Join Coach P on The Coaches Co-op as we sit down with the inspiring Head Women's Basketball Coach Leanna Davis of Cypress Ridge High School in Cypress, Texas.

In this powerful interview, Coach Davis shares her incredible journey from corporate America to the basketball hardwood, revealing the strategies she used to build a history-making program against significant challenges.

Discover how Coach Davis transformed Cypress Ridge basketball, leading her team to its first-ever playoff victory in just her second year – despite having no feeder schools, being a Title One campus, and facing high student mobility.

She dives deep into her philosophy that "hard work is not a punishment, it's the price of admission for excellence" and discusses the tough realities of coaching today's youth.

In this episode, Coach Davis reveals:

• Her unique approach to building a program from the grassroots and fostering community partnerships.
• The transition from a high-paying oil & gas career to finding her true coaching calling.
• How she tackles challenges like student entitlement and the evolving role of educators.
• The importance of adaptability, consequences, and accountability in modern coaching.
• The most rewarding (and toughest) parts of her job, including supporting athletes far beyond the court.
• Her powerful "Be Salt & Be Light" philosophy for personal and team growth.

Key Moments & Topics Discussed:

• 1:40 - Coach Davis's journey to Cypress Ridge & early program history
• 2:40 - The "Talk That Talk" segment: What's exciting at Cypress Ridge?
• 4:00 - Overcoming challenges: No feeder schools, Title One status, high mobility
• 8:15 - From Magnolia, Texas to her coaching calling
• 10:20 - Transitioning from corporate America to high school coaching
• 13:25 - The impact of that first playoff victory
• 17:30 - Coach Davis's "Hard Work is Not a Punishment" philosophy
• 19:50 - Addressing student entitlement & social media's influence
• 23:00 - "Old School Way" vs. New Age Coaching: What still works?
• 31:00 - Learning from legendary coaches like Coach Hornsby
• 37:00 - The most rewarding parts of being a coach
• 39:20 - The toughest challenges: Dealing with difficult parents & the "non-existent transfer portal"
• 44:15 - "Full Court Press" Quick Hitters: 21 basketball rules, home vs. away, old school vs. new age
• 53:40 - "Three in the Key": Must-haves for all coaches (Mentors, Plan, Hobby)
• 56:15 - "Two Shots": Toughest experiences as a coach
• 1:01:00 - "And One": Coach Davis's final powerful message: "Be Salt & Be Light"

✅ **BUY THE BOOK:** Find mentorship and level up your coaching game with "The Path for Coaches, Volume One: Mentoring," available on Amazon: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1D2T1YKA6AN/checkout/DHKSBTBKWURK3K4K23VQUTG7?src=embed

✅ **FOLLOW THE COACHES:**

Follow Coach Leanna Davis on X: @CoachDavis 90

Follow The Coaches Co-op on IG: @podcast_with_prejean

Follow Coach P on X: @Coach Prejean 1

"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."

Join Coach P in this powerful episode of The Coach's Co-op as he sits down with Coach Toya Peterson, head girls basketball coach at Dickinson High School in Texas.

With an incredible 80-22 record over three seasons and back-to-back district championships, Coach Peterson shares her journey from coaching at a rec center at 17 to becoming one of Texas's most successful high school basketball coaches.

What You'll Learn: 

• How to build championship-level basketball programs from the ground up

• Mentorship strategies for coaches without traditional support systems

• The importance of fundamentals in modern basketball training

• How to balance being a coach and parent when coaching your own children

• Leadership lessons from 23+ years in athletic education

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Intro & Coach Peterson’s bio

2:00 – Building a Championship Program in Dickinson, Texas

6:30 – Early career and why leadership matters

15:00 – Role models, representation, and mentorship for women in coaching

25:00 – Coaching philosophy & adapting to challenges

35:00 – The future of girls basketball in Texas

48:00 – Rapid Fire Questions

1:00:00 – Essential advice for coaches

Key Topics Covered:

