The RoundHouse | 8/18/2023 8:59:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
As parts of college athletics evolve into a more transitory and transactional environment, Kevin Saal is working to make Wichita State the kind of place where staying is the most attractive option.
 
That starts with relationships and coaches whom student-athletes want to practice for, learn from and play for – even when things get tough. The transfer portal, graduate transfers and name, image and likeness compensation significantly change the jobs of coaches and administrators.
 
Relationships are one way to counter those changes and put the Shockers in the best position possible in all sports.
 
"We've got to have some joy and fun in what we're doing," Saal said. "Our industry has changed. The style of coaching that may have been acceptable or the norm 30 years ago isn't necessarily that style now."
 
Saal, hired as Wichita State's director of athletics in June 2022, hired a new men's basketball coach, a new women's basketball coach and a new baseball coach. All three – Paul Mills, Terry Nooner and Brian Green - are described, first and foremost, as relationship builders and coaches who serve their student-athletes. When Saal gave a state-of-the-department style news conference this week, he emphasized philosophies and resources that put the student-athlete first.
 
"He has this uncanny ability to get the best out of people," said Hawaii coach Rich Hill, describing Green in June (the two worked together at San Diego). "People love being around him. The players gravitate toward him."
 
That is where retention starts. The incentive for a student to stay in a place they merely tolerate is significantly less in the current NCAA.
 
Consider the softball pitching transitions at Oklahoma – where the NCAA champion's best pitcher transferred to Nebraska - and Oklahoma State – where its top pitcher transferred to OU - over the summer. No matter how strong a program, there will always be a school offering something new, a fresh start, playing time, shinier things, proximity to home or promises of money.
 
Coaches are recruiting new athletes. They are also recruiting the people on their roster every day. Those current student-athletes are evaluating the situation through their observations and conversations. Saal wants coaches who can deliver constructive criticism and leave the interaction with the relationship strengthened.
 
"The student-athlete walks away knowing the coach has their best interests at heart, knowing that coach cares for them at a genuine and authentic level," Saal said. "You have to coach the person first. We need connectors. We need leaders of people. Relational folks that can have the hard conversations and do it in such a way where it is a family atmosphere and it's genuine."
 
Those conversations are critical to growth and improvement. Whether it's academics, shooting skills, hitting skills, physical conditioning or teamwork, athletes need to hear their shortcomings.
 
"There's some level of discomfort to that," Saal said. "The challenge is 'How do you bridge that gap of healthy, uncomfortable growth and recruiting your roster every single day.' You have to have a really dynamic personality and coach who can bridge that gap."
 
Those relationships are how Wichita State can maintain continuity at a time when that goal is elusive. Retention is something earned after a student-athlete sees the inner workings of an athletic department and decides to stick with happy.
 
As Saal emphasized, it's not just coaches. Wichita State is improving the support system for its athletes in the weight rooms and training facilities. Most prominently, the athletic department will have two staff members dedicated to mental health for WSU's 250 athletes. One – mental health counselor Mallie Hall – is on board. The search for a Ph.D.-level staff member is nearing its conclusion.
 
"It's part of creating a student-athlete experience that our student-athletes don't want to leave," Saal said. "We've got to figure out a way to be available for our student-athletes from 8 am.-8 p.m. and to be able to meet them where they are. That's difficult to do with one person."
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.