The Basketball Podcast

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Basketball Immersion founder Chris Oliver joins the Basketball Podcast to reflect on 400 episodes of the podcast. The Basketball Podcast, hosted by Chris Oliver, has reached an incredible milestone: 400 episodes since its launch on May 28, 2018. Listened to by coaches at every level — from NBA head coaches to youth coaches — and in more than 85 countries worldwide, the show has become a trusted source of evidence‑based insights, practical strategies, and thought‑provoking conversations that shape the way the game is taught and played.In this special episode, Chris reflects on the journey by sharing memorable quotes and key takeaways from many of the guests who have helped define the podcast’s legacy. The very first guest, Dave Paulsen (now head coach at Holy Cross), set the tone with a line that continues to resonate: “The game has to look like our practice, and not their practice.” That philosophy — making practice representative of the game — has guided countless coaches and remains a cornerstone of the show’s mission.Whether you’ve tuned in for one episode or all 400, this celebration is a thank‑you to the global coaching community for learning, growing, and sharing the game together.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Daemen University head coach Mike McDonald joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on coaching backwards with success.A fixture in the college basketball coaching fraternity, Mike MacDonald is entering his 29th season as a collegiate head coach. He was named the ECC, NABC District and BCANY Division II Coach of the Year last season after leading Daemen to a 28-1 record. He was also the recipient of the Clarence "Big House" Gaines Award given to the top coach in all of Division II basketball by collegeinsiders.com. MacDonald has led Daemen to a 232-84 record over his first 11 seasons, including eight 20-win seasons and five NCAA tournament berths. He enters the regular season just 11 wins shy of 500 for his career.Mike MacDonald has led Daemen University through one of the most successful stretches in program history. Under his leadership, Daemen has emerged as a power in the NCAA Division II. The Wildcats are coming off the most successful season in program history when they posted a 28-1 overall record, won the ECC regular season and tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the fifth time. Daemen rattled off 28 straight victories to start the season, earning the distinction of being the last remaining unbeaten team across all three levels of NCAA basketball. Along the way, they ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll for the first time in program history.With previous stops at Canisius University and Medaille University, MacDonald has worked across all three NCAA divisions. Before arriving at Daemen University, Mike MacDonald spent eight transformative years as head coach at Medaille College (2006–2014), where he turned a struggling NCAA Division III program into a regional powerhouse. Inheriting a team that had gone just 4–46 over the previous two seasons, MacDonald led the Mavericks to an average of 18 wins per year and six postseason appearances. His final five seasons were especially dominant—Medaille recorded 101 wins, the most of any Division III program in New York State during that span, and ranked 17th nationally in total victories. He was named Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year four times and left as the school’s all-time leader in wins (149) and winning percentage (.671).Prior to Medaille, MacDonald spent 18 years at Canisius College, including nine seasons as head coach (1997–2006), where he guided the Golden Griffins to 108 wins and earned BCANY Division I Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2000–01. He also served as a longtime assistant at Canisius, helping the program reach the NCAA Tournament and two NIT appearances under head coach John Beilein.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Babson College head coach Stephen Brennan joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on culture, clarity and consistency.Stephen Brennan has served as the head coach of Babson College men's basketball for over three decades, building one of the most consistent and respected programs in Division III. With more than 560 career wins to his name, Brennan ranks among the top 25 active coaches in total victories across the D3 landscape. His tenure is defined by sustained excellence, highlighted by 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, multiple NEWMAC championships, and a national title in 2017—the first in program history.A nine-time conference coach of the year and the 2016–17 NABC National Coach of the Year, Brennan has guided Babson through eras of transformation while maintaining a culture rooted in discipline, development, and competitive integrity. His teams have reached the NCAA Tournament Sectional Semifinals multiple times, including a Final Four run in 2015 and a dramatic national championship win in 2017, where the Beavers overcame a 25-point deficit in the semifinals before edging Augustana (Ill.) in the title game.Brennan’s legacy is not only measured in wins and banners but in the program’s identity: a relentless commitment to excellence, player growth, and team-first basketball. Under his leadership, Babson has become a perennial contender and a model of long-term success in Division III athletics.