The Rising Coaches Podcast

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Ambrose, Director of Player Development at Purdue University Fort Wayne. After finishing his playing career at Calvin University, Matt worked his way into the coaching profession and has continued to grow within the Purdue Fort Wayne program. His path reflects the importance of bringing value, building relationships, and finding ways to impact players every day. In this episode we discuss what he did to break into the industry as a young coach after his playing career, how he looked to add value as a new coach ea...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Kate Popovec-Goss, Head Women’s Coach at Boston College. Coach Popovec-Goss has built her career through assistant roles at La Salle, Northwestern, and Colgate before stepping into head coaching positions at Bradley and now Boston College. Her path reflects steady growth through multiple roles within a program and a strong understanding of how to build and lead a team. In this episode we discuss how she grew in the industry from between roles without prior experience and attacked each opportunity, what people often underestimate about rebuilding a prog...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Peterson, Head Coach of the Perry Lakes Hawks in Australia. Peterson has built his career across the international and professional levels with assistant roles at the Perth Wildcats, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Otago Nuggets before stepping into his current head coaching position. His background gives him a strong perspective on player development and team building across different levels of the game. In this episode we discuss how young coaches can earn more responsibility early in their careers, a deeper look into player development on the international le...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Andrew Cobian, former NBA G League coach and Division I assistant. Cobian has built his career through stops at NYIT, Pace, Hofstra, the Long Island Nets, and Loyola Chicago, gaining experience across both the college and professional levels. His path reflects steady growth and the ability to adapt in different environments. In this episode we discuss his unique journey to landing a role with the Long Island Nets, what working in the NBA taught him about what truly drives player improvement compared to the college game, and ef...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Zisis Sarikopoulos, founder of Adapted Services and a former high-level college and professional player. Zisis played at UAB and Ohio State before continuing his career professionally in Greece, Belarus, and Qatar, gaining experience with different systems and coaching styles around the world. Now, through Adapted Services, he works closely with players as they navigate important decisions in their careers. In this episode we discuss what coaches should understand when recruiting international players, the common traits he’s seen from the best coaches he has played for, and the...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Barlow, Division I assistant coach and former G League head coach. Barlow’s journey started as a player at Butler before moving into the NBA with the Boston Celtics, where he worked his way up from the video room to the bench and eventually became the head coach of the Maine Celtics. He later returned to the college level at Butler, continuing to grow his coaching career. In this episode we discuss his path through the NBA and G League, including what he learned while rising thro...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by John Beilein, Hall of Fame coach and one of the most respected minds in basketball. Coach Beilein’s career has spanned every level of the game, with head coaching stops at Newfane High School, Erie Community College, Nazareth, Le Moyne, Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia, Michigan, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with time as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. Known for his offensive innovation, player development, and consistency in building winning programs, he has left a lasting impact on the game. In this episode we discuss the mist...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Devlin, a 19-year veteran assistant coach most recently at the University of San Diego. Coach Devlin has built his career through stops at Montrose Christian, the College of Southern Idaho, Penn State, Siena, George Washington, and San Diego, along with a short stint as an interim head coach early in his career. His experience across multiple levels has given him a strong perspective on growth and longevity in the profession. In this episode we discuss the habits and skills he developed that helped him grow in th...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ken Pomeroy, Founder and Owner of KenPom and one of the most influential voices in college basketball analytics. Ken has helped reshape how coaches, media, and fans understand the game through advanced metrics and data-driven insights. His work has become a staple across the sport, providing a deeper look into team performance beyond traditional stats. In this episode we discuss the top three most valuable stats for coaches to focus on, how to effectively use plus-minus within your program, and which analytics he has noticed that consistently sh...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ernie Contreras, Performance Coach and Director of Basketball at the University of San Diego. Coach Contreras has built a strong career in strength and conditioning with stops at Santa Clara, Holy Names, Texas Tech, and experience at the G League and NBA levels before arriving at USD. His background gives him a unique perspective on developing athletes across different levels and environments. In this episode we discuss how to build a strength program when rosters are constantly changing with different body types and backgrounds, advice for coaches wo...