Slappin' Glass Podcast

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

Dwaine Osborne on Elite Shot Selection, ATO Construction, and Grading the "Tagging Up" System {Youngstown State}

Episode Summary In this episode, Slappin’ Glass sits down with Youngstown State Associate Head Coach Dwaine Osborne, one of the most consistently efficient offensive coaches in college basketball. Osborne — an eight-time Coach of the Year with a track record of leading the nation in effective field-goal percentage and offensive efficiency — opens the doors to his philosophy on building highly disciplined, analytically driven teams. Across a wide-ranging conversation, Coach Osborne unpacks how...

11-21
01:19:41

Justin Bokmeyer on Structures for High Performance Environments, the Value of Pre-Mortems, and Systems Thinking {Brooklyn Nets}

This week on Slappin’ Glass, we sit down with Justin Bokmeyer, Director of Basketball Operations for the Brooklyn Nets, to explore how great teams build sustainable, high-performance environments. With a background spanning West Point, MLS Next, and the NBA Academy, Justin shares powerful lessons on leadership, systems thinking, and developing people-first organizations that thrive under pressure. 🧠 What You’ll Learn People Over Hardware: Why elite performance starts with hiring, aligning, an...

11-07
48:24

Ken Pomeroy and Jordan Sperber on Analytical Tradeoffs, Fouling Up 3?, and the Nuances of Shot Selection Metrics

In this episode, Slappin’ Glass is joined by Ken Pomeroy and Jordan Sperber, creators of the course Basketball Analytics for Coaches. They dive into how data can sharpen decision-making, refine strategy, and help coaches think more clearly about how they play and teach the game. 🧠 What You’ll Learn: 1. Rethinking Pace Why pace isn’t just about speed — it’s about possession quality and efficiency. Learn how teams like UConn and Alabama succeed with drastically different tempos, and ...

10-31
01:03:16

Roy Rana on Program Design, Randomizing BLOB Sets, and the Power of One-on-One Conversations {Jordanian NT}

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Coach Roy Rana — one of the most globally experienced minds in the game — to explore what it truly means to design a program. From his time with Egypt’s National Team and the Kyoto Hannaryz to stints in the NBA, Rana shares how he builds culture through intentional design, clear communication, and relentless attention to detail. We dive into: Turning every meeting into a designed experience that reflects your values.Profiling teams and identifying the ...

10-24
59:04

Matt Wise on Creativity, Defense as Science, and the “Blue Zone” {Samford}

Samford women’s basketball head coach Matt Wise joins Slappin’ Glass to dig into creative problem-solving in coaching, why clarity must precede accountability, and how he recruits around an “IT Factor” of Intelligence + Toughness. Wise shares the frameworks he uses to build confident decision-makers—on the court and between the ears—from ball-screen pedagogy and vocabulary design to mental-state training (green/blue/red) that helps players arrive amped but focused. The conversation hits next-...

10-17
01:08:22

Dr. Sarah Sarkis on Metabolizing Stress, Friction and Flow States, and the Levers of Motivation

This week, we dive deep into the psychology and physiology of high performance with executive coach and psychologist Dr. Sarah Sarkis, whose work spans elite performers in both sport and business. In this highly insightful conversation, Dr. Sarkis breaks down how great coaches metabolize stress, regulate team friction, and build cultures that turn pressure into flow. From “stress audits” to boundary-setting and recovery habits, this conversation unpacks how coaches can create high-trust envir...

10-10
01:13:25

Shaka Smart on Pick-and-Roll Geometry, Appropriate Help, and Consciousness in Coaching {Marquette}

This week on Slappin’ Glass, we sit down with Marquette Men’s Basketball Head Coach Shaka Smart for a wide-ranging conversation on coaching, leadership, and building winning programs. Coach Smart shares his unique framework of awareness, acceptance, and action, detailing how these principles shape both his players’ development and Marquette’s culture. We dive into: Consciousness in Coaching – how young players can build self-awareness, manage fear, and harness ego in healthy ways.Team vs. Pla...

10-03
01:17:08

Bob Richey on Top-Down Alignment, Offensive Innovation, and DHO Angles {Furman}

This week Slappin' Glass welcomes Bob Richey, Head Coach of Furman Men’s Basketball, for a masterclass on sustainable program building, player development, and offensive innovation. Over the past eight seasons, Richey has transformed Furman into one of the most consistently successful programs in college basketball, averaging more than 20 wins per year while competing at the highest levels of the Southern Conference and beyond. In our conversation, Coach Richey shares how his philosophy was s...

09-26
01:15:07

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

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