Sam Patterson, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, joins the show after a great first season that included an American Southwest Conference Championship and a trip to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. After spending eight years at Oral Roberts, Coach Pat shares what it was like stepping into his first head coaching role and the lessons he learned throughout the transition.

We dive into his first priorities as a new head coach, how he approached building relationships with players, and the process of establishing the culture and standards he wanted for the program. He also breaks down the core values he recruits to, the differences between developing athletes at the Division I and Division III levels, and why giving players ownership of their own development is critical to long-term success, especially at the DIII level.

We also talk about his deeper purpose as a coach, why he doesn’t place his identity in wins and losses, and how he intentionally integrates his family into his coaching career.

🔗Check out more from Coach Patterson👇

Instagram: @coach_patterson

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:00 Building Initial Relationships with Players

05:49 Establishing Core Values and Standards

09:07 Recruiting for Selflessness and Team Chemistry

11:55 Navigating the Challenges of Division III Coaching

20:55 Balancing Structure and Personal Ownership in Development

36:33 Setting Standards and Accountability

39:41 Managing Time and Efficiency in Practice

42:34 Individual Development vs. Team Focus

44:41 Empowering Players Through Ownership

51:27 Navigating Leadership Decisions

01:00:07 Finding Identity Beyond Wins and Losses

01:04:04 Integrating Family into Coaching Life