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Concordia-St. Paul head coach Matt Fletcher joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on playing fast and conceptual.Matt Fletcher enters his sixth season as head men's basketball coach at Concordia-St. Paul in 2025-26, where he has quickly become the program's most successful leader. Culminating in the 2024-25 season, he guided the Golden Bears to their first-ever NSIC regular season title, first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance, and first NCAA Tournament win—all in the same year—earning him the 2024-25 NSIC Coach of the Year honor.Prior to Concordia, Fletcher spent four highly successful seasons as head coach at Bethany Lutheran College, where he compiled a 76–33 record, won the 2017-18 UMAC Coach of the Year award, and led the team to two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. His overall career head coaching record stands at 120–118 across nine seasons.Fletcher's extensive assistant coaching experience includes stints at Concordia-Moorhead (2008–09), Kentucky Wesleyan College (2011–12), and three years at Upper Iowa University (where he was promoted to associate head coach). He holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management from Southwest Minnesota State and a master’s degree in education from Upper Iowa.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Sierra Canyon head coach Alicia Komaki joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their five ships before a championship.Alicia Komaki is set to enter her fourteenth season as Head Coach of the Sierra Canyon Girls Basketball team in 2025–2026, where she has established one of the nation's most dominant high school programs. Her tenure is highlighted by leading her teams to five California State Championships and securing an ESPN National Championship in 2023, finishing the season ranked number one in the country. Coach Komaki boasts an overall career record of over 350 wins at Sierra Canyon, maintaining an exceptional win percentage above 85% over 13 years.Beyond the banners, Coach Komaki is renowned for developing elite, collegiate-ready talent. Her program has served as a pipeline for top NCAA programs, featuring standout athletes like Juju Watkins (USC), Kennedy Burke (WNBA ), and Vanessa De Jesus (Duke). This proven ability to consistently prepare players for the highest level of competition underscores the effectiveness of her coaching system and development focus.Her success has garnered national recognition and numerous accolades. In 2022, Komaki was named the WBCA Pat Summit National Coach of the Year, and she was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year in 2023. Other honors include the LA Times Coach of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports Coach of the Year in 2019. Her standing among elite coaches is further recognized by USA Basketball, where she made her bench coaching debut as an assistant at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit and previously served as a court coach for the USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team trials in 2017. With a personal resume reflecting 7 State Championship rings and 2 National Championships, Komaki is a proven winner and a powerhouse in high school basketball development.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Husson University head coach Warren Caruso joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on coaching with core values, perspective and gratitude.Warren Caruso is a coaching fixture in New England basketball, having served as the head coach for the Husson men's basketball program since 1994. Throughout his remarkable 35-year tenure as both a head and assistant coach for the Eagles, Caruso has built one of the most consistently successful programs in the region, currently ranking second in New England in wins by an active coach and top 10 nationally in NCAA Division III wins.Caruso's record is defined by dominance in conference play and postseason consistency. He has led the Eagles to an astounding 17 Conference Regular Season Championships and 16 Conference Tournament Championships, posting a formidable 16-4 record in championship games. Overall, his teams have secured 16 total NAIA/NCAA National Tournament appearances (10 NCAA, 6 NAIA). His sustained excellence is further highlighted by guiding his teams to 15 seasons with 20 or more wins, including a five-year streak from 2012-13 to 2016-17.The winningest coach in North Atlantic Conference history, Caruso's success has earned him numerous personal accolades, including seven Conference Coach of the Year honors (most recently in 2025) and three Maine State Coach of the Year titles. He was inducted into the Husson Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. As a former four-year letter-winner and team captain for the Eagles, Caruso has maintained a strong pipeline of talent, having recruited 23 of the 55 1,000-point scorers in program history since taking over.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Liberty University head coach Ritchie McKay joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on conceptual coaching, packline and the value of mentors.Ritchie McKay is the head coach of Liberty University’s men’s basketball program, where he has led the Flames to unprecedented success since returning in 2015. In his second stint at Liberty, McKay has guided the team to seven 20-plus win seasons, including a school-record 30 victories in 2019–20. Under his leadership, Liberty captured three ASUN Tournament titles, four regular season championships, and earned its first NCAA Tournament win in program history in 2019. Over the past six seasons, Liberty has won 149 games—eighth most in the nation during that span.Before returning to Liberty, McKay spent six seasons as associate head coach at the University of Virginia under Tony Bennett. During his tenure, the Cavaliers posted a 136–64 record, won the ACC Championship in 2014, and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. McKay’s head coaching career spans over two decades, with previous stops at New Mexico, Oregon State, Colorado State, and Portland State. At New Mexico, he led the Lobos to an 82–69 record over five seasons, including a Mountain West Conference title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2005. At Colorado State, McKay posted a 37–23 record and guided the Rams to the NIT quarterfinals in 1999. His tenure at Portland State marked the revival of a dormant program, earning national recognition and a Clair Bee Award finalist nod for innovation in coaching.In total, McKay has amassed over 400 career wins and holds the highest winning percentage in Liberty program history. His coaching accolades include multiple Coach of the Year honors, national recognition for leadership, and a reputation for building programs that compete with integrity and purpose.