The Rising Coaches Podcast

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Barlow, Division I assistant coach and former G League head coach. Barlow’s journey started as a player at Butler before moving into the NBA with the Boston Celtics, where he worked his way up from the video room to the bench and eventually became the head coach of the Maine Celtics. He later returned to the college level at Butler, continuing to grow his coaching career. In this episode we discuss his path through the NBA and G League, including what he learned while rising through the Celtics organization, a breakdown of Boston’s unique offensive rebounding and transition defense concepts, and what he’s doing now as he prepares for his next opportunity.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by John Beilein, Hall of Fame coach and one of the most respected minds in basketball. Coach Beilein’s career has spanned every level of the game, with head coaching stops at Newfane High School, Erie Community College, Nazareth, Le Moyne, Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia, Michigan, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with time as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. Known for his offensive innovation, player development, and consistency in building winning programs, he has left a lasting impact on the game. In this episode we discuss the mistakes he made early in his head coaching career that shaped how he builds programs long-term, why shooting and spacing are so critical in today’s game, and how he instilled culture on a daily basis, including navigating tough conversations with players.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Devlin, a 19-year veteran assistant coach most recently at the University of San Diego. Coach Devlin has built his career through stops at Montrose Christian, the College of Southern Idaho, Penn State, Siena, George Washington, and San Diego, along with a short stint as an interim head coach early in his career. His experience across multiple levels has given him a strong perspective on growth and longevity in the profession. In this episode we discuss the habits and skills he developed that helped him grow in the industry, the best ways to build trust within a coaching staff, and what he’s doing now to best position himself for his next opportunity.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ken Pomeroy, Founder and Owner of KenPom and one of the most influential voices in college basketball analytics. Ken has helped reshape how coaches, media, and fans understand the game through advanced metrics and data-driven insights. His work has become a staple across the sport, providing a deeper look into team performance beyond traditional stats. In this episode we discuss the top three most valuable stats for coaches to focus on, how to effectively use plus-minus within your program, and which analytics he has noticed that consistently show up in championship-level teams.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Howard Fisher, longtime head coach at the College of the Canyons. Coach Fisher has built his career across multiple levels with assistant coaching stops at Whittier College and Los Angeles City College before leading programs with Maccabi USA and at College of the Canyons. Over the years, he’s developed a strong reputation for building competitive teams and helping players move on to the next level. In this episode we discuss how his experience coaching with Maccabi USA has shaped his approach as a head coach, one thing he believes coaches should stop doing in the recruiting process, and what he looks for when evaluating JUCO talent that others might overlook.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Riley Conroy, Assistant Coach at the University of South Alabama. Riley’s path in basketball started as a player at Tulane before moving into coaching with stops at Sunrise Christian Academy, Southeastern Louisiana, and now South Alabama. Along the way, he’s built a reputation as a strong recruiter and someone who understands how to add value within a staff. In this episode we discuss the biggest mistake young coaches make when trying to stand out on their staffs, what he would prioritize if he were to step into a head coaching role tomorrow, and advice on how younger coaches can learn to evaluate and recruit players to best fit their head coach’s needs.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike MacDonald, Head Coach at Daemen University. Coach MacDonald has built his career with stops at Canisius and Daemen as an assistant before moving into head coaching roles at Canisius, Medaille, and now Daemen, where he continues to build a strong program. His experience across multiple roles has shaped his approach to leadership, development, and team success. In this episode we discuss how to effectively network on your own campus when you’re new to a program, how coaches like John Beilein and other head coaches he has worked with have helped impact their players and assistants to develop, as well as how Coach MacDonald uses his players’ strengths in games to put them in the best position to succeed.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by LaShonda Cousin, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Coach Cousin began her career in AAU basketball before moving into the college ranks with stops at Jackson State and Charlotte, working her way up through multiple roles on staff. Along the way, she’s earned recognition for her impact as an assistant and her ability to recruit and develop players. In this episode we discuss her transition from GA to assistant and what helped her earn high-level recognition, ways coaching staffs can better engage the community and build fan support, and the toughest challenges of recruiting in today’s landscape.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we welcome back a familiar name, Alan Major, current assistant coach at the University of San Diego. After diving into his background and coaching journey in a previous episode, this conversation takes a different angle, focusing on the often-overlooked time between jobs. Alan opens up about how he approached that downtime, the intentional steps he took to continue growing as a coach, and the mindset required to stay ready when opportunities arise. We also discuss how his new role at USD came together and what the transition back onto a staff has looked like. This episode offers an honest look at resilience, preparation, and trusting the process in this profession.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Joe Meehan, former Division I assistant coach and founder of Optima Vita Consulting, a new partner with Rising Coaches. Joe’s basketball journey takes him from playing division 3 to a career in Switzerland, while also holding various positions at his coaching stops at Randolph-Macon and Bucknell. Today, through Optima Vita Consulting, he works with coaches and professionals on building better habits and healthier lifestyles that support long-term performance. In this episode we discuss what he focused on early in his career at Randolph-Macon to become valuable to the head coach, how young coaches today can stand out in a changing landscape, and the four pillars of Optima Vita Consulting — exercise, stress, sleep, and nutrition.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Gottfried, longtime Division I head coach and founder of the leadership platform Get It Done. Coach Gottfried has spent decades in the game with coaching stops as an assistant at UCLA and with the Dallas Mavericks while holding head coaching stops at Murray State, Alabama, NC State, and Cal State Northridge. Throughout his career he has built winning programs and developed a reputation as a strong leader and program builder. In this episode we discuss the early experiences and mentors that helped shape his leadership style, the most common leadership challenges he now sees when speaking to teams and organizations, and the three core pillars he believes are essential for building a winning culture.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Larry Cordaro, Assistant Coach at Troy University. Coach Cordaro has built a long career in college basketball with stops at LSU, UT Arlington, Southeastern Louisiana, and Troy, along with a nine-year run as the head coach at LSU Alexandria where he helped build a strong and consistent program. His experience across multiple levels of the game gives him a unique perspective on program building and leadership. In this episode we discuss how he established culture when there wasn’t an existing tradition and how he maintained that success over the years as a head coach, what motivated him to return to the Division I level as an assistant after nine seasons leading a program, and what makes Troy head coach Scott Cross such a unique leader.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Brett Ledbetter, founder of What Drives Winning and one of the leading voices on leadership, culture, and team performance. Through his work with coaches, teams, and organizations around the world, Brett has helped leaders better understand what truly drives winning environments. His approach focuses on building strong cultures, developing meaningful habits, and aligning teams around a clear purpose. In this episode we discuss how coaches can create a winning team and culture within their program, the habits that championship teams and coaches consistently demonstrate, and some key things to look for when recruiting someone to determine if they will truly fit your culture.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Kyle Church, Assistant Coach and General Manager at the University of Michigan. Coach Church has built his career with stops at Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech, Chipola College, Florida, Florida Atlantic, and now Michigan. His great experiences have given him a unique perspective on both the coaching and roster-building sides of today’s game. In this episode we discuss how he balances the responsibilities of being both an assistant coach and a GM, how programs evaluate how much to invest in one player versus another based on ability, production, and fit, and what young coaches should start doing right now if they want to stand out in today’s landscape.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Capko, Associate Head Coach at SMU. Coach Capko has built his career through a number of stops across college basketball, including roles at Marshall, Stetson, Georgia Southern, USC, FIU, and a return to USC before eventually following the staff to SMU. Along the way he’s developed a reputation as a strong recruiter, player developer, and someone who has helped programs build and sustain success. In this episode we discuss how to gain trust from your head coach and fellow assistants when you’re new to a program, how coaches can instill confidence into their players, and ways assistant coaches can separate themselves from the majority in the profession.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike Kosich, Assistant Coach and Chief of Staff at UC Davis. Coach Kosich has built his career through a variety of roles across the college basketball landscape, with coaching stops at La Salle, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, South Alabama, San Diego State, and now UC Davis. Throughout that journey he’s gained experience in everything from operations and program management to on-court coaching and staff leadership. In this episode we discuss how coaching has changed his perspective from the beginning of his career to now, ways young coaches can gain trust and respect from a staff while working in manager or operations roles, and what the “Chief of Staff” position entails and how that role helps impact team success.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Debbie Antonelli, a longtime sports analyst with decades of experience around elite programs and championship-level coaches. A former player at NC State, Debbie moved into coaching and administrative roles with stops at Elon, Ohio University, Kentucky, and Ohio State before building an outstanding career in broadcasting. She brings amazing insight into what truly separates the best in the business. In this episode we discuss what differentiates elite coaches from good ones after years of observing them up close, how meaningful the beginning of a shootaround or practice really is and how to make it more effective, and advice she would give young coaches on communicating clearly and confidently in film sessions and practices.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Butler, former High Major head coach and current assistant at the University of Louisville. Coach Butler is a former standout player at Florida and has built an accomplished coaching career with stops at Florida, Austin Peay, Charlotte, and Louisville, along with head coaching tenures at Charlotte, Florida, and Clemson. She’s led major program turnarounds, including taking over a last-place team and guiding it to a 20-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance. In this episode we discuss how she rebuilt a struggling program into a winner, how she learned to coach and develop her assistants during her time as a head coach, and how those experiences now allow her to add value in new ways as an assistant.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Santoro, Director of Video and Strategy at the University of Kentucky. Coach Santoro has built his career through a variety of roles at Pittsburgh, Gwynedd Mercy, BYU, and now Kentucky, gaining experience in film, scouting, and game preparation along the way. His path reflects steady growth behind the scenes in high-level programs. In this episode we discuss what’s first on his checklist when breaking down a new opponent, how he tailors film differently for assistants versus players, and advice he would give to managers—or those hoping to become one—who want to use that role to launch their careers.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we welcome back a familiar name, Alan Major, current assistant coach at the University of San Diego. After diving into his background and coaching journey in a previous episode, this conversation takes a different angle, focusing on the often-overlooked time between jobs. Alan opens up about how he approached that downtime, the intentional steps he took to continue growing as a coach, and the mindset required to stay ready when opportunities arise. We also discuss how his new role at USD came together and what the transition back onto a staff has looked like. This episode offers an honest look at resilience, preparation, and trusting the process in this profession.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Richardson, the Head Coach at Wheeling University. Chris has worked his way through the profession with stops including an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies to coaching roles at Arkansas Tech, the University of Charleston, Fairmont State, Delta State, and the University of Central Missouri before taking over at Wheeling. In this episode we discuss how young coaches can find their voice and purpose while working on experienced staffs, what the very first responsibilities were once he accepted the head coaching role at Wheeling, and some key habits every young coach should build early to set themselves up for long-term success.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike Rejniak, the GM and Head Coach of the “WE ARE D3” Team in the TBT. Mike’s journey through the Collegiate ranks includes various roles at Springfield College, College of New Jersey, Plymouth State, Amherst College, and Vassar College. He later stepped into head coaching at SUNY New Paltz and now leads WE ARE D3, showcasing Division III talent on the larger stage. In this episode we discuss what he implemented to help his teams’ academic success spike, how building and preparing a TBT roster of D3 All-Americans and pro players differs from building a college roster, and the challenges he faced stepping into his first head coaching role.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Tristan Spurlock, assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Tristan began his basketball journey as a player at Virginia before finishing his career at UCF, experiences that still influence his approach to the game. He transitioned into coaching with stops at the University of Iowa and now Penn, learning within strong and established programs. In this episode we discuss the coaching styles that resonated most with him as a player, how young assistants can find their voice on a veteran staff, and the traits that make Coach Fran McCaffery such an impactful leader.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jesse Bopp, the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Florida International University. Coach Bopp has built a wide-ranging career holding various assistant roles at Florida, VCU, Chattanooga, New Mexico State, IMG Academy and time as a head coach at Vermont Academy. Now being at FIU, these experiences have given him a unique perspective across multiple levels of the game. In this episode we discuss what advice he would give young coaches trying to break into recruiting roles, how he evaluates upside versus immediate impact when recruiting and what his early years as a head coach taught him that he couldn’t fully understand at the time.

