BREAKING THE MOLD: MATT WALTERS IS DISRUPTING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS—ONE TRUTH AT A TIME

By Scott Garvis C.M.A.A. Bound Evangelist

“Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.”

That’s not the kind of line you typically hear in a high school athletic director’s office, let alone at a Rotary Club luncheon. But Matt Walters isn’t your typical AD. In fact, the Gulfport High School athletic director has made a career of saying the things most people in educational leadership are too afraid to say—and then doing something about it.

“I don’t hate tradition,” Walters clarifies. “I just hate doing things because that’s how we’ve always done it. That mindset stunts growth. We’re not going back to the ‘90s. We have to shape what’s coming next.”

That’s exactly what Walters is doing in Mississippi—and his vision for the future of high school athletics is about disrupting comfort in service of something far more powerful: transformational leadership.

In a powerful episode of Bound for Greatness, hosted by Scott Garvis, Walters outlined what that looks like. Raw. Unfiltered. Relentlessly student-centered.

DISRUPTING THE COMFORT ZONE

At first glance, Gulfport High School is like many large public schools. Over 1,700 students. Dozens of athletic teams. Traditions deeply embedded in its culture.

But under Walters’ leadership, “normal” isn’t good enough.

He challenges traditions. Questions outdated policies. And yes—he steps on a few toes along the way.

“It’s fear that stops us,” he said. “Fear of doing something different. But if we’re not making mistakes, we’re not growing.”

Walters points to his own early missteps. As a young AD, he made unilateral decisions without conversations. He led from authority, not from empathy. “I thought being the boss meant doing it my way. I’ve learned: if you want real change, start with conversation. Start with connection.”

That mindset isn’t just a slogan. It’s a cultural operating system. One built around access, transparency, and a willingness to be different—even when it’s hard.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP, NOT LIP SERVICE

One of Walters’ most impactful innovations? A student-athlete leadership team known as “SALT.” Born from a single challenge from one of his coaches—“Don’t just complain that kids aren’t leaders; teach them how to lead”—SALT is a year-long, curriculum-driven initiative that transforms juniors into campus leaders.

They meet before school, study leadership texts like Jon Gordon’s You Win in the Locker Room First, and practice what they learn in real-world moments—like standing up against online bullying or rallying support for a teammate targeted on social media.

“The training is great,” Walters said, “but the relationships are the magic. That’s when kids start stepping up. That’s when the culture shifts.”

At a time when student behavior at games often makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, Walters is building something different: student sections that lift people up, not tear them down.

“It’s not complicated,” he said. “Kids want to have fun. If we can make athletics fun again—for them, for fans, for coaches—they’ll stick around. And they’ll lead the way.”

INNOVATION > IMITATION

Walters is quick to point out that leadership isn’t about replicating what works elsewhere. It’s about discovering what works here—for your kids, your culture, your community.

That’s why he gives his coaches space to make decisions—and make mistakes.

“I had a coach mess up a scheduling change and it caused a big issue,” he said. “But that’s how you learn. You empower people by letting them figure things out. My job is to support them, not micromanage them.”

He’s also unafraid to be the odd one out.

“I’m a contrarian,” he admits. “If everyone’s zigging, I’ll probably zag. But I want my people to know—it’s okay to be different. In fact, it’s necessary.”

That contrarianism shows up in everything from his open-door policy (“I’ll kick an adult out if a student needs me”) to his bold stances on issues like NIL.

NIL: THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE NOBODY WANTS TO TOUCH

When the conversation turned to NIL—name, image, and likeness—Walters didn’t mince words.

“The NCAA waited too long to have the conversation. Now it’s chaos. In high school sports, we’re doing the same thing. Pretending it’s not happening. Hoping it goes away.”

In Mississippi, students can sign NIL deals—but can’t collect money until their eligibility expires. “That makes zero sense,” Walters said. “It’s just sticking your head in the sand.”

He’s not advocating a free-for-all. But he is advocating honesty, consistency, and the courage to be proactive rather than reactive.

“This is about civil liberties,” he said. “If a 16-year-old can make money off their talent, who are we to stop them?”

LOVE AS A LEADERSHIP STRATEGY

Beneath all the boldness and innovation is something deeper: love.

Yes, Walters lives Leadership. And he means it.

“I think my coaches and my athletes know I love them,” he said. “Even when I have to make hard decisions. Even when we disagree. They know where I’m coming from.”

He believes love and accountability aren’t opposites—they’re partners. He doesn’t shy away from hard conversations. He just makes sure they happen in the context of care.

“I pray for peace in what I do,” he said. “I don’t always have it. But I try to lead with patience and honesty. That’s where the best conversations start.”

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH YOU

So what advice does Walters give to athletic directors, coaches, or school leaders looking to shake things up but unsure where to start?

“Start by knowing—it’s okay to be afraid.”

Fear, he says, is a belief in a negative future. Faith is a belief in a positive one. Both require belief in something unseen.

“I choose faith,” he said. “Because I believe the best days for high school athletics are ahead of us—not behind us.”

And that’s what drives Matt Walters every day: not nostalgia for what once was, but relentless optimism for what could be. A belief that with the right mindset, the right conversations, and the right kind of love—anything is possible.

The Walters Playbook for Leading Bold Change

If you're ready to stop reacting and start leading, here’s the blueprint Walters lives by:

Challenge Tradition: Ask why you’re doing what you’re doing. If the answer is “because we always have,” it’s time to reassess.
Create Leaders, Don’t Just Demand Them: Build programs like SALT that give students the tools—and trust—to lead.
Lead with Conversation: Don't dictate. Dialogue. Relationships > Rules.
Model Openness: An open door (and heart) sets the tone.
Accept Fear, But Choose Faith: Growth and fear go hand in hand. Step forward anyway.
Love Loudly: Even when making tough calls, lead from a place of care and connection.