From Middle School to Varsity: How Trust Built a 28-4 Championship Culture | Coach Reed Dungan

As head coach of the Mt. Vernon Varsity basketball team, Reed has done something special — guiding his squad from a 15-13 record in his first season to an incredible 28-4 finish and a Final Four appearance in year two. But this didn't happen overnight.Reed spent five years at Mt. Vernon building relationships from the ground up — coaching middle school and JV — so by the time he stepped into the head coaching role, his players already trusted him. That foundation, combined with a rock-solid coaching staff and a culture-first mindset, is exactly why his program is winning.A Georgia native from Powder Springs, Reed played college basketball at Gordon College before transferring to Dalton State, where he became the all-time leading scorer. He knows what it means to compete, adapt, and finish strong — and he's now passing that mentality on to the next generation.Off the court, he's a proud dad of two little ones (ages 3 and 18 months), and everything he does on the court is a reflection of the values he's building at home.Coach Dungan joins us to talk player development, culture-building, and what it really takes to go from good to great. This one is for every coach, parent, and student athlete who wants to understand what championship programs are actually built on.About TAP PodcastThe TAP Podcast offers a powerful look into the fast-changing landscape of youth sports through the lens of those who shape it. Each episode spotlights the voices that make up the student-athlete ecosystem—parents, coaches, trainers, mental health professionals, videographers, financial advisors, and NIL agents—capturing how they guide, support, and influence today’s athletes. Through insightful conversations and real stories, TAP examines how student athletes are navigating the pressures of recruiting, the rise of social media, and the expanding opportunities within the NIL era. The show goes beyond the game, exploring the mental, emotional, and practical tools needed to help student athletes thrive on and off the field. Our Mission To deliver the essential playbook for student athlete success—in the classroom, in competition, and throughout life.