Published by Chris Oliver
This is the podcast where you will hear real basketball coaching conversations. Whether you are a new or experienced coach at any level of basketball these coaching conversations will give you practical ideas to stimulate your coaching and make what you do even better.
Listen on Apple Podcasts52 min
Utah State head coach Wes Brooks shares insights on his challenges and solutions. Learn more about his journey from assistant coach to head coach, sharing his approach to rebuilding the Utah State program after two challenging seasons. He explained his offensive philosophy centered on "fist and flash" gameplay, spacing concepts (single, double, triple), and teaching players to read defenses rather than running specific plays. Wes detailed how he's implemented this system over four weeks of summer practice, emphasizing the importance of spacing, player development, and mental performance coaching. He discussed the psychology of coaching through challenges, the importance of resources and priorities, and his vision for building a championship program in the new Pac-12 conference. Brooks brings 20 years of collegiate experience with him to Utah State, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Ohio State. He previously worked as an assistant at Michigan, Utah, North Texas, Texas Southern and Robert Morris, and as a graduate assistant and director of basketball operations at West Virginia. In all, he has helped 11 teams to postseason berths with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including in each of the past six years.
1 hr 11 min
Charles Hantoumakos, the Canadian Under-18 Men's National Team Head Coach, breaks down their underdog victory against the United States at the 2026 FIBA Under-18 America Cup. Charles shared detailed tactical breakdowns of offensive concepts including flow mechanisms, rifle actions, and turnout sets that helped Canada secure their first-ever title in the event Hantoumakos shared insights on the importance of keeping plays simple while allowing talented players to make reads, the critical role of spacing and mismatch exploitation, and the need for thorough scouting and personnel analysis. Charles emphasized the importance of celebrating mistakes as growth opportunities and developing players through appropriate skill development rather than focusing solely on winning at younger ages. The conversation also covered Charles's coaching philosophy, player development approaches, and his return to Orangeville Prep as head coach, along with insights into Canadian basketball development and coaching certification programs.
57 min
Loyola Marymount Women's Basketball Head Coach Aarika Hughes shares the coaching philosophy and leadership principles that led LMU to its first outright West Coast Conference Regular Season Championship since 2004. Coach Hughes breaks down the habits, systems, and culture shifts that transformed the program, including simplifying scouting reports, implementing a "Joy Drill," developing players through constraints-based coaching, and creating a solution-focused environment where players can thrive. She emphasized the importance of "stick-with-it-ness" and patient administration support throughout her five-year journey building the program. Hughes explained her coaching philosophy of keeping things simple and consistent, including simplified scouting reports, focused practice plans, and her solution-oriented approach to coaching, particularly in handling mistakes and developing players' decision-making skills. The conversation covered Hughes's defensive strategy changes, including positionless rotation and high-pressure defense, as well as her approach to player development through customized training and constraints-based coaching. She guided LMU to the West Coast Conference regular season championship—the program’s first outright title since 2003-04—with a 15-3 conference record, the best in school history. The team recorded 21 overall wins, tying for the second-most in a single season, and completed a nine-game winning streak, the longest since 2003-04. For her leadership, Hughes was named WCC Coach of the Year, only the second coach in program history to earn the honor.
43 min
William and Mary head coach Brian Earl discussed his coaching philosophy and approach, sharing his background playing and coaching at Princeton under coaches Pete Carril and Bill Carmody, explaining how he evolved from the traditional Princeton offense to a faster, more up-tempo style that still incorporates backdoor cuts and passing. Earl discussed his offensive principles of getting good shots, emphasizing passing and team play, and his defensive approach of applying pressure through pressing and intensity after both makes and misses. The conversation covered his methods for developing players, particularly focusing on decision-making through experiential learning rather than just correcting in the moment, and his approach to roster turnover with 13 new players coming in. Coach Earl also explained his philosophy on starting lineups, believing that team success comes from contributions from all players rather than specific positions, and discussed his approach to developing shooters by helping them find their natural shooting form through feel-based learning rather than technical corrections.
