Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough On Creating A Culture Of Winning | How She Flipped Around Toledo's Programs In Less Than A Year

Today on the podcast is the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at the University of Toledo, Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough!

Under the leadership of Coach McDonough, the Toledo cross country teams have achieved remarkable success, securing consecutive Mid-American Conference Women’s Cross Country titles in 2021, 2022, 2023 and notable individual accolades. The 2022 women’s team notably climbed to the No. 16 spot in the USTFCCCA National Coaches Poll. Additionally, the men’s team has claimed consecutive runner-up finishes at the MAC Men’s Cross Country Championship meets in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Beyond cross country, Coach McDonough's impact extends to track and field, where her athletes have excelled both domestically and internationally. Her coaching prowess has been recognized with numerous Coach of the Year awards throughout her career. Prior to Toledo, she spent time at UNC, Iowa State, and UConn. 

Prior to becoming a coach, she was a two-time national titlist, winning the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters. She ran professionally for 12 years and was a seven-time Canadian National Team member. 

In today's conversation, Coach McDonough takes me through her journey as an athlete and coach, how she flipped around the Toledo program, how she recruits the top kids in the country (and sometimes out of the country), her ambitions for the program, and much more!

Tap into the Coach Andrea McDonough Special. 

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The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo 

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