Jamaal Walton is a former Keydet football team captain and came back as the VMI Athletic Director in May 2024. Walton shares what it’s like coming back as the AD at your alma mater and what others should consider if the same opportunity comes up. Walton then explains the situation that VMI was in when they opted-out of the House settlement and why they decided to now opt-in. The conversation switches to challenges and opportunities at a military academy and then Walton takes me inside his thought process and decision in hiring a new football head coach. I finish the conversation by asking Jamaal how an AD balances the challenges and expectations of winning at a military academy like VMI and I think everyone in higher education can learn from his answer.
- 0:00 Introduction
- 1:00 Talk about VMI
- 5:45 Why he chose VMI out of High School
- 9:50 Advice for Potential Alma Mater Opportunities
- 15:10 House Settlement Opt-Out & Opt-In
- 18:10 Challenges and Opportunities at VMI
- 28:05 Football Head Coach Search
- 35:35 Balancing Challenges and Expectations of Winning at VMI
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