Airey Bros Radio #448 | Bob DeVries (NMHU) β Building a D2 Cross Country Powerhouse, Altitude Training & Recruiting the Right Athletes
APR 7, 202665 MIN
Airey Bros Radio #448 | Bob DeVries (NMHU) β Building a D2 Cross Country Powerhouse, Altitude Training & Recruiting the Right Athletes
APR 7, 202665 MIN
Description
Airey Bros Radio Episode 448 features Coach Bob DeVries, Head Cross Country & Track & Field Coach at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), diving into over 30 years of sustained success in NCAA Division II cross country.<br /><br />Coach DeVries has built one of the most unique and consistent distance programs in the country β producing NCAA All-Americans, national contenders, and multiple top-10 finishes, all while operating without a traditional menβs track & field program.<br /><br />In this episode, we break down:<ul><li>How NMHU built a championship-level cross country program</li><li>Recruiting strategies for NCAA Division II distance running</li><li>Training and competing at high altitude in Las Vegas, New Mexico</li><li>Developing athletes into All-Americans and national-level performers</li><li>The importance of culture, buy-in, and long-term development</li><li>What type of athletes succeed in the RMAC and NCAA D2</li></ul><b>Whether you're a high school runner, college recruit, coach, or parent, this episode provides valuable insight into college cross country recruiting, training philosophy, and program building at the NCAA Division II level.π₯ </b><br /><b></b><br /><b></b><b>ποΈ About Airey Bros RadioAirey Bros Radio is your go-to podcast for college wrestling, cross country, and track & field across NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and NJCAA.<br /></b><br /><b></b><br /><b>We spotlight programs and opportunities to help athletes find the right fit at the next level.</b><br /><b>π² Follow NMHU Track & Field: @nmhutrack<br />π₯ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Aireybros<br />π§ Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts<br />β Support the show:<a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> https://buymeacoffee.com/aireybros</a></b><br /><b></b><br /><b>β±οΈ PODCAST SHOW NOTESΒ </b><br /><b>0:00 β Show Intro | Airey Bros Radio x NMHU Cross Country</b><ul><li>ABR intro, mission, and spotlighting NCAA D2 opportunities</li><li>Welcoming Coach Bob DeVries</li></ul><b>1:30 β Coach Bob DeVries Journey to NMHU</b><ul><li>Coaching background and 30+ year career</li><li>Building a long-term program in NCAA Division II</li></ul><b>5:45 β Building a Cross Country Powerhouse at NMHU</b><ul><li>Program growth and national success</li><li>Multiple NCAA top-10 finishes</li></ul><b>10:20 β Coaching Philosophy & Longevity</b><ul><li>Evolution as a coach over decades</li><li>Adapting to different generations of athletes</li></ul><b>15:10 β Recruiting Strategy in NCAA Division II</b><ul><li>Identifying the right athletes for NMHU</li><li>Why fit, culture, and mindset matter more than times</li></ul><b>20:45 β Training Without a Full Menβs Track Program</b><ul><li>Unique structure of NMHU</li><li>How cross country becomes the central focus</li></ul><b>25:30 β Developing All-Americans & National-Level Athletes</b><ul><li>Training progression and athlete development</li><li>Turning potential into performance</li></ul><b>30:50 β Training at Altitude (Las Vegas, New Mexico)</b><ul><li>Benefits of altitude for endurance athletes</li><li>Adapting training for performance gains</li></ul><b>36:15 β RMAC Competition & NCAA D2 Landscape</b><ul><li>Competing in one of the toughest D2 conferences</li><li>What it takes to succeed nationally</li></ul><b>42:40 β Culture, Buy-In & Team Identity</b><ul><li>Building a championship culture</li><li>Leadership, accountability, and team standards</li></ul><b>48:20 β What Type of Athlete Thrives at NMHU</b><ul><li>Personality, mindset, and work ethic</li><li>Who should consider NMHU for cross country</li></ul><b>54:10 β Advice for Recruits & Student-Athletes</b><ul><li>Navigating the recruiting process</li><li>Choosing the right college fit</li></ul><b>1:00:30 β Final Four (ABR Signature Segment)</b><ul><li>Coffee habits β</li><li>Daily routines</li><li>Books, podcasts, music</li><li>Guilty pleasures</li></ul>