The guest is Bob Walsh, the assistant coach for St. John's University men's basketball team. Bob shares his extensive coaching journey, starting from Hamilton College to his head coach roles at Rhode Island College and the University of Maine, and back to being an assistant at various institutions including the prestigious St. John's under Rick Pitino. Through this insightful conversation, Bob discusses the challenges of moving from Division III to Division I, the mental aspects of transitioning from head coach back to an assistant role, and his approach to continually improving and mentoring in the field of coaching. He also touches upon his book 'Entitled to Nothing' (https://entitledtonothingbook.com/), a unique narrative blending storytelling with practical leadership lessons, and shares valuable books and resources for coaching inspiration. 

Topics

00:27 Meet Bob Walsh: Career Overview

02:03 Bob's Coaching Journey Begins

05:16 From Assistant to Head Coach

10:06 Challenges and Insights of Coaching

21:31 Transitioning Between Coaching Roles

23:49 The Role of an Assistant Coach

25:02 Transitioning from Head Coach to Assistant

25:45 Choosing the Right Coaching Opportunity

28:34 Writing 'Entitled to Nothing' (https://entitledtonothingbook.com/)

33:17 Working with Rick Pitino

38:13 The Importance of Mentorship

42:51 Continuous Learning and Improvement

44:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Damian interviews University of Vermont associate head soccer coach Brad Cole. Brad shares his coaching journey, which started at UVM where he played and continued coaching after graduation. His experiences include a coaching internship in England, roles at Cornell University, and the University of Portland before returning to Vermont. They discuss the differences in coaching styles and youth development between the US and Europe, strategies for molding winning teams, and the importance of mentorship. Brad also reflects on UVM's remarkable season culminating in their first Division I national championship, emphasizing the community support, the players' dedication, and maintaining grounded despite immense success.

Topics

00:30 Meet Brad Cole: From Player to Coach

02:15 Coaching Journey: From Vermont to England

03:39 Insights from Coaching in England

10:28 Transitioning Back to the U.S. and Coaching at Cornell

17:04 Adapting to Different Coaching Environments

24:20 The Importance of Mentorship

24:55 Building a Network of Trusted Advisors

25:50 Transitioning from Mentee to Mentor

29:15 Handling Success and Its Challenges

33:49 The Pressure of Sustained Success

36:38 Creating a Winning Culture

41:59 Balancing Intensity and Relaxation

43:59 Final Thoughts and Social Media

The guests are Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal, assistant coaches from the prominent Rutgers University field hockey program. The guests share insights on their extensive coaching journeys from the UK, South Africa, and various points in the United States, including collegiate, national, and international levels. They discuss the differences in coaching between men and women's field hockey, adapting coaching techniques, and the importance of mentorship. The episode highlights the value of diverse coaching experiences and the impact of supportive environments in developing coaching skills.

Topics

00:24 Meet the Guests: Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal

08:06 Challenges and Insights in Coaching Field Hockey

13:38 Differences in Coaching Men and Women

18:31 The European Coaching Model vs. The U.S. Model

23:55 Mentorship and Learning from Different Experiences

32:16 The Importance of Mentorship in Coaching

37:53 Fun Stories and Recommendations

43:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Damian interviews Topher Scott, founder of the Hockey Think Tank and prominent figure in ice hockey development. They explore Scott's transition from player to coach, his experiences working at esteemed programs like Cornell University and the University of Michigan, and the importance of building a strong team culture. Scott shares insights into his career path, mentorship, and the trials of starting his own business. The conversation offers valuable advice for young assistants aiming to rise through the ranks in their respective fields.

Topics

00:29 Meet Topher Scott: Ice Hockey Development Expert

01:48 Topher's Coaching Journey Begins

03:55 Finding Your Voice as a Young Coach

05:28 Building Relationships with Players

09:16 Lessons from Coaching at Cornell

17:19 Transitioning Out of College Coaching

21:11 Passion for Team Culture

23:05 Lessons from Running a Business

24:45 Role at Michigan and Team Building

29:53 Importance of Mentorship

36:26 Favorite Books and Fun Stories

40:29 Closing Remarks and Music

Damian interviews Kim Weiss, the video coach for the Colorado Eagles of the AHL and a pioneering female presence in men's ice hockey coaching. Kim discusses her rapid career progression, starting from her playing days at Trinity College to her current role. She shares insights into her coaching journey, the challenges and rewards of being a woman in a predominantly male field, and the importance of mentorship. Listeners will learn about Kim's proactive mindset, how she found her voice in a male-dominated arena, and her experience in the NHLCA Female Coaches Program. The episode also delves into the critical skills that make a good assistant coach and the significance of building trust and relationships with players and head coaches.

Topics

00:30 Meet Kim Weiss: A Trailblazer in Men's Ice Hockey

02:11 Kim's Coaching Journey Begins

03:40 Transition to Junior Hockey and the Men's Game

05:22 The Importance of Saying Yes and Learning

09:45 Finding Your Voice as a Coach

14:37 The Role of a Good Assistant Coach

19:26 Joining Trinity College's Men's Program

22:33 Taking a Chance: Landing the Assistant Job

23:30 Adjusting to Coaching College Men

24:11 Building Trust with the Team

26:34 Transitioning to a Video Coach Role

35:57 The Importance of Mentorship

40:01 Fun Stories and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'The Assistant', Damian chats with Morgan Valley, assistant coach for the UConn women's basketball team and former player who was part of three national championship teams. The discussion highlights Morgan's journey from a player to a coaching role, her transition from UConn to other programs, and back to UConn. Morgan shares insights on mentorship, the importance of maintaining relationships, and her experiences as both an assistant coach and head coach. They also discuss the culture of excellence at UConn and how it influences the dynamics within the team and coaching strategies. Lastly, Morgan reveals some personal stories and tips for cultivating successful relationships as both a coach and player.

Topics

00:31 Meet Morgan Valley: Basketball Royalty

03:41 From Player to Coach: Morgan's Journey

06:45 Networking and Relationships in Coaching

15:31 Mentorship and Guidance

22:09 Transitioning to Head Coach

27:12 Returning to UConn: New Challenges

30:34 Favorite Books, Podcasts, and Stories

35:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the inaugural episode of 'The Assistant,' host Damian DiGiulian sits down with his very first assistant coach hire, Jeff Hill, currently a goaltending development coach for the Utah hockey club in the NHL. Jeff shares his journey in the coaching world, from starting at Rice Memorial High School with only nine players to moving up the ranks at Culver Military Academy. He later returned to his alma mater, the University of Vermont, where he navigated a coaching change during the pandemic. Jeff discusses his experiences working under different head coaches, learning the importance of mentorship, and finding his voice as a coach. The episode ends with a story about Jeff frequently being detained at the Canadian border due to a namesake with a criminal record. The show concludes with a musical feature from Chicago artist Lily Drury.

Topics

00:00 Introduction to The Assistant Podcast

48:06