On Episode 38, I had a chance to sit and speak with Andre Owens, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Sam Houston State University. Coach Owens spent some time as a head coach, played collegiately at The University of Texas at San Antonio, played professionally in Germany and Turkey, and has had a journey full of valuable life lesson which he passes along to his athletes. He also names his top 3 basketball movies of all time, his all time starting five, and his starting 5 comprised of current NBA players. Enjoy!!!

On Episode 37, I had a chance to sit and speak with an outstanding young coach in the profession, Coach Tommy Strine, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Chicago State University. Coach Strine was named to the Under Armour 30 Under 30, he is a committee member in the Coaches4Change organization, host of the Think Tank podcast series under the Rising Coaches Umbrella, host of Scouting Report U, and just one of the most generous and giving person in the profession. We a great conversation you do not want to miss. Enjoy!!!

Coaching Connections: Episode 36 - Antonio Daniels

On Episode 36 I had a chance to sit with a 13-year NBA veteran, former #4 draft pick in the NBA Draft, NBA Champion, and now Color Analyst for the New Orleans Pelicans for Fox Sports, Mr. Antonio Daniels. Our conversation covered his childhood, major influences in his life which included his mother and brother. We also discussed coaches that have had powerful influences in his life, his favorite basketball memories, what it means to utilize his platform to speak on important social issues, what makes great coaches great, and much much more! This is an episode you do not want to miss. Enjoy!!!

Coaching Connections: Episode 35 - Mercedes Jorge

I had the chance to sit and speak with Coach Mercedes Jorge! She is the Director of Basketball Operations for Presbyterian College. We had a great conversation and she gave a lot of valuable insight for young coaches trying to get into the college ranks. We spoke about her childhood, playing career, coaching journey thus far, impactful moments in her career, and why the Spurs are her favorite NBA team!!!

Enjoy!!!

Coaching Connections: Episode 34 - Robert Bell & Joseph Fabian

Today I had the pleasure of speaking to two friends of mine, Robert Bell & Joseph Fabian!!! Both coaches recently acquired their first head coaching job and I couldn’t more happy for the both of them!!!

Coach Bell won a State Championship in high school at Fox Tech, and was the All-Time leading scorer in San Antonio history for a bit. He also spent time as an assistant coach at the school I currently work at, but under a different Head Coach many years ago!!! Bell is now the head boys coach at Clemens HS!!!

Coach Fabian has been my lead assistant the last couple of years and someone I consider a great friend!!! He just got his first head boys basketball coaching job at Yorktown HS!!! I’m definitely going to miss the daily interaction with my friend, but I’m super excited to watch him do great things running his own program!!!

Enjoy!!!

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