Leon Costello of Montana State built a championship‑level athletic department in the Great Plains.

Описание: @1QLeadership Question: How can an athletics director build and sustain a championship‑level athletic department in the Great Plains?

Montana State Director of Athletics, Leon Costello, discusses presidential leadership transitions on campus, the strategic growth of the athletic department, and how aligned support for athletics drives institutional success.

Costello explains how strategic planning, investment in student‑athlete support staff, and revenue growth have fueled competitive success, culminating in a football national championship and a strong departmental culture.

He also reflects on coach retention, NIL and transfer‑portal dynamics, and how deep engagement with student‑athletes and coaches helps Montana State sustain a championship environment and long‑term leadership development. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown





00:00 - Introduction
01:07 - In your 10 years as Athletic Director, you’ve seen a lot of success for the Bobcats. I want to talk about leadership on campus. Talk to me about your prior president (who recently left the university) - her involvement in collegiate athletics and the overall commitment on the university’s part to college athletics - as well as onboarding with a new president.
04:26 - Tell me about being on the presidential search committee; what was that process like?
06:57 - Walk us through the different communication styles between these two presidents and how you’ve had to change your approach.
09:19 - Give me some insight: what is it about the Great Plains region that produces such competitive football?
11:49 - What are some cultural pieces you set up early in your tenure that are bearing fruit now that you’re in the 10th year of your tenure?*
14:59 - When you think about adding new staff members, that means raising more money to support those additional salaries. How did you go about having those conversations and how did you make it happen?
17:11 - When it comes to things like increasing the budget and allocating funds, how does that process work? Is there a University development team or is it just you? What’s the structure?
19:45 - Walk me through the process of bringing in the coach that was the right fit for Montana State, tying in the increased resources and staff, and then bringing home the championship this past season.
23:58 - Talk to me about the aspect of bracing yourself for the inevitable calls that come after your team wins a championship and what it takes to retain a championship-caliber coach.
26:50 - Have you gotten your championship rings yet?
27:27 - You know, when we go to NACDA, you don’t see ADs walking around with their championship rings on. Is that not a thing?
28:36 - Do you give a ring to the current president - and possibly the retired president?
29:51 - What are you seeing in terms of student-athletes, sports and leadership from your vantage point as Montana State’s AD?
34:31 - How do you balance providing the best resources and creating a great experience for your student-athletes with the inevitable draw of a big NIL salary?
36:17: “We wish you the best wherever you want to go, but will you play for a championship there?”