In this Director’s Cut episode, we take you inside the 2026 THSADA Fall Forum in San Antonio, Texas, highlighting conversations and sessions focused on leadership, culture, emergency management, coach evaluation, school law, and the changing landscape of education.

From documentation and investigations to emergency action planning and UIL updates, this episode brings together insights from athletic administrators and education leaders on the challenges facing Texas athletics today. The episode also features conversations with THSADA presidents, Northeast ISD Superintendent Anthony Jarrett, and Executive Director Jaygo Van as they share their perspectives on leadership, culture, and the future of athletics.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why athletic administrators need to protect the opportunities and traditions that make Texas athletics unique
• Why being present and following through on commitments are essential to building trust with coaches and staff
• How systems, clear expectations, and ongoing support can help leaders influence culture change at scale
• Why athletic evaluations should focus on intentional, measurable areas such as communication, compliance, coaching performance, professionalism, and leadership
• How athletic departments can build flexible emergency action plans that can be adapted across events and changing circumstances
• Why school districts are increasingly being challenged to adopt a business mindset and clearly communicate the value they provide to families
• What athletic administrators need to understand about reassignment, employment law, and the importance of having legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for personnel decisions
• Why leaders should focus their time and energy on the people they can influence while continuing to provide systems and support for long-term culture change

The conversations throughout this Director’s Cut provide a look at the evolving responsibilities of athletic administrators and the leadership required to navigate an increasingly complex educational landscape. From strengthening relationships and developing coaches to preparing for emergencies and responding to changes in school choice and employment law, the episode emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership, preparation, and support.

Special thanks to HomeTown Ticketing for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. HomeTown is a longtime THSADA partner, providing ticketing, fundraising, and software solutions to high schools across Texas and the country.

In this Director’s Cut episode, we sit down with Dr. Chivonne Kiser, Athletic Director at Princeton ISD, as she shares insights on preparing for athletic leadership, taking initiative, building trust as a new administrator, and the importance of continuous professional development throughout a career.

Drawing from her own journey from head volleyball coach and assistant coordinator to athletic director, Dr. Kiser discusses how intentional preparation and involvement in THSADA helped prepare her for the next step in her career.

In this episode, she discusses:

• How getting involved with THSADA early in her coaching career helped prepare her for a future role in athletic administration
• Why attending conferences and investing in professional development can create opportunities before they officially arise
• How taking the initiative to introduce herself at a conference helped lead to an assistant athletic director position
• Why new athletic directors should spend their first 30 to 45 days listening, learning, and assessing before making major changes
• The importance of respecting existing traditions, building relationships, and understanding the nuances of a school community when stepping into a new leadership role
• How the THSADA Fall Forum provides athletic administrators with an opportunity to make a “halftime adjustment” and stay prepared for a rapidly changing educational landscape
• Why aspiring athletic directors should prepare for their next opportunity well before a position becomes available

The insights from this conversation provide a look at how preparation, initiative, and a commitment to learning can shape an athletic leadership career. Dr. Kiser emphasizes that opportunities often come from the work done before the opportunity ever appears. For current and aspiring athletic directors alike, staying engaged in professional development and being intentional in every interaction can help prepare them to lead when the opportunity arrives.

Special thanks to Watchfire for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. Through their continued support of athletics and the professionals who lead it, Watchfire creates opportunities to connect, learn, and strengthen our athletic community.

In this Director’s Cut episode, we sit down with Rob Davies, Athletic Director at Harlingen CISD and incoming president of the THSADA, as he shares insights on building strong athletic programs, developing staff and culture, growing association membership, and preparing the next generation of athletic leaders across Texas.

Drawing from his experience, Davies discusses the importance of setting clear expectations, establishing a strong organizational culture, and creating opportunities for coaches and future leaders to grow. He emphasizes that successful athletic programs are built on consistent standards, strong relationships, effective communication, and a commitment to continually raising expectations.

In this episode, he discusses:

• Why a strong connection to the local community can create a deeper sense of commitment among coaches and staff
• How athletic leaders can establish clear expectations from the interview process through day-to-day operations
• The four core pillars of communication, organization, relationships, and expectations that guide accountability within Harlingen CISD
• The association’s new middle school membership initiative, which provides districts with an affordable way to introduce middle school coaches to THSADA
• Why exposing middle school coaches to professional development, resources, and networking can help create a “next man up” pipeline for future athletic coordinators and directors
• Why staying informed about rule changes and actively engaging in the profession is essential to protecting the strength of Texas interscholastic athletics
• The importance of developing leadership capacity now to ensure the continued success of athletic programs across the state

The insights from this conversation provide a look at what it takes to build a strong athletic culture while preparing the next generation of leaders. Davies stresses that effective leadership starts with clear expectations and accountability, but it also requires investing in people and creating opportunities for them to grow. As THSADA continues to expand its reach, that commitment to developing future leaders will remain an important part of sustaining the strength of Texas interscholastic athletics.

Special thanks to Varsity Brands and BSN Sports for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. Through their continued support of athletics and our coaches, administrators, and student-athletes, they both play a critical role in strengthening the athletic community.