

The Basketball Podcast
Chris Oliver
This is the podcast where you will hear real basketball coaching conversations. Whether you are a new or experienced coach at any level of basketball these coaching conversations will give you practical ideas to stimulate your coaching and make what you do even better.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 28, 2024 • 55min
Episode 309: Juli Fulks, Transformational Leadership, Positive Psychology and Playoff Preparation
Guest: Juli Fulks, Transylvania University Head CoachTransylvania University head coach Juli Fulks joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on transformational leadership, positive psychology, and playoff preparation.Juli Fulks has over 360 wins as a head coach and has been the head coach of the Transylvania University women’s basketball team for the past 10 years. Last year she led Transylvania to remarkable achievements. In the 2022-2023 season, her team achieved a perfect record of 33-0 and secured the NCAA National Championship. During this historic season, they dominated opponents, averaging over a twenty-point differential, scoring more than 70 points per game, while holding their adversaries to under 50 points. The Pioneers also clinched their fifth consecutive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) title and completed two consecutive years of a perfect regular season.Fulks began her head coaching career at Lewis & Clark College. During her 10 years there, her team (also named the Pioneers) posted seven winning seasons and made three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances while attaining a national ranking of fifth in the country. Coach Fulks has been named conference Coach of the Year seven times in her career and coached several academic and athletic All-Americans.In addition to coaching, Juli holds a master’s in education degree from Defiance College (2004) and a Ph.D. in leadership studies (2022) from the University of the Cumberlands.Breakdown1:00 - Run on Transylvania University Basketball6:00 - Transformational Leadership8:00 - Generational Perspective12:00 - Positive Psychology14:30 - Common Sense18:00 - Evidence Based Stuff19:30 - Playing a Team Multiple Times22:00 - Reduction Intensity24:00 - Positive Framing25:32 - 26:28 - Hoopsalytics Ad 326:28 - Endgame Situations30:00 - Five Minute Moments32:00 - Recovery35:00 - Coaching Behaviors38:00 - Special Situations41:00 - Efficacy45:00 - Risk Tolerance48:00 - Experiential Things51:00 - ConclusionJuli Fulks’ Bio:Bio/Website: https://transysports.com/staff-directory/juli-fulks/74Twitter: https://twitter.com/TransyBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Feb 21, 2024 • 34min
Episode 308: Stas Ovdieienko, War and Basketball
Guest: Stas Ovdieienko, Ukrainian Superleague Head CoachIn this week’s basketball coaching conversation, Ukrainian Superleague head coach Stas Ovdieienko joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on war and basketball.Stas Ovdieienko is a prominent Ukrainian basketball figure, who has made significant contributions to the sport as a player and coach. Ovdieienko boasts an impressive 17-year career as a professional basketball player. During this time, he achieved significant milestones, including being crowned the champion of Ukraine and securing the Superleague Cup. Transitioning from player to mentor, Ovdieienko spent 2 years as an assistant coach before taking the reins as the head coach of BC Zaporizhzhia in the Ukrainian Superleague.However, tragedy struck when the war reached his doorstep—quite literally. Despite his dedication to the sport, the conflict forced him to confront a new reality.Stas Ovdieienko’s journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to basketball, even in the face of adversity and I am grateful to share it with you.Breakdown1:00 - Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine6:00 - Impact of Conflict on Ukraine Basketball11:00 - Normality12:30 - Leadership15:30 - Humor16:23 - 17:31 - Hoopsalytics AD 218:30 - Mental Toughness21:00 - Solution-Based Coaching Interventions26:00 - Talk To Yourself28:30 - Team Building31:00 - ConclusionStas Ovdieienko’s Bio:Bio/Website: https://vk.com/stiseTwitter: https://twitter.com/prostojBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Feb 14, 2024 • 56min
Episode 307: Anthony McClish, Ownership of Decisions, Relationship, and Organization Building
Guest: Anthony McClish, G-League Ignite General ManagerIn this week’s basketball coaching conversation, G League Ignite general manager Anthony McClish joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on ownership of decisions, relationships, and organization building.Anthony McClish is a distinguished basketball executive with a rich history of accomplishments within the industry. He is the current General Manager of the NBA G League Ignite, a role he began in 2022. Under his guidance, the team experienced significant growth and success, with McClish playing a central role in shaping strategic initiatives, refining player development programs, and fostering an environment conducive to achieving excellence both on and off the court.Prior to his tenure with the G League Ignite, McClish served as the General Manager for the Stockton Kings. Within the Sacramento Kings organizations, he honed his expertise as a Basketball Operations