#322: Andre' Kidd – Ferrum College | Finding Purpose Through Track & Field Coaching

🎙️Andre’ Kidd | Ferrum College Head Coach

In this inspiring episode of the Gill Connections Podcast, we sit down with Andre’ Kidd, head coach of Ferrum College Track & Field, to explore a powerful coaching journey that stretches from field day footraces to military service and now to the collegiate sidelines.

🔥 “The ceiling keeps getting higher.” — Coach Kidd

Coach Kidd shares a moving story of perseverance, mentorship, and transformation:

🔹 From wrestling mats and 300m hurdles to active military duty and jumping out of planes

🔹 Building a track program from scratch at the community college level 🏃‍♂️

🔹 Learning to recruit, coach, and mentor — all while working full-time and raising a family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🔹 Leading Ferrum College's transition from NCAA Division III to Division II 🎯

🔹 The mindset shift: turning walk-ons into competitors and teams into families 💪

🔹 Embracing mentorship and passing it forward: “You’ve got to want to be in this house.”

💡 Coach Kidd’s journey is a reminder that greatness in coaching isn’t defined by division or budget, but by heart, hustle, and belief in others.

🎧 Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just love a great story about leadership and growth, this one will leave you fired up.

🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.

📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