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This Week on the Basketball Podcast
The Basketball Podcast: EP446 with Maureen Hirt on Unranked to National ChampionsMaureen Hirt, head coach of the 2026 NCAA Division III National Champion Denison University women’s basketball team, joined the Basketball Podcast to discuss one of the most remarkable championship runs in college basketball history. Hirt shares how Denison became the first unranked team to win a Division III national title, built on a process-driven culture, shared leadership, and player owner...
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Stella Kaltsidou, one of European basketball's most accomplished female coaches, was just named Greece's national team's head coach, joined us to discuss her coaching philosophy centered on making players feel good while being aggressive. She explained how she implemented the tagging up system at Athinaikos which generated 12.9 second chance points per game during the Euro Cup, and detailed...
The Basketball Podcast: EP443 with Stella Kaltsidou on Tagging Up and Player-Centric CoachingBradley University head coach Brian Wardle, discussing his coaching philosophy and defensive systems. Coach Wardle shared his approach to building team defense around "flat triangles" positioning and gap defense, emphasizing the importance of consistency in practice with 30 minutes daily dedicated to defensive work including shell drills and breakdowns. He discussed his evolution from being the...
The Basketball Podcast: EP442 with Brian Wardle on Gap Defense and Ball Screen ContinuityDetroit Pistons assistant coach Steve Scalzi offered a sharp, experience‑driven look at his coaching journey and philosophy, drawing on years across the NBA, G League, and college basketball. He reflected on how those environments shaped his approach to player development and discussed his transition into becoming the head coach of the Motor City Crews. He broke down foundational shooting co...
The Basketball Podcast: EP441 with Steve Scalzi on Coaching Methodology and ConstraintsRyan Marchand, a professional basketball coach currently serving as head coach of the Fukushima Firebones in Japan's B-League. Ryan discussed his coaching journey from the NBA and G-League to overseas opportunities in Taiwan, where he had considerable success, and his successful turnaround of the Fukushima team from last place to the finals. A few key themes emerged from the conversation with R...
The Basketball Podcast: EP440 with Ryan Marchand on Dynamic, Adaptable CoachingUniversity of Tulsa head coach Eric Konkol discussed his successful 2025-26 season that produced 30 wins and an NIT championship game appearance, a campaign built on staff continuity and attracting a complementary, high-character roster. His program is guided by the core philosophy of “Attitude, Commitment, Class,” a framework from Jim Larrañaga that prioritizes energy, dedication, and prof...
The Basketball Podcast: EP439 with Eric Konkol on Attitude, Commitment, ClassMaureen Hirt, head coach of the 2026 NCAA Division III National Champion Denison University women’s basketball team, joined the Basketball Podcast to discuss one of the most remarkable championship runs in college basketball history. Hirt shares how Denison became the first unranked team to win a Division III national title, built on a process-driven culture, shared leadership, and player owner...
The Basketball Podcast: EP446 with Maureen Hirt on Unranked to National ChampionsMilwaukee Bucks Head of Player Development and Assistant Coach Johnny Carpenter joins The Basketball Podcast to explore how coaches can develop players who think, adapt and solve problems. He shares how relationships, film and analytics help identify what is holding a player back and shape an individualized development plan. Carpenter explains how to build learning into workouts and team pra...
The Basketball Podcast: EP445 with Johnny Carpenter on NBA Player Development InsightsGabo Loaiza, head coach of Jämtland Basket, shares how he builds his teams around a shared way of seeing the game. That common picture comes from video work and clear communication so players can decide for themselves. Identity starts with energy and effort, then talent, then tactics chosen to multiply both. His game model is fast and risk-taking. He develops Plan A instead of inventing Pla...
The Basketball Podcast: EP444 with Gabo Loaiza on Seeing the GameIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Spring Arbor University Ryan Cottingham joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on player support and team culture. Cottingham shared insights into his approach to building and sustaining a successful small college basketball program. He discussed the importance of creating a strong team culture based on core values of integrity, toughn...
The Basketball Podcast: EP411 with Ryan Cottingham on Player Support and Team CultureIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Coordinator of Integrated Performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Thompson joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on integrating science, skill, and human connection. Clayton Thompson serves as the Coordinator of Integrated Performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he sits at the cutting edge of professional sports science a...
The Basketball Podcast: EP410 with Clayton Thompson on Integrating Science, Skill, and Human ConnectionIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Vietnam Men’s National Team head coach Matt Van Pelt joins the Basketball Podcast to share his defensive shift from packline to forcing left. Matt Van Pelt is currently the Head Coach of the Vietnam Men’s National Team, as well as the Hanoi Buffaloes, the reigning champions of the Vietnam Basketball Association. He now has basketball experien...
The Basketball Podcast: EP409 with Matt Van Pelt on Defensive Shift: Packline to Force LeftIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, former Bob Jones University head coach Burton Uwarow joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on special situations and mentorship. Uwarow is currently the Director of Athletics at West Florida Baptist Academy. He became head coach at Bob Jones University in April of 2017 as the second head coach in program history. In his first year as he...