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, UNC Greensboro head coach Mike Jones joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their defensive identity.Mike Jones is the head coach at UNC Greensboro, where he has continued his winning tradition with three consecutive 20-win seasons. Prior to joining UNCG in 2021, Jones spent a decade as the head coach at Radford University, leading the Highlanders to 174 wins, two Big South regular season championships in 2019 and 2020, and a Big South tournament title in 2018. That same season, he guided Radford to its third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and was named both Big South Coach of the Year and NABC District 3 Coach of the Year. He earned a second Big South Coach of the Year honor in 2020 and was a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year award in 2019.Under Jones, Radford made postseason appearances in the College Basketball Invitational in 2014 and 2015, and recorded five seasons with at least 20 wins. His teams earned notable victories over programs such as Northwestern, Richmond, Notre Dame, and Texas. Before his head coaching tenure, Jones served as an assistant at VCU under Shaka Smart, helping the Rams reach the Final Four and compiling 55 wins over two seasons—the most in any two-year span in program history.Earlier in his career, Jones was an assistant coach at Georgia under Dennis Felton, where he contributed to the Bulldogs’ 2008 SEC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. His coaching journey also includes assistant roles at West Virginia, Richmond, Furman, and Howard, as well as a head coaching stint at Sidwell Friends School. With an overall record of 252–199, Jones has built a reputation for competitive success, player development, and leadership rooted in integrity. His mentors include George Felton and Shaka Smart, both of whom helped shape his approach to coaching at the highest level.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Samford head coach Matt Wise joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on taking over as a first year head coach.Matt Wise enters the 2025–26 season as the head women’s basketball coach at Samford University, continuing to build on a coaching career defined by player development, tactical innovation, and program elevation. After being officially introduced as head coach in April 2025, Wise took the reins following two seasons as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs, where he was deeply involved in all aspects of the program.Prior to his time at Samford, Wise served as the director of video and creative content for Alabama’s women’s basketball team during the 2021–22 season. His coaching journey also includes extensive experience on the men’s side, with assistant coaching roles at East Tennessee State, Little Rock, and two separate stints at the University of Wyoming. At Wyoming, he helped guide the Cowboys to a Mountain West Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2015, contributing to the development of NBA forward Larry Nance Jr.Wise began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida, where he supported the Gators during back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.A former four-year letter winner at Transylvania University, he led the Pioneers to a 2009 NCAA Division III Tournament appearance and earned his master’s degree in sport management from Florida in 2013.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Rhode Island head coach Tammi Reiss joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on energy, skill and no skipping steps.Tammi Reiss has led the University of Rhode Island women's basketball program to unprecedented success since becoming head coach. In the 2022–23 season, she guided the Rams to a program-record 26 wins and their first-ever Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship. The year prior, Rhode Island posted 22 wins, marking the first time in program history the team achieved back-to-back 20-win seasons. Under her leadership, the Rams advanced to the WNIT Super 16 in 2023, earning two postseason victories for the first time.Reiss was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in both 2020–21 and 2022–23. She was also recognized nationally as ESPNW Coach of the Week on February 14, 2022, and again on February 6, 2023.Before arriving at Rhode Island, Reiss served as an assistant coach at Syracuse, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State and Virginia, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and conference titles. Her professional coaching experience includes roles with the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars and Utah Starzz, as well as her alma mater, the University of Virginia.In addition to her collegiate achievements, Reiss was an assistant coach for Team USA’s 3x3 squads, helping lead them to a Bronze Medal at the Olympics and a Gold Medal at the World Championships.She was a four-year starter for the Cavaliers, earning All-American honors in1992. She led UVA to three ACC regular-season titles, two league tournament championships, and three Final Four appearances. Reiss earned All-Conference honors three times in her career and was named to the All-ACC TournamentTeam twice. She ended her collegiate career ranked first in school history in 3-point field goals made (139) and 3-point field goal percentage (.416) and was second in points (1,842) and free throws made (437).Reiss was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Starzz. She played two seasons for Utah, serving as team captain.