Assistant at the Sacramento Kings where he gained invaluable insights into player management, team dynamics, and the intricacies of operational efficiency within a premier basketball franchise.McClish started his professional career as an intern with basketball operations with the San Antonio Spurs. He has also served as a consultant with USA Basketball. He holds an Executive MBA in Business Administration and Management from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.Breakdown1:00 - Incredible Questions3:30 - Being Confrontational7:30 - Mentorship Model10:00 - Organic Moments12:00 - Team Building15:00 - Building Geniune Relationships18:00 - Ownership of Decisions25:30 - Integrity28:07 - 29:14 - Hoopsalytics Ad 129:14 - Nonlinear Development31:00 - Life Skills35:00 - Coping Strategies38:00 - Qualitative/Quantitative Data41:00 - Conflict Resolution Perspective45:00 - Voicing Concern51:00 - Trial and Error54:00 - ConclusionAnthony McClish’s Bio:Bio/Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-mcclish-mba-63626335/Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Feb 7, 2024 • 59min
Episode 306: Jamy Bechler, Failing Forward, Coachability, and Modern Leadership
Guest: Jamy Bechler, Author, Podcast Host, Speaker, and Leadership ConsultantAuthor, podcast host, speaker, and leadership consultant Jamy Bechler joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on failing forward, coachability, and modern leadership.Jamy Bechler combines his unique experiences as a championship athletic director, college basketball coach, and executive business trainer to help take you and your team's results and leadership to the next level. He is a professional speaker, author, podcast host, and leadership consultant who works with teams ranging from major corporations to the NBA.Jamy spent 20 years in organized athletics as a college basketball coach and athletic administrator. He now leads leaders and is a coach to coaches as a team consultant and leadership trainer. He is the host of the popular "Success is a Choice" podcast and is the author of six eBooks and four published books. You can learn more about him at www.JamyBechler.comBreakdown1:00 - Best Version of Themselves6:00 - Concept of Coachability11:00 - Players13:00 - Filtering the Information17:00 - Pursuit of Excellence24:00 - Intentional Communication26:57 - 28:09 - Hoopsalytics AD28:09 - Modern Way of Communicating31:00 - Leadership36:00 - Looked Back in the Mirror41:00 - Moments on the Bench44:00 - Sports Team46:00 - Bus Trip52:30 - Leadership Development56:00 - ConclusionJamy Bechler’s Bio:Bio/Website: https://jamybechler.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachBechlerBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Jan 31, 2024 • 54min
Episode 305: Sherrie Coale, Intention, and the Writing and Coaching Process
Guest: Sherrie Coale, Retired College Coach, and Current Author, Speaker, and ConsultantIn this week's coaching conversation, retired college coach, and current author, speaker, and consultant, Sherri Coale joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on intention, and the writing and coaching process.Sherri Coale retired from her position as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team in 2021 after serving for 25 years. Currently, she is a writer, speaker, and consultant. Coale’s book, Rooted to Rise, is a collection of essays about people, and her must-read blog titled A Weigh of Life is available at sherricoale.com.Coale last appeared on EP28 of the Basketball Podcast. She served as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team for 25 years, from 1996 to 2021. During her tenure, her teams won multiple Big 12 championships, qualified for 19 straight NCAA tournaments, and earned their way into three Final Fours. She had the privilege of coaching 4 All-Americans, 14 WNBA draft selections, and a whole bunch of remarkable women who rewarded her still with their lives.In addition to working the Oklahoma sideline, Coale participated in USA Basketball as an assistant coach in 2001 and as the head coach in the 2013 World University Games where her squad defeated Russia on their home floor to bring home the gold.Breakdown1:00 - With Intention5:00 - Inspiration to Write8:00 - Trusting the Process11:00 - Importance of Foundations16:00 - Asking Coach20:00 - Self Discovery26:00 - Story Telling27:08 - 28:20 - Hoopsalytics AD28:30 - Getting Unstuck33:00 - Human Interaction38:00 - Being Beside Someone44:00 - Asking Great Questions49:30 - Retrieval Practice52:00 - ConclusionSherrie Coale’s Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherri_CoaleTwitter: https://twitter.com/sherricoaleBasketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Jan 24, 2024 • 53min
Episode 304: John Krikorian, Game Philosophy, Core Principles, and Foundation Series
John Krikorian, head coach of Christopher Newport, talks about game philosophy and core principles. He shares insights on their remarkable success, including the first three Final Four appearances and their first National Championship in the 2022-2023 season. Topics discussed include the importance of team dynamics and culture, breathing practices in coaching and player training, the concept of heart math, the foundation series as a defensive technique, pre-practice routine, and building a strong defensive foundation.

