Behind the Bench With Coach Sly

Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Willie Anderson discusses his 13-year, All-Pro career in the NFL and explains how he’s training high school offensive linemen in all facets of the game through his Willie Anderson Lineman Academy.

Milton High School head football coach Ben Reaves reflects on the 2023 season from Game 1 to winning the GHSA Class 7A state championship. He also discusses the challenge of college recruiting in today’s world and the Eagles’ 2024 schedule.

This week, Coach Sly sits down with Mike James, president of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Mike takes us behind the scenes, sharing insights about the rich history of Oklahoma sports and about the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented to the best defensive back in college football each year. Tune in for an engaging conversation with Mike James that goes beyond trophies and celebrates the essence of sporting greatness.

Tiaunna Briggins is a former Division 1 athlete and the mother of two Division 1 athletes: Bruce Thornton (a basketball player at OhIo State) and Bryce Thornton (a football player at the University of Florida). Tiaunna discusses what it was like to transition from being the mother of two highly recruited high school athletes to being the mother of two collegiate athletes in today’s sports world.

This week, Coach Sly chops it up with Former D1 pitcher and Navy Seal Jason Kuhn. They talk about Jason's influence on athletics in Georgia and how he speaks to teams at all levels about the leadership and teamwork skills he learned as a Seal.

You may know sports journalist Ellie Mai Williamson for her coverage of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic and Georgia Elite Classic for Score Atlanta. Ellie talks about her sports journalism journey from high school to college, where she's curreently a journalism media student at the University of Tennessee.

University of Georgia football legend Terrence Edwards talks about his high school state championships at Washington County, his career at UGA, his professional career, coaching, and training athletes at all levels.

GHSA state championship-winning football coach Adam Clack talks about coaching at the next level abroad with the Paris Musketeers. He discusses his decision making process, how his wife Ashley is a big part of his career, and what's next for him.

Brandi Davis joins Coach Sly as they discuss her son’s (Debron Gatling) college recruitment process and being a single mom. Brandi provides tips for parents, shares personal stories, and opens her heart about the path she took in life.

Author of ITG Next articles, @gahsfootball Instagram creator, Georgia Tech band member and bio-medical student Dhruv Mohan has done it all. His instagram is highly respected among Georgia high school coaches, players, and fans. Dhruv joins Sly to discuss high school football and break down how his IG started, how he juggles the account while going to Georgia Tech and playing in the band, and what the future holds for him.

Dave Hunter, the godfather of high school football in Georgia, talks about changes that have the game looking different today and shares off-the-field stories stories about his career and family.

Chris Parker from Parker Resources joins us to talk about what it takes to be a head coach and athletic director. Chris shares his knowledge as a former head coach and athletic director along with being an author, podcaster, and consultant.

We go behind the scenes of the NFL with former NFL player and head coach Mike Mularkey. Mike shares his experience transitioning from player to coach, his time in Atlanta, and how his career affected his family and himself physically.

Join Coach Sly on “Behind the Bench” as he pulls back the curtain on Georgia high school athletics. You’ll hear stories from his time as the athletic director of Milton High School, plus his take on current events in the world of high school sports and interviews with special guests. New episodes air every other Friday.