“Who am I? My title was head coach, my title was basketball coach — and now I’m not a basketball coach. Who am I?” - James Williams

In this episode we talk about Coach Williams' books and his coaching career. He has coached AAU, high school (Kings Ridge, Norcross, and Charles Drew), Rust, Voorhees and now at South Carolina-Beaufort. He worked for Cabral Huff (Episode 83) at Voorhees and then took over for him as the head coach. During this powerful conversation he talks about coaching, identity, faith, and resilience.

Other topics include: wanting to be the coach he never had, a young player’s family situation inspired him to stop drinking, what he learned from coaching elite talent in a high-expectation program, COVID, working for Coach Huff, being fired and servant leadership.

Books:The Huddle Matters & Season of Surrender

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Recently retired coach Rick Pietri shares his incredible coaching career spanning high school and college. He was the head women’s basketball coach at Jacksonville State and South Alabama over 26 years. 417 wins, won the Sun Belt and ASUN, has been coach of the year and an all-time leader in wins. He also won a state championship in high school on the boys basketball side. Nearly 40 years in coaching! We discuss the importance of family, connecting, establishing standards, along with the ability to adapt.

02:20 - How management roles in college set the foundation for coaching

04:34 - Early lessons from high school coaching in Mobile

09:01 - Navigating college coaching at Spring Hill and Birmingham Southern

13:20 - Transition from high school to college coaching and the mentorship influence

14:41 - Choosing to coach women at South Alabama

19:27 - Building winning teams and program turnaround strategies

23:28 - Growth in conference competition

28:58 - Dealing with coaching layoff

30:12 - Reaching out to Bill Clark for the Jacksonville State job

33:35 - The role of networking and relationships in career opportunities

39:01 - Leadership principles: standards, consequences, and trust in team success

43:35 - The evolution of conference dynamics and adapting to new environments

47:19 - Reflecting on retirement: family sacrifices and personal growth

54:53 - Future plans: broadcasting, consulting, and staying connected with basketball

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.

Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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Nick Pasqua shares his journey through the highs and lows of coaching college basketball. He emphasizes lessons learned from early failures, the importance of adaptability, and leadership during challenging times.We talk about Coach Pasqua playing career at King University in Tennessee and transition into coaching at the Division II level. We touch on his stops as a head coach at Tusculum University, Southern Wesleyan University, Converse University and now currently at Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina. Insights on recruiting winners, transfer portal, program culture, integrity, learning from failure, being yourself and getting better!

01:25 - Influence of Coach Pitts and early coaching opportunities

03:12 - Transition from playing to coaching, and mentorship experiences

05:30 - Challenges faced during initial years at King and Southern Wesleyan

07:15 - Reflection on small gym facilities and recruiting at a small college

09:00 - Building program success with transfers and the impact of the portal

11:01 - Facing competition and administrative changes in collegiate sports

14:37 - The importance of honesty in the hiring process and self-trust

15:35 - Handling expectations, transparency, and program identity

17:42 - Navigating relationships with university leadership during transitions

20:07 - Lessons from early coaching failures and the importance of patience

22:16 - Dealing with setbacks, self-doubt, and resilience building

26:44 - Turning around programs with strategic recruiting and perseverance

31:29 - Overcoming obstacles in conference tournaments and maintaining focus

33:44 - Emotional highs and the significance of supporting your team

37:40 - Building new programs from scratch and the challenge of recruiting

40:44 - Lessons learned through program growth and the importance of leadership support

45:34 - The role of patience, persistence, and studying other teams for development

50:06 - Continuous self-improvement and adapting coaching philosophies

52:45 - Final thoughts on overcoming adversity and inspiring others in coachingFired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

In this episode we talk to Kyle Morgan. A firefighter of nearly 20 years who has spent time in the scouting space of football. He attended the Scouting Academy with Dan Hatman, worked at Arizona State in Player Personnel, spent time working for Catapult, the NFL Combine and most recently helped launch JUCO Insider Report. We talk about player evaluation, AI, insights of the combine and lessons learned from firefighting.

www.jucoinsiderreport.com

00:30 - Kyle’s early football influences at Ohio State and his interest in the game

03:06 - Learning from the Scouting Academy and value of report writing

04:30 - The importance of mentorship and support from Dan Hatman and the Academy

05:31 - Pursuing deeper involvement — from college to NFL scouting roles

06:28 - Hands-on experience at Arizona State and networking efforts

07:25 - Beginning involvement at ASU and how to approach unannounced opportunities

08:52 - Lessons from the Arizona State years and leadership insights

10:20 - The NFL model's influence on college football under Herman Edwards

11:47 - Understanding the layered evaluation process and recruitment cycle

14:01 - Transitioning through COVID and finding new opportunities with Catapult

15:16 - The role of data, scouting at camps, and connecting with high school programs

