In this compelling Summer Series episode of Shooters Touch, we welcome Marty Richter, head coach of USC Upstate men’s basketball and native of Waterloo, Iowa, to dive deep into forging a winning, trust-based culture. Coach Richter’s journey—from his days at Simpson College in Iowa to transformative roles at Florida Gulf Coast (“Dunk City”), Drake, and now USC Upstate—serves as a masterclass in leadership, mentorship, and team building.

Together, we explore how he builds relationships off the court to enhance performance on it; sets crystal-clear expectations; and gets guys to buy in and play as one unified unit. We'll also talk about how he mentors not just players, but fellow coaches—sharing lessons that any leader can apply.

This isn’t just basketball—it’s building character, trust, and coaches for life. Tune in to hear:

• How growing up in Iowa shaped his leadership style

• Turning around programs through culture and connections at every stop—Simpson, FGCU, Florida SouthWestern State, Drake, and now USC Upstate

• The importance of relationship-first coaching—getting players to trust you before they fully commit

• Mentoring emerging coaches and being guided in return

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or fan of building winning cultures, this episode brings real talk, real strategies, and real heart.

Keywords: Marty Richter, USC Upstate basketball, Iowa coach roots, team culture, trust in coaching, building winning culture, mentorship in sports, Shoot the Touch podcast, Summer Series coaching, leadership in basketball

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