UNC Chapel Hill athletic director Bubba Cunningham joined the Higher Ed Athletics podcast for an informative conversation. Cunningham starts the conversation talking about what he learned early in his career at Notre Dame as well as what his two previous AD jobs at Tulsa and Ball State taught him before leading North Carolina. Bubba then talks about the relationship building between ADs in the UNC System. Smith asks tips for building a strong relationship with a president or chancellor and what skills will be necessary to lead athletic departments in the future. Bubba talks about what keeps him motivated and active with committee work and issues facing intercollegiate athletics. The sometimes disconnect between scholars and practitioners is then discussed. Bubba walks Smith through the behind-the-scenes governance involved in hiring their new basketball coach. He then closes with advice for aspiring athletic administrators trying to plan out their career.