Originally streamed live on February 23, 2026, this episode of Airey Bros Radio features one of the most respected distance coaches in college athletics — Oklahoma State Director of Track &amp; Field / Cross Country, Coach Dave Smith.<br /><br />Fresh off another national championship season, Coach Smith joins us to break down what it takes to keep Oklahoma State Cross Country and Track &amp; Field among the elite year after year. From his journey out of the Pacific Northwest and a PhD in neurobiology to becoming one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA history, this conversation dives deep into coaching philosophy, recruiting, culture, leadership, and the realities of running a top-tier Division I program.<br /><br />We get into Oklahoma State’s latest NCAA Cross Country title, the balance between the science and art of coaching, recruiting in the era of the transfer portal, NIL, and international talent, and what the day-to-day role really looks like as a D1 director and head coach. Coach Smith also shares thoughts on training trends like double threshold, why restraint matters in athlete development, and the indoor momentum building in Stillwater heading into championship season.<br /><br />If you're a runner, coach, recruit, parent, or fan of college cross country, NCAA track &amp; field, Oklahoma State, Big 12 competition, and distance running culture, this is a must-listen episode.Topics covered include:<ul><li>Oklahoma State’s championship standard<br /><br /></li><li>Dave Smith’s coaching origin story<br /><br /></li><li>Recruiting international and domestic talent in 2026<br /><br /></li><li>NIL, transfer portal, roster fit, and culture building<br /><br /></li><li>Training philosophy and long-term athlete development<br /><br /></li><li>Indoor track outlook and Oklahoma State women’s DMR momentum<br /><br /></li><li>Leadership lessons from winning, failure, and staying elite<br /><br /></li></ul>Follow Airey Bros Radio on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more interviews spotlighting college wrestling, cross country, and track &amp; field programs across the country.<br /><br />Show Notes / Timestamps<br />ABR 441 – Coach Dave Smith | Oklahoma State Track &amp; Field / Cross Country<br />0:00 Intro banter <br />2:17 Open and introduction for Oklahoma State Director of Track &amp; Field / Cross Country Coach Dave Smith<br />3:09 Dave Smith’s 2025 national title, National Coach of the Year honors, and OSU’s indoor momentum<br />4:54 Where recruits and listeners can find Coach Smith and Oklahoma State online<br />5:21 Through lines: Chris Bean, Texas Tech roots, and the small world of coaching<br />6:17 The Iron Monk commemorative championship beer story and OSU athletics culture<br />8:24 Stillwater icebreaker: Eskimo Joe’s, Hideaway Pizza, and life around town<br />8:56 Coach Smith on eating mostly plant-based, cholesterol, and dietary changes<br />10:10 Dave Smith’s running origin story: woods, fear, accidental aerobic development, and discovering talent<br />12:06 Quitting football, finding cross country, and how team culture shaped his love for the sport<br />13:45 From neurobiology PhD to coaching: when he realized science was not his true passion<br />15:14 The seven-page letter that changed everything and how volunteering at Washington opened the coaching door<br />16:17 Texas Tech, Lee Daniel, and the year that made him realize coaching was his calling<br />18:39 Doing the right things for the wrong reasons — and how he helps athletes find their real passion<br />19:02 Dave Smith’s advice on majors, careers, passion, fulfillment, and long-term success<br />21:17 Early coaching lessons, Lee Daniel’s breakout, and learning the importance of restraint in training<br />23:47 The art vs. science of coaching and how Smith communicates training more effectively today<br />25:44 Reflecting on Oklahoma State’s 2025 NCAA Cross Country national title<br />26:15 Redemption after 2024 and why doing less can sometimes lead to more<br />27:40 How veteran coaches can still get humbled by lessons they thought they had already learned<br />28:59 The viral international athlete press conference clip and what Coach Smith wishes he said differently<br />31:21 Why coaches should avoid publicly criticizing other programs<br />33:32 Double-threshold training, current trends, and why OSU sticks to what it believes in<br />35:01 International recruiting, roster age, culture fit, and what really matters in building a team<br />38:56 What the CEO side of being Director of Track &amp; Field / Cross Country actually looks like<br />40:14 Delegation, staff trust, and empowering event coaches inside a major D1 program<br />41:22 Balancing family life, fatherhood, and coaching at an elite level<br />42:27 Ryan Godfrey, John Oliver, Abby Frederick, and the staff that helps keep OSU rolling<br />44:33 How involved Coach Smith still is in the training side and why that remains his favorite part<br />45:43 The state of Oklahoma State when he arrived in 2002 and how the program was rebuilt<br />47:54 Mike Holder’s impact, administrative support, and building a championship infrastructure<br />49:02 Lessons learned from a golf coach: risk-taking, racing to win, and competitive mindset<br />50:37 Life as “the other Coach Smith” on Oklahoma State’s campus<br />52:47 Oklahoma State indoor track outlook, standout women, and the energy of the freshman class<br />55:14 Men’s rebuilding phase, injury setbacks, and optimism for the future<br />56:07 The DMR DQ, Boston follow-up, and the emotional rollercoaster of chasing a qualifier<br />59:16 Beating your friends, rivalries, and who Dave Smith most enjoys competing against<br />1:00:10 Oregon, Jerry Schumacher, and the programs coming hard in the national picture<br />1:01:48 Final Four begins: coffee habits, Spindrift favorites, and Stillwater coffee shops<br />1:03:47 Daily rituals, extreme step-count competitions, and the competitive streak behind the scenes<br />1:07:48 Podcasts, true crime, mindset, and what Dave Smith listens to off the track<br />1:09:22 Music taste, practice playlists, baking, and singer-songwriter favorites<br />1:10:46 Guilty pleasure: the legendary Palo Alto French toast story<br />1:14:49 Closing thoughts, appreciation, and final sendoff for Coach Dave Smith<br />1:15:23 Outro and preview of the next Airey Bros Radio live episode