Slappin' Glass Podcast

Exploring basketball's best ideas, strategies, and coaches from around the world.

Casey Alexander on Assisted Baskets, Quality Shot Standards, and Direct Communication {Belmont}

In this episode, Belmont Head Coach Casey Alexander sits down with Slappin' Glass and breaks down his offensive philosophy, defensive evolution, and coaching journey. From assisted-basket strategies to player empowerment, Coach Alexander shares how three decades of culture and continuity shape Belmont basketball. Offensive Philosophy & Efficiency Assisted Baskets: Nearly top-10% nationally, built on recruiting unselfish, high-IQ players who prioritize team offense over isolation.Ball Move...

09-19
01:00:05

Grant McCasland on "People Over Everything", Elite Defenders, and Early-Game Timeouts {Texas Tech}

In this classic replay, Slappin' Glass sits down with Grant McCasland, head coach of Texas Tech, to dive into the heart of what makes programs win. From his early days as a 26-year-old junior college coach to leading Texas Tech in the Big 12, McCasland shares invaluable lessons on culture, belief, and building teams that compete at the highest level. We explore: The foundations of winning cultures and why “people over everything” drives his programs.The pillars of Believe, Give, and Compete—a...

09-12
01:03:15

Coby Karl on Coaching "The Whole", Early Offense Cutting Actions, and Gaining Depth as a Leader {NBA/G-League}

This week on Slappin’ Glass, we sit down with NBA and G-League coach Coby Karl for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, teaching, and connecting the many layers of a basketball program. Coach Karl shares his philosophy of “coaching the whole”—how schemes, relationships, and organizational dynamics all intertwine to shape performance. We dive into: Building Flow and Simplicity: Why starting with fundamentals like spacing and pattern recognition is the foundation for freedo...

09-05
55:50

Dan Earl on Randomizing Offense, Shot Selection and Assist Analytics, and Late-Game Conundrums {Chattanooga}

This week on the Slappin’ Glass Podcast, we sit down with Chattanooga Mocs Head Coach, Dan Earl, for a masterclass in offensive creativity, teaching, and decision-making. Coach Earl dives deep into the evolution of his Princeton-influenced offense, where the five-man acts as the hub—a quarterback-like figure who randomizes actions, flows into concepts, and keeps the ball moving with spacing, cutting, and decision-making at the center of everything. He details how to teach bigs to pass, pivot,...

08-29
01:13:14

Scott Lagas on "Wolf Defense"; Peer-to-Peer Recognition; and the Value of High-Split Action {Mercy University}

On this week’s episode of Slappin’ Glass, we’re joined by Scott Lagas, Head Coach of Mercy University Women’s Basketball. Coach Lagas has transformed Mercy into a powerhouse program, and he sits down with us to dive into the philosophies and habits driving their success. We explore: No-Middle Defensive Principles – how Mercy blends pack line concepts with directional defense, “Wolf Defense,” and the all-five-guard-the-ball mentality.Ball-Screen Coverages & Decision Making – why they empha...

08-22
58:55

Bryan Hodgson on Eliminating Human Error in Coaching, Player Leverage, and Transition Three's {South Florida}

University of South Florida Head Coach Bryan Hodgson joins Slappin' Glass to reveal how he eliminates “human error” in coaching using analytics, player leverage metrics, and detailed shot-type reports. Learn how he maximizes substitutions, builds player trust with fact-based feedback, and runs competitive practices that translate to game-day success. In our "Start, Sub, or Sit" segment, we break down late-clock baseline out-of-bounds actions, the transition threes that demand the most attenti...

08-15
01:04:53

Luca Banchi on Hunting Offensive Solutions, Defending "Spain PNR's", and Underrating Coaching Traits {Anadolu Efes & Latvia NT}

Episode Summary: This week on the Slappin' Glass Podcast, we're honored to sit down with renowned Anadolu Efes and Latvia National Team Head Coach, Luca Banchi, for a masterclass in offensive flow, decision-making, and building modern basketball habits. Coach Banchi shares his philosophy on: Teaching continuity and “broken set” offense in the modern game.Layering triggers, spacing rules, and “side-to-side” flow.Installing national team identity in short prep windows.Defining “new fundamental...

08-08
01:11:03

Jeff Van Gundy Returns! On Defending Great Players, Efficient Scoring Opportunities, and Giving Impactful Feedback {LA Clippers}

Episode Summary: In this high-level, candid, and engaging return to the show, Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy joins Slappin' Glass for his third appearance. Van Gundy dives deep into what it takes to defend the NBA's best players—emphasizing the fundamentals of transition defense, rebounding, and avoiding reckless fouling. The conversation explores stunt vs. full help principles, creating physical defenses through communication, and the challenge of preparing against high...

08-01
01:15:44

Zach Chu on Applying a Data Driven Approach to Strategy, Teaching Stampede Action, and Defending at the Rim {Radford}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with newly hired Head Coach of Radford MBB, Zach Chu! Before becoming Radford's HC, Coach Chu spent nine years in the NBA and in this episode dives deep into into why a data driven approach is necessary in modern offensive and defensive strategy, along with recruiting, culture building, and player development; and discusses stampede action and why the best defenses always defend at the rim during the entertaining "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and ch...

07-25
01:09:25

Brook Cupps on The Power of Story in Culture Building, Offensive Role Clarification, and Becoming Anti-Fragile {Centerville HS}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with Coach, Author, and Leadership Development Consultant from Centerville HS in Ohio, Brook Cupps. In this terrific conversation the trio dive into Coach Cupps' thoughts on the power of story in building culture, accountability partners, and discusses role clarification in motion offense, and teaching players to be anti-fragile during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over ...

07-18
01:06:31

John Patrick on How Pace Connects to Everything, Defending Unique PNR Actions, and the Core Elements of Winning {International Pro Coach}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with 3x German Bundesliga Coach of the Year, who has also coached extensively in Japan, John Patrick. In this highly insightful conversation the trio dive into Coach Patrick's thoughts on pace and building an offense from someone who is an legendary defensive coach, and discuss defending tough PNR actions along with defensive hand and footwork during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High Sc...

07-11
01:07:40

Johnny Tauer on Intrinsic Motivation, Teaching Split Cuts, and Over Eager Parents {St. Thomas}

This week, we're revisiting a fascinating conversation on Slappin' Glass with the Head Coach of St. Thomas, Johnny Tauer! Originally recorded during the Tommies' transition from D3 to D1, Coach Tauer shares timeless insights on what truly wins at both levels. We also dive into discussions on intrinsic motivation, handling turnovers, managing over-eager parents, and teaching split cuts during the always entertaining "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from th...

07-04
01:10:57

Francesco Tabellini on Playing Relentless, Tagging Up Killers, and Attacking the Hedge {Nymburk/Paris}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the former Head Coach of Nymburk, and recently hired Head Coach of Paris Basketball, Francesco Tabellini. Coach Tabellini recently led Nymburk to the Czech NBL Championship and is here today to discuss playing relentless, and and attacking through pace, stampedes, and cutting, and the trio discusses "Tagging Up Killers", and beating the Hedge during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to Hig...

06-27
01:26:32

Tiago Splitter on Creating Early Advantages, Attacking With Stampedes, and Quick Practice Bursts {Portland Trailblazers}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with newly hired Portland Trailblazers Assistant Coach, Tiago Splitter! In this fantastic conversation the trio dive into Coach Splitter's thoughts on creating advantages in the middle third of the floor, attacking via stampedes, and discusses first year head coaching decisions and handling midseason stressors during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countr...

06-20
57:53

Mike MacDonald on Ingredients of Great Teams, Offensive Rebounding, and the Two-Guard Offense {Daemen}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the Head Coach of Daemen University, Mike MacDonald! In this terrific conversation the trio dive into Coach MacDonald's thoughts on the ingredients of great teams, handling success, and discusses offensive rebounding and the two-guard offense during the always entertaining "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage of an SG Plus membership, visit HE...

06-13
01:19:47

Mike DeGeorge on Process Driven Analytics, Training Decision Making, and Program Alignment (Cal Poly SLO)

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the Head Coach of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Mike DeGeorge. Coach DeGeorge has risen from D3, to D2, to D1 Head Coach and joins the show to discuss his thoughts on Process Driven Analytics, early "Hit Aheads", Pace of Play, and discusses training decision making, and program alignment during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage o...

06-06
01:20:45

Kellen Sampson on Unscripted Points, Winning the Margins, and Playing with Two Bigs {Houston}

Slappin' Glass is joined this week by Houston MBB Assistant/Head Coach in Waiting, Kellen Sampson. In this terrific conversation the trio discuss winning the margins, unscripted points, offensive rebounding principles, and explore topics of playing with two bigs, and elite player development sessions during the always entertaining "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage of an SG Plus m...

05-30
01:07:09

Jenny Boucek on Assessing Player Value, PNR Cutting Concepts, and Loyalty in Coaching {Indiana Pacers}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with Indiana Pacers Assistant Coach, Jenny Boucek! In this terrific re-run episode from 2021 the trio dive into PNR cutting concepts, late-game analytics, and discuss assessing player value, defending the Short Roll, and loyalty in coaching during the alway fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!" To join coaches and championship winning staffs from the NBA to High School from over 60 different countries taking advantage of an SG Plus membership, visit HERE!

05-23
44:15

Rhett Soliday on Winning with Small Guards, "Teachable Moments", and Defending the Middle Third {Vanguard}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the HC of D2 Vanguard University, Rhett Soliday! The former NAIA Coach of the Year after winning the 2014 National Championship brings a wealth of knowledge to the show as the trio dive into Coach Soliday's philosophy on winning with smaller guards, defending all 94 feet of the floor, and discusses BLOB tactics along with "teachable moments" as a coach during the always entertaining "Start, Sub, or Sit?! segment. To join coaches and champion...

05-16
01:17:34

Scott Wylie on the Cognitive Underpinnings of Decision-Making, the Mental Makeup of Elite PNR Players, and How "Impulse Control" Affects Shot Selection {S2 Cognition}

Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the Co-Founder and CEO of S2 Cognition, Scott Wylie! S2 is a leader in the field of measuring the cognitive underpinnings of athletes and high performers, and in this highly insightful conversation the trio dive into how S2 measures decision making capabilities, as well as how coaches can use that knowledge, and discuss the mental makeup of great PNR players, and how Impulse Control affects a player's shot selection during the always fun "Start, Sub, or...

05-09
01:11:08

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