What does it take to build one of the nation’s most successful high school athletic departments?
In this episode of Building a Champion, we sit down with Brett Phipps, Athletic Director at West Forsyth High School (GA), to discuss the leadership principles behind sustained success. From the Wolverines’ girls soccer team capturing its fourth state championship in six years to multiple state titles across several sports, Brett shares why winning is never the primary focus—and why developing better people always is.
Learn how West Forsyth’s Leadership Academy is shaping hundreds of student-athletes, why culture always outweighs talent, and how focusing on accountability, character, and relationships creates championship programs year after year.
Whether you’re a coach, athletic director, educator, or sports leader, this episode is packed with practical leadership lessons that extend far beyond the scoreboard.
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Chapter Markers
00:00 Why West Forsyth Doesn’t Talk About Winning
01:13 Introducing Brett Phipps & West Forsyth’s Championship Success
02:11 Building a Nationally Elite Girls Soccer Program
09:39 Sustaining Excellence Across Multiple Sports
12:00 Hiring Coaches & Creating the Right Culture
17:01 Managing Expectations Without Adding Pressure
18:57 The Leadership Academy & Developing Better People
20:25 Four State Championships in Four Days
22:21 Building Leaders Beyond Athletics
27:26 Better People Make Better Wolverines
33:43 What Brett Hopes Every Athlete Remembers
37:03 The Future of West Forsyth Athletics
40:03 Advice for Future Athletic Directors
46:53 Game Time Decisions
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Show Notes Highlights
- West Forsyth girls soccer’s fourth state championship in six seasons
- Why elite culture is built on humility, teamwork, and accountability
- The philosophy of “Better People Make Better Wolverines”
- How a Leadership Academy is developing more than 250 student-athletes
- Why Brett intentionally avoids making winning the focus
- Lessons on hiring coaches and building sustainable athletic programs
- The importance of practice, preparation, and servant leadership
- How championship culture can exist across every sport—not just one program
- Advice for aspiring athletic directors and coaches
- Why success should always be measured by the people you develop, not just the trophies you win