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jamere Dismukes, Assistant Coach at Long Island University. Coach Dismukes played at Chicago State before building a strong coaching résumé with assistant roles at Rich East, Black Hawk College, Indian Hills, Victory Rock Prep, and now LIU, along with head coaching stops at Rich East, Hyde Park Academy, and Homewood-Flossmoor where he built a state championship program. His experience across high school, JUCO, and Division I levels gives him a unique perspective on player development and leadership. In this episode we discuss the daily non-negotiables that help...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Howard Fisher, longtime head coach at the College of the Canyons. Coach Fisher has built his career across multiple levels with assistant coaching stops at Whittier College and Los Angeles City College before leading programs with Maccabi USA and at College of the Canyons. Over the years, he’s developed a strong reputation for building competitive teams and helping players move on to the next level. In this episode we discuss how his experience coaching with Maccabi USA has shaped his approach as a head coach, one thin...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Riley Conroy, Assistant Coach at the University of South Alabama. Riley’s path in basketball started as a player at Tulane before moving into coaching with stops at Sunrise Christian Academy, Southeastern Louisiana, and now South Alabama. Along the way, he’s built a reputation as a strong recruiter and someone who understands how to add value within a staff. In this episode we discuss the biggest mistake young coaches make when trying to stand out on their staffs, what he would prioritize if he were to step i...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike MacDonald, Head Coach at Daemen University. Coach MacDonald has built his career with stops at Canisius and Daemen as an assistant before moving into head coaching roles at Canisius, Medaille, and now Daemen, where he continues to build a strong program. His experience across multiple roles has shaped his approach to leadership, development, and team success. In this episode we discuss how to effectively network on your own campus when you’re new to a program, how coaches like John Beilein and other head coaches he has...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by LaShonda Cousin, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Coach Cousin began her career in AAU basketball before moving into the college ranks with stops at Jackson State and Charlotte, working her way up through multiple roles on staff. Along the way, she’s earned recognition for her impact as an assistant and her ability to recruit and develop players. In this episode we discuss her transition from GA to assistant and what helped her earn high-level recognition, ways coaching staffs can...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we welcome back a familiar name, Alan Major, current assistant coach at the University of San Diego. After diving into his background and coaching journey in a previous episode, this conversation takes a different angle, focusing on the often-overlooked time between jobs. Alan opens up about how he approached that downtime, the intentional steps he took to continue growing as a coach, and the mindset required to stay ready when opportunities arise. We also discuss how his new role at USD came together and what the transition back onto a staff...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Joe Meehan, former Division I assistant coach and founder of Optima Vita Consulting, a new partner with Rising Coaches. Joe’s basketball journey takes him from playing division 3 to a career in Switzerland, while also holding various positions at his coaching stops at Randolph-Macon and Bucknell. Today, through Optima Vita Consulting, he works with coaches and professionals on building better habits and healthier lifestyles that support long-term performance. In this episode we discuss what he focused on early in his career at Randolph-Macon to become valuable to the...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mark Gottfried, longtime Division I head coach and founder of the leadership platform Get It Done. Coach Gottfried has spent decades in the game with coaching stops as an assistant at UCLA and with the Dallas Mavericks while holding head coaching stops at Murray State, Alabama, NC State, and Cal State Northridge. Throughout his career he has built winning programs and developed a reputation as a strong leader and program builder. In this episode we discuss the early experiences and mentors that helped shape his leadership style, th...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Larry Cordaro, Assistant Coach at Troy University. Coach Cordaro has built a long career in college basketball with stops at LSU, UT Arlington, Southeastern Louisiana, and Troy, along with a nine-year run as the head coach at LSU Alexandria where he helped build a strong and consistent program. His experience across multiple levels of the game gives him a unique perspective on program building and leadership. In this episode we discuss how he established culture when there wasn’t an existing tradition and how he maintained that succ...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Brett Ledbetter, founder of What Drives Winning and one of the leading voices on leadership, culture, and team performance. Through his work with coaches, teams, and organizations around the world, Brett has helped leaders better understand what truly drives winning environments. His approach focuses on building strong cultures, developing meaningful habits, and aligning teams around a clear purpose. In this episode we discuss how coaches can create a winning team and culture within their program, the habits that championship teams and coaches consistently demonstrate, and some key th...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Kyle Church, Assistant Coach and General Manager at the University of Michigan. Coach Church has built his career with stops at Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech, Chipola College, Florida, Florida Atlantic, and now Michigan. His great experiences have given him a unique perspective on both the coaching and roster-building sides of today’s game. In this episode we discuss how he balances the responsibilities of being both an assistant coach and a GM, how programs evaluate how much to invest in one player versus another based on ability, prod...