Coach Mac Podcast

CMU's New Venture Challenge provides transformational experiences for CMU students to develop business ideas and earn start-up funds for their businesses. Amy talks with two student-athletes who won awards for their business ventures at this year's competition and alum Bob Oros, a dedicated CMU supporter and New Venture Challenge judge. 

Amy sits down with Andy Bronkema, Central Michigan's new men's basketball coach. They discuss his coaching journey, his Michigan roots, what he's expecting for the program and what he's most excited about as he begins his new role as a CMU Chippewa.  

This is the first spring football game under the new football coaching staff. To get you ready, Adam talks with all three coordinators to see how practices have been going. New offensive and defensive coordinators, Jim Chapin and Sean Cronin stop by, along with returning special teams coordinator, Keith Murphy. They get you ready for Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium and also throw in some of their favorite food takes as well. 

As March Madness kicks off, Amy talks with CMU women's basketball head coach Kristin Haynie and former head coach Sue Guevara about their personal experiences with the NCAA Tournament and the growth of women's collegiate basketball. They also discuss CMU's history and connections with women's collegiate basketball and the NCAA.

Through a partnership with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, CMU student and artist Aryl Ruffino was selected to design a commemorative basketball warmup in a blend of maroon and gold and Anishinaabe culture for CMU's basketball teams. Amy sat down with Aryl, as well as the tribe's interim PR director (and CMU alum) Erik Rodriguez, to talk about the inspiration and meaning behind the shirts and the importance of the partnership between the tribe and CMU.

Every year, 340 CMU students are involved in career-building learning opportunities within Central Michigan Athletics. They work as employees and volunteers, in roles such as courtside reporters, videographers, gameday statistics and operations staff and marketing assistants. Amy sat down with four CMU students who are working in various roles within the department — three of which are student-athletes — to talk with them about their roles.  

Arielle Wilson was hired as CMU's new Head Volleyball Coach in January, becoming the 6th coach in program history. Amy sat down with Coach Wilson to talk about her impressive playing and coaching career and her Midwest roots. They also discuss her goals for the program and her commitment to student-athlete development.

Adam Jaksa sits down with Director of Athletics, Amy Folan to learn about her upbringing, which included moving all over the place and then playing college soccer at UConn. They also talk about her current role at Central Michigan athletics, how she handles coaching searches and more. 

Dr. Neil MacKinnon took the reins of Central Michigan University as its 16th president in November 2024. CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan sits down with Dr. MacKinnon and his wife, Leanne, as well as accomplished CMU track and field/cross country athletes Natalie Newcombe and Emily Paupore. They discuss the MacKinnons' first few months at CMU, Leanne's time as a collegiate athlete, share advice and much more.

Matt Drinkall was announced as the new Central Michigan University head football coach on December 10. Amy sits down with Coach Drinkall to learn more learn more about him, his coaching journey and what he's most excited about as he gears up for his new role here at CMU.

Central Michigan celebrates two important anniversaries this year — the 100th homecoming and 50 years since the football team won the university's only national championship. Amy was joined by Roy Kramer, the team's head coach, Herb Deromedi, the team's assistant coach, and former CMU Athletics Director and quarterback Mike Franckowiak. Together, they relive memories of that once-in-a-lifetime team and its historic season.

Amy sat down with three class of 2024 inductees into the Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame. She asked them about their time at CMU, what it means to them to be Hall of Famers and how CMU prepared them for their lives after college. Interviewees - Football player Eric Fisher, who attended CMU from 2009 to 2011 - Gymnast Sarah Dame, who attended CMU from 2000 to 2003 - Baseball and basketball player Chad Pleiness, who attended CMU from 1999 to 2002  

The U.S. will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 and a shortage of around 17,000 veterinarians by 2032. Meet four student-athletes who graduated with their bachelor's degrees in May and have taken the next step toward future careers as health care providers.

This week Adam talks women's basketball. Kristin Haynie stops by to chat about her new team. The new roster has 16 players now thanks to ten new additions. Also, former CMU assistant and Chippewa alum, Raina Harmon joins to talk about her time in Mount Pleasant, the last seven years at Iowa and the current rise of women's basketball. 

Happy Father's Day! On a special edition episode, Adam opens up about his dad being his inspiration for becoming a sports broadcaster. His dad, David Jaksa, passed away three years ago. 