16:40 - The importance of educating youth and boosting recruiting transparency

19:00 - Involvement in the NFL Combine operations and behind-the-scenes logistics

22:38 - Balancing a firefighting career with a passion for football

23:06 - Lessons from firefighting that benefit football evaluations — staying level-headed

24:08 - The value of process and protocol in firefighting and scouting

26:29 - Creating the JUCO Insider Report to innovate in recruiting and prospect development

27:25 - Using AI and technology to address bottlenecks and support small programs

30:15 - The importance of innovation, resourcefulness, and eliminating resource gaps in scouting

33:14 - Continual personal growth through problem-solving and process enhancement

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

We talk to Coach Chris Reinert's about his football journey from California to Vanderbilt to coaching roles across college football, AAF and currently with Dallas Renegades of UFL. Deep dive into Mike Leach's coaching style and delegation, Jim Mora's organization and Rick Neuheisel's leadership. Winning three Sun Bowls across three different institutions. Leading his alma mater as a head high school football coach. Being on staffs with interim coaches. Innovative coaching tools like GameplnIQ for data-driven decision making and much more!#vanderbilt #ucla #washingtonstate #arizonastate #colorado #arizonahotshots #dallasrenegades04:36 - Growing up in California and playing at Vanderbilt under Bobby Johnson07:33 - The significance of relationships and staffing consistency at Vanderbilt08:13 - Connection with Clark Lea at UCLA12:01 - The dynamics of coaching during staff changes and interim periods at UCLA and Colorado15:22 - The importance of establishing team identity and organizational clarity16:33 - Challenges of high school coaching versus college coaching and managing such a large community impact21:24 - Mentorship from Rick Neuheisel and the influence of successful coaching figures32:50 - Insights into Mike Leach's simple yet effective coaching approach and delegation style36:26 - The value of systems, consistency, and empowering players and staff39:12 - Navigating coaching transitions and staff shake-ups at UCLA and Colorado47:40 - Reflections on adaptation in college football's evolving landscape and the importance of relationships48:14 - How to improve as a coach in the offseason — focusing on relationship building and continuous learning50:38 - Launching GamePlnIQ: AI tools to streamline scouting, analysis, and coaching workflows55:38 - Final thoughts and advice: Stay resilient, keep fighting, and impact lives positively through footballFired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

In this episode, Brian Rosario shares his journey through the collegiate coaching landscape, how setbacks fueled his growth, and the importance of strategic networking and personal branding in one's career. We talk about his stops at McNeese State, Cumberlands, Cornell, Loyola Marymount, Chandler/Gilbert Community College, Pepperdine and Long Beach State. The beginnings of being a ticket holder with Clippers and being a practice player at San Diego to his work currently with founding BNR Advisory Group.

02:11 - Childhood influence: exposure to the Clippers and its impact on future coaching

03:40 - Lessons from being a female practice player at San Diego

05:12 - The importance of regional and cross-level coaching experiences

06:38 - Lessons learned from coaching stints in Kentucky, Louisiana, and the Ivy League

08:30 - Strategic Networking

13:10 - The importance of broad experiences and avoiding a siloed career path

14:59 - The role of agents, search firms, and personal branding in career growth

16:14 - Developing a ten-year plan and the upper out theory in coaching careers

17:16 - Supporting your head coach and establishing your own brand within the staff

18:49 - The significance of connection, credibility, and treating all staff with respect

21:36 - Shifting mindsets after setbacks: reflections from coaching changes and outside pursuits

23:02 - Applying fundraising and campaign systems to athletic program growth

25:32 - Running successful programs at community college level and innovating recruitment

29:17 - Returning to Division I coaching: lessons learned and preparation benefits

30:12 - Recruiting at Pepperdine: balancing campus beauty with academic and athletic success

33:20 - Navigating the emotional toll of coaching changes and candid reflection on missed opportunities

36:15 - The challenges and opportunities in interim coaching scenarios

39:29 - Building a personal brand focused on accountability, adaptability, and results

43:50 - The importance of proactive career management versus passive wait-and-see approaches

45:17 - Recognizing the value of mentorship and supporting staff growth

47:09 - Modern coaching hierarchy: from assistant to the evolving chief of staff role

55:33 - Integrating non-sport insights into athletic operations and fundraising strategies

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Coach Cabral Huff shares his 25-year coaching journey, highlighting the importance of character, relationships and organization. In this episode we discuss Atlanta AAU, being the DOB at Georgia Southern, assistant at Alcorn State, what makes HBCU's unique, being a head coach at Voorhees during COVID, building Edward Waters as head coach, the shock of being let go, reflection, bouncing back and what he learned at Newberry.

02:27 - The rise of Atlanta basketball and AAU scene evolution

03:30 - High-character coaching and relationship-building

05:24 - The long road to college coaching

06:23 - Organization and fundamentals setting the foundation for future opportunities

08:23 - First experiences coaching at Georgia Southern

12:54 - The realities of college coaching logistics and behind-the-scenes work

15:37 - The cultural significance of HBCU basketball and community impact

16:44 - The surprising challenges and rewards of coaching at smaller schools

17:28 - Lessons from coaching at Voorhees and Edward Waters

22:28 - Reflecting on sudden job loss and the importance of resilience

26:22 - The small, interconnected world of college basketball and networking

29:12 - Being an academic coach at Newberry

33:29 - Lessons learned from setbacks and the importance of gratitude and faith

34:56 - Moving forward with purpose at North Florida and building a competitive program

36:52 - Staying motivated through reading, podcasts, and mentorship

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Coach Tim Bernero shares his extensive journey through high school, college, and coaching basketball at various levels. We talk about him growing up in Chicago suburbs, attending Carmel Catholic and Lake Forest College. The stops he made while being a men's basketball assistant at University of Chicago, North Park, Elmhurst and Carthage. He shares a great story about how he landed an interim role as the women's basketball coach at Carthage in the fall of 2003. With great success he led Carthage women's basketball to Sweet 16s, an Elite 8 and won 311 games over 20 years. He was let go in 2023 and is now helping coach back at his alma mater.

02:56 - Early Basketball Journey and Influences

05:52 - Coaching at University of Chicago

08:46 - The Unique Coaching Philosophy of John Angelus

12:03 - The Competitive Landscape of Chicago Basketball

14:54 - Experiences at North Park and Elmhurst

18:03 - Move to Carthage and Coaching Women’s Basketball

23:50 - Reflections on Coaching Philosophy and Experiences

33:10 - Building a Coaching Network

39:22 - Recruiting Strategies and Community Connections

45:46 - Achieving Success: Key Moments in Coaching Career

53:41 - Reflections on Leadership and Change

59:58 - Transitioning to High School Coaching

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

One of the most successful coaches we have had on the FCP. Coach Danelle Bishop shares her inspiring journey from basketball player to a successful college coach. She highlights the importance of resilience, mentorship, building confidence, Next Play (Goldfish Mentality), family and adapting strategies for long-term success in coaching.We talk about her time as head coach at Azusa Pacific, being let go at Cal Baptist and the successful run she has had at Cal Poly Pomona.

03:38 - Mentorship and Early Coaching Experiences

06:35 - The Challenges of Young Coaching

09:33 - Transitioning to Cal Baptist: New Opportunities

12:16 - Facing Adversity: The Impact of Being Fired

15:20 - Finding Strength in Faith and Leadership

18:00 - Success at Cal Poly Pomona

22:07 - Navigating Coaching Challenges

25:44 - Building Confidence in Coaching

28:50 - The Goldfish Mentality in Sports

32:28 - Reflecting on Coaching Success

36:37 - Lessons Learned in Recruitment

40:12 - Continuous Growth as a CoachFired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/

Lessons from a 40-Year Coaching Journey with Coach Dave Pilipovich.

Coach Pilipovich (current men's basketball assistant coach at Colorado State) shares insights from nearly four decades in basketball, spanning Division III, Division II, NBA G League and Division I programs. His experiences highlight the importance of patience and relationship-building. We discuss the impact from mentors: Jim Boone and Tim Loomis. Helping build Robert Morris and Eastern Michigan. Working at Michigan with Tommy Amaker. The unique challenges of being an interim head coach and the rewards of being the head coach at Air Force. All things Mountain West Conference. Making the Division I NCAA Tournament after 37 years at New Mexico! Being let go, continuous learning, flexibility, favorite restaurants and much more!

#thiel #californiapa #floridaatlantic #georgiastate #robertmorris #easternmichigan #michigan #airforce #newmexico #austintoros #coloradostate

02:14 - Early playing days at Teal College and lessons learned

03:36 - Mentors and early coaching influences

06:31 - Building programs

08:20 - Experiences coaching in NCAA tournaments and memorable moments

09:40 - Reflections on setbacks and longevity in coaching career

11:06 - Insights on patience and perseverance in coaching journeys

14:44 - Building relationships with high school coaches and recruiting strategies

16:01 - Learning from legend coaches like Jim Boone and Tommy Amaker

18:19 - Unique aspects of coaching in the Mountain West and at Air Force

20:19 - Transitioning from interim to head coach at Air Force

22:20 - Challenges and lessons of coaching at military academies

24:41 - Building resilience and managing high expectations

28:24 - Reflections on ending seasons and dealing with coaching changes

35:18 - Transitioning into assistant roles and supporting younger coaches

38:55 - Advice to his younger self and continuous learning as a coach

41:13 - The significance of mindfulness, preparation, and details in coaching life

Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most. The ONLY podcast dedicated to giving fired, resigned or non-renewed coaches a voice.Make sure to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Follow on X - https://x.com/firedcoachespodFollow our Newsletter - https://firedcoachespod.beehiiv.com/