AT THE HASHMARK

Send a textFrom the banks of the Ohio River in Glen Dale, West Virginia, to some of the biggest stages in college basketball, this week’s guest has built a career fueled by belief, energy, and an unshakable love for the game. Josh Pastner reflects on the influence of his parents, the move to basketball-crazed Texas, and the bold confidence of a fifth grader who created his own “scouting report” and declared he’d one day be a head coach. He takes us inside the formative years spent learning from legends like Lute Olson and John Calipari, the leap to becoming a head coach at 31, and the balance between confidence, faith, and authenticity. From leading programs at University of Memphis and Georgia Tech to life on television with ESPN and a return to the sideline at UNLV, Pastner shares what the pandemic taught him, why joy is a daily choice, and what basketball has meant — and still means — to the man behind the smile. 

Send a textFrom the small gyms of Hoopeston, Illinois to the bright lights of college basketball’s biggest stages, this week’s guest takes us on a journey that’s as personal as it is powerful. Thad Matta opens up about the roots of his love for the game, the mentors and family members who shaped it, and the lessons he carried from his playing days at Butler University into a remarkable coaching career. Coach reflects on the health challenges that reshaped his perspective, the evolution of his leadership style, and what “The Butler Way” truly means in today’s world. From locker rooms and life lessons to faith, family, and the fire that still fuels him, this conversation reveals the heart behind the coach — and why his return to Butler was about far more than basketball. 

Send a textWhat if the kid in kindergarten clutching a toy microphone and plastic camera while everyone else finger-painted was already rehearsing for a life under the bright lights? On this episode, I sit down with Rece Davis—born in Chicago, raised in Alabama—to explore the roots of his journey from the Davis household to the national stage. We unpack the middle school personality behind the polished presence, the “sliding door moment” that shaped his career, and the leadership lessons gleaned from decades alongside coaches and administrators. From the effortless chemistry of College GameDay to navigating seismic industry changes since 1995, Rece reflects on trust, authenticity, and the art of telling a great sports story—balancing facts with emotion. And in a question I’ve posed to other broadcasting greats, I ask him simply: what is it like to be you? 

Send a textIn this episode, we continue our conversation with Pitt head coach, Jeff Capel, for a reflective, deeply personal conversation that weaves together family, failure, and the moments that quietly define a career. Coach looks back on a pivotal stretch in his basketball life before tracing the game’s roots through his father and the family legacy that shaped his identity. He opens up about transitioning from player to coach, learning through hard moments, balancing ambition with empathy, and knowing when players need a push—or a pause. From the emotions that still live in the locker room to the joy that exists beyond wins and losses, this episode reveals the parts of Jeff Capel rarely seen at the podium—and the wisdom he’d offer his younger self today. 

Send a textIn this episode, we chat with Pitt head coach, Jeff Capel, for a reflective, deeply personal conversation that weaves together family, failure, and the moments that quietly define a career. Coach looks back on a pivotal stretch in his basketball life before tracing the game’s roots through his father and the family legacy that shaped his identity. He opens up about transitioning from player to coach, learning through hard moments, balancing ambition with empathy, and knowing when players need a push—or a pause. From the emotions that still live in the locker room to the joy that exists beyond wins and losses, this episode reveals the parts of Jeff Capel rarely seen at the podium—and the wisdom he’d offer his younger self today. 

Send a textIn this episode, we visit with Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that traces his path from small-town Lone Tree, Iowa, to the bright lights of the ACC. Coach Forbes reflects on the values instilled in him growing up, the mentors and️ who shaped him on and off the court, and the lessons players have taught him along the way—from junior college gyms to major-conference arenas. With his trademark honesty and humor (yes, the moped story makes an appearance), he opens up about leadership, resilience through adversity, and what it truly means to be a “players’ coach.” At its core, this episode explores how staying grounded, authentic, and people-first has defined Steve Forbes—and the legacy he hopes his players carry forward long after the final buzzer. 

Send a text In this episode, we sit down with SEC head coach Mark Byington to trace a journey shaped by purpose, patience, and people. From backyard games in Salem, Virginia, and the steady academic influence of a teacher-mother, to stat-filled college days at UNC Wilmington and two decades of growth on college basketball’s sidelines, Byington reflects on the moments and mentors that quietly pointed him toward coaching. He opens up about the transition from assistant to head coach, the lessons carried forward from leaders like Charlie Morgan and Jerry Wainwright, and the evolving strategy behind each career move—from graduate school to the SEC. At its heart, this conversation explores identity, leadership, and the imprint a coach hopes to leave long after he’s moved on to the next stop. 

Send a textIn this episode, we sit down with a veteran coach whose journey through college basketball has been shaped as much by people as by wins and losses. From growing up in football-crazed Dallas to discovering the moment basketball became the calling, he reflects on the early ambitions, mentors, and guidance that helped chart his path into coaching. He shares lessons learned under Eddie Sutton while helping rebuild Oklahoma State, offers candid insight into defining professional happiness from both the assistant’s chair and the head coach’s seat, and opens up about navigating the stress and uncertainty that come with career transitions. At its core, this conversation is about growth, perspective, and the lasting impact a coach hopes to leave when the final horn sounds—on the court and far beyond it. 

Send a textIn this episode, we visit with legendary Davidson coach Bob McKillop to trace a remarkable life in basketball—from his first shots on New York playgrounds to building one of the most consistent programs in college hoops. Coach McKillop reflects on his formative years at Chaminade High School, the lessons learned through early struggles as a player and coach, and the winding path that took him from New York to North Carolina and back again before ultimately defining Davidson basketball. He opens up about perseverance through losing seasons, the personal evolution that fueled 15 years of sustained success in the Southern Conference, and the keen eye that led him to recruit a lightly regarded guard named Steph Curry. Now retired from the sidelines, McKillop offers perspective on leadership, growth, and what life looks like after the whistle—making this a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about the game, the grind, and the person behind the wins. 

Send a textTulane head coach Ron Hunter takes listeners on a deeply personal journey that stretches far beyond the sidelines. From the early childhood moment that led his mother to place him in Catholic school — and the unlikely beginnings of his basketball education at the hands of a priest and a nun — Hunter reflects on how faith, structure, and academics helped shape his identity as both a player and a leader. Coach shares the inspiration behind his long-standing commitment to Samaritan’s Feet, the unexpected life lessons basketball has taught him, and the pivotal moments that reshaped his approach to coaching over more than three decades. Along the way, Hunter discusses the influence of mentors like John Thompson, the humility gained from becoming a head coach at 30, the evolution of building culture, and the profound meaning of coaching his son, RJ, including their visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s a thoughtful, heartfelt conversation about purpose, perspective, and the people who change the course of our lives — sometimes in the most unlikely ways. 

Send a text In this episode of At the Hashmark, longtime ACC official and administrator Bryan Kersey takes listeners behind the stripes to share the human side of officiating at the highest level of college basketball. From his earliest memories of the game growing up in Virginia under the influence of a referee father, Bryan traces the moments that pulled him from observer to participant, and eventually to one of the most respected officials in the sport. He reflects on the nerves and preparation before his first college games, the unforgettable atmospheres that define big nights in packed arenas, and the internal discipline required to process noise, emotion, and pressure in real time. Bryan also opens up about the mental toughness of officiating, the lessons learned from working alongside legendary coaches and players, and the transition from on-court official to mentor and coordinator. It’s a thoughtful, revealing conversation about judgment, resilience, and the lifelong relationships built through basketball—told from a perspective fans rarely get to hear. 

Send a textStep into a globe-trotting basketball life with Florida’s head coach as he reflects on the forces that shaped him—from full-tilt teenage days at Sunnyslope High to a career that has zigzagged across states, countries, and cultures. In this conversation, he opens the door to the origins of his coaching voice, the art of honoring tradition while forging a fresh identity, and the delicate craft of building trust inside deeply rooted programs. He speaks candidly about the pressures of chasing championships, the grounding power of family, and the lessons he hopes to leave with both his players and his children. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging look at the person behind the sideline presence—and the journey that made him. 

Send a textIn this episode, we sit down with longtime Bellarmine coach Scotty Davenport to trace the arc of a life shaped by Louisville’s energy—Derby mornings just down the street, a mother whose strength set his course, early mentors who sharpened his curiosity for the game, and the inspiration of a young Cassius Clay rising from the same hometown streets. We explore how intellect became his edge as a high-school player, why the University of Louisville felt like the natural next step, and how he walked from graduation straight into coaching. Along the way, Coach reflects on the city’s competitive spirit, the meaning of “home” after decades rooted in one community, and—fittingly—what Kentucky Derby horse name would capture his basketball journey. 

Send a textStep inside the mind of one of college basketball’s most respected teachers of the game. In this episode of At the Hashmark, Mike Young shares the experiences, influences, and competitive fire that shaped his journey from Radford, Virginia, to leading Virginia Tech on the national stage. Thoughtful, candid, and seasoned with his trademark storytelling, Coach Young packs a lot into our time with him.

Send a textHis life as a journeyman has served him well. Coach Archie Miller has learned lessons throughout his life in basketball, and his candor about family, leaning on others, and perspectives of this world are both refreshing and enlightening.

Send a textIn this compelling conversation, legendary coach Leonard Hamilton reflects on a basketball journey that began in the mill towns of Gastonia, North Carolina, and spanned more than five decades of transformative change in college athletics. From his formative years during the rise of the ACC and the Civil Rights Movement to his tenure leading programs built on discipline, integrity, and belief, Coach shares how faith, perseverance, and purpose shaped his life both on and off the court. With candor and wisdom, he offers lessons in leadership, resilience, and legacy—reminding us that the true measure of success reaches far beyond the game itself.

Send a textFrom med school to March Madness — Kentucky’s Mark Pope opens up about purpose, leadership, and legacy in this revealing conversation.