Adam Cushing, Head Coach - Eastern Illinois

04/23/20 • 40 min

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Eastern Illinois Head Coach, Adam Cushing’s Building Culture Virtual Clinic. Cushing discusses the process of establishing a new culture, the meaning behind “Clarify & Simplify”, as well as the importance of teaching kids how to lead.

Adam Cushing was hired as the 25th head coach in EIU program history on December 9, 2018. Coach Cushing brought in the biggest Illinois based recruiting class in more than 20 seasons in 2019. Additionally, in his first season, the Panthers ranked 1st in FCS in fourth down conversions. Prior to EIU, Cushing spent 15 years coaching at Northwestern (2004-18), 13 of those seasons under Coach Pat Fitzgerald. Cushing helped the Wildcats win the Big Ten Conference West Division in 2018 (8-1 record). While at Northwestern, Cushing held a multitude of positions, such as the offensive line coach (2009-18), the superbacks coach (2008), tight ends & h-backs coach (2005-07), served as recruiting coordinator (2008-10), and a graduate assistant (2004). Coach Cushing began his coaching career at the University of La Verne coaching the tight ends (2002) and offensive line (2003).

[1:35] Start of interview
[3:11] Establishing a new culture at EIU
[10:16] Going back to the basics
[17:36] Clarify & simplify
[22:09] Succeeding off the football field
[27:47] Defining excellence
[29:52] Q&A with Coach Cushing

[1:35] Start of interview
[3:11] Establishing a new culture at EIU
[10:16] Going back to the basics
[17:36] Clarify & simplify
[22:09] Succeeding off the football field
[27:47] Defining excellence
[29:52] Q&A with Coach Cushing

Previous Episode

Stay Strong: Succeeding Amid Coronavirus

This week on Inside the Headset, AFCA Insider Managing Editor, Paul Markgraff conducted a panel discussion with six directors of strength and conditioning from colleges across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. Those strength coaches included:

Darl Bauer, Director of Strength and Performance, University of Houston
Dantonio Burnette, Director of Strength & Conditioning, NC State University
Bryan Fitzpatrick, Director of Strength And Conditioning, U.S. Naval Academy
Brian Johnson, Director of Strength & Conditioning, University of Arizona
Justin Lima, Director of Football Performance, Towson University
John Williams, Director of Strength & Conditioning, East Carolina

The discussion surrounding coronavirus included a variety of important topics including:

[2:03] Start of interview
[2:30] First thoughts when student-athletes were sent home because of coronavirus
[8:28] Shelter-in-place workouts and motivation
[12:58] Connecting with student-athletes
[18:13] Modifying the connection with student-athletes
[25:09] The big challenges from coronavirus
[32:05] When we come back
[34:54] What does comeback look like?

Next Episode

Trent Dilfer, Head Coach - Lipscomb Academy

This week on Inside the Headset, we are featuring Super Bowl XXXV champion, and current Lipscomb Academy Head Coach, Trent Dilfer’s session from the 2020 AFCA Convention. Coach Dilfer discusses the importance of developing pros, the concept of thermostat leadership, and the significance of Energy, Effort, Attitude, and Focus.

Trent Dilfer led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl championship in 2000 and was a lead analyst for a variety of ESPN programs. The 14-year NFL veteran joined ESPN in July 2008. Dilfer played for five teams during his career, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-99), Baltimore Ravens (2000), Seattle Seahawks (2001-04), Cleveland Browns (2005), and San Francisco 49ers (2006-2007). Dilfer led the Ravens to a 34-7 victory over the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. The 1997 Pro Bowl selection finished his career with 20,518 passing yards. Dilfer was the sixth overall pick by the Buccaneers in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Fresno State University.

[1:38] Start of interview
[2:45] "Not about winning a game, but winning a life"
[10:53] The importance of developing pros
[19:19] The concept of thermostat leadership
[22:17] The significance of E.E.A.F.
[23:40] E - Energy
[30:12] E - Effort
[35:00] A- Attitude
[36:37] F - Focus
[41:27] A winning process