52 min
University of Michigan women's basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico, discussed her philosophy of building "the hardest working team in America" through practice analytics that track intangible aspects like communication, diving for balls, and taking charges, while maintaining a balance between hard work and fun. She explained her defensive principles focusing on physicality, pressure, and keeping opponents out of the paint, using drills like progressive denial to develop players' ability to handle one-on-one situations without fouling. The conversation covered her adaptive offensive approach that adjusts to the strengths of her team, including strategies for handling elite players like Syla Swords who face significant defensive attention. Barnes Arico also discussed her emphasis on developing strong, confident women through practices that build voice and communication skills, and her off-season focus on improving specific areas like ball screen defense and transition offense through film study and staff collaboration.
58 min
Cal State East Bay head basketball coach Bryan Rooney discussing his team's historic 33-1 season and their connecting style of play. Rooney explained how his team implemented the "tagging up" system where all five players engage in defensive rebounding immediately after shots go up, creating pressure defense and transition opportunities. He detailed how the system connects full-court and half-court defense, emphasizing that defensive engagement starts as soon as possessions are decided rather than waiting for specific situations. Bryan Rooney has won over 300 games and during the 2025-26 at East Bay, Rooney guided the team to a historic 33-1 record, a perfect 22-0 CCAA mark (first undefeated conference season in league history), CCAA and NCAA West Regional championships, and an Elite Eight appearance. For this performance he was named the 2026 Clarence “Big House” Gaines National Coach of the Year, NABC Division II National Coach of the Year, and CCAA Coach of the Year. Rooney discussed the importance of playing "complementary basketball" where offensive and defensive efforts support each other, and shared how they tracked metrics like corner touches and transition grading to monitor player development. He also explained how his coaching staff operated with defined roles, allowing Rooney to focus more on leadership rather than specific tactical decisions. The coach emphasized the program's focus on "transformative" player development and role clarity, noting that players were encouraged to understand their interconnected responsibilities rather than individual statistics.
48 min
Before becoming the head coach of the Portland Fire, Alex Sarama was a Basketball Immersion member learning, questioning, and exploring a games approach to coaching with Basketball Immersion founder Chris Oliver. In this revisited 2018 episode of The Basketball Podcast, Alex asks Chris deep questions about: Constraint-led coaching Ecological dynamics Small-sided games Decision-making in basketball Why “1-on-0” drills often fail to transfer How to create more game-like practices Why “if you don’t have a defender, you don’t have a decision” At the time, Alex Sarama was working with NBA Basketball Operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa while studying progressive player development systems around the world. Years later, many of the concepts explored in this conversation would become foundational to the coaching philosophy Alex now applies as a WNBA head coach. This episode is a testament to the power of mentorship, coaching curiosity, and the Basketball Immersion community led by Chris Oliver.
54 min
Duke Associate Head Coach Chris Carrawell, where he discussed his coaching philosophy, offensive and defensive systems, and player development approaches at Duke University. Carrawell explained how Duke's offense is built around creating spacing and advantages through a 5-out system similar to NBA concepts, with coaches breaking down plays into smaller groups to teach players to read and react in game situations. He detailed how player development has evolved from traditional one-on-one training to more system-specific development focusing on players' roles within Duke's offensive and defensive schemes. Carrawell also shared insights about teaching defensive concepts like switching and steering, using specific player labels (like "Steph," "Westbrook," and "Clay") to help coaches understand different offensive threats. The conversation covered how Duke manages roster turnover with returning players helping new recruits learn the system, and Carrawell's experience preparing for potential head coaching opportunities through interview processes.