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re welcoming back Glenn Farello, the Head Coach at Paul VI High School. We had such a great conversation the first time around that we had to split it into two parts. In Part Two, we continue diving into Coach Farello’s experiences, insights, and lessons from building one of the most consistent programs in the country.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Glenn Farello, the Head Coach at Paul VI High School and one of the most respected high school coaches in the country. Coach Farello spent seven seasons as an assistant at Eleanor Roosevelt High School before becoming a head coach and later leading the program at Paul VI. He’s been named Coach of the Year 17 times, ranked in the national top 25 for 18 seasons, and has helped develop over 90 college players and five NBA players. In this episode we discuss how to help quieter players communicate better on the floor, creative ways to establish culture as a first-year head coach, and how he vets players to ensure they’re the right fit for his program. Please note, this episode was cut into two parts.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Alexis Gholston, athletic trainer at the University of San Diego. Alexis has worked across both the collegiate and professional levels, with previous stops at Sacramento State, Kansas, Eastern Washington, Missouri, and the Indiana Pacers. In her current role at USD, she plays a key part in helping athletes stay healthy, available, and performing at a high level throughout the season. In this episode we discuss common misconceptions coaches have about load management, how sleep, nutrition, and stress show up physically in players, and how she would structure practice lengths during the early, middle, and late parts of the season.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Colton Houston, Co-Founder of HD Intelligence. Colton spent nine years on staff at Alabama in various roles, gaining valuable experience inside a high-level program before transitioning into the analytics space. Today, he works with teams through HD Intelligence to help coaches better understand the game using data. In this episode we discuss which analytics Colton believes matter most for teams, common mistakes programs make when trying to use data, and how analytics can help coaches design more efficient practices. It’s a practical conversation with real takeaways for coaches at every level.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jack Schoemann, Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Rice University. Jack worked his way up through roles at Cal State Bakersfield, SMU, and Rice, gaining valuable experience behind the scenes at each stop. Now at Rice, he plays an important role supporting the staff and helping keep the program running day to day. In this episode we discuss the responsibilities he handled as a GA, what the Special Assistant to the Head Coach role really looks like on a daily basis, and what young coaches should be doing now if they want to follow a similar path and rise in the ranks.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Sid Crist, the Director of Basketball Operations at Winthrop University. Sid has worked his way up through the college basketball ranks with stops at Fairmont State, the University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan, the University of Pikeville, and now Winthrop. Along the way, he’s gained experience in multiple assistant and operations roles, learning what it takes to add value wherever you are. In this episode we discuss how young assistants can create more opportunities early in their careers, how building and maintaining a strong network helps you grow in this business, and the key skills that allow someone to excel in the Director of Basketball Operations role.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Luke Toth, Director of Luke Toth Basketball. Luke is the former Head of the Cleveland Cavaliers Academy program and the founder of LTB, which he built from the ground up into a youth and AAU program serving over 600 athletes. His work has focused on player development, teaching the game the right way, and building trust with families. In this episode we discuss how he grew a basketball program from zero to hundreds of athletes, the drills and games he’s found most engaging for kids during summer camps, and the feedback systems he uses to help athletes and parents clearly see progress over a camp session.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Blake Cochran, head coach at Clarendon College. Coach Cochran worked his way up through assistant roles at McMurry University, Southwestern Assemblies of God, Fort Scott Community College, and Northwestern State before earning head coaching opportunities at Fort Scott and now Clarendon. His path reflects steady growth, added responsibility, and preparation at every stop. In this episode we discuss how he earned more responsibility as a young assistant, what he did to prepare for his first head coaching role, and a defensive takeaway built around three different levels of paint touches. Please welcome to the podcast, Blake Cochran.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Patrick Gallagher, the Video Coordinator at the University of San Diego. Patrick’s journey is a great example of steady growth within one program, working his way up from student manager to staff assistant, graduate assistant, and now into his current role as the VC. He’s gained a strong understanding of the day-to-day details that keep a Division I program running smoothly. In this episode we discuss how he initially landed the student manager role at San Diego and advice for breaking in at your own school, what separated the student managers who earned more responsibility from those who stayed in the background, and how he tailors film breakdown differently for players versus coaches.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Eric Fawcett, a respected Team Strategy Consultant known for his deep work in offensive analysis and game planning. Eric currently serves as an assistant with the Edmonton Stingers while also contributing to the basketball community through Slapping Glass and his consulting work with numerous programs at the Division 1 level. His background in film study and offensive concepts has made him a trusted resource for coaches looking to better understand modern basketball strategy. In this episode we discuss how he approaches breaking down a team’s offensive identity on film, where he starts, and which patterns matter most, the play styles that are trending in today’s game, and the biggest differences between European basketball and American basketball.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Kielsmeier, the current head coach of the Cleveland State women’s basketball program. Coach Kielsmeier’s path into the profession started as a student intern at Iowa State before earning his first assistant coaching role at Howard Payne. After one season as an assistant, he was promoted to head coach at Howard Payne, where he built the foundation of his coaching philosophy. He then made the jump to the Division II level at Wayne State College, continuing his growth as a head coach before taking over at Cleveland State. In this episode we discuss what he felt prepared for—and what he didn’t—when moving from DIII to DII, the first priorities he focuses on when taking over a new program, and a common mistake he sees young coaches make that he wishes they would avoid.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Norman Roberts, a coach with 37 years in the profession, a former Division 1 Head Coach and a member of the Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame. His journey began as a player at Queens before moving into coaching at Archbishop Molloy High School and assistant stops at Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois, Kansas, and Florida. He served as a head coach at Queens and St. John’s, gaining valuable experience leading programs at the Division I level. In this episode we discuss his definition of a great assistant coach, how young coaches can leverage the Final Four and summer leagues to build relationships, and the biggest challenges he faced running a program and what he would do differently today.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Isaac Wodajo, the Director of Recruiting and Scouting for the Wisconsin Badgers. He began his coaching career as a GA at Texas before moving to Wabash Valley College, eventually returning there as head coach. Wodajo then stepped into the Division I world as the Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Northern Kentucky before joining Wisconsin, where he now plays a major role in roster building, scouting, and navigating the fast-changing landscape of college basketball. In this episode we discuss how he stays organized and focused despite the chaos of roster turnover and the portal, how he balances “need vs. best available talent,” and what his time as a head coach taught him in his current role.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Pool, a young coach whose path has taken him from high school to the college ranks. He started his journey training players with Driven Basketball before jumping into the AAU world with Pro Skills, then moving on to Strawberry Crest High School. He later stepped into college basketball as a manager at Miami University, gaining experience on the operations and video side before landing his current role as Video Coordinator at Arizona Christian University. In this episode we discuss a deep dive into the Video Coordinator role and everything it entails beyond just breaking down film, what a structured and effective film session actually looks like, and the biggest “learning on the job” moment when he realized how different the college level is compared to high school.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Dakich, a former Big Ten guard whose playing career at Michigan and Ohio State helped shape his path into coaching. After transitioning from the court to the sidelines, Dakich took on support staff and assistant roles at Ohio State, Elon, and now Illinois State, where he’s continued to grow within the profession and build a reputation as a young coach with a sharp basketball mind. In this episode we discuss how young players and coaches can find their voice on a team, the unique coaching tendencies he learned from Coach Beilein and Coach Holtmann, and the biggest misconceptions about being in a support-staff role—along with how he describes the position himself.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Plank, a coach whose path has taken him from grassroots basketball to the Division I level. He started in the AAU circuit before moving into college coaching with stops at Willamette, Casper College, Portland State, CCSF, Washington State, and now where he stands as an assistant coach, the University of San Francisco. At USF, Plank plays a key role in recruiting and development, especially through his strong West Coast connections. In this episode we discuss: what the AAU world taught him early in his career, the three qualities he would look for when building a staff as a head coach and how he uses his background and network to bring in the right players to USF.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Christina Bernal. Coach Bernal has built her strength and conditioning career through impactful stops at some of the top athletic programs in the country. She competed as an athlete at the University of Maryland before moving into coaching roles at Florida State, Appalachian State, Texas State, Monmouth University, and now where she stands, the University of Pennsylvania. Her experience has allowed her to work with a wide range of athletes while developing a strong and adaptable training philosophy. Christina brings insight into athlete development, team culture, and building smart systems that support long-term success. In this episode we discuss what a typical pre, post, and in-season workout looks like, the recovery process for athletes after a workout, and unique training ideas coaches can use when designing their own team programs.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Nate Dixon, a coach with 26 years of experience and one of the most well-traveled assistants in college basketball. After his playing career, he jumped right into coaching with early stops at Belmont Abbey and Queens University of Charlotte, before building a career that has taken him through programs such as Stetson, Florida, Louisiana-Monroe, New Orleans, Louisiana-Lafayette, Wyoming, UNC Charlotte, Lenoir-Rhyne, UMBC, Utah State, and Nevada. In this episode, we talk about how to decide if a school or staff is the right fit, the lessons he picked up working under great coaches, and what he’s doing now between jobs to stay sharp and be ready for that next opportunity. Please welcome to the podcast, Nate Dixon.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Katie Benzan, the current Manager of Pro Scout for the Utah Jazz and The General Manager for the Salt Lake Cities Stars. Katie was one of the most efficient shooters of the modern college game. She began her career at Harvard as a three-time All-Ivy selection before transferring to Maryland and later playing with the Washington Mystics in the WNBA. After her playing career, she moved into basketball operations and development, with stops at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School and now with the Salt Lake City Stars and Utah Jazz. In this episode, we discuss her growth as a shooter, the best feedback she has received in her career, and her current responsibilities in the GM role.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Kian Boroujerdi, Assistant Coach at Canisius University. Kian’s path into college basketball is one built on persistence, humility, and a deep love for the game. He got his start as a practice player for the University of Texas Women’s Basketball team before moving into a managerial role at UNLV, where he began learning the inner workings of a college program. From there, he gained valuable hands-on experience at Pitt Bradford and later took on the Director of Basketball Operations role at the University at Albany. Now at Canisius, Coach Boroujerdi continues to climb the ranks, bringing energy, organization, and a player-first approach to the program. His story is a great example of how dedication and relationships can create opportunities in this business. On this episode we talk about how his practice player position came about and led into his first college coaching position, what starting his career in a D3 program has taught him, a breakdown of the operations side of coaching at the D1 level, and finding your coaching voice as a young coach in the industry first getting started.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Chris Kreider, Associate Head Coach at Rice University. A Pennsylvania native, Coach Kreider’s basketball journey started as a player at Mansfield University, Grove City College, and Lebanon Valley College before jumping into the coaching world. His early career included time at the University of Great Falls, where he served as both an assistant and later head coach for the men’s and women’s programs. From there, he made stops at South Carolina Aiken, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, George Mason, VMI, Georgia State, and SMU before returning to Rice, where he continues to make a major impact. Known for his ability to connect with players, recruit high-level talent, and develop programs, Coach Kreider has built an impressive résumé across multiple conferences. His experience at both mid-major and high-major levels has given him a unique perspective on leadership and team culture. In this episode we cover advice for coaches and players navigating the transfer portal, how his first Division I coaching position came about, and the additional responsibilities that come with being an Associate Head Coach.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jabari Trotter, the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Dartmouth College. A Dartmouth alum, Trotter first made his mark as a standout player for the Big Green before taking his talents overseas to play professionally in Dublin, Ireland. During his time abroad, he also coached the U17 Girls Basketball team and led the Lady Haroldites of the Ireland Division 2 Women’s League. Upon returning to the U.S., he joined Phillips Exeter Academy, where he served in admissions and as an assistant coach, helping young athletes reach their academic and athletic potential. Trotter went on to hold key assistant coaching roles at Lehigh University and the University of Hawaii before returning to his alma mater at Dartmouth. Known for his leadership, energy, and commitment to player development, he continues to make a lasting impact within the Ivy League. In this episode we talk about how he grew in the ranks to land his first D1 coaching job, some duties assistant coaches can do to help their head coach on the bench in game and Coach Trotter’s approach to networking as a coach in today’s basketball landscape.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are joined by Gary Redus, Assistant Coach for the LSU Women’s Basketball team. A former standout player at the University of South Alabama, Redus went on to play professionally across China, South America, and the Middle East before transitioning into coaching. His coaching journey began at West Georgia, followed by successful stints at Delta State, Vanderbilt, and SMU before joining the powerhouse staff at LSU under Coach Kim Mulkey. Known for his energy, relationship-building, and player development skills, Redus has made a strong impact at every level of the game. His diverse background gives him a unique perspective on the global nature of basketball and the importance of adapting to each program’s culture. At LSU, he’s helped the Tigers continue their rise as one of the nation’s elite programs. In this episode we talk about recruiting to D2, low major and high major programs, a breakdown of the recruiting process for a high major team and a breakdown of what helps Coach Mulkey and the LSU program operate at such a high level.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are joined by Rob Blose, the Assistant Director of Video and Recruiting for the University of Pittsburgh. Blose has been an integral part of Pitt’s rise in the ACC, contributing to both the recruiting process and the behind-the-scenes video work that helps prepare the Panthers for success. Before joining Pitt, he built his foundation through various support and operational roles in college basketball, developing a reputation for his attention to detail and passion for the game. His work in film study, scouting, and player development has made him a key piece in helping shape team strategy and player growth. Blose has seen firsthand the evolving landscape of college basketball, particularly in recruiting and roster management. His experience offers valuable insight into what it takes to thrive at the high-major level. On this episode we discuss the biggest lessons he learned growing in a high major program, the pros and cons of roster construction and NIL as well as the challenges and rewards of working with video and film breakdown.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are joined by John Richardson, the Head Coach at Elizabeth City State University. A former player at Elizabeth City State, Richardson’s journey through basketball has come full circle, returning to lead the very program where his playing career began. His coaching path includes impactful stops at Woodside High School and T.C. Williams High School before moving into the college ranks as an assistant at Old Dominion University and Virginia Tech. Richardson later became a head coach at both Woodside High and now Elizabeth City State, where he’s known for his strong player development and culture-driven leadership. Over the years, he has built a reputation for creating disciplined, competitive programs and mentoring coaches and players alike. His experiences across high school, mid-major, and Division II levels give him a well-rounded perspective on the game. In this episode we talk about what makes an assistant coach so impactful to a program, some of the biggest differences between mid-major, high-major and D2 programs as well as mistakes he did and learned from when he was a first year head coach.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are joined by Fred Quartlebaum, a longtime and well-respected Division I assistant coach. Coach Quartlebaum’s coaching career spans over three decades, featuring stops at some of the nation’s top programs including Kansas, St. John’s, North Carolina, Iowa State, and Navy. Known for his infectious energy and ability to build relationships, he played a key role in developing winning cultures and mentoring countless student-athletes throughout his journey. At Kansas, Quartlebaum helped the Jayhawks capture multiple Big 12 titles and compete on college basketball’s biggest stages including being on staff when Kansas won the National Championship in 2022. His experience and leadership have left a lasting impact on every program he’s been a part of. A motivator, connector, and lifelong learner, Quartlebaum continues to inspire coaches across all levels of the game. In this episode we talk about his first struggles as a young coach trying to break into the industry, what he learned from his time coaching at the Naval Academy, as well as some unique things Bill Self and the Kansas staff do to prepare their teams for the season ahead.