#352: Rick and Brett Witt-UW-Stevens Point | A 50-Year Coaching Legacy, A Father–Son Transition

#352: Rick and Brett Witt-UW-Stevens Point | A 50-Year Coaching Legacy, A Father–Son Transition

What happens when a program built over five decades gets handed—quite literally—from father to son?


In this special father–son edition of the Gill Connections Podcast, longtime UW–Stevens Point legend Rick Whitt and current head coach Brett Whitt sit down together to share one of the most unique coaching journeys you’ll ever hear.


From handwritten recruiting letters sent to his own son, to navigating health scares, career pivots, Division I vs. Division III realities, and ultimately a seamless leadership transition—this episode is about far more than track & field.


It’s about family, trust, patience, and doing things the right way.


🟣 Episode highlights include:


🏃‍♂️ How Rick went from wrestling against Dan Gable to a 50-year coaching career

📬 The handwritten recruiting letter Rick mailed to Brett—like any other recruit

🎥 Why Brett abandoned dreams of ESPN to pursue coaching instead

🧠 Coaching education: then vs. now, formal vs. informal

❤️ A health scare that reshaped leadership, legacy, and perspective

🔄 The rare and healthy transition from coach → colleague → father working alongside son

🟡 Why Division III—and the WIAC in particular—keeps producing national contenders

🏟️ What excites them most about the future of UW–Stevens Point Track & Field


This conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply human—exactly what coaching really looks like behind the results sheet.


“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” — Rick Whitt


If you care about coaching longevity, mentorship, leadership transitions, or simply doing right by people—this episode is for you.


🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into over 350 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 Twitch.tv, 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 Tuesdays through Sundays. 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! 🎧👍


Avsnitt(853)

#140: Gill1918 Presents Coach Mike & Cheryl Etheredge “More Than Just a Track Club” Powered by Coach O

#140: Gill1918 Presents Coach Mike & Cheryl Etheredge “More Than Just a Track Club” Powered by Coach O

In 2003 the Etheredges founded Golden Elite T&F Club in FL with US Army veteran Mike as Head Coach and his wife Cheryl serving as Board President and Co-Leader. Since then, they have directly impacted...

14 Apr 14min

#358: Mason Rebarchek-Winona State | From “Run Faster Than You Can” to Leading a Program

#358: Mason Rebarchek-Winona State | From “Run Faster Than You Can” to Leading a Program

Some coaching journeys start with a plan.Mason Rebarchek’s started with a middle school PE teacher… and a simple instruction:“Run faster than you can.”From that moment, a hurdler—and eventually a coac...

13 Apr 1h 58min

#139: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

#139: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phil...

9 Apr 27min

#138: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

#138: Gill1918 presents Vince Anderson "Acceleration Training Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phil...

8 Apr 30min

#137: Gill1918 Presents Sports Dietitian Maddie Riley “Tackling Tummy Troubles” Powered by Coach O

#137: Gill1918 Presents Sports Dietitian Maddie Riley “Tackling Tummy Troubles” Powered by Coach O

Maddie is an internationally recognized sports dietitian on a mission to get science-backed nutrition information into the hands of coaches, parents, and athletes. She was a D1 runner who went on to b...

7 Apr 12min

#357: Evan Gerish-Univ of Dubuque | 92 is 50% of 99

#357: Evan Gerish-Univ of Dubuque | 92 is 50% of 99

Evan Gerish didn’t take the traditional path to becoming a college coach… and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so powerful.From a kid racing his uncle in the driveway… to a self-made hurdle...

6 Apr 1h 59min

#136: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

#136: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 2" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phil...

2 Apr 35min

#135: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

#135: Gill1918 presents Sammy Dabbs "Intermediate Hurdles Part 1" from Tampa Bay/USF Clinic

The crew at the University of South Florida put on an excellent clinic in Tampa, Fla this past fall of 2025. Speakers included Sammy Dabbs, Erik Jenkins, Vince Anderson, Chris Korfist, and Dwight Phil...

1 Apr 28min

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