• Building team culture and program identity
• Developing young athletes beyond just basketball
• The evolution of coaching philosophy over time
• Networking and community building in high school athletics
• Mental toughness and resilience in coaching

✅ **BUY THE BOOK:** Find mentorship and level up your coaching game with "The Path for Coaches, Volume One: Mentoring," available on Amazon: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1D2T1YKA6AN/checkout/DHKSBTBKWURK3K4K23VQUTG7?src=embed

✅ **FOLLOW THE COACHES:**

• Follow Coach Peterson: @DHS_GirlsHoops on IG
• Follow The Coaches Co-op on IG: @podcast_with_prejean
• Follow Coach P on X: @Coach Prejean 1

"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready."

What does it take to move from pro basketball player to a successful high school head coach?

In this episode of The Coaches Co-op, Coach P sits down with Brandon Gay, the head boys' basketball coach at Shadow Creek High School, for a masterclass in athletic leadership.

Coach Gay shares his incredible journey from playing professionally in Europe to taking the helm of two prestigious Texas high school programs. He breaks down the toughest lessons learned, including why being a head coach is harder than playing professionally, the art of managing assistant coaches, and the "why" behind his tough but compassionate coaching style.

This is a must-watch for any assistant coach looking to make the "six-inch jump" to a head coaching position, or any leader looking to build a resilient, winning culture on and off the court.

🏀 What You'll Learn:

• Transitioning from assistant to head coach
• Building winning basketball programs
• Mentoring young athletes effectively
• Managing coaching staff and team dynamics
• Overcoming challenges in high school athletics
• Player development vs. winning strategies

Coach Brandon Gay's Background:

• Former professional basketball player in Europe
• 5 playoff appearances in 7 years
• Mentored by legendary coach Ronnie Courtney
• Expert in basketball coaching and player development

✅ **BUY THE BOOK:** Find mentorship and level up your coaching game with "The Path for Coaches, Volume One: Mentoring," available on Amazon: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1D2T1YKA6AN/checkout/DHKSBTBKWURK3K4K23VQUTG7?src=embed

✅ **FOLLOW THE COACHES:**

Follow Coach Brandon Gay on X: @CoachGay10

Follow Coach Brandon Gay on IG: @bg713

Follow The Coaches Co-op on IG: @podcast_with_prejean

Follow Coach P on X: @Coach Prejean 1

⬇️ **Key Moments in this Masterclass** ⬇️

0:00 - Welcome to The Coaches Co-op!

1:23 - Introducing Coach Brandon Gay: From Pro Player to Mentor

2:33 - "Talk That Talk": The Winning Culture at Shadow Creek High School

4:47 - The Journey to Becoming a Coach (And Why He Resisted It)

6:39 - The "Why" Behind Tough Coaching & Preparing a Young Black Man for America

9:41 - The Real Reason He Became a Coach: "To Help Young Men Who Look Like Me"

16:48 - The Toughest Part of Moving from Assistant to Head Coach

19:44 - The Secret to Success: Managing Your Adult Assistant Coaches

22:24 - Coach Gay's Mount Rushmore of Coaching Mentors (John Thompson, Dean Smith & More)

35:46 - The Hardest and Easiest Parts of the Job That Nobody Knows

40:29 - FULL-COURT PRESS: Rapid-Fire Questions (Defense or Offense? Euro or US Ball?)

43:40 - CRUNCH TIME: 3 Keys to Success, 2 Toughest Challenges

47:14 - The Challenge of Dealing with Unreasonable Parents

49:44 - The Decline of "Old School" Community Pride in High School Athletics

52:54 - Coach Gay's Final Message for All Coaches

#BasketballCoach #Coaching #Leadership #HighSchoolBasketball #Texas Basketball #ShadowCreekSharks #CoachingDevelopment #Coaching Podcast #BasketballWisdom #CochingLife #CoachingPhilosophy

The WNBA Playoffs are here! Coach P and WNBA Tay break down every first round matchup, give X-factors, and make betting picks for every series. Plus: who wins Rookie of the Year and Most Improved?

Smash that Like, Subscribe, and Comment your MVP pick!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 -- Intro

02:38 -- WNBA Hot Tea: Angel Reese Trade Rumors

08:05 -- Final Standing Recap & Bracket Breakdown

09:01: -- #1 Minnesota Lynx vs #8 Golden State Valkyries

12:47: -- #4 Phoenix Mercury vs #5 NY Liberty

16:58 -- #3 Atlanta Dream vs #6 Indiana Fever

25:08: -- #2 Las Vegas Aces vs #7 Seattle Storm

33:47 -- MVP final debate: A'ja Wilson vs Alyssa Thomas vs Naphessa Collier

45:12 -- Tay's Parlays

KEY TOPICS:

--Angel Reese sitting out final game--trade incoming?

--Why Seattle Storm is the most dangerous low seed.

--A'ja Wilson's historic second half finish & Ace's 16 game win streak

--Alyssa Thomas making WNBA History with triple doubles.

Connect with WNBA Tay:

X--@CoachHarris04

IG: @taylooorrrr_

Connect with Coach P:

X--@CoachPrejean1

IG: @podcast_with_prejean

TikTok: @coachprejean

Subscribe for more WNBA and Athletic Leadership talk!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jswlrWEtIts

#wnba #wnbaplayoffs #AngelReese #AlyssaThomas #AjaWilson #seattlestorm #CoachesCoOp #womensbasketball #mvprace #wnbabetting

Coach P and WNBA Tay break down the final week of the WNBA regular season.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 -- Intro

02:58 --WNBA Hot Tea: Angel Reese's Suspension

09:12 --Standings Review & Playoff Race Update

16:42 --Race for 8th: Debating Seattle vs Los Angeles

30:02 -- Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player

38:41 -- MVP Debate: Alyssa Thomas vs A'ja Wilson vs Napheesa Collier

48:25 -- Coach of the Year Candidates

53:23 -- Tay's Parlays

KEY TOPICS:

--Angel Reese suspension & teammates drama

--Seattle Storm vs LA Sparks final playoff spot battle

--Alyssa Thomas historic triple-double season

--Golden State Valkyries expansion team success--WNBA betting picks and parlays

Connect with WNBA Tay: X--@CoachHarris04 IG: @taylooorrrr_

Subscribe for more WNBA and Athletic Leadership talk!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jswlrWEtIts

#wnba #wnbaplayoffs #AngelReese #AlyssaThomas #CoachesCoOp #womensbasketball #mvprace

Join Coach P in this powerful conversation with Kyle Adams, transformational leader and strategic educational expert, as we dive deep into HBCU excellence, women's basketball coaching, and building lasting legacy.🏀 What You'll Learn: • Why HBCUs produce the most Black professionals in America • How to coach and mentor young women effectively as a male coach • The untold story of getting the 1982 Cheney State Lady Wolves into the Hall of Fame • Leadership development strategies for student-athletes • The importance of financial literacy in college athletics • Why "It's Bigger Than the Ball" philosophy transforms lives🎯 Key Topics Covered:HBCU pride and community impactMale coaches developing female athletesDelaware State's "Selective Silence" programNIL and student-athlete financial educationBuilding championship-level systems on and off courtThe power of mentorship in athleticsGuest: Kyle Adams - Principal & Chief Strategist, It's Bigger than the Ball LLC20+ years developing student-athletes at HBCUsFormer Deputy Director of Athletics, Delaware State UniversityAuthor of "Discarding the Mask"Mentor of the Year recipientBook: "Discarding the Mask" (Amazon)

Podcast: It's Bigger Than the Ball

✅ **BUY THE BOOK:** Find mentorship and level up your coaching game with "The Path for Coaches, Volume One: Mentoring," available on Amazon & here: ⁠https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML1D2T1YKA6AN/checkout/DHKSBTBKWURK3K4K23VQUTG7?src=embed⁠

✅ **FOLLOW THE COACHES:**

Follow Coach Kyle Adams on IG: @coachka20

Follow Coach Brandon Gay on LinkedIn: Kyle Adams

Follow The Coaches Co-op on IG: @podcast_with_prejean

Follow Coach P on X: @Coach Prejean 1

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps:0:00 - Intro to Kyle Adams: Coach, Author, Transformational Leader2:30 - What is "It's Bigger Than The Ball LLC"? Leveraging coaching skills6:10 - The 1982 Cheney State Lady Wolves & Women's Basketball Hall of Fame9:40 - Kyle's Book: "Discarding the Mask" & Lessons from coaching10:40 - The journey coaching women's basketball: "This is their game"15:30 - Student Protest & Creating a Safe Campus Environment at Delaware State20:10 - The deep pride and importance of HBCUs: A historical perspective23:30 - Philanthropy & Investing in HBCUs: Why now more than ever?27:40 - Attracting top student-athletes to HBCUs: Beyond the professional dream38:50 - The most underrated quality in a great mentor: Modeling40:30 - Key Mentors & Influencers in Kyle's career46:50 - Kyle's authorship journey & "That's Foul" article inspiration52:20 - Doctorate pursuit & shaping ethical leadership in higher education56:40 - The impact of ABIS (Advancement of Blacks in Sports) & financial literacy1:02:45 - If not a coach, then an entrepreneur: Building generational wealth1:05:00 - Advice to his 25-year-old self: Invest!1:06:10 - Quick-fire "Agree/Disagree" and "Either/Or" questions (Mental Wellness, Winning vs. Character, NIL)1:08:40 - Motivator vs. Mobilizer: Moving people to action1:09:40 - Why every educational leader needs a podcast1:11:20 - Crunch Time: 3 Things All Athletic Professionals Need1:13:20 - Two "Foul Experiences" in the Profession1:17:50 - Final thoughts: coaches, grow yourselves!Join the Coach's Co-op Community: 👍 Like this video if you found it inspiring! 🔔 Subscribe for more masterclasses in athletic leadership! 💬 Leave a comment below with your biggest takeaway! ➡️ Share this episode with a coach or leader who needs to hear this!#Coaching #HBCU #AthleticLeadership #NIL #Mentorship #StudentAthlete #BasketballCoach #WomensBasketball #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #It'sBiggerThanTheBall #CoachP #TheCoachsCo-Op

Connect with Coach Gonzalez:

• X/Twitter: ⁠@Ant11HT⁠ (HT = Hearn, Texas)
• Facebook: Anthony Gonzalez

About the Guest:

Coach Anthony Gonzalez is in his twelfth year in education and ninth as a head coach, all in his hometown, Hearne, Texas. After leading the Hearne girls' basketball program for seven years, including a state tournament appearance, he transitioned to head coach of the boys' team—guiding them to a state runner-up finish in his first year. Anthony is a committed family man, husband to Tika and father to Kyler and Kaia, and a coach dedicated to serving others, passing on the mentoring he once received.

Talk That Talk

Coach Gonzalez shares the pride and momentum within the Hearne High School athletic program after a state runner-up finish this past season. He highlights:

• The boys’ dedication in the summer weight room and undefeated summer league run.

• The unique identity and central location of Hearne, “the crossroads of Texas.”
• Insights on building sustained excellence and how communal support elevates his programs.

In this Episode

• Family-First Philosophy: How Anthony balances the coaching grind with marriage and fatherhood and keeps his loved ones integrated into his coaching life.
• Mentoring Legacy: Coach pays homage to the countless mentors in his life—including family and his high school coach—and now focuses on mentoring fellow coaches.

• Girls to Boys Transition : The valuable lessons learned from seven years coaching girls basketball and how that experience made him a better coach when he switched to boys.

• The Power of Connection: The importance of personal relationships—with players, parents, and community—even revealing how his team supported his family during a personal loss.

Rapid Fire Highlights

Agree/Disagree

• A great players can make coaches look brilliant AGREE
• A great coach should be the loudest in the gym DISAGREE
• Coaching in your hometown—harder than with strangers? (It depends!)
• Smalln town coaching is the purest form of the job AGREE “We have to squeeze everything out of the lemon!”
• A coach’s family sacrifices more than the coach AGREE

Either/Or

• Coffee > energy drink (Coffee)
• Practice vs. film study: “Depends on the season”
• Early morning practice > late-night film
• Big win at home > upset on the road ("Our fans are loud!")
• Old school hustle > new school analytics
• Team meal: Pizza with the kids
• Pregame > postgame speech
• Zone vs. Man—“Depends on the opponent”
• Timeout with 2 minutes left or final minute? “Save it for the final minute if possible”
• Ugly win > pretty loss

Crunch Time Segment

Three in the Key:
Three must-haves for coaches:

1. Patience
2. Perseverance
3. Commitment/Dedication

Two Shots:
Two foul experiences:

1. A lopsided loss where the opponent kept pressing—even while up 50+—and the sweet redemption two years later.
2. Losing a starter to injury en route to state, and how the team's unity and love carried them through.

And One:
Coach’s advice: "Continue to grow. Keep great people around you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for great people aroujd me. Keep great people around you both outside of the job and at the job."

Quotable Moments

• “Take the good with the bad—because it won't always be bad.”
• “A mentor pours into you because they see something in you.”
• “Girls taught me patience that boys never could.”
• “If you think you can coach, start by coaching young women. They’ll teach you it’s much more than the game.”
• “Once you get parents and kids bought in, communication becomes easy—relationships are everything.”
• “Small-town coaching is the purest. We squeeze every drop out.”
• “Keep great people around you—at the job and outside the job.”

Read more:
Coach Gonzalez is a contributor to the best-selling Path for Coaches, Volume One: Mentoring—available now on Amazon.

Connect with The Co-Op

• Instagram: @podcast_with_prejean
• Podcast Platform: Search "Coaches Co-Op, The Podcast"
• Host: Coach P

Coaches do what most people can't...stay ready so you don't have to get ready.

Connect with TJ Williams

• IG: @theus_nbl

About TJ Williams:

• Vice President of Basketball Operations for the National Basketball League United States (NBLUS), the only FIBA-certified basketball league in America.
• An accomplished athlete, TJ played baseball for Southern University Baton Rouge, achieving two SWAC championship titles under Hall of Fame Coach Roger Kadar.
• Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1997, TJ pursued a professional baseball career before injury led him to a new path.
• Co-owner of Gemini Sports and Apparel and a partner in New Era Sports Management.
• Father of four and an advocate for player development

In this episode:

• Early athletic begining and family influence in small town Louisiana.
• Playing championship-level baseball at and HBCU under legendary coach Roger Cador.
• Building NBLUS as a grassroots model for player development.
• A critique of the AAU/club sports model and what the NBL does differently.
• The challenge of competing for visibility in an oversaturated basketball market.

Rapid Fire Highlights

• John Thompson or Coach K?
• Playing or Coaching?
• Basketball or Baseball?
• Bat flips? Good for the game or disrespectful?
• Leaders: Born or made?
• And more!

Crunch Time Segment

Three in the Key - Three Things All Athletic Professionals Need:

1. Motivation- The drive to bring a vision to life and inspire others to execute it.
2. Patience- Understand that success is a process.
3. Great Communication Skills- The ability to connect and relay messages effectively.




Two Shots - Biggest Challenges:

1. AAU Basketball Environment: Described as a money grab where development often takes a backseat to profit.
2. Coaches with vendetta: Instances where personal biases affect players




And One - Final Thought:

"We are here to serve athletes. If not of your players qualify to go to college or move forward, no matter how great your record looks, then you're only serving yourself. Leadership must be rooted in service--we're her to help them succeed on the court, in the classroom, and in life."

Quotable Moments

• "It's possible to do everything right and still not get the result that you want."
• "My father was stern, but he was fair."
• "When coaches tell a kid he or she can't play more than on sport, I question...I know it's about the coach's ego. If that kid has to play that sport all your round for your program to be successful, do we really care about kids?"

Connect with The Co-Op

• Instagram: @podcast_with_prejean
• Podcast Platform: Search "Coaches Co-Op, The Podcast"
• Host: Coach P (Michael Prejean

Coaches do what most people can't...stay ready so you don't have to get ready.

.

Connect with Dr. Kiser:

X: @Dr_CNKiser

About Dr. Kiser:

• Experience: Over 20 years of experience in education based athletics
• Education: BS in Mass Comm from Southern University-BR; MS in Sports Management from Univ of Florida; Doctorate in Education from North Central University

• Background: Houston Texas native; wife and mother of three student-athletes; Southern University Hall of Fame inductee (2023)

In this episode:

Talk That Talk

• Denton ISD's $1.4 billion bond passage (2023)
• Building a student-athlete first culture
• Facility upgrades including 120-yard indoor multi-purpose buildings for all high schools
• Two state championship basketball teams: Guyer boys (6A D2) and Ryan girls (5A D1)

• The importance of supporting and investing in coaches' professional growth

Dr. Kiser's Journey

• From Introvert to Leader: How sports gave young Siobhan her voice and confidence
• The Southern University Experience: Recruited sight unseen, nearly didn't attend due to family skepticism
• Playing "Angry": Thriving as an undersized middle blocker with a 35-inch vertical and the grit that led to a Hall of Fame Volleyball career
• Early Coaching Struggles: The harsh reality of becoming a head coach at 22

The Transition from Coaching to Administration

• Key Insight: "If you're not ready to leave the kids, stay where you are"
• Role Reality: The business and "background" side of AD life: budgets, compliance, systems, etc.

• Job Satisfaction: Finding joy in creating systems to help coaches help kids

Mt. Rushmore of Athletic Professionals

1. Dave Campbell - Legendary publisher of Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football, cultural icon
2. Joe Martin - Executive Director, Texas High School Coaches Association, progressive leader
3. Dr. Charles Breithaupt - Former UIL Executive Director, oversaw 850,000+ athletes across 1,300+ schools
4. L.W. Coleman - PVIL (Prairie View Interscholastic League) legacy leader during segregation era

Rapid Fire/"Pepper" Highlights

• Most Formative Place: Houston over BR
• Most Education Sport: Volleyball over Track
• Leadership Style: Personable, Understanding, Regimented
• Essential Skill for Young AD's: Adaptability
• Dream Lunch Date: Flo-Jo or John Starks
• Hardest Rule to Explain: Volleyball rotation to non-athletes

Crunch Time Segment

Three in the Key - Three Things All Athletic Professionals Need:

1. Adaptability- Essential for navigating constant change.
2. Emotional Intelligence - Reading rooms, controlling emotions, understanding others
3. Strategic Communication - Moving beyond talking to actual understanding




Two Shots - Biggest Challenges:

1. Navigating Financial Constraints: Making tough decisions that impact 8000+ student-athletes
2. Coaching Ethics: Teaching younger coaches humility, and confronting with patience and grace.




And One - Final Thought:

"Having a title doesn't make you a leader. It's your actions, integrity, ability to influence and inspire others. Leadership isn't earned through a title--it's earned through trust and consistency."

Quotable Moments

• "Stop looking for you in other people."
• "If you're not ready to leave the sidelines, this seat will be miserable for you."
• "We're all one person away from knowing somebody else."
• "Titles don't make you a leader. Who you are makes you a leader."

Resources & Mentions

• Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA): https://www.thsca.com/
• Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) Legacy: PVIL Coaches Association
• Dave Campbell’s Texas Football: https://www.texasfootball.com/
• The Path for Coaches Vol. 1: Mentoring (Amazon): Buy Here

Connect with The Co-Op

• Instagram: @podcast_with_prejean
• Podcast Platform: Search "Coaches Co-Op, The Podcast"
• Host: Coach P (Michael Prejean

Coaches do what most people can't...stay ready so you don't have to get ready.