43 min
USA Basketball and former NBA head coach Stephen Silas, where he discussed his experiences coaching in short international qualifying windows for FIBA competitions. Silas shared insights about preparing teams with limited time, explaining that USA Basketball teams typically have only six practices before playing two games against other national teams in challenging international venues. Silas detailed his approach to quickly building team culture through group activities, film sessions, and quiz competitions while emphasizing the importance of defense first and adapting to FIBA rules that differ significantly from NBA play. Silas also discussed his role clarity strategies with players, the challenges, and how these international experiences have helped him develop as a coach. Stephen Silas is an accomplished NBA coach with more than two decades of experience across the league, most notably serving as head coach of the Houston Rockets from 2020 to 2023. He has also held coaching roles with the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks. Most recently, Silas has coached with USA Basketball, serving as head coach for the U.S. Men’s AmeriCup Qualifying Team and leading squads in FIBA competition windows beginning in 2024. Under Silas, USA Basketball posted a 4–0 record in the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers, and he later guided Team USA to a bronze medal finish at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup.
51 min
My notebook overflowed after 6 months with coaches at every level—hoops lessons from London, Paris, NBA weekends, youth basketball, messing around with my coaching, and the NCAA trenches. Having been incredibly fortunate to talk hoops with coaches at every level of the game over the last six months, I’ve synthesized a collection of insights I believe can move the needle for your program. Shared ideas on key coaching phrases including "do you change the room when you walk in the room," the "sit and wait" concept, and defensive strategies like "chest and contest" and "beat them with your feet." Emphasized the importance of "conceptual defense" and "structured to unstructured" approaches, along with offensive concepts like "the feeder is the leader" and "we don't slow, we don't stop" when executing plays. Shared specific terminology like "MIG" (Most Important Girl/Guy) and "MIA" (Missing an Action) for defensive assignments and discussed the importance of making practices reflect actual game situations by never starting drills at 0-0 and incorporating scores to create competitive pressure. Covered coaching principles including "when in doubt, make it a game," the "four E's" approach (Environment, Exploration, Explicit Instruction, and Expectations), and the concept of "unexpected praise" to enhance player development and enjoyment.
59 min
Dive into the principles of conceptual defense in basketball with Charles Klask, a highly respected NBA coach and champion who served on the Denver Nuggets’ staff during their historic 2023 NBA Championship run. With decades of experience across the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Orlando Magic, Klask shares how conceptual defense serves as the essential counter to modern offense—moving beyond rigid rules to flexible, principle-based systems that allow players to read and react intelligently in the game’s “gray areas.” The discussion unpacks the core ideas behind self-organization within clear team parameters, such as shrinking the floor without surrendering strong-side corner threes. Charles shares how coaches can create a collaborative, empowering environment by involving players in defining team values, fostering a “safe to fail” culture, and using targeted “sniper coaching.” Listeners will also learn practical tactical tools like “if-then” decision frameworks and the innovative “Medal System” for prioritizing actions and valuing possessions—Gold (no free throws), Silver (no layups), and more. Whether you’re a coach, player, or basketball enthusiast, this episode delivers powerful strategies for building adaptable, high-level defensive systems.
53 min
St. Joseph's head coach Steve Donahue discussing his coaching philosophy and recent success. Donahue shared how he adapted his passing-oriented offense when taking over as head coach at St. Joseph's, modifying his approach to better suit his roster's strengths and the A-10 conference's physicality. He emphasized the importance of teaching players to make good decisions, particularly in ball movement and spacing, while focusing on winning through defensive rebounding and forcing difficult two-point shots. Donahue also discussed his player development approach, including using drills that replicate game situations and implementing a "5Hs" team-building exercise to quickly build relationships with new players. The conversation covered his coaching philosophy of allowing roles to develop organically rather than forcing them, and his approach to teaching players to catch and look rather than immediately dribbling. Donahue has built an accomplished head coaching career across college basketball stops at Cornell, Boston College, Penn, and Saint Joseph’s, earning national and conference recognition at each level. In 2026, he was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year after leading Saint Joseph’s to one of the league’s top seasons, marking his latest honor for program-building success. He is a two-time NABC Regional Coach of the Year (2008, 2010) and recipient of the prestigious Clair Bee Award (2010), presented annually to the NCAA Division I coach who has made the most significant positive contribution to the sport.
