Jared here. This week is the season finale of the NTRP Podcast, and I'm joined by Emily Garner, Head Coach of Cornell Women's Basketball, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to build a program in one of the most competitive and academically demanding conferences in the country.

Coach Garner's journey has unfolded almost entirely at elite academic institutions—first as a player at Lafayette, then as a recruiting coordinator at Army, later as the Head Coach at Trinity College (CT), and now leading Cornell. This path has given her a deep perspective on what it means to balance athletics with academics at the highest level, and why that balance shapes not only the recruiting process, but the culture she strives to build every day.

Coach Garner dives deep into what it takes to both perform and lead at the high-academic level. It's a conversation that largely focuses on what it takes from an athlete - both mentally and physically - to navigate the building phase in one of the toughest conferences in the women's game.

For recruits and their families, there's so much to take from this episode. Coach Garner shares what she values most when evaluating players, how she teaches her team AND staff to separate who they are from what they do, and why learning to manage failure—rather than fearing it—is a skill that can define her players in every room they walk into, not just the gym.

This episode offers a very rare window into the mindset of a leader building not just a team, but a lasting culture in one of the most academically and athletically competitive environments imaginable. You won't want to miss it.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Constructing a Culture Beyond the Court — A Conversation with Sacred Heart University Head Coach Anthony Latina

Jared here. This week I'm joined by Anthony Latina, Head Coach of Sacred Heart Men's Basketball, for a conversation that looks at culture in its fullest sense—not just within the team, but across an entire campus community.

Coach Latina has spent 20 years with the Pioneers, and I can't wait for you to hear the way that his time there changed how he frames success. It isn't only about wins or even player development—it's about building a program where his athletes are visible, engaged, and valued as leaders on their campus. We talk about the intentional steps he and his staff take to connect players to the broader community, and why he believes that buy-in off the court strengthens buy-in on it.

Throughout the conversation, Coach Latina explains how culture has to be lived daily: through accountability, shared responsibility, and finding ways for players to make a positive impact wherever they are. He dives into what it means to sustain that culture over years, not just seasons, and how much of recruiting inside of this framework comes down to identifying athletes who embrace those values in addition to being talented enough to play at the D1 level.

Everyone says they want to be a part of a great team culture. Well, this is what building and sustaining it actually looks like. So take notes.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

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Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here. This episode, I'm joined by David Hitz, founder of The Neuro Pro, for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on how mindfulness and breathwork are becoming a competitive edge for athletes.

David has worked with athletes and professionals at all levels to unlock performance through the brain's ability to rewire itself—what science calls neuroplasticity. We talk about what that actually looks like in training, why so many young athletes struggle with confidence and emotional control, and how something as simple as learning to breathe with intention can reset the body and mind in high-pressure moments.

But this interview is not just grounded in theory. David shares practical tools athletes can use right away, from handling nerves before a big game to developing routines that build resilience over time. We dive into why identity matters so much in sport, how athletes can reframe mistakes in the moment, and what separates those who truly grow from those who get stuck in frustration.

For recruits and parents, this episode is a reminder that development isn't just on the court. The best athletes learn to manage their inner game—how they focus, how they recover, and how they respond when things go sideways.

This conversation is an introduction on how to train the mind with the same seriousness you train the body, and I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Watch the episode to see examples of the breathing techniques:

https://youtu.be/Snifu0z2glA

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

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Jared here. This week I'm joined by one of my oldest basketball buddies Dan Nagle, Head Coach at Nichols College, for a cannonball dive into one of the most unique styles of basketball you'll see at the college level. Nichols runs "The System," a high-octane, relentless approach built on pace, pressure, and both shooting and subbing in volume. He's in the middle of a program re-build at Nichols, who are fresh off their winningest season in more than 15 years. So to say the least, he's on to something.

So much of my advice to young recruits is centered around them developing further awareness, and this interview provides endless opportunities to develop greater awareness about how college coaches analyze the game at the next level. We talk about what it really takes to build buy-in for such a demanding style, why it requires a special type of player, and how it challenges athletes to think differently about their roles. From conditioning and mindset to embracing freedom within structure, Coach Nagle lays out why playing in The System can be so rewarding for some, and so challenging for others.

Beyond X's and O's, this conversation gets at the heart of recruiting. What kind of player thrives in this environment? What mistakes do recruits make when they underestimate the demands of a style like this? And how do coaches evaluate who truly has the character, toughness, and adaptability to succeed when the game looks nothing like what most high school players are used to?

For athletes and parents, this episode is a reminder that not every program looks the same—and that finding the right fit sometimes means embracing something bold, different, and outside the box. Enjoy!

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here. In this episode, I sit down with Andrew May, Head Coach of Snow College Men's Basketball—a team that spent much of last season ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA.

Coach May takes us inside the culture and demands of high-level junior college basketball, breaking down what makes JUCO so different and why the JUCO path is the perfect fit for certain players. We talk about the balance between developing talent and competing for championships, the level of discipline required to succeed in such a compressed two-year window, and the habits he expects his players to embody from day one.

He shares how Snow identifies players who can thrive in their environment, the non-negotiables he looks for beyond talent, and why maturity and self-awareness often separate those who succeed from those who fade out. This is especially important since the reality of JUCO basketball is often misunderstood by parents and high school athletes.

Snow's program is certainly the focal point of our discussion, but this conversation isn't just about what it takes to be great at Snow. It's about the habits and mindset that carry over to success at the next level. If you want a clear picture of the pace, intensity, and expectations inside one of the best JUCO programs in the country, this conversation delivers it.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here. This week, I'm joined by Jacey Brooks, Head Coach of Northern Illinois Women's Basketball. We have a candid conversation about development, decision-making, and how to navigate the recruiting process with clarity—especially when you're struggling to make decisions.

Coach Brooks has just about seen it all in her coaching journey. She's served as an assistant and associate head coach at the D1 level, she built a nationally ranked program at the D3 level, and she's even mentored high-level AAU athletes. Her perspective from both sides of the table gives her a unique lens on the recruiting process—one grounded in honesty, patience, and a belief that the right choice always matters more than the quickest one.

We talk about how she evaluates players beyond the stat sheet, why so many recruits misread the process early, and what she wishes every high school athlete and family understood about long-term development. She even walks through how her staff balances recruiting from the portal and high school ranks, and why she feels it's not more important to ever to have deep and meaningful relationships with her players.

Coach Brooks also shares the non-negotiables that drive her culture, how she empowers players through accountability, and why the advice she gives to recruits today isn't all that different from what she needed to hear herself as a player.

Podcast descriptions are meant to be short. But frankly, this description doesn't even scratch the surface of our deep conversation about real relationships and how those relationships help you navigate some of the hardest decisions you will make. If you're trying to understand what real buy-in looks like, or you're helping someone figure out what matters most in the recruiting process, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at how college coaches see the big picture—on the floor and off it.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here. This episode, I'm joined by Luke McConnell - Head Coach at Saint Francis University - for a conversation that blends program-building, personal growth, and the mindset that manufactured one of the most improbable Conference Championship runs of the 2024-2025 season.

He walks through how Saint Francis found its identity late in the season, bought into one another, and played their best basketball when it mattered most, culminating in the first NCAA Tournament appearance for St. Francis in 34 years. Coach McConnell goes through the nuts and bolts of some of the most important decisions that drove winning, including his team's late-game philosophy—why they don't use timeouts in certain crunch time situations—and how that trust gets built in practice, film, and repetition.

When we turn to the player development piece, Coach McConnell explains why decision-making and spacing are at the heart of how he teaches the game. You won't want to miss how this plays into the way he evaluates recruits ability AND character.

Of note, Coach McConnell took the reins of a program he'd been part of for over a decade—just weeks after becoming a first-time father. We talk not only about what the position means to him, but also how his leadership lens is impacted by the arrival of his baby daughter.

This is a "look under the hood" episode with tons of ideas that both players and coaches can easily apply to their own practices. And it's coming from someone who's taken the journey from GA to Head Coach at his alma mater. If you're a recruit, parent, or coach looking to understand what development really looks like at the college level, this one's worth your time.

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Support the O'Donnell Family: https://gofund.me/79b0bd32

Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Episode: Behind the App — How Athlete Narrative is Changing the Game with David Hitz

In this bonus episode of The Nail the Recruiting Process Podcast, we're stepping off the court and into the digital side of recruiting. With the live evaluation season in full swing and coaches on the road, I wanted to give athletes and families a deeper look into a tool that aims to level the playing field: the Athlete Narrative Recruiter app.

I'm joined by David Hitz, VP of Operations at Athlete Narrative, for a walkthrough of how the platform works—and why it's built differently. We talk about why so many recruiting services miss the mark, how this app empowers athletes to own their outreach, and how it helps them do in 30 seconds what used to take 15 minutes: clean, customized, emails that open doors.

David and I also dig into:

• The origin of the app, born from real parents trying to help their kids navigate recruiting

• The Radar Page—a personalized athlete landing page that becomes your digital resume

• How the app pulls from your Radar to draft a tailored email, and then hands full control to you for final edits inside your own email

• Why personalization still matters—and how the app helps athletes do it faster

• How email tracking, contact management, and in-app research tools help athletes stay organized, informed, and strategic

• Why this tool is about ownership, not automation—and how it keeps athletes at the center of the process

If you're a player or parent overwhelmed by outreach, or just looking for a smarter, more efficient way to connect with college coaches, this episode is a must-listen. You'll not only hear the why—but you'll also get a full walkthrough of the how.

🎯 And don't forget—listeners can now sign up for the Nail the Recruiting Process version of the Athlete Narrative Recruiter app and get 2 months for just $20. Link in the episode description.

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Take the video tour of the NTRP/AN Recruiter app:

https://youtu.be/8sk_EuOsmKs

Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and I'm going to put it simply: I've never heard a coach publicly share the types of stories you're about to hear in this episode of the podcast.

We continue our deep dive with Tiffany Swoffard, Head Coach of Canisius Women's Basketball, as she reflects on the most pivotal stretch of her first season. If Part 1 was about laying the foundation, Part 2 is about testing it. This is where the values she preached in preseason collided with real adversity—and the story of how what followed changed the trajectory of the entire year.

Follow Coach Swoffard and her staff through a 3 game losing streak that put their backs against the ropes and their postseason hopes on the line. Learn about the breaking point that the team experienced, and how the staff responded. And prepare to be amazed by the sacrifice of one senior leader that propelled the team forward down the stretch.

We explore how true accountability—naming your role in a loss, then owning your words and actions—can actually build trust when it's delivered with care and consistency. This wasn't just about strategy—it was about clarity, communication, and the daily work of culture.

In the second half of the episode, the entire Canisius coaching staff jumps on. They share the inside story of the staff's own growth through the season, what they look for in recruits now, and how the experience shaped their standard going forward.

This isn't a recap of games—it's a case study in leadership, player development, and the real work behind building a Division I program. For players, parents, and coaches looking to understand how college basketball really works when no one's watching—this is a must-listen.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and this one is not going to be your standard interview with a basketball coach.

In the first of a two-part episode, I am joined by Canisius University Head Coach Tiffany Swoffard. But to put it more accurately, I WAS joined by Coach Swoffard for the entirety of the 2024-2025 season, in order to provide listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to build a Division I program from the ground up. We captured the challenges, breakthroughs, and foundational moments that come with leading an almost entirely new roster with no shared on-court history.

In this episode, Coach Swoffard shares what it's looked like to prioritize growth over outcomes, why culture fit matters more than talent in recruiting, and how she's helped her players shift from simply hearing praise to embracing feedback. She talks about what it means to teach the why behind every decision, why her staff treats non-conference games as preparation for March, and how intentional habits—not results—are the foundation for long-term success.

More than anything, she reflects on what it means to lead a group that chose her—how she's worked to earn their trust, hold them accountable, and build something sustainable. This episode is a rare, honest glimpse into the process of building a Division I culture from scratch, and what it takes to lead with clarity, conviction, and care.

If everything above isn't enough to convince you to tune in, here's an important fact that drives the interview: Coach Swoffard's way works. Canisius was picked to finish dead last in the MAAC in her first year, and her Griffs instead finished tied for 6th. Coach Swoffard's vision, style, and teachings propelled the shockingly fast growth of a team that had extremely limited D1 playing experience. So, you're going to want to hear about how she puts it all together.

If you're a recruit hoping to understand what D1 basketball actually demands—or a coach who knows that success is built well before the wins—this is one you don't want to miss.

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Download the NTRP x Athlete Narrative Recruiter App: https://signup.athletenarrative.com/ntrp2?am_id=ntrp

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Have a question that you'd like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at [email protected]

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess TikTok - @JaredTheCoach