In this final conversation from the 2024 NACDA Convention, Kansas State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor sits down with ADU’s Steph Garcia Cichosz to offer insight from his two decades serving as an AD at the FCS and FBS levels. Reflecting on the similarities between the two, Taylor notes that financials are the key differentiator, sharing that “as an athletic director at an FCS institution, you’re really aware of every dollar that is spent; I knew every pencil that was being purchased because our budgets were razor thin.” On the other hand, the strategic thinking and championship focus was the same between his time at North Dakota State and Kansas State.
Taylor shares the longterm vision that took him from an FCS big chair to an FBS Deputy AD role before he arrived in Manhattan as the AD again and shares key advice given to him by former Minnesota AD Joel Maturi: prioritize family, especially when children are younger and living at home.
One final piece of advice Taylor offers first-time ADs: practice patience, learn how to manage your emotions during high-pressure moments, and find ways to be accessible to all members of your team.
The conversation is indexed below for efficient viewing (click the time stamp to jump to a specific question/topic).