Coaching Connections: Episode 33 - Mike Lopez

On episode 33 I had a chance to catch up with Mike Lopez, Head Coach/Athletic Director at Sunnybrook in San Antonio, Texas. Coach Lopez also is the host of the Creative Coaching Podcast, and recently just released his Player’s First Podcast, both of which are found on Apple Podcasts. We discussed his shows, his coaching journey, childhood, some impactful moments in his career, and some important childhood memories related to family and the game of basketball. I hope you enjoy!!!

On episode 32 I had the opportunity to speak with two innovative and positive men in the coaching profession. Coach Marvin Walker and Coach Michael Herrera shared their coaching experiences, their childhood journey, some impactful moments in their career, some important discussions involving the racial climate in our country, and much more!!! I appreciate their time and powerful and positive insight! Enjoy!

On Episode 31 I sat with Coach Dominique Richardson, Head Coach at West Oso HS in Texas, and Matthew Sandoval, Head Coach at Hayes HS in Texas.

We discussed their childhood, their coaching journey, Richardson's success coaching on a Navajo Reservation in Newcomb, New Mexico and the tough decision to move back home to Texas, impactful moments in their careers, and much much more.

Enjoy!!!

On Episode 30 I had a chance to sit and speak to two amazing women in our profession, Coach Corrales and Coach Torru. Coach Triva Corrales from Judson High School happens to be a state champion coach, but she is an even better person! Coach Torru once coached under Coach Corrales and is now the head coach at Clemens High School. Coach Torru is the All-Time scoring leader at the University of the Incarnate Word and in the UIW Hall of Fame. Torru also refers to Corrales as the CHEAT CODE on the basketball court due to her amazing ability to always give her teams an opportunity to win any game. We had a great conversation and that I know you will enjoy!!!

Coaching Connections - Episode 29 - Dodi Sulaica & Vanessa Villarreal by Marcus Alvarado

On this episode I sat and spoke to Mr. Justin Johnson. Justin is not a coach, he is not a college or professional athlete, he works for Facebook. Justin, did however, play basketball in high school. He credits much of his professional success to the lessons he learned from his high school coaches. Justin has a very interesting life and has experienced a lot of success. This is a unique perspective and an important message for our young athletes to hear. Not everyone is destined for professional sports, but what they learn going through an athletic program can be high beneficial throughout their lives. This is definitely a fun episode you do not want to miss. Enjoy!!!

On this episode I had the opportunity to sit and speak with Dave Klatsky, an assistant coach at Colgate University, and Mike Jordan who has been recently hired as an assistant coach at Drexel University. Both of these coaches have played a vital role in the recent success at Colgate University. They both played at Penn alongside the head coach at Colgate, Matt Langel. We spoke on the strong bond of the coaching staff and how that has helped them build this successful program. We also got to speak about their childhood, their professional journey, and much much more!!!

Coaching Connections: Episode 26 - Jason Ludwig

Jason Ludwig grew up in East Los Angeles and is currently an assistant coach for Santa Clara University. We discussed his childhood, his coaching journey which includes some time at UCLA and two trips to the Final Four, the Young Coaches Social he co-founded, the Latino Association of Basketball Coaches that he also co-founded, his JL Hoops camps he hosts back in the neighborhood he grew up in, and much much more!!! Jason is an outstanding person who loves the game of basketball and is always finding ways to connect people. I appreciate his time and it was a great conversation!

Enjoy!!!

On this player edition I had a chance to talk to a friend of mine, Mr. Orlando Mendez-Valdez. He is a hero in the Latino basketball community in San Antonio. We talked about his childhood growing up on the Westside of San Antonio, his journey through his basketball career, what it means to give back through his camp, how amazing his experience has been with the Mexican National Team, the obstacles he has had to overcome in his playing career, family and coaches that have influenced his life, why he has so much love for Manu Ginobili, and much much more!!!! I truly had an amazing time hosting this episode. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!! Enjoy!!!

On Episode 24, I had a chance to talk to two friends of mine. Coach Norris has been in the profession for over 30 years, and is now coaching at Dripping Springs High School in Dripping Springs, Texas. Coach Phillips is currently coaching at John Marshall High School in San Antonio, Texas. Coach Norris also served as a mentor for Coach Phillips during their time together at San Marcos when Norris was the boys coach and Phillips was a first time head coach on the girls side. We also talked about their childhood, coaching journeys, the importance of having difficult conversations especially in regards to the current state of our country, the importance of having a mentor in the coaching progression, impactful moments in their careers, and much much more. I hope you enjoy this episode just as much as I did!!! Enjoy!!!