Adam brings on CMU men's basketball coach Tony Barbee this week. They talk about last year's successful season and give fans an idea on what the new signing class will add to next year's team. TJ Meerman, CMU basketball alum also stops by. Meerman was the starting PG for the 2002-03 team that went to the NCAA tourney. They talk about his time in Mount Pleasant and how he currently is the varsity basketball coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. 

Adam chats with Zach McKinstry, who's now in his second season with the Detroit Tigers. The two reminisce about McKinstry's time growing up in Fort Wayne, attending Central Michigan and his climb to the MLB. 

Adam chats with Ben Bennett after he's just been introduced as the 6th ever CMU wrestling head coach. The two talk about Ben's career as a wrestler, why he's stayed in Mount Pleasant since wrestling here, what it's been like to learn under Tom Borrelli and much more! 

CMU's New Venture Challenge — hosted by the CMU Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship — provides transformational experiences for CMU students to develop their business ideas and earn start-up funds for their businesses. Amy sat down with two CMU student-athletes — football player Lawai'a Brown and baseball player AJ Kostic — who participated in the 2024 New Venture Challenge, earning awards and the interest of real investors. Also joining her was Kaye Reimers, program and event manager for the CMU Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship.

CMU retirees and supporters Tony and Kim Voisin made a gift to establish the Student Spirit and Traditions Endowment Fund, which provides opportunities for CMU students to be more involved in athletics. Amy talks with the Voisins about their commitment to CMU and their passion for connecting students with athletics. 

In this episode, Adam talks with head coach Jim McElwain. The two get into the off-season and spring ball and discuss McElwain's coaching career. Carly Sleeman also stops by to talk CMU softball. The true freshman is coming off hitting her first grand slam in Sunday's win against Miami. The two talk softball, family, school and more! 

Adam brings on first year head baseball coach, Jake Sabol. They talk about CMU's recent win against MSU and what's it been like for Jake coming back to his alma mater. Skye DePrado leads the Chippewas in goals and she talks about the season, along with how she got to CMU from Pittsburgh. 

Adam chats with long-time wrestling head coach, Tom Borrelli. Borrelli, who's led CMU for thirty-three years, announced a couple weeks ago he's retiring. The two talk about how Borrelli found his way to Mount Pleasant and what the past weekend was like at the NCAA Championships along with much more. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, has his TV/radio basketball analyst, Matt DeVries on the podcast this week. They give you a full preview of the Chippewas' chances at the MAC men's basketball tournament later this week.

This year, CMU has its largest number of international students, both undergraduate and graduate, in a decade: 1,734 students representing 70 countries. CMU Athletics is home to 27 international student-athletes, representing 15 countries. Amy sat down with two of these international student-athletes to learn about how the road led them to become CMU Chippewas and what their futures hold.

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, talks with two current basketball assistant coaches. First up is Scott Cherry in his opening season with CMU men's basketball. He talks about his time at UNC and winning a chamionship there as a player and what led him to Mount Pleasant. Secondly, Chelsie Butler, first year assistant with CMU women's basketball stops by. She talks about her path to CMU along with building the program back up in Mount Pleasant. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, talks with CMU softball head coach, McCall Salmon about the start of their season. Also, Chippewa men's basketball assistant, Chris McMillian stops by to talk about the toilet paper toss and more! 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, talks some Cenrtral Michigan hoops on this episode. First year transfer Aidan Rubio and first year assistant Hassan Nizam join the podcast. Both came over from Macomb Community College. Hear their journey to CMU!

CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan sat down with cross country and track & field student-athlete Emily Paupore and track & field head coach — and former CMU student-athlete — Jenny Swieton. Amy talks with Emily — an aspiring teacher and recent grand prize winner of the GO TEACH Dr. Pepper Giveaway — about winning in academics and athletics and making a difference along the way. Jenny shares with Amy her experience as a student-athlete turned coach and how she and her fellow coaches are changing lives every day.  

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, is back with another episode. This week he highlights women's basketball. Senior captain Nadege Jean stops by along with the newest member of the team, sophomore Alina Anderson. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa talks with CMU HOF'er and radio partner Brock Gutierrez this episode about the late Don Chiodo. Chiodo, the former Voice of the Chippewas, passed away four years ago on December 4th. The two share stories about the man he was and we hear about Brock's path to Central Michigan. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, talks with Emily Paupore, who recently won the individual MAC championship for CMU women's cross country. Also, first year transfer, Anthony Pritchard from men's basketball talks about coming to Central Michigan.  

The summers offer an excellent opportunity for many of our student-athletes to go home to work or for some much-needed R&R, or for to get in some extra classes.    Some of our student-athletes also spend their summers gaining hands-on experience in their respective fields through internships.   Amy sat down with three of these student-athletes — Linnea Willer (volleyball), Gabe Goosen (cross-country) and Sandy Edwards (lacrosse) — who spent their summers doing exciting internships.  

On this episode, the Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, gets you ready for CMU basketball season. He talks with third year men's basketball head coach Tony Barbee and first year women's basketball head coach Kristin Haynie. Both are excited for their seasons to begin. The men open Monday November 6th at Oklahoma. The women begin play Thursday November 9th at South Alabama. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, talks with two new guests this week. First up is CMU football equipment manager, Nate Mason. He talks about his first year in charge and coming back to his alma mater. Secondly, we hear from men's golf senior, Arie Jackman, who represented CMU recently in the US Am. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, chats with two student-athletes this week. Jase Bauer, QB for football and Allision LaPoint, goalkeeper for women's soccer, stop by. Each talk about their background and path to Central Michigan. 

Amy sat down with three class of 2023 Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame inductees — to talk about their time at CMU, what it means to be inducted and how CMU prepared them for their lives after college.   Interviewees: Ben Bennett, a wrestler who attended CMU from 2009 to 2013. Bailey Brandon, a women's soccer player from 2009 to 2012. Leslie Grimes-Phelan, a softball catcher from 1989 to 1992.  

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, gives you an update on how the fall sports are going in CMU athletics. His guest this week is Trey Jones from CMU football. The safety had an opportunity to go back to his home state of Alabama for the Chippewas battle with South Alabama. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, gives an update on all the CMU action from this weekend. His guest this week is Cental Michigan volleyball senior, Kayla Brandon. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, previews Central Michigan's opening game at Michigan State with head coach Jim McElwain. 

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa debuts his new podcast, Chatting Chippewas. Adam takes you around CMU athletics with a quick update on how fall teams are doing and then its on to our guests. This week CMU running back Marion Lukes stops by to talk about life outside of football. As a special guest, legendary Chippewa Herb Deromedi stops by to retell some of the tales from those back-to-back wins in East Lansing in the 1990's. 

CMU alum and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush sat down with Amy to talk about his time as a CMU Chippewa and his life in the NFL.

Voice of the Chippewas, Adam Jaksa, sits down with CMU head football coach, Jim McElwain, to see how the team is shaping up through the first couple weeks of fall camp. 

Jim McElwain talks with Adam Jaksa about expectations for the upcoming season from MAC Media Day in downtown Detroit. 

Jim McElwain joins Adam Jaksa for another episode of The Coach Mac Podcast. The student-athletes are back on campus, camps and recruiting are in full force and the season's first game is just under 90 days away. We talk about all that and more on this latest episode. Our guest is new Director of Player Personnel, Chris Calley. 

This weekend, 57 of our student-athletes, representing 15 sports, will graduate. In the latest episode of my podcast, I talk with one of these graduates and one of our graduate student-athletes who is wrapping up his athletic career here at CMU this spring.

Jim McElwain chats with Adam Jaksa about the end of spring ball and how it went. This week's guest is Defensive GA and former Chippewa, DeQaun Jamison. 

Jim McElwain joins Adam Jaksa to update us on spring ball and much more. Also, our guest this week is new Tackles and Tight Ends Coach, Brandon Torrey. 

Jim McElwain is back with Adam Jaksa as they continue talking about CMU's spring practices. The guests this week are assistant coach Tavita Thompson and Demond Williams. 

Jim McElwain and Adam Jaksa talk about how spring ball is going for CMU football. Their guest is new DL coach Jesse Williams. 

HC Jim McElwain is joined by Adam Jaksa to talk about spring ball starting for Central Michigan. Their guest is new QB coach Jake Kostner.