Send us Fan Mail

A season can swing on one awkward landing, one freak play, one practice rep you never see coming and Brad Johnson has lived that reality. Brad joins us from Cleveland as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Baldwin Wallace University, and we get into what it’s like to return to your alma mater with big standards, a young roster, and a year that gets hit early by injuries. We talk through how a staff keeps players focused, how culture shows up when the rotation disappears, and why the Ohio Athletic Conference is a weekly grind in Division III basketball.

We also go beyond the box score into the human side of the job. Brad and his wife Alyssa are both college coaches, which means recruiting travel, late nights, and seasons that collide at the worst times. We share what actually helps a coaching marriage work, why the offseason matters, and how support looks when you can’t always be in the stands. If you care about work life balance in coaching, athlete development, or what it takes to stay steady when results swing fast, you’ll hear plenty that feels real.

Along the way we hit college hoops fandom, the impact of NIL on the college basketball landscape, and the kind of community you get at smaller schools where people still know your name years later. Then we lighten it up with the Fast Fiddy Five, a Cleveland East Side vs West Side check-in, and a spirited sidebar on whether NASCAR drivers are athletes.

If you enjoy honest sports stories and the behind-the-scenes reality of college coaching, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find it. What part of Brad’s story hit closest to home for you?

All music brought to you by former guest of the show Speedo

Subscribe for exclusive content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1530455/support

Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE

Tactical Brotherhood
The Tactical Brotherhood is a movement to support America.

Dubby Energy
FROM GAMERS TO GYM JUNKIES TO ENTREPRENEURS, OUR PRODUCT IS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE BETTER.

Shankitgolf
Our goal here at Shankitgolf is for everyone to have a great time on and off the golf course

Sweet Hands Sports
Elevate your game with Sweet Hands Sports! Our sports gloves are designed for champions,

Buddy's Beard Care
Buddy's Beard Care provides premium men's grooming products at an affordable price.

Deemed Fit
Be a part of our movement to instill confidence motivation and a willingness to keep pushing forward

Webb Western
Webb Western is for those who roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Follow us on all social media

X: @mikebonocomedy
Instagram: @mikebonocomedy
@tiktok: @mikebono_comedian
Facebook: @mikebonocomedy