In this special memorial episode of Shooting It Straight!, We honor our friend and co-host, Coach Jim Clayton, by sharing a series of heartfelt voicemail tributes from players, parents, coaches, and lifelong friends whose lives he transformed. You’ll hear stories of Jim’s relentless positivity, his gift for building confidence, and the way he blended discipline and joy to help athletes and communities believe bigger, achieve louder, and motivate stronger. From locker rooms to chemo chairs, Jim showed up with passion, consistency, care, and a contagious optimism that made everyone around him better.

After the tributes, Randy shares reflections from Jim’s service on September 27, revisiting the four words he wanted to be remembered by—passionate, consistent, caring, positive—and the scriptures that framed how he lived them daily. He also offers a brief update on the show’s future as we work to carry his legacy forward, inviting listeners to stay tuned, subscribe, and keep living the BAM philosophy in their own lives. BAM, Son!

In this special remembrance episode of Shooting It Straight, We revisit a 2018 conversation recorded with Randy and Coach Clayton—mentor, educator, motivator, and the heart behind “BAM, son.” We talk about the origins and meaning of BAM (Believe, Achieve, Motivate), why failure is feedback, and how fear, process, and paying the price shape real success. Jim shares timeless lessons from 35 years in education and decades in coaching: building relationships, setting high expectations, learning students’ names, and making every learner feel seen and capable. He opens up about turning passion into profession, trailblazing individualized basketball training, and the second chance that reshaped his life after a devastating childhood injury.

We also dig into what makes great teachers and teams—consistency, intentionality, humility, and being “mission over position.” Jim reflects on influences who believed in him, the power of positive culture, and the simple, daily practice of adding value to others. He closes with what he wanted to be remembered for: passion, positivity, and giving 100% every day. BAM, son.

If you have any memories of Coach Clayton to share with his family and the podcast, please call us at (304) 691-0075 and leave a voicemail message of remembrance.

In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, I honor my dear friend, colleague, and cohost, Coach Jim Clayton, who passed away on 09/18/2025. I reflect on meeting Jim when I was a teenager, learning from him as a young educator, and growing alongside him as a colleague, coach, and friend. From school hallways to Sports City U, and finally to the 11 episodes we recorded together, Jim’s wisdom, humility, and relentless encouragement shaped my life and the lives of countless students, athletes, and listeners. His legacy—rooted in faith, kindness, integrity, and service—continues to resonate in every story, lesson, and laugh we shared.

I share the memory of our final recording night, a moment marked by his embrace and the words “I love you,” and offer love and comfort to his cherished family: his wife Anne, his children Elizabeth and Wes (and Kayla), his granddaughters Vera and Heidi, and his loyal companion, Alfie. Jim fought the good fight, kept the faith, and lived a life that called us all to believe bigger, achieve louder, and motivate stronger. May we honor him by carrying forward the values he lived by and the lives he inspired.