Success is a Choice: RIP | former UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton

A few years ago, we had the privilege of talking with Mike Hamilton, the former University of Tennessee athletic director. He was a very well-respected administrator and leader. More importantly, he was a person of great integrity. Unfortunately, Mike passed away on November 10, 2023 while awaiting a liver transplant. He will be greatly missed. We are extremely thankful for all that he did to make a difference in the world. He left quite a legacy and impacted many people (not just in athletics). Today's episode is a replay of his popular episode from 2017. He told some great stories from the SEC and provided us with great leadership insights. It's well worth your time to listen.

Mike Hamilton is the Executive Director of Show Hope, a position that he has held since December 2014. Show Hope is an orphan care and adoption ministry started by Christian music entertainer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. A man of deep faith, Mike has extensive experience in leadership and development, serving 26 years in intercollegiate athletics at Clemson University, and Wake Forest University. Most notably, he was the athletic director at the University of Tennessee and their $105 million budget. Mike also served on the board for Show Hope, as well as other local, regional, and national nonprofits. Mike is also the CEO and Founder of Winfred-Henry Partners, LLC, which provides athletic consulting. Mike and his wife, Beth, live in the Nashville area and have five children through adoption.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

The environment and pressures of big-time SEC athletics
Job search advice, including why many coaches get hired or fired
Ways that Show Hope is impacting lives and making a difference in the world
The interesting story of Bruce Pearl getting hired at the University of Tennessee

Books, Resources, and Links Mentioned in the Podcast

Each week, the SUCCESS IS A CHOICE podcasting network brings you leadership expert Jamy Bechler and guest experts who provide valuable insights, tips, and guidance on how to maximize your potential, build a stronger culture, develop good leadership, create a healthy vision, optimize results, and inspire those around you.

The Success is a Choice podcast network is made possible by TheLeadershipPlaybook.com. Great teams have great teammates and everyone can be a person of influence. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or athlete, you can benefit from this program and now you can get 25% off the price when you use the coupon code CHOICE at checkout. Build a stronger culture today with better teammates and more positive leaders.

If you like motivational quotes, excerpts, or thoughts, then you'll want to check out Jamy Bechler's book "The Coach's Bulletin Board" as it has more than 1,000 positive insights to help you (and those around you) get motivated and inspired. Visit JamyBechler.com/BulletinBoardBook.

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Thanks again for listening and remember that “Success is a choice. What choice will you make today?”

Jamy Bechler is the author of five books including "The Captain" and "The Bus Trip", host of the "Success is a Choice Podcast", professional speaker, and trains organizations on creating championship cultures. He previously spent 20 years as a college basketball coach and administrator. TheLeadershipPlaybook.com is Bechler's online program that helps athletes become better teammates and more positive leaders while strengthening a team's culture. As a certified John Maxwell leadership coach, Bechler has worked with businesses and teams, including the NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @CoachBechler. To connect with him via email or find out about his services, please contact speaking@CoachBechler.com. You can also subscribe to his insights on success and leadership by visiting JamyBechler.com/newsletter.