Lake Forest College Head Football Coach Jim Catanzaro
On this week’s episode of DingoTalk, we’re joined by coach Jim Catanzaro of Lake Forest College, one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA Division III football today. Coach Cat is not only the head coach of the Foresters, but also serves as Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics—a dual role that gives him unique insight into both the field of play and the broader landscape of college athletics.
In our 30-45 minute discussion, we’ll dive into:
• His philosophy on recruiting multi-sport athletes and how to sell a liberal-arts DIII institution in today’s transfer-portal era.
• How he approaches scheduling and competition in the Midwest Conference, building a blueprint for program growth and consistency.
• The best advice he has for young coaches just coming into the DIII world: from strength & conditioning to staff development to creating a winning culture off the field.
• His reflections on how athletics and academics go hand-in-hand—how his teams have produced high academic honors, and why service and community engagement matter in building a program.
• Leadership in practice: how his experiences on national committees (NCAA, AFCA) inform what he does every week on campus and in the film room.
Whether you’re a recruit trying to understand what a DIII program looks for, a young coach trying to build your own path, or a fan of small college football wanting behind-the-scenes insight—this episode delivers. Tune in to hear how Coach Cat has taken Lake Forest from good to great and what the next chapter looks like for the Foresters.