Lee De Leon joined the Blue Raiders in 2021 as Deputy AD after a long career at some incredible places, including Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona and Houston on his way to becoming a young first-time AD at Abilene Christian from 2014-2018. We’ve seen a recent trend of several young ADs being hired as first-time ADs at New Mexico State, Austin Peay State, New Mexico and UL Monroe. So I start the conversation asking specifically about what it felt like being such a young AD trying to learn things at ACU. This conversation predominantly talks about institutional fit, including why his one year at Purdue was a life lesson in fit. We also talk about the evolving role of the Deputy AD and why his time as an AD feels similar to what he does now at MTSU. De Leon shares how he’s changed as an administrator in the past five years and what he’s learned from longtime MTSU AD Chris Massaro, including why they get paid to hit the curve balls. Faith is incredibly important to Lee, and he talks about the beginnings of “ADs for Christ” and how he sees it as ministry in the industry he’s worked 20+ years in so far. I have no doubt Lee will be an AD again soon.

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• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:40 What it was like being an AD so young
• 3:47 Onrise – Mental Health Care for Athletes
• 4:46 Working at a Christian University
• 6:40 How different AD jobs are at the places Lee’s worked
• 11:40 Evolving as an administrator the past 5 years
• 14:25 AD Vantage – Where Victory is Vetted 15:45
• Career Mapping in the De Leon family
• 27:30 What Lee is working on now to become a better future AD again
• 31:40 ADs for Christ and Kingdom Coaching
• 30:25 Lee’s personal mission statement