Building from the Ground Up: Coach Dylan Anderson & the Rise of Evansville XC/Track

On this episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Coach Dylan Anderson, the Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at the University of Evansville. From building programs from scratch to coaching across NCAA D2 and D1, Coach Anderson shares his journey, training philosophy, culture-first leadership, and vision for the Purple Aces. We talk recruiting, steeplechase, strength training, mentorship through faith, and what it takes to build a competitive mid-major program from the ground up.Whether you're an aspiring student-athlete, coach, or parent navigating the recruiting process, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

📍 Topics Covered:

• NCAA recruiting realities
• Training high-mileage & undertrained runners
• D2 vs. D1 coaching transition
• Facility innovation & community partnerships
• Steeplechase coaching & sprint/distance blending

📚 Show Notes with Timestamps
:00 – Intro: Why we host these conversations
2:00 – Coach Dylan Anderson joins the show
4:00 – From South Carolina to Indiana: New environment, new mission
6:00 – Early coaching influences and high school experience
9:00 – Journey from walk-on to scholarship athlete
11:00 – Building Erskine’s program from scratch
15:00 – Coaching philosophy: Leading with purpose, not ego
20:00 – Lessons in emotional balance from College of Charleston
23:00 – Progress at Evansville: Records, buy-in, & future growth
26:00 – Current facilities and new cross country course plans
30:00 – Recruiting fit: Small school, high standards, big dreams
34:00 – Steeplechase talk + developing event group depth
37:00 – Community, faith, and FCA in collegiate athletics
41:00 – Fundraising, alumni relations & the CEO side of coaching
49:00 – MVC goals: Celebrating wins before the top of the mountain
54:00 – Leadership through culture, not control
1:00:00 – Daily mindset, rituals, and the chess-coaching connection
1:05:00 – Recruiting shoutout: Still spots available, esp. women’s distance & sprints
1:08:00 – Coffee, ramen, and guilty pleasures
1:12:00 – Final thoughts from Coach Anderson

Purple Aces Track & Field / Cross Country
@ueathleticsxctf