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Chris Holguin joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on NBA Defense and Using CLA.Chris Holguin is entering his 10th season with the LA Clippers, where he currently serves as an Assistant Coach. A native of El Paso, Texas, Holguin’s path began as a student manager at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He went on to coach high school basketball at the Maret School in Washington D.C., served as Operations Assistant at his alma mater UTSA, and worked with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA G League before joining the Clippers in 2016. Since then, he has advanced through roles including Video Coordinator, Player Development Coach, and Two-Way Coach, steadily building his reputation within the organization.Over the past decade, Holguin has worked extensively with rookies, two-way players, and NBA veterans while also traveling globally to train Clippers All-Stars. Known for his defensive focus and passion for player development, Holguin has become a trusted voice who thrives on growth, connection, and teaching, making him a valued part of the organization for nearly a decade.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Canisius head coach Jim Christian joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their offensive DNA.Jim Christian brings nearly two decades of NCAA Division I head coaching experience to Canisius, with a proven track record of success across multiple programs. He owns over 300 career wins and is recognized as one of the most accomplished coaches in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history, holding the league’s highest winning percentage (.700) and earning MAC Coach of the Year honors twice.Christian led Kent State to five postseason appearances from 2002–08, including two NCAA Tournament berths and three NIT bids. He later guided Ohio University to a 49–22 record in two seasons, winning a regular-season MAC title and earning NABC District Coach of the Year honors. At Boston College, he oversaw the program’s most successful season in nearly a decade, highlighted by a win over No. 1 Duke and a postseason return in 2017–18.He also served as head coach at TCU and held assistant roles at Kent State, Pittsburgh, Miami (Ohio), Western Kentucky, and St. Francis (Pa.). Most recently, Christian was part of Kent State’s staff during back-to-back MAC Championship game appearances and a 2023 NCAA Tournament berth.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, ShootXP founder and skill acquisition expert Mark Upton joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on better coaching and skill development.Mark Upton is a globally respected coaching and skill acquisition expert with over two decades of experience shaping youth sport and learning design. His career began in Australia, sparked by a childhood passion for basketball and a deep curiosity about how people learn. That early interest evolved into a professional journey spanning sport science, coaching, performance analysis, and applied research.Throughout the 2000s, Mark worked with professional teams, national sporting organizations, and institutes of sport, helping coaches build game-like learning environments and understand athlete development through performance systems and skill acquisition science. His early writing and speaking engagements positioned him as a thoughtful contributor to the emerging online dialogue around coaching and learning.In the 2010s, Mark’s influence grew through thought leadership and blogging, where he challenged traditional coaching methods and advocated for nonlinear pedagogy, deliberate play, and practices that foster decision-making and adaptability. His work encouraged coaches to move beyond isolated drills and embrace complexity in training design.By the late 2010s, Mark embraced a neo-generalist philosophy, expanding his focus beyond sport to include systems thinking, organizational development, and human learning. His writing at markupton.life reflects this broader perspective, offering insights that bridge disciplines and help people navigate complexity in learning environments.In the 2020s, Mark founded ShootXP, a basketball development platform that integrates skill acquisition science, technology, and analytics to support youth players, coaches, and families. ShootXP emphasizes long-term growth over short-term success, helping users understand that real development comes through challenge, struggle, and meaningful engagement—not trophies or shortcuts.Today, Mark continues to influence the global coaching community through ShootXP, his writing, and consulting. His work consistently promotes optimal challenge, exposure to higher levels of play, and the value of creativity and adaptability in sport. He remains a leading voice in rethinking how athletes learn and how coaches can design environments that truly foster development.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Utah Jazz assistant coach Mike Williams joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on after action offensive concepts.Mike Williams joined the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach in 2023, serving under head coach Will Hardy. His rise to the NBA coaching ranks followed a standout tenure as head coach of the Capital City Go-Go, the G League affiliate of the Washington Wizards. During the 2022–23 season, Williams led the Go-Go to a franchise-best 25–7 record, establishing the team as one of the top-performing units in the league. His leadership helped the Go-Go finish with one of the most efficient offenses in the G League, despite operating with a roster that lacked consistent perimeter shooting. Williams emphasized pace, spacing, and decision-making, and his teams were known for their ability to execute in late-game situations and adapt to personnel strengths.Williams began his coaching career with the Washington Wizards organization in 2018 as a player development assistant, where he worked closely with NBA players returning from injury and helped guide on-court rehab and skill development. He later served as an assistant coach and director of player development for the Go-Go before being promoted to head coach in 2021. 

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Charlotte Hornets Assistant Coach DJ Bakker joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on offensive concepts vs. switching.DJ Bakker is the Head Coach of the Greensboro Swarm and an Assistant Coach with the Charlotte Hornets, bringing over a decade of NBA coaching experience and a proven track record in player development and team success. In the 2024–25 season, Bakker led the Swarm to their first playoff appearance in franchise history, finishing with a 31–19 record—best in team history and fourth overall in the G League. Under his leadership, the Swarm ranked third in Defensive Rating, top five in Net Rating, and first in both Clutch Net Rating and Offensive Rating. His dual role with the Hornets included overseeing the development of young NBA talent, including 2024 sixth overall draft pick Tidjane Salaun.Before joining the Hornets organization, Bakker served as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023–24 season. He played a key role in shaping the team’s offensive identity to maximize the strengths of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, while also working individually with Khris Middleton and Malik Beasley. That season, the Bucks finished fifth in Offensive Rating and Bakker was part of the coaching staff for both the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and the playoffs. His G League success began with the Motor City Cruise, where he led the team to a 31–15 record in its inaugural season and a playoff berth, while developing five future NBA players.Bakker’s coaching journey includes player development roles with the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Dallas Mavericks, where he worked with emerging stars like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby. He also served as an advance scout for the Orlando Magic and began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. His foundation in skill development was shaped at ATTACK Athletics under Tim Grover, where he trained over 35 NBA players. Known for his adaptability, communication, and tactical clarity, Bakker continues to build competitive, development-focused environments at both the NBA and G League levels.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on his teach and reach philosophy and the six championship factors.In his first year at Green Bay, Wicks was named the 2023-24 Horizon League Coach of the Year. He was also named the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year, which is presented annually to the top rookie, first-year head coach in NCAA Division I college basketball. Last season, Wicks posted an 18-14 record after the program finished at 3-29 prior to his arrival in 2022-23. That 15-game turnaround tied for the ninth-best turnaround in NCAA DI history.Wicks spent three seasons at Wyoming under former head coach Jeff Linder. The Cowboys reached the NCAA Tournament in 2022 finishing the season with a 25-9 overall record. The Pokes received their first at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2002 and marked the first trip to the Big Dance since 2015. The Pokes recorded 24 wins in the regular season for the most since the 1951-52 campaign.Prior to his time in Laramie, Wicks was the head coach at Missouri Western for two seasons. Wicks led the Griffons to 18 wins in 2019-20, as it was the most by the program in 10 years. He spent eleven years as an assistant at four different colleges, including Northern State, Colorado, Northern Illinois, and San Francisco.Wicks also built the Arizona Power Basketball Academy, serving as a skill instructor and director from 2011-15. Prior to launching the APBA, he spent five months training NBA pre-draft prospects at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas. Wicks’ draft class trainees included Kawhi Leonard, Alec Burks and Isaiah Thomas.He began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern State under the legendary Don Meyer.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Chris Oliver shares his latest thoughts with a basketball knowledge brain dump.Chris Oliver is the founder of Basketball Immersion, a leading resource for basketball coaches and players worldwide. Since 2014, Chris has been dedicated to sharing his passion for the game through innovative coaching methods, immersive videos, and insightful podcasts.With a decade of experience in educating coaches, Chris Oliver has established himself as a trusted authority in youth basketball development. As a consultant for the NBA's youth basketball development programs, Chris Oliver works to shape the future of the game. He is also involved with the renowned Sierra Canyon basketball program, further solidifying his commitment to nurturing young talent.Through Basketball Immersion, Chris Oliver provides coaches with the tools and knowledge to enhance their teams' performance. His engaging content, including the popular Basketball Immersion podcast and in-depth video analysis, has resonated with coaches from grassroots to elite levels.Chris's mission is to empower coaches, players, and basketball communities globally, fostering a deeper understanding and love for the game. Join the Basketball Immersion community to tap into Chris's expertise and transform your coaching and playing experience.

