Beyond the Buckets | Episode #178 | Sara Giles & Ali Cooper Twin sisters Sara Giles and Ali Cooper are making their mark on the game from two unique but deeply connected lanes. Sara is the head coach of the Los Gatos High School girls varsity basketball team, known for building a competitive, character-driven program that empowers young women on and off the court. Ali brings a different whistle to the game — as a respected high school and college basketball official, she brings fairness, ...
Beyond the Buckets Rewind | Episode #177 | Mark Gray - High School & College Basketball Referee Mark Gray is a passionate sports enthusiast deeply involved in the world of basketball officiating. With a wealth of experience as both a high school and college basketball official, Mark has dedicated himself to the fair play and integrity of the game. His commitment to excellence and unwavering professionalism has earned him recognition as a pivotal figure in the officiating community...
Beyond the Buckets Rewind | Episode #176 | Dr. Scott Goldman - Golden State Warriors Team Performance Psychologist Dr. Goldman currently serves multiple professional teams as their Director of Performance Psychology. He delivers collaborative and strategic resources that are proactive across all aspects of the organization and contributes to the entire organization’s performance on and off the field. He provides psychological and human system expertise to the Head Coach, General Manager, an...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #175 | Tom Granado - Former Professional Basketball now Coach Tom Granado is an assistant coach for the varsity boys' basketball team at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, California . He brings a wealth of experience from his playing days and a strong background in basketball to his coaching role. Granado's basketball journey began at Whittier Christian High School, where he was a standout athlete, averaging 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists per gam...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #174 | Beyond the Buckets | Collin Johnson - NFL Veteran Collin Johnson is a wide receiver in the NFL who’s currently with the Chicago Bears. Standing 6’6”, he’s one of the tallest receivers in the league—and he knows how to use that frame to go up and get it. Collin grew up in San Jose, California, played his high school ball at Valley Christian, and went on to star at the University of Texas, where he became a go-to target and fan favorite for the Longhorns. ...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #173 | Beyond the Buckets | Chris Teevan - Modesto Christian Head Coach Chris Teevan is a distinguished figure in California high school basketball coaching. He began his coaching career at Weston Ranch High School, where he served as the head coach for several seasons. Under his leadership, the team achieved significant success, including a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship in 2016 and a Northern California Division II title in 2020. Afte...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #172 | Beyond the Buckets | Josh Lagod - Willow Glen High School Varsity Coach Josh Lagod was recently hired as the head girls basketball coach at Willow Glen High School, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for the game. Prior to joining Willow Glen, he was the longtime head coach at Branham High School, where he built a strong and competitive program. With over 15 years as an educator and coach, Lagod has dedicated his career to developing student-athl...
Phillip Thomas Jr. is a dedicated basketball coach and former player who has built a strong reputation for his leadership, player development, and passion for the game. Now serving as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Butte College, Phillip brings a wealth of experience from coaching at multiple levels, helping athletes maximize their potential both on and off the court. Before taking the helm at Butte College, Phillip honed his coaching skills at Valley Christian High School, Oak Grove ...
After a hiatus, Beyond the Buckets is back! In this special return episode, host Chris McSwain dives into what’s been happening behind the scenes, the lessons learned during the break, and what’s in store for the future of the podcast. From coaching insights to leadership development and everything in between, we’re bringing fresh perspectives to help you grow on and off the court. Tune in as we reconnect, refocus, and get back to the essence of Beyond the Buckets. Let’s get to work! 🎙️ Follo...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #169 | Beyond the Buckets | Sami Pompei - Saint Francis High School Sami Pompei is the head girls' basketball coach at Saint Francis High School, where she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for developing young athletes. Before taking the helm at Saint Francis, Sami led the girls' basketball program at Los Gatos High School, where she made a significant impact by fostering player growth and team success. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes skill develop...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #168 | Chris Jackson - Boys Varsity Head Coach Pinewood High School Chris Jackson has recently been appointed as the head basketball coach at Pinewood High School. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game, having previously served as a long-time assistant coach at Archbishop Mitty High School under the esteemed Tim Kennedy. During his tenure at Mitty, Chris was integral in developing the program and mentoring young athlet...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #167 | Jason Harrison - Head Coach Football Coach Gunderson High School Jason Harrison is the head football coach at Gunderson High School, where he leads with a passion that stems from his own experiences as a player. A Gunderson alum, Jason's journey began on the same field where he now coaches, demonstrating his deep connection and commitment to the school. He went on to play at UCLA, where his promising football career was challenged by significant injur...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #166 | Craig Ellegood - Head Coach Cupertino High School Craig Ellegood is the long-time head basketball coach at Cupertino High School, where he has built a respected and successful program over the years. Known for his passion for the game and his dedication to developing young athletes both on and off the court, Coach Ellegood has been a fixture in the local basketball community. His coaching philosophy emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and character, he...
Craig Ashmore is the Head Coach at Newark Memorial High School. Craig has amassed over 600 career wins, 15 league titles, 4 section titles, 2 NorCal Championships and 1 NorCal Runner Up in his 30 year coaching career. Craig is a dedicated father, husband, teacher and coach that has dedicated his life to serving others. He attacks every day with a high level of enthusiasm to get better each and every day. You will definitely get why he has been so successful on and off ...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #164 | Gus Gauntlett - Head Coach KIIP Esperanza High School Gus Gauntlett is a dedicated and dynamic figure in the world of sports and education. As the head varsity boys coach, Athletic Director, and PE teacher at KIPP Esperanza High School in East Palo Alto, CA, Gus plays a pivotal role in shaping the athletic and personal development of his students. His commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for young athletes is evident in his coaching ...
Pete Simos is the former Head Boys Basketball Coach at Piedmont Hills and Sequoia High School. Coach Simos has a track record for instilling toughness, physicality and a winning culture. In his 11 years at Piedmont Hills his teams won seven league championships and runner up the other four years in the tough BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division. Simos was relentless in his preparation for practices and games. He has a wealth of knowledge and shares much of what made him successf...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #162 | Jason Hardee - College of San Mateo Jason Hardee is the defensive line coach at the College of San Mateo, where he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. As a former Division I football player at West Virginia University, Jason's background in high-level collegiate athletics informs his coaching approach and technique. In addition to his football expertise, Jason has also coached college basketball, demonstrating his versatility ...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #161 | Alec Vucinich - Valley Christian Assistant Coach & The Guru of Film Alec Vucinich is a well-respected figure in the basketball coaching community, currently serving as the assistant boys' basketball coach at Valley Christian High School. Known for his expertise in video analysis and breakdown, Vucinich has made significant contributions to the development of young athletes and the strategic aspects of basketball coaching. Vucinich played collegi...
Beyond the Buckets | Episode #160 | Asha Thomas - Sacramento State Women's Assistant Coach Asha Thomas, a standout former player from the University of California, Berkeley, has recently joined the Sacramento State women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach. Thomas had a remarkable collegiate career at Cal, where she set the school record for three-pointers made with 233, ranked fourth in career assists with 485, and finished 15th on the all-time scoring list with 1,001 p...
Julia Allender aka Coach “Julz” was a successful women's basketball college coach for 13 years. In her tenure as a head coach, she created a culture of success both on and off the court. In just a short time she took two collegiate programs and turned them into high-powered programs where they were constantly in the discussion as one of the top women's basketball programs across the state of California. Julz had a winning percentage of over 70%, won 3 conference championships, 3 coach ...