Presbyterian College cross country has a new leader — and he’s building something fast.In ABR Episode 440, Airey Bros Radio sits down with Robert “Bus” Baker, the new Head Cross Country Coach at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluehosexc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Presbyterian College</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigsouthsports/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(Big South Conference)</a>, to talk coaching at a cross-country-only Division I program, creating buy-in after a mid-November coaching change, and building a system that turns consistency into PRs.<br /><br />Bus shares his origin story as a late-developing runner (high school basketball + XC, then a D1 walk-on opportunity), the lessons he learned navigating the transfer portal, and how his psychology background shapes the culture, motivation, and daily structure of his team. We also get into what recruiting looks like right now with NIL pressure, roster changes, and why hungry high school athletes are more important than ever.<br /><br />Plus: training surfaces, “grass-first” development, the case for D1 small-school culture, and Bus’ vision to get Presbyterian back into Big South contention.<br /><br /><a href="https://gobluehose.com/staff-directory/robert-bus-baker/434" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guest: Robert “Bus” Baker — Head Cross Country Coach, Presbyterian College</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aireybrosradio/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Show: Airey Bros Radio (ABR)</a><br /><a href="https://www.blacksheependurance.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fuel: Black Sheep Endurance Coaching</a><br /><a href="https://BuyMeACoffee.com/AireyBros" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Value-for-Value</a><br /><br />Podcast Show Notes<br />00:00 ABR intro + “Howdy &amp; Aloha” open<br />00:43 Who is Bus Baker? (Radford All–Big South, Ferrum success, psychology background)<br />02:30 Recruiting contact + where to follow Presbyterian XC (IG + staff directory)<br />04:10 The origin of “Bus” (family nickname story)<br />05:25 Bus’ running journey: basketball dreams → XC opportunity → D1 walk-on<br />07:20 Training consistency leap: low mileage to real collegiate development<br />08:10 Transfer portal lessons: chasing Power-5, what went wrong, and what he learned<br />09:30 Falling back in love with running at FGCU + why coaching became the calling<br />10:45 Early coaching growth: autonomy, building from almost zero roster depth<br />12:10 Advice to athletes struggling: pressure, support networks, and identity beyond sport<br />14:35 Taking over Presbyterian mid-November: “meeting athletes where they are”<br />16:20 How a cross-country-only D1 program works (indoor/outdoor meets + NCAA rules)<br />18:05 “All eggs in the fall basket”: what changes in training + what athletes fit best<br />19:50 Recruiting advantage: team-first XC mindset + track for individual goals<br />21:05 Will Presbyterian add track? What has to happen first<br />22:35 The 5-year plan: realistic yearly jumps + building toward Big South podium contention<br />25:10 Recruiting philosophy in 2026: high school first, portal secondary, NIL ripple effects<br />27:10 Roster limits + why Presbyterian’s approach creates a unique opportunity<br />29:20 Where he’s recruiting: South Carolina growth, Midwest pipeline, and “sunshine factor”<br />32:05 “CEO of the program”: best part vs hardest part of being a young head coach<br />35:00 Buy-in + psychology: moving from drill sergeant → trust, consistency, and 1% gains<br />38:00 What recruits should know: small-school D1 culture, community, and relationships<br />42:30 Academics at PC: STEM, research opportunities, pre-professional pathways, placement stats<br />46:00 Training grounds: soft surfaces, campus loops, Sumter National Forest routes<br />50:40 Why being a young coach can be a strength (network, nerding out, constant learning)<br />55:25 “Final Four” fun questions: coffee, daily rituals, music, guilty pleasure<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluehosexc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">57:55 Closing + where to follow Presbyterian XC</a>