Coaching Hires Built on Integrity, Work Ethic & Student-Athlete Welfare

Why Integrity, Work Ethic, and Student-Athlete Welfare Defined Every Head Coach I Hired

Over the course of my career in collegiate athletics leadership, one principle has guided every major personnel decision I’ve made: hire people of character first, competence second — never the reverse.
Wins matter, but integrity sustains programs, protects institutions, and safeguards young people who trust us with their development.

Four coaches exemplify that standard as well as anyone I’ve worked with.

Eric Morris – A Competitor With Unmatched Work Ethic

Current Position: Head Football Coach, North Texas
Past Connection: Hired at UIW, where he rapidly elevated the program

Eric Morris is one of the hardest-working and most forward-thinking coaches I’ve ever been around. What separated him was not only offensive innovation — it was how deeply he cared about student-athlete welfare, academic accountability, and relationship-building.

He built cultures, not just playbooks.

Jeff Dow – A Builder of Programs and People

Current Position: Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Southeastern Louisiana
Past Connection: Hired during my tenure, transformed the program

Jeff Dow is the definition of a grinder. He walked into a challenging situation and rebuilt the program through discipline, culture, and genuine mentorship.
His players consistently described him as firm, fair, and invested in their long-term success.

Jeff’s teams reflect who he is: organized, resilient, and ethical.

Patrick Hallmark – One of the Most Respected Baseball Leaders in the Nation

Current Position: Head Baseball Coach, UTSA
Past Connection: Hired during my leadership; instantly elevated program standards

Patrick Hallmark is a coach every athletic director hopes they can hire at least once in their career. He brings blue-collar work ethic, humility, baseball intelligence, and uncompromising integrity.

More importantly, he wins the right way.

UTSA’s rise under Hallmark is no accident — it’s a reflection of his values.

Steve Lutz – A Coach I Always Wanted to Hire

Current Position: Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Oklahoma State
Past Connection: Numerous hiring cycles where he was a top priority candidate

I never had the chance to hire Steve Lutz, but I tried more than once.
Everywhere he goes, his teams exhibit toughness, accountability, defensive discipline, and a culture of brotherhood.

Steve embodies what modern college basketball leadership should look like — a teacher, a motivator, and a relentless competitor who values people as much as results.

Leadership Is Defined by the People You Hire

My philosophy has always been clear:

You don’t hire résumés. You hire values.
You hire people who make the entire institution better.

I’m proud of the coaches I hired — and even the ones, like Steve Lutz, whom I pursued but never had the chance to bring aboard. These were high-integrity leaders who prioritized student-athletes, respected the institution, and built sustainable success.

Further Reading
• Building High-Performance Teams in Leadership
https://www.dr-brian-wickstrom.com/building-high-performance-teams