The Basketball Podcast: EP407 with Burton Uwarow on Special Situations and MentorshipIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Grace College head coach Dan Davis joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their NCAA single-game scoring record. Dan Davis is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Grace College, where he has established one of the most successful eras in program history. His coaching career spans over 200 total wins and includes both NCAA and NAIA c...
The Basketball Podcast: EP406 with Dan Davis on How to Score 172 PointsIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Fairport High School and USA Basketball head coach Scott Fitch joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on developing connected competitive teams. Scott Fitch is one of the most accomplished and trusted coaches in the USA Basketball pipeline, with more than two decades of sustained success at the national, grassroots, and high school lev...
The Basketball Podcast: EP405 with Scott Fitch on Developing Connected Competitive TeamsIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Radford head coach Zach Chu joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on winning in the margins. Zach Chu is in his first year as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Radford University. Currently the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, Zach Chu brings nine years of experience in the NBA and a deep analytical background....
The Basketball Podcast: EP404 with Zach Chu on Winning in the MarginsIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Frank Bennett joins The Basketball Podcast to share insights on inbound philosophy and high school coaching. Frank Bennett has established himself as one of Missouri’s premier high school basketball coaches, leading Chaminade College Preparatory to sustained excellence in the state’s top class. Since taking over the program in 2013, Bennett has ...
The Basketball Podcast: EP403 with Frank Bennett on Inbound Philosophy and High School CoachingIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, NBA film analyst Adam Pike of Grizzlies Film joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on the Noah LaRoche offense used by the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat. Adam Pike independently covers the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle basketball teams from a coaching and X's and O's perspective. NBA film analyst Adam Pike joins the Basketball...
The Basketball Podcast: EP402 with Adam Pike on the Noah Laroche OffenseIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Gerard Hillier joins The Basketball Podcast to share insights on modern player-centered coaching. Gerard Hillier is a significant voice in sharing progressive coaching ideas around modern player development. He's currently the coach education manager at Knox Basketball Incorporated in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to his role at Knox, h...
The Basketball Podcast: EP401 with Gerard Hillier on Modern Player-Centered CoachingIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Basketball Immersion founder Chris Oliver joins the Basketball Podcast to reflect on 400 episodes of the podcast. The Basketball Podcast, hosted by Chris Oliver, has reached an incredible milestone: 400 episodes since its launch on May 28, 2018. Listened to by coaches at every level — from NBA head coaches to youth coaches — and in more than 8...
The Basketball Podcast: EP400 with Chris Oliver Reflecting on 400 EpisodesIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Babson College head coach Stephen Brennan joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on culture, clarity and consistency. Stephen Brennan has served as the head coach of Babson College men's basketball for over three decades, building one of the most consistent and respected programs in Division III. With more than 560 career wins to his nam...
The Basketball Podcast: EP398 with Stephen Brennan on Culture, Clarity and ConsistencyIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Concordia-St. Paul head coach Matt Fletcher joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on playing fast and conceptual. Matt Fletcher enters his sixth season as head men's basketball coach at Concordia-St. Paul in 2025-26, where he has quickly become the program's most successful leader. Culminating in the 2024-25 season, he guided the Golden...
The Basketball Podcast: EP397 with Matt Fletcher on Playing Fast and ConceptualIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Sierra Canyon head coach Alicia Komaki joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their five ships before a championship. Alicia Komaki is set to enter her fourteenth season as Head Coach of the Sierra Canyon Girls Basketball team in 2025–2026, where she has established one of the nation's most dominant high school programs. Her tenure ...
The Basketball Podcast: EP396 with Alicia Komaki on the 5 Ships before a ChampionshipIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Husson University head coach Warren Caruso joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on coaching with core values, perspective and gratitude. Warren Caruso is a coaching fixture in New England basketball, having served as the head coach for the Husson men's basketball program since 1994. Throughout his remarkable 35-year tenure as both a ...
The Basketball Podcast: EP395 with Warren Caruso on Coaching with Perspective and GratitudeIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, Liberty University head coach Ritchie McKay joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on conceptual coaching, packline and the value of mentors. Ritchie McKay is the head coach of Liberty University’s men’s basketball program, where he has led the Flames to unprecedented success since returning in 2015. In his second stint at Liberty, McKay...
The Basketball Podcast: EP394 with Ritchie McKay on Conceptual Coaching, Packline, and MentorsIn this week's basketball coaching conversation, UNC Greensboro head coach Mike Jones joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their defensive identity. Mike Jones is the head coach at UNC Greensboro, where he has continued his winning tradition with three consecutive 20-win seasons. Prior to joining UNCG in 2021, Jones spent a decade as the head coach at Radford University, leading t...
The Basketball Podcast: EP393 with Mike Jones on UNCG Defensive Identity