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A Pen And A Napkin
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My friend Nick LoGalbo is back on the pod to discuss the philosophy of Stoicism and how it can help you become a better coach! Coach LoGalbo has spent the last few years studying the Stoics and applying it to both his daily and professional life, and while we worked together at Snow Valley Basketball School, Coach turned me onto Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", which has led us both to many different resources, including Ryan Holiday. We talk about the history of Stoicism, earlier influences and how you can apply Stoicism to your coaching. Enjoy!
What many people consider to be one of the greatest teams of all-time, if not THE greatest team of all time, the 1985-86 Boston Celtics featured NINE Hall of Famers or future Hall of Famers in various ways, including "Old Testament" players Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, along with one of the greatest guards of the era in Dennis Johnson, along with 6th man Bill Walton. The stats and the eye test speak for themselves, but how great of a team was this truly? You tell us . . .
Really excited to share Babe Kwasniak's story with "Maverick Leadership", a new book highlighting taking risks in your leadership style. A good read detailing 20 different leadership styles, "Maverick Leadership" covers everything from coaching to business to military thoughts. Coach Kwas dives into the book and his own story and how "Maverick Leadership" can help any leader, including basketball coaches, be better at what they do!
We had alot of fun recording a Zoom podcast with three great coaches; Dexter Goodner, AC for Hastings (NE) WBB, Ryan Cahak of Tennessee United AAU program and Brandon Shaver, Boys HC at Lake Travis (TX)! We talked about a variety of topics, including practices in February and March, shooting drills, using the shot clock (kind of . . . ) and other topics! Enjoy this really fun conversation!
Featured in this edition of "The Notebook":*Here comes KU Men's and UCLA Women's teams*Potential #1 seeds in both tournaments*The importance of the FT Line, team length and proper preparation for each game*The NBA trade deadline*Why girls basketball numbers are dipping, and some strategies to fix it
Episode #311 features Nick Thompson, the head boys basketball coach at Elkhorn (NE). Coach comes from a lineage of great coaches and has learned from some of the best coaches in the state of Nebraska. Coach discusses his journey, being selective in the jobs he applied for, why Elkhorn was the job for him, growing as a coach, building a fundamentally sound program, the importance of defense and more! This was a fun conversation with one of Nebraska's best up and coming coaches!
We've got a lot of great stuff to talk about in this edition of "The Notebook", including:*College basketball achievements by freshman and old coaches*Fixing collegiate eligibility*Navigating up's and down's of January*Preparing for late game scenarios*Putting together your rotation based on analyticsENJOY!
It is GREAT to have Mike Neighbors, the former HC at the University of Arkansas and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks, back on the podcast! Coach and I break down a bunch of different topics, including the new Refindex.com to help rate officials at the collegiate level. We also talk about the last year of his life, from getting let go from his dream job to moving into the professional ranks and we also spend some time talking about some of our recent favorite books. This was alot of fun to have on Coach once again!
Blake DuDonis is the lead Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Fairfield University, one of the best mid-major women's basketball program in the country. Coach DuDonis and the Fairfield staff have a unique philosophy to their program, which he dives into in the podcast! Coach also talks about his basketball journey, going from a head coach to an assistant coach, the next steps for their program, offensive transition, special situations and more! This was a really fun conversation with one of America's up and coming assistant coaches!
Ryan Hintz is the head boys basketball coach at Blue Valley (KS) High School, where he has built a really consistent program. He comes on the podcast this week to talk about a bunch of different topics, including being a transformational coach and how to motivate young people today, growing as a coach, developing back to the basket post players, developing a solid youth program and much more! A really fun podcast with one of the best coaches in the Kansas City Metro area!
The latest edition of "The Notebook" features an extended discussion of "January Season" and how to navigate perhaps the toughest season of the year, including growing your own team. We also have a segment on game situations to cover and prepare for. Our last segment deals with "New Year's Resolutions" and how to best prepare yourself for the New Year and how to make yourself better. Enjoy!
Really excited to have on Chris Mayes, the author of the "Drive The Gap" Substack series! Coach Mayes has two decades of international basketball experience that he has brought here to the United States and is now sharing with the world. In this episode, we break down the differences between the way the game is played and developed here in the United States as opposed to Europe, where coaches need the most help, player development at both the perimeter and the post, scouting and much more! Alot of fun talking with Coach this week!
Merry Christmas from APAAN! We've got a bunch of things to talk about this week in "The Notebook", including game situations, a great 1 on 1 drill, analyzing the 49-0 stretch of the Heartland going into Christmas break, Emirates Cup champion New York Knicks and more!
We had a terrific conversation with Amy Eagan, the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Lindenwood University (MO), a Division I program on the rise in the Ohio Valley Conference! Coach Eagan has been a winner at every level, and we dive into her journey to Division I HC, including her experiences with Molly Miller. In addition, we talk about building a program, battling the "Big Dogs", podcasting (?), player development, staff development and more! This was a really fun conversation with a great up and coming coach!
Bonus Pod Time! Today we're dropping our "Greatest Teams" podcast covering the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, owners (or previous owners) of some of the greatest records in NBA history, including the (perhaps) unbreakable record of 33 consecutive wins. From the tragedy of Elgin Baylor's retirement to Jerry West's agony, Wilt's excellence, Gail Goodrich's sharp shooting and more, Nate Wall, Jacob Brindle and I break down the roster, the coaching and the stats of this team. We also have my dad come on to give his perspectives, as this was one of his favorite teams of all time!
Episode #305 features Todd Fergot, the head boys basketball at LaCrosse Central (WI) and newly minted Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer! In this episode, Coach and I break down a bunch of topics, including parent meetings, growing as a coach, extending your coaching career, building a quality youth program, building a defense and much more! This was a great conversation with a terrific coach!
In this episode of "The Notebook" we take a look at Indiana football, it's Cinderella story and how studying their formula for success can help you! In addition, we talk Giannis trade rumors, the amazing streaks of LBJ (done) and SGA (still going), some game situations that you should prepare for before they even happen, including late game situations, the impressive starts of Texas and LSU women's basketball, and the excellence that is Mark Few.
It's time to "Rave On" w/ Briar Cliff Men's Basketball HC Mark Svagera! Coach Svagera and I discuss variety of issues, from stepping into a tradition-rich program, growing as a head coach, the challenges of coaching at a small school, blending his offensive philosophy while implementing a defensive identity, developing shooters and much more. A really fun conversation with one the best small college coaches in the country!
In the 3rd edition of the notebook, we dive in on a variety of topics, including the state of Michigan and college basketball, things to think about for December, taking care of yourself, hot teams in the NBA and an appreciation of greatness . . . enjoy!
The second edition of "The Notebook" is here! In this episode we're talking about some great women's basketball achievements, injured NBA players, some X's and O's to prepare for, "Feast Week" and a story to give those who are struggling hope . . . I hope you enjoy this one!



