Gamechangers: A WBCA Podcast

In this episode, San José State Head Coach Jonas Chatterton shares real insight on hiring practices for both assistant and head coach roles, including what stands out in interviews and how to identify the right opportunity for your career.

He also gets candid about the pressure of moving “one seat over,” what his first 100 days as a head coach looked like, and how his perspective has shifted when evaluating assistant coaches.

If you're navigating your next step or building your staff, this episode delivers practical takeaways from both sides of the table.

What does it take to build a powerhouse high school program — and sustain it year after year? On this episode, Sue Phillips, Head Coach at Archbishop Mitty High School, shares the blueprint behind developing elite talent and preparing players for the next level. She offers candid insights into what college recruiters should understand — and improve — when evaluating high school athletes, plus how to truly prepare players for collegiate success. Coach Phillips also pulls back the curtain on USA Basketball exposure and what she’s learned coaching on the international stage. A must-listen for coaches invested in long-term program building and player development.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sunny Smallwood, Associate Head Coach at Montana State University, for a candid conversation about the fulfillment and longevity of a career as an assistant coach. With more than three decades on the sidelines, Coach Smallwood shares why the assistant role is both valid and vital, how to effectively support a head coach, and how to adapt as responsibilities evolve over time. She also offers thoughtful insight on communicating across generations of players and staff, adding value within established programs, and finding purpose and motivation throughout every stage of a coaching career.

In this episode, Oklahoma State assistant coach Mandi Carver shares what it takes to adjust on the fly in women’s basketball, reflecting on her transition from the mid-major level to a Power 4 program after spending years in one place. She discusses the evolving challenges of coaching highly visible, highly compensated athletes, navigating team culture in the social media era, and breaks down on-court insights around elite rebounding and building a fast, high-octane offense.

On this episode, Host Anthony Turner is joined by Anthony Bozzella, Head Coach at Seton Hall University, for a deep dive into what it takes to build and sustain a successful women’s basketball program.

Coach Bozzella shares his approach to program building from the ground up, including roster construction in the transfer portal and NIL/Rev Share era. The conversation also explores the importance of academic accountability, mentoring the next generation of coaches, balancing family and work-life demands, and identifying some of the biggest challenges facing women’s basketball as the sport continues to grow.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny Huth, assistant coach at Cal-Berkeley, as she reflects on her journey through the coaching ladder from assistant coach to head coach and back to the assistant role. Coach Huth shares key lessons learned from each perspective, discusses the evolving challenges facing assistant coaches today, and offers insight into how the recruiting landscape has changed since her days as a standout high school player.

In this episode, Mike Neighbors, former Head Coach at the University of Arkansas and current Assistant Coach with the LA Sparks, shares his perspective on how college coaches and the WNBA can work together to continue growing the game. From player development to clinics, chalk talks, and knowledge sharing, the conversation highlights why alignment across levels matters for the future of women’s basketball.

How do you take the reins of a championship-winning program and make it your own—without losing the culture that built it? In this episode, we’re joined by Drury University Head Coach Kaci Bailey to explore what it takes to sustain success during a coaching transition. She shares how she evaluates talent that fits her style, how she’s adjusting to the evolving recruiting landscape, and why developing young coaches is key to long-term program growth.

Whether you're taking over a powerhouse or building something new, this conversation offers insight on balancing legacy and leadership.

In this episode, we sit down with Florida State's Bill Ferrara, Jr. to unlock the “cheat codes” to being an elite assistant coach in women’s basketball. From building trust with your head coach to mentoring student-athletes while balancing parenthood, Bill shares honest insights from his journey across multiple levels of the game. We also dive into the responsibility of being a male coaching in the women’s game and what it really takes to be a trusted leader, teammate, and role model on and off the court.

Host: Brian Rosario

In this episode of the WBCA GameChangers Podcast, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025 WBCA Convention! WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew and Deputy Director Mary Ellen Gillespie join us to break down the schedule of events, key programming, and the business meeting agenda. Plus, we’re joined by Dr. Matthew Davidson, President of the Excellence with Integrity Institute, to discuss leadership, integrity, and how these values tie into the Convention experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime member, this episode is your go-to guide for making the most of the 2025 WBCA Convention!