Tom Crean on Developing Team Identity, Embracing Multi-Sport Athletes, & Jim Harbaugh's Unique Coaching Style

In this episode of Move the Sticks, DJ and Bucky are joined by longtime college basketball head coach Tom Crean, who led programs at Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia. The trio explores how the player evaluation process has evolved over the last decade, from what coaches look for to how player development is approached today.

Coach Crean shares insight on the value of building shared adversity early in a team’s journey to help shape identity and culture. He also speaks on the benefits of multi-sport athletes, why we’re seeing a decline in them, and what’s lost when athletes specialize too soon.

The conversation dives into the importance of strength and conditioning, and Crean breaks down the common traits shared by elite athletes he’s coached like Dwyane Wade, Victor Oladipo, and Anthony Edwards.

Plus, Crean offers his perspective on what makes his brother-in-law Jim Harbaugh a special coach, from his unorthodox leadership style to how he brings joy and unity into one of the most physically and mentally grueling sports. 

Move the Sticks is a part of the NFL Podcasts Network.

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