51 min
National champion head coach Easton Bazzoli discusses Gannon University's 2025-26 national championship-winning season and their approach to the Crutchfield basketball system. Easton explained how they built the program from a 3-win team to a 34-3 national champion, emphasizing the importance of constant pressure defense, decision-making development through game-like practice situations, and individual player development based on each player's unique strengths. Bazzoli discussed their offensive philosophy of creating constant pressure while maintaining high IQ decision-making, their approach to practice where they play 5-on-5 competition almost daily, and their focus on developing high-character players over pure talent. Easton also shared insights on substitution patterns, player development, and how they've adapted the system to fit their personality and team needs while maintaining the core principles of constant pressure and relentless competition. Easton Bazzoli led Gannon University to the 2026 NCAA Division II national championship, guiding the Golden Knights to a 34–3 record. Gannon also captured the PSAC West Division title and finished 19–1 in conference play. Bazzoli was named PSAC West Coach of the Year, and the national title marked the first men’s basketball championship in program history, establishing Gannon among the elite programs in Division II. Through two seasons as head coach, he has compiled a 61–10 overall record with an 8–1 mark in NCAA Tournament play.
53 min
Greg Tonagel, one of college basketball's most accomplished coaches, discussing his coaching philosophy centered around habits and fearlessness. Be sure to check out his All Access coaching video series available at gregtonagelbasketball.com and immersionvideos.com , offering an inside look into championship-level program building. Greg Tonagel shared how he transformed his approach from focusing on behavior modification to developing habits that drive success, explaining his shift from using a "box" mentality to a "line" approach that emphasizes growth and movement rather than categorizing players as either in or out of expectations. The conversation covered practical examples of habit formation, including defensive techniques like "walling" at the rim, and offensive habits like creating for teammates, while addressing how to measure and reinforce these behaviors through practice and game situations. Tonagel also discussed his approach to in-game coaching, emphasizing the importance of leading through belief in players rather than over-coaching, and shared insights about managing player development while navigating the current challenges in college basketball.
54 min
Arthur Moreira discussed his successful 2025-26 season where his team won 29 games, including the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships, earning an NCAA tournament berth for the first time in a decade. As the first Brazilian head coach in NCAA Division I basketball, Arthur shared his coaching philosophy focusing on relationship-building with players, individualized development through varied coaching approaches, and a simple, adaptable offensive system that emphasizes transition play and player decision-making. Moreira detailed his defensive strategies including peel switching and tagging-up concepts, while emphasizing the importance of practice over play in player development, drawing from his international coaching experience in Brazil. Arthur discussed his team's focus on transition offense, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and player movement. He discussed his offensive system emphasizing the importance of keeping offenses simple while adapting to personnel. Arthur also discussed how his program's strong community support in Moscow, Idaho helped retain players and create a family environment, particularly benefiting international players from Brazil.
48 min
Samford women's basketball head coach Matt Wise reflecting on his first year as head coach and the team's remarkable turnaround season. Wise discussed the challenges of starting with a difficult non-conference schedule that included five Power 5 opponents, leading to an early 1-6 conference start. He explained how the team's confidence and belief improved throughout the season, culminating in winning the Southern Conference Tournament Championship as the sixth seed and earning an NCAA tournament berth. The Bulldogs overcame a double-digit deficit in the championship game to advance to the NCAA First Four, finishing the season with an overall record of 16-19. Wise shared insights about roster retention, strategic adjustments including shifting to a tougher defensive lineup, and the importance of maintaining team culture during the tournament run. He emphasized the value of staff alignment and staying true to coaching principles, while noting that the current landscape of college basketball requires constant creation and adaptation due to high roster turnover. Wise has extensive previous coaching experience, including serving as a Graduate Assistant for the University of Florida’s men’s basketball program, two stints as an Assistant Coach at the University of Wyoming (where he was part of the 2015 Mountain West Tournament title and NCAA berth), an Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, and an Assistant Coach at East Tennessee State University. He also worked as Director of Video & Creative Content for the University of Alabama’s women’s basketball team during the 2021-22 season, before serving as Assistant and later Associate Head Coach for Samford University’s women’s basketball program from 2022 to 2025.