In this week's coaching conversation, Gunma Crane head coach Kyle Milling joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on adaptive coaching and strategy.Kyle Milling is a seasoned professional basketball coach with extensive international experience, currently serving as the head coach of the Gunma Crane Thunders in Japan’s B.League. He took over the role in July 2024 after a successful three-year tenure as head coach of the Hiroshima Dragonflies, where he helped elevate the team’s competitive standing.From 2013 to 2015, he served as Assistant Coach at ee-air tool-lawn Hyères-Toulon Var Basket in France’s Pro B division, helping guide the team to the playoffs with the 17th-ranked budget out of 18.Milling was promoted to Head Coach of Hyères-Toulon from 2015 to 2017. Under his leadership, the team won Pro B in 2016 with the lowest budget in the league, earning promotion to Pro A. In their first year at the top level, he managed to keep the team in France’s first division despite again operating with the league’s lowest budget.From 2017 to 2019, Milling led Limoges CSP, one of France’s most prestigious clubs. In his first season, Limoges reached the Pro A semi-finals and placed 4th overall. Concurrently, his teams advanced to the Top 16 of the EuroCup in both 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 campaigns.In 2020, Milling took his coaching expertise to Japan as Head Coach of Yokohama B-Corsairs. There, he guided the club to the most wins in its B.League history. From 2021 to 2024, he led the Hiroshima Dragonflies through a remarkable transformation. Taking over a team that had gone 9–48 in the 2020–21 season, he drove a turnaround that culminated in a B.League Championship in 2023–2024. Under his leadership, Hiroshima posted records of 29–27, 42–22, and 42–26 across three seasons. He was honored as the 2023–2024 B.League Coach of the Year.

In this week's coaching conversation, Georgia Southern head coach Charlie Henry shares insights on data, authentic coaching and his coaching journey.Henry enters his third season as the Bice-Peace Head Men's Basketball Coach at Georgia Southern.The Eagles improved by eight wins during the 2024-25 season, winning their first-round game in the Sun Belt tournament as the nine seed. The squad once again broke the team record with 313 threes and 912 attempts and finished top five in the following statistics in program history: field goal attempts (3rd, 2063), rebounds (4th, 1234) and held opponents to the sixth-lowest three-point percentage against in team history.During his first season at the helm, Henry guided the Eagles to an 8-10 record in Sun Belt play and a quarterfinal appearance in the Sun Belt Tournament for the third consecutive season. Under his tutelage, the Eagles set program records in three-pointers (309) and free-throw percentage (.732), finishing the season 27th in the NCAA in three-pointers per game. Also under his watch, guard Tyren Moore made the All-Sun Belt Second Team and led the Sun Belt in points per game during conference play.Before Georgia Southern, Henry spent four seasons at the University of Alabama and has over 10 years of coaching experience on three major levels of basketball – NBA, G League and Division I power-five schools – including stops at the Chicago Bulls, Windy City Bulls and Iowa State, among others.

In this week's coaching conversation, Ibaraki Robots head coach Chris Holm joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on shifting team culture.Chris Holm is a professional basketball coach with a diverse coaching background spanning collegiate and international levels. He is currently the head coach of the Ibaraki Robots in Japan’s B.League, a position he assumed in June 2024 after serving as the team’s assistant coach for two seasons. His leadership reflects years of tactical growth and adaptability, building on prior success across both coaching and player development roles.Before joining Ibaraki, Holm spent nearly four seasons with the Kyoto Hannaryz from 2020 to 2024 as an assistant coach, helping guide the team through competitive B.League campaigns. He previously served as an assistant coach at The George Washington University from 2015 to 2019, contributing to the team’s development in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Between coaching stints, Holm also worked in the private sector as a Territory Account Executive with Toast, Inc., further broadening his leadership experience.