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Capko, Associate Head Coach at SMU. Coach Capko has built his career through a number of stops across college basketball, including roles at Marshall, Stetson, Georgia Southern, USC, FIU, and a return to USC before eventually following the staff to SMU. Along the way he’s developed a reputation as a strong recruiter, player developer, and someone who has helped programs build and sustain success. In this episode we discuss how to gain trust from your head coach and fellow assistants when you’re new to a prog...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike Kosich, Assistant Coach and Chief of Staff at UC Davis. Coach Kosich has built his career through a variety of roles across the college basketball landscape, with coaching stops at La Salle, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, South Alabama, San Diego State, and now UC Davis. Throughout that journey he’s gained experience in everything from operations and program management to on-court coaching and staff leadership. In this episode we discuss how coaching has changed his perspective from the beginning of his career to now, ways y...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Debbie Antonelli, a longtime sports analyst with decades of experience around elite programs and championship-level coaches. A former player at NC State, Debbie moved into coaching and administrative roles with stops at Elon, Ohio University, Kentucky, and Ohio State before building an outstanding career in broadcasting. She brings amazing insight into what truly separates the best in the business. In this episode we discuss what differentiates elite coaches from good ones after years of observing them up close, how meaningful the beginning of a shootaround or practice re...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Butler, former High Major head coach and current assistant at the University of Louisville. Coach Butler is a former standout player at Florida and has built an accomplished coaching career with stops at Florida, Austin Peay, Charlotte, and Louisville, along with head coaching tenures at Charlotte, Florida, and Clemson. She’s led major program turnarounds, including taking over a last-place team and guiding it to a 20-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance. In this episode we discuss how she rebuilt a struggling program into a winner, how...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Santoro, Director of Video and Strategy at the University of Kentucky. Coach Santoro has built his career through a variety of roles at Pittsburgh, Gwynedd Mercy, BYU, and now Kentucky, gaining experience in film, scouting, and game preparation along the way. His path reflects steady growth behind the scenes in high-level programs. In this episode we discuss what’s first on his checklist when breaking down a new opponent, how he tailors film differently for assistants versus players, and advice he would give to managers—or those...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we welcome back a familiar name, Alan Major, current assistant coach at the University of San Diego. After diving into his background and coaching journey in a previous episode, this conversation takes a different angle, focusing on the often-overlooked time between jobs. Alan opens up about how he approached that downtime, the intentional steps he took to continue growing as a coach, and the mindset required to stay ready when opportunities arise. We also discuss how his new role at USD came together and what the transition back onto a staff...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Richardson, the Head Coach at Wheeling University. Chris has worked his way through the profession with stops including an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies to coaching roles at Arkansas Tech, the University of Charleston, Fairmont State, Delta State, and the University of Central Missouri before taking over at Wheeling. In this episode we discuss how young coaches can find their voice and purpose while working on experienced staffs, what the very first responsibilities were once he accepted the head coaching role at Wheeling, and some key ha...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Mike Rejniak, the GM and Head Coach of the “WE ARE D3” Team in the TBT. Mike’s journey through the Collegiate ranks includes various roles at Springfield College, College of New Jersey, Plymouth State, Amherst College, and Vassar College. He later stepped into head coaching at SUNY New Paltz and now leads WE ARE D3, showcasing Division III talent on the larger stage. In this episode we discuss what he implemented to help his teams’ academic success spike, how building and preparing a TBT roster of D3 All-Ame...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Tristan Spurlock, assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Tristan began his basketball journey as a player at Virginia before finishing his career at UCF, experiences that still influence his approach to the game. He transitioned into coaching with stops at the University of Iowa and now Penn, learning within strong and established programs. In this episode we discuss the coaching styles that resonated most with him as a player, how young assistants can find their voice on a veteran staff, and the traits that make Coach Fr...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jesse Bopp, the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Florida International University. Coach Bopp has built a wide-ranging career holding various assistant roles at Florida, VCU, Chattanooga, New Mexico State, IMG Academy and time as a head coach at Vermont Academy. Now being at FIU, these experiences have given him a unique perspective across multiple levels of the game. In this episode we discuss what advice he would give young coaches trying to break into recruiting roles, how he evaluates upside versus immediate impact when recruiting an...