48 min
Tony Irons discussed his coaching philosophy and experiences across various basketball levels. Irons shared his approach to coaching at high school, junior college, and EYBL levels, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with players and creating competitive environments through standards-based accountability. He discussed his defensive philosophy centered around man-to-man defense, his approach to practice design using scripted-to-live drills, and his belief in flexible coaching that adapts to personnel. Irons also reflected on his father's coaching legacy and how he incorporates lessons learned from mentors like Dennis Gates and constraint-led approaches into his coaching methodology. The conversation covered practical aspects of player development, managing transient rosters, and dealing with agents and inner circles, with Irons emphasizing the need for transparency and honest communication with players at all levels.
1 hr 1 min
Zach O'Brien, assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks and former head coach of Mist BC in the Unrivaled Basketball League, discusses his approach to player development and coaching methodology. He explained his focus on decision-making, creativity, and empowering players rather than controlling their actions. He discusses the importance of establishing team principles and creating an environment for players to explore and problem-solve. O'Brien shared his experience implementing constraint-led training approaches in the WNBA, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where players can explore and problem-solve rather than following rigid drills. He explained his coaching philosophy centered on three key principles: pace, shot profile, and spacing, along with defensive principles of on-ball disruption and off-ball shrink. O'Brien discussed how to implement these concepts at all levels of basketball, including specific examples of constraint-based training drills and scoring systems, while noting that while players may initially push back against this approach, they eventually develop a preference for the problem-solving methodology over traditional repetitive drilling.
59 min
This conversation was an opportunity to bring a typically offline discussion I have with coaches online to share with you. In it, Jared Mocaby from Kansas Select got to ask me a bunch of questions about youth basketball coaching strategies. We discussed solution-based coaching approaches, emphasizing the importance of letting players figure out problems rather than giving direct instructions, and the value of playing full-court transition basketball during practices. The discussion covered topics including shot selection, position development, the balance between winning and player development, and the overuse of tournament play versus focused practice time. We explored how to implement constraint-based training and reduce reliance on traditional drills, while addressing the challenges of coaching younger players (10-12 years old) and managing parent expectations. The conversation concluded with recommendations for reducing tournament participation while increasing development-focused practice time, and the importance of monetizing coaching positions to support better player development.
45 min
In this episode of the Basketball Podcast, Coach Roneeka Hodges discussed her experience as the associate head coach for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA and her role as head coach of the Phantom BC and Unrivaled Basketball League. She reflected on her coaching journey, emphasizing the importance of player development, building trust with players, and adapting to the evolving game. Coach Hodges shared insights on balancing control and trust as a head coach, the challenges of transitioning from playing to coaching, and the value of mentorship in her career. She also highlighted the unique opportunities provided by the Unrivaled League for player growth and development. The conversation touched on her approach to defensive systems, player confidence-building, and the role of technology in modern coaching. Coach Hodges expressed gratitude for the mentors who have shaped her career and looked forward to applying her experiences in her role with the Connecticut Sun. 01:54 Unrivaled Season Recap 04:17 Player to Coach Shift 11:05 Drafting Culture and Identity 12:02 Defensive Foundations 15:11 Offense and Player Development 18:20 Staff Roles and Safe Space 21:16 Player Pet Peeves 24:41 Building On Court Chemistry 29:06 In Game Adjustments 29:54 Assistant Coach Feedback 31:37 Postgame Self Scout 33:59 Substitutions And Roles 36:27 Building Player Confidence 39:35 Tech And Analytics