Contacts Coaching Podcast

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we're joined by Meghan Levers, the Athletic Director at Overfelt High School in San Jose. Meghan shares her inspiring journey from her beginnings in the San Fernando Valley to her experience as a JV soccer coach, and ultimately, to her current role as AD. She discusses the evolution of her career, the challenges of managing sports programs with limited budgets, and the importance of multi-sport participation for student-athletes. Meghan also highlights the collaborative efforts with her co-AD, the impact of raising academic standards, and strategies for effective athletic administration. Whether you're an aspiring coach, an athletic director, or just passionate about high school sports, this episode is filled with valuable insights.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:23 Meghan's Journey: From Student to Coach

03:02 Transition to Athletic Director

05:51 Challenges and Responsibilities of an AD

14:25 Funding and Resource Management

18:01 Academic Standards and Athletic Success

19:36 Raising Expectations and Student Success

20:00 The East Side Promise and Multi-Sport Participation

20:52 Promoting Multi-Sport Participation

21:37 Coaching Strategies for Multi-Sport Athletes

23:44 Challenges and Successes in Multi-Sport Programs

26:53 District Collaboration and Challenges

29:57 Insights from Overseeing Multiple Programs

34:31 Effective Tools and Changing Perspectives

In this episode, the hosts welcome Donnie McKillop, Associate Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at East Coast Loomis Chaffee School. McKillop discusses his background growing up in Southern California, balancing multiple sports, and his journey through various coaching roles at institutions like Middlebury College, Springfield College, and Amherst College. He delves into the challenges and strategies of coaching multi-sport athletes in today's specialized sports environment and offers insights into the importance of building relationships, respecting team history, and fostering internal development. The episode also touches on the practicalities of managing time and embracing modern communication tools to stay connected with teams.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:25 Coach Donnie McKillop's Background

02:20 Journey to Loomis Chaffee

03:56 Balancing Football and Baseball

07:18 Coaching Philosophy and Advice

11:06 Navigating Multi-Sport Coaching

18:04 Coaching Journey and Professional Growth

18:54 Integrating Football and Baseball Coaching Styles

20:44 Unique Coaching Techniques and Philosophies

23:14 Learning from Other Sports and Coaches

26:27 Adapting to Modern Coaching Challenges

27:00 Balancing Specialization and Multi-Sport Participation

28:41 Importance of Rest and Regeneration

32:36 Effective Team Communication Tools

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, Rafael, the Athletic Director at Modoc High School, returns to share his journey and discuss the unique challenges of running athletic programs in a small-town setting in northern California. He reflects on his path from student to teacher and administrator, highlights the importance of relationships and networking, and addresses the logistical hurdles faced by small schools, such as travel, funding, and maintaining a competitive edge. Rafael also shares his strategies for improving athletic facilities, fostering a winning culture, and handling community feedback, all while emphasizing the importance of putting student athletes first.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:35 Journey to Modoc High School

01:14 Challenges of Rural Athletics

02:11 Building Relationships in Athletics

03:13 Feedback from Conference Presentation

05:05 Balancing Job Offers and Personal Commitments

08:30 Small Town Dynamics and School Culture

11:43 Developing a Championship Culture

20:56 The Importance of Feedback and Growth

24:51 Understanding Emotional Offloading

25:23 Challenges of Small School Sports Programs

25:56 Commitment and Team Standards

26:34 Managing Practice Attendance

26:55 Setting Standards and Communication

27:40 Small School Challenges and Advice

28:44 Uniforms and Facilities

34:50 Funding and Grants

43:00 Community and Tradition

45:17 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, Josh Adams, the Athletic Director at Gilroy High School, discusses his extensive journey in sports starting from humble beginnings. Adams shares experiences from his background in high school sports, coaching youth wrestling, and various administrative roles in different districts. He highlights his progression from volunteering to becoming a head coach, and eventually an Athletic Director. Adams delves into the challenges he faced, the importance of adapting to different school environments, and the lessons learned along the way. He underscores the value of clear communication, commitment, and multi-sport participation. Additionally, Adams reflects on the importance of understanding unique community needs and fostering relationships among students, parents, and administrators. This episode is a rich resource for current and aspiring coaches and athletic directors seeking comprehensive insight into effective athletic program management.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:16 Josh Adams' Early Coaching Journey

01:12 High School and College Experiences

02:04 Coaching Successes and Challenges

05:15 Transition to Administrative Roles

09:14 Differences in Athletic Programs

12:19 Insights on Coaching and Administration

15:36 Comparing Different Sections and Their Impact

22:19 Setting Expectations and Team Branding

26:19 Balancing Multi-Sport Participation

29:42 Learning from Other Sports and Coaches

33:42 Adapting to New Environments and Challenges

39:25 Reflecting on Changes and Growth

46:29 Advice for New Athletic Directors

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, host welcomes back Coach Eddie Wilson for the third time, marking roughly two years since his last appearance. Eddie shares his experiences transitioning from Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, where he spent 24 years, to Vanden High School, his alma mater. He discusses the challenges and new dynamics of adjusting to a different environment, getting to know new colleagues and students, and tackling procedural and cultural differences. The conversation offers insights into the importance of adaptation, the learning curve in a new setting, and the significance of serving and impacting people, regardless of the environment. Eddie also reflects on his methods of sustaining student safety and his evolving approach to administrative tasks by leaning on his new colleagues. The episode is rich with advice for coaches and athletic directors on building relationships, seeking continuous improvement, and learning from past experiences.00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back00:33 Catching Up with Eddie Wilson01:15 New School, New Challenges01:34 Transitioning to Vanden High School02:19 Reestablishing in a New Community04:00 Balancing Old and New Roles05:19 Learning the Lay of the Land12:28 Addressing Safety and Liability25:05 Team Dynamics and Leadership33:05 Delegating Tasks for Efficiency33:34 Examples of Effective Delegation35:34 Trusting Your Team39:51 Learning from Other Coaches55:01 Adapting to a New Environment01:01:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Join us on the Contacts Coaching Podcast as we dive into the inspiring journey of Lori Perez, head softball coach at Sacramento State University. Lori discusses her Northern California roots, her climb through the coaching ranks, and the challenges she faced along the way. Lori shares her insights on player development, the impact of Title IX, navigating the transfer portal, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. She also offers personal reflections on how being a parent has influenced her coaching philosophy. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring coaches and sports enthusiasts alike.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:37 Lori Perez's Early Life and Sports Background

03:02 College Experience and Transition to Coaching

04:39 First Coaching Job and Early Challenges

07:25 Joining Sacramento State and Coaching Philosophy

12:12 Balancing Coaching and Personal Life

14:46 Advice for New Coaches and Leadership Insights

22:49 Collaboration and Learning from Other Coaches

28:37 Specialization vs. Multi-Sport Athletes

33:35 The Financial Shift in College Athletics

33:54 Navigating Softball's Place in Revenue Sports

35:08 The Impact of NIL on Softball

35:52 Scholarship Changes and Funding Challenges

36:52 Competing with Power Four Schools

38:18 Transfer Portal's Influence on Softball

42:26 Recruiting Strategies in the Modern Era

51:08 Fall Season and Player Development

57:35 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

01:01:37 Parenting and Coaching Insights

01:03:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, we speak with Gerard Martin, an Australian coach who shares his journey from playing basketball in Australia to becoming an assistant coach for the Valley Suns in the G League. Gerard discusses his early days playing basketball influenced by his mom who played professionally, the transition from playing to coaching after a career-impacting injury, and his coaching career at places like Grand Canyon University, California Baptist University, and the Perth Wildcats. Gerard also offers insights into coaching philosophy, the importance of simplicity at higher levels, and how to adapt communication styles to better engage and develop players. Tune in to hear fascinating stories, coaching tips, and Gerard’s unique perspective on melding competitiveness with fun in sports.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:22 Gerard Martin's Basketball Journey

01:07 Transition to Coaching

02:02 Coaching Philosophy and Early Experiences

03:55 Coaching in Australia and the US

07:38 Challenges and Adaptability in Coaching

11:38 Coaching at Different Levels

19:20 Simplifying Coaching for High-Level Players

26:12 Simplifying Techniques for Young Athletes

26:58 The Importance of Screening for Bigs

27:43 Guard Skills: Pick and Roll and Off-Ball Movement

28:27 Training Methods and Individual Development

29:09 Coaching Strategies and Player Development

32:08 Decision Making in Basketball

32:30 Balancing Skill Development and Practicality

35:41 The Role of Fun and Competitiveness in Sports

39:15 Communication and Personality in Coaching

45:38 Challenging Beliefs and Evolving as a Coach

50:18 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, host welcomes DJ Broome, the new head basketball coach at Cal Poly Humboldt. The conversation covers DJ's early life as a sports enthusiast, his transition from baseball to basketball, his collegiate career at Humboldt State, and his journey through various coaching positions. DJ shares insights into his coaching philosophy, the impact of his experiences on his coaching style, and the unique challenges he faces as a head coach. Key topics include player motivation, recruiting strategies, and the importance of building relationships. The episode also delves into the changes at Cal Poly Humboldt, including the impact of the name change and the elimination of the football program.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:27 Early Life and Sports Journey

01:43 College Basketball Experience

02:48 Transition to Coaching

03:55 Coaching Career Path

04:55 Challenges and Realizations as Head Coach

10:00 Recruitment Strategies and Team Building

23:55 Community Engagement and Organizational Changes

27:26 Campus Upgrades and Alumni Sentiments

29:35 Learning from Successful Programs

31:46 Elite Level Preparation and Communication

34:26 Role Definition and Team Success

48:04 Building Confidence and Overcoming Doubt

50:46 The True Purpose of Coaching

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we sit down with Will Burkett, an assistant basketball coach at Santa Clara University. Will shares his journey from being a high school athlete in Watsonville, through his time as a student manager at the University of Arizona, to playing and coaching roles at institutions like Monterey Peninsula College and Santa Clara University. He discusses the nuances of his coaching experience, insights on Division I athletics, the importance of authenticity in coaching, and the impact of NIL on college sports. Will also touches on creating a culture of joy in athletics and the valuable lessons learned from working under various coaching staff and within different basketball programs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:52 Early Career and University of Arizona Experience

02:01 Transition to Coaching and Santa Clara Journey

10:40 Roles and Responsibilities in Coaching

17:55 Offensive and Defensive Coordination

24:32 The Coach's Mindset and Adaptability

25:49 Developing NBA Talent at Santa Clara

30:02 Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal on Recruiting

33:10 Creating a Culture of Joy and Competitiveness

38:12 The Role of Multi-Sport Athletes

41:50 Learning from Other Sports and Analytics

45:55 Simplifying Coaching for Better Performance

49:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching podcast, we sit down with James Jansen, the Associate Head Coach at Davidson College. Coach Jansen shares his fascinating journey from coaching youth basketball in Melbourne, Australia, to becoming an associate head coach in the United States. He discusses the differences between the Australian and American coaching landscapes, emphasizing the integrated club system in Australia that encourages young athletes' and coaches' development. The conversation touches on the nuances of multi-sport participation, the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on mid-major programs, and the importance of understanding both empirical data and practical knowledge in coaching. Coach Jansen also offers insights into rebounding metrics and efficiency that can help coaches at any level optimize their strategies. Tune in for an insightful episode packed with valuable takeaways for coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:31 James Jansen's Coaching Journey

04:41 Australian Youth Coaching Culture

07:43 Challenges in US Youth Sports

10:20 Pathways in Sports Development

17:09 Multi-Sport vs. Specialization Debate

24:19 Transitioning from Head Coach to Assistant

25:44 Transitioning from Assistant to Head Coach

27:39 Balancing University and Team Priorities

30:16 Symbiotic Relationship Between Men's and Women's Programs

33:56 Building a Successful Basketball Program

37:08 Impact of Transfer Portal and NIL on College Sports

39:58 Challenges and Strategies in Modern College Athletics

43:55 Growth Mindset and Challenging Beliefs

46:37 Data Literacy and Analytics in Sports

49:45 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections