This episode is a practical, on-the-ground conversation about what it actually takes to run a college tennis program. With Johann Frühling reflecting on his experience as a first-time graduate assistant coach at St. Leo, and Pol O'Callaghan preparing to step into a coaching role at Ave Maria University, Steve walks through the thousand tasks a young coach must master, from scheduling and uniforms to fundraising, record keeping, academic compliance, and building relationships with support staff.

The conversation is as much about culture and character as it is about logistics, with Steve drawing on stories from Brian Boland's Virginia program, the Jesuit philosophy of giving back, and the importance of peer teaching and community outreach to paint a picture of what a truly great college tennis program looks like from the inside out.

Steve Smith and Dave Anderson are joined by NC State women's tennis coach Dave Secker and Spanish visitor Pol O'Callaghan for a deep dive into the rapidly shifting landscape of college tennis. Secker walks through the transfer portal, NIL, revenue sharing, the new five-year eligibility rule, and what it all means for American players, foreign recruitment, and the survival of programs like Arkansas.

The conversation covers everything from agents signing high school juniors to the future of Lake Nona as a national championship site, with both Anderson and Secker offering their perspective on what college tennis means for junior players and why there is, despite all the chaos, plenty of reason for optimism.

Steve Smith and Dave Anderson are joined by AJ Chabria and Craig Bell, co-hosts of the At the Net podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation covering a lifetime of experiences across all facets of the racket sports industry. The four dig into the state of teaching organizations, the challenge of attracting new blood into the profession, the legacy of John Yandel and TennisPlayer.net, and where pickleball fits into the future of tennis.

Listeners will benefit from the stories, energy, and passion that AJ and Craig bring to the table, from their early days in the industry to their thoughts on elevating standards and growing the next generation of coaches.