Jan 17, 2024 • 51min
Episode 303: Steven DeMeo, Road Map To Success
Guest: Steven DeMeo, Florida State College Head CoachIn this week's coaching conversation, Northwest Florida State College head coach Steve DeMeo shares insights on his road map to success.Steve DeMeo was named head men's basketball for Northwest Florida State College on April 4, 2022, making it his second stint with the Raiders after a brilliant tenure from 2013-19. DeMeo most recently served as assistant coach for East Carolina University during the 2021-22 season and was at St. John's University in the same role from 2019-21 prior to his time at ECU.Possessing three decades of experience across all levels of the college game, DeMeo's previous time leading the Raiders was remarkable. Coach DeMeo took NWFSC to a national title and was named the Spalding NJCAA National Coach of the Year in 2015. Under DeMeo's direction, Northwest Florida State turned in a six-year record of 198-35 (.850), earned an additional berth in the 2017 NJCAA Final Four and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Under his leadership, the Raiders captured the Panhandle Conference Championship five-straight years (2015-19) and earned four Florida College System Activities Association State Tournament Championships in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.Numerous players that he recruited, coached and developed have been drafted by National Basketball Association teams including Charles Jenkins (Golden State Warriors), Ryan Gomes and MarShon Brooks (Boston), Herbert Hill (Utah) and Marcus Douthit (Los Angeles). In 2019, Oregon-signee and future 2021 NBA First Round Draft pick Chris Duarte was selected as the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year, the first player to earn that honor under DeMeo.A veteran coach with a track record of success, DeMeo also held lead roles at Division II Newberry College, as well as Monroe College and Bronx Community College. DeMeo has accumulated a 294-105 (.737) overall record as a head coach. Prior to taking over at Northwest Florida State, DeMeo spent 17 years as an assistant at the Division I level, enjoying successful stints at Iona, Providence, UCF and Hofstra.Breakdown1:00 - Introduction2:00 - Next Practice6:00 - Empowering Staff8:00 - Areas of Improvement12:00 - Happiness and Team Success15:00 - Shot Selection17:00 - Academics19:00 - Different Defenses22:30 - Freedom Early On24:53 - 26:05 - Hoopsalytics Ads26:05 - Weight Coaching26:30 - Competetive Advantages29:00 - Coaching Values32:00 - Walk Ons36:00 - Xavior Moon41:00 - Competetive Practice42:30 - Offensive Stall46:00 - Being Open Minded48:00 - ConclusionSteven DeMeo’s Bio:Bio: https://ecupirates.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/steve-demeo/3692Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoachSteveDeMeo Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Jan 10, 2024 • 53min
Episode 302: J.P. Nerbun, Sport Parent Solutions and Culture
JP Nerbun, a leadership coach and consultant, shares insights on sport parent solutions and culture. Topics include strategies for coaches, creating a supportive environment for parents, top mistakes in coaching culture, setting boundaries and maintaining standards, understanding culture as a system, and effective language and coaching resources.

Jan 3, 2024 • 1h 14min
Episode 301: Lee Taft, Insights on Basketball Performance and Movement
Lee Taft, world-renowned movement specialist, shares insights on basketball performance and movement. He discusses the importance of fundamental movements in basketball, basketball-specific movements, coaching strategies, physical literacy in children, player technique, developing basketball skills through experience, and the value of cool downs and active recovery.

Dec 27, 2023 • 1h 17min
Episode 300: Doug Novak, Coaching and Teaching in Basketball
Guest: Doug Novak, Basketball CoachIn this week's coaching conversation, basketball coach Doug Novak joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on coaching and teaching.Doug Novak is currently an assistant coach for the Northern Kentucky women’s basketball program. Novak was last on episode 21 of the basketball podcast, and possesses nearly three decades of coaching experience, most recently serving as the associate head coach for the men's basketball program at Army West Point during the 2022-23 season. Before West Point, he was the interim head coach for the women's basketball program at Mississippi State in 2021-22.Prior to his lone season with Mississippi State Women, Novak served as the Head Men's Coach at Bethel University from 2013-21. There he composed an overall record of 131-68 in eight seasons. He left with the highest winning percentage (.658) of any Bethel basketball coach in program history. Doug has previously been an assistant coach at the NCAA D1 men’s level and has produced one of the most popular www.immersionvideos.com all access product of all time with his video series - All Access Basketball Practice with Doug Novak that gave access to his practice teaching methodology as well as unique and exclusive access to a team film session. It is available at www.dougnovakbasketball.com Breakdown1:00 - Introduction5:00 - Having Daughters7:00 - Idea of Tick Tock9:30 - Mimicry14:00 - All Learning is Nonlinear17:00 - Program on a Napkin20:00 - Quotes from Music24:30 - Norms in Coaching30:00 - Acquiring Skills35:28 - 36:40 - Hoopsalytics AD36:40 - Offense vs Defense46:30 - Choosing One Path53:30 - Freedom from Decision Making1:00:00 - Learning The Game1:05:00 - Concept of Rabbit Hole1:12:00 - Winning Record1:14:30 - ConclusionDoug Novak’s Bio:Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_NovakWebsite: https://www.coachdougnovak.com/Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com