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re welcoming back Glenn Farello, the Head Coach at Paul VI High School. We had such a great conversation the first time around that we had to split it into two parts. In Part Two, we continue diving into Coach Farello’s experiences, insights, and lessons from building one of the most consistent programs in the country.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Glenn Farello, the Head Coach at Paul VI High School and one of the most respected high school coaches in the country. Coach Farello spent seven seasons as an assistant at Eleanor Roosevelt High School before becoming a head coach and later leading the program at Paul VI. He’s been named Coach of the Year 17 times, ranked in the national top 25 for 18 seasons, and has helped develop over 90 college players and five NBA players. In this episode we discuss how to help quieter players communicate better on t...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Alexis Gholston, athletic trainer at the University of San Diego. Alexis has worked across both the collegiate and professional levels, with previous stops at Sacramento State, Kansas, Eastern Washington, Missouri, and the Indiana Pacers. In her current role at USD, she plays a key part in helping athletes stay healthy, available, and performing at a high level throughout the season. In this episode we discuss common misconceptions coaches have about load management, how sleep, nutrition, and stress show up physically in players, and how she would structure pr...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Colton Houston, Co-Founder of HD Intelligence. Colton spent nine years on staff at Alabama in various roles, gaining valuable experience inside a high-level program before transitioning into the analytics space. Today, he works with teams through HD Intelligence to help coaches better understand the game using data. In this episode we discuss which analytics Colton believes matter most for teams, common mistakes programs make when trying to use data, and how analytics can help coaches design more efficient practices. It’s a practical conversation with real takeaways for...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Jack Schoemann, Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Rice University. Jack worked his way up through roles at Cal State Bakersfield, SMU, and Rice, gaining valuable experience behind the scenes at each stop. Now at Rice, he plays an important role supporting the staff and helping keep the program running day to day. In this episode we discuss the responsibilities he handled as a GA, what the Special Assistant to the Head Coach role really looks like on a daily basis, and what young coaches should be...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Sid Crist, the Director of Basketball Operations at Winthrop University. Sid has worked his way up through the college basketball ranks with stops at Fairmont State, the University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan, the University of Pikeville, and now Winthrop. Along the way, he’s gained experience in multiple assistant and operations roles, learning what it takes to add value wherever you are. In this episode we discuss how young assistants can create more opportunities early in their careers, how building and maintaining a strong network helps you...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Luke Toth, Director of Luke Toth Basketball. Luke is the former Head of the Cleveland Cavaliers Academy program and the founder of LTB, which he built from the ground up into a youth and AAU program serving over 600 athletes. His work has focused on player development, teaching the game the right way, and building trust with families. In this episode we discuss how he grew a basketball program from zero to hundreds of athletes, the drills and games he’s found most engaging for kids during summer camp...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Blake Cochran, head coach at Clarendon College. Coach Cochran worked his way up through assistant roles at McMurry University, Southwestern Assemblies of God, Fort Scott Community College, and Northwestern State before earning head coaching opportunities at Fort Scott and now Clarendon. His path reflects steady growth, added responsibility, and preparation at every stop. In this episode we discuss how he earned more responsibility as a young assistant, what he did to prepare for his first head coaching role, and a defensive takeaway built around three different levels of...

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Patrick Gallagher, the Video Coordinator at the University of San Diego. Patrick’s journey is a great example of steady growth within one program, working his way up from student manager to staff assistant, graduate assistant, and now into his current role as the VC. He’s gained a strong understanding of the day-to-day details that keep a Division I program running smoothly. In this episode we discuss how he initially landed the student manager role at San Diego and advice for breaking in at your own school...