Next Possession

This week Hawk connects with three of the best Assistant Coaches in all of College Basketball. Saddi Washington (University of Michigan), Mike Burns (Boise State University), and Cornell Mann (University of Missouri) share several jewels they've picked up during time spent guiding young men through basketball. 

Loyalty, honesty, flexibility, and humility are recurring themes throughout the three conversations of this marathon podcast. 

The episode was inspired by this week's "tip-off question" which comes from a current Student Manager with aspirations of becoming a Division 1 Head Coach. 

Coach Hawk brought three great minds into the mix to impart portions of their blueprint to the next generation of Coaches. 

If you have someone in your life with dreams of a career on the sidelines, this episode is a MUST SHARE. 

In this episode Coach Hawk visits with one of the nation's best coaches, Gonzaga's Mark Few.
Few and Hawk discuss parental behavior and it's impact on recruiting. Staying on the topic of recruiting you will find out the recruit that Few lost that he most wanted.
Gonzaga has always scheduled tough. The Zags coach talks about why this was so important in building their program and how it has evolved.
Finally Few talks about fly fishing next to grizzly bears and why it's the perfect sport for coaches.
In the tipoff and buzzer beater, Coach Hawk (along with Few) settle an argument between a couple that discuss whether parental behavior has an impact on the college recruitment process.
Hint: As always, the wife wins.
Listen in to all the fun.

Players hiring individual development coaches has been a recent trend at all levels. Is this a good thing or bad? 
Coach Hawk visits with longtime friend and veteran NBA assistant coach Eric Hughes. Hughes has coached in Toronto, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and last year with the 76ers. He has trained players such as Gary Payton, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Garnett, Giannis Antetokounpo, and Kevin Durant just to name a few.
You'll get an amusing look at how Hawk and Hughes moved up the coaching ladder together before the two move on to discuss the player development world. 
You'll hear the difference between what an in season and off-season workout looks like. The misconceptions of NBA players, length of season, and why Hughes doesn't like to use cones during a workout are all discussed.
What's the difference between a college workout and an NBA workout? Who is the greatest competitor Hughes has ever coached? (Hint: It's the same guy most NBA insiders would name as well.) All of this and so much more is covered in the halftime talk.
The Buzzer Beater picks up on the discussion and tries to help answer the question about the emergence of individual development coaches and their worth to the player. Coach Hawk chips in with his opinion on how to navigate the process to make it work for all involved.
The tip-off question asks about the best reading material out there to help young players (and parents) grow and develop.
This episode is a must for players, parents, and coaches alike. Fans will enjoy the inside stories.

In this episode Hawk catches up with Arizona St. Head Basketball Coach Bobby Hurley. The two were one time foes and now friends. Listen in as they go through Hurley's illustrious career.
Hurley talks about his high school career, his decision to go to Duke and the unexpected person that made that visit happen to the Durham campus when he made his decision that lured him away from Big East territory and settle in the land of the ACC.
He was coached in high school by his Hall Of Fame father and in college by another Hall Of Fame mentor in Coach K. You might be surprised to find out who his greatest influence is as it relates to his coaching style.
His NBA career and stint as an owner/trainer of thoroughbred race horses are also discussed. What's the difference between a horse you own winning a big race and a team you coach winning a big game? Does he have any regrets? It's all right here in a fun halftime talk between Coach Hawk and Hurley.
The tip-off takes on the topic of coaches and their sideline behavior. 
The Buzzer Beater is all about the types of motivation coaches employ. 

This week Coach Hawk chops it up with the University of Illinois Men's Basketball Head Coach, Brad Underwood. Brad talks about his long path to becoming a Divison 1 Head Coach, the challenges and rewards of leading Juco programs, and the joy he and his current Illini team felt upon finally being able to gather in the same gym and put in some work.

Coach Underwood also discusses self-analysis and lifestyle change during the Covid-19 Era. Specifically, his choice to merge his Zoom calls with 8-10 miles walks and his goal of a fifty-pound weight loss...hilariously inspired by his daughter pointing out that years of the coaching lifestyle had led to him developing several chins.

The tip-off question is lighthearted yet important, putting Coach Hawk on the spot to name his favorite sports films of all-time. Unfortunately and serendipitously, the tip-off question leads Hawk into a brief remembrance of All-Pro NFL Running Back, Gale Sayers who recently transitioned at age 77. 

This week's Buzzer-Beater centers around criticism. 

Do you want to get a look at what it's really like to play in the NFL? Or maybe a glance at life as a division 1 basketball player?
In this episode Coach Hawk catches up with one of his former players, Joe Reitz. Reitz was a star basketball player in college that went on to have a 9 year career in the NFL as a lineman. 
The former player and his coach reminisce through his playing days as a basketball player. Reitz tells a story about a game that they lost in Hawaii and how poorly that night ended for everyone (conveniently Coach Hawk has no memory of the event.) No worries though because the next day Reitz broke an opponent's nose on the same play he tipped a missed free throw in at the buzzer to win the game.
Reitz gives Coach Hawk some credit for urging him to propose to his girlfriend, now wife and mother to their 5 kids (and 6th on the way.)
Follow Reitz' NFL career from how he got his opportunity all the way through how it led him to starting at right tackle and getting the assignment to block Von Miller in the AFC Championship game in Denver.
From 235 lbs in high school to 335 lbs in the NFL.
And yes, the infamous deflategate  game that he played in.
It took Reitz 3 yrs, 10 months, and 4 days to make it, but he did it. Listen in to his inspirational story of persistence, faith, and family.
The tip-off segment covers the seismic shifts in basketball throughout the years and the Buzzer Beater examines the importance of sleep. 

George Christie was the former President of the Hell's Angels, which happens to be the most notorious outlaw motorcycle club in the world. He was a member of the club for 40 years, 35 of which he was a leader and spokesperson.
In this episode you will find out how Christie and Hawkins met and why Christie had an influence on Hawk at an early age.
Christie has a treasure chest full of stories. He talks about his early years as a surfer, a stint in the Marine Corps that lead to a job in the department of defense, and his ascent to the top of the ladder of the Hell's Angels. He's hung out with Willie and Waylon, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia and so many more.
Sports, entertainment, culture, power, law, loyalty, and leadership all intersect in this fascinating sit-down between two men that seemingly have nothing in common. Or, do they? Listen in to find out.
For the the tip-off segment, Hawk covers his top 5 moments he was most angry at a referee.
The Buzzer Beater is about the definition of leadership and why it's so difficult to define.

Frank Martin has earned the reputation for not holding back punches. He's always been honest and blunt. He doesn't disappoint in this episode. In his interview with Coach Hawk, the two cover a wide variety of topics that includes what a coach can no longer get away with that he used to be able to.
Martin also goes deep into his past to talk about who his influences and role models were while growing up in South Florida as the son of Cuban exiles. The natural cuban traits of passion, work, family, and love set the foundation for his programs and coaching philosophy.
Hawk and Martin also talk about the value of recruiting the right kid from the right program and the impact of coaches that teach at the lower levels. 
The tip-off question covers the impact that analytics have in college programs (and one of the best burgers in one of the best dive bars in the nation.)
Finally, don't miss the Buzzer Beater segment to get Hawk's colorful take on cursing, or lack thereof.

Coach Hawk sits down with one of his former players, Maverick Carter for an in depth look at what makes Maverick tick. Carter has long been the brains behind some huge business deals and ventures that he and his childhood friend Lebron James have undertaken. Take a listen to what he has to say and you'll know exactly why it's not just Lebron James talent that has gotten them this far. 
Carter doesn't hold back while discussing topics such as how Nike helped develop him, defining exactly what "branding" is, empowerment, and marketing strategies involving perhaps the most recognizable sports figure in the world.
Carter and Coach Hawk also talk about the climate of the nation today and why there's so much to be optimistic about and why it's so important. Here's a clue: they both have young kids.
Finally, you'll get to hear Carter talk about their huge plans for building the premier entertainment company of the future. All this and so much more.
The tip-off question has to do with the challenges facing a first year head coach.
The Buzzer Beater is a follow up on the value and role of optimism that Carter and Coach Hawk touched on during their discussion.

If you're into hoops at all, you've probably heard of the "Butler Way." Butler Head Coach LaVall Jordan discusses exactly what that means and why it's been so successful for so many years.
You'll also hear Hawk and Jordan talk about the impact that a current roster can have on the recruitment of future players. 
No discussion about Butler would be complete without talking about the mystique of Hinkle Fieldhouse, the longtime home of the Bulldogs. 
Parental schooling during Covid? Find out how the Jordan's are taking it on. 
And, did you know that Jordan almost went to work with Hawk? Listen in on a great behind the scenes story.
The tip-off segment touches on the importance of the proper attitude as Hawk shares one of his favorite motivational stories that he learned from Pat Riley.
Finally, the buzzer beater segment argues why you should no longer "network."
Listen in on all the fun on Next Possession!