help athletic administrators develop themselves and their programs for a better daily experience for their athletic communities.          We hope you enjoy the time we spend with these special guests.  Please leave us a review or rating to help us know how you were benefited from this podcast or how we can improve it.  Thank you for listening.  And until next time, thank you for spending your time, Hangin with the AD.         Don Baker, CMAA.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram)Josh Mathews, CMAA...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA (East Cobb) @jwmathews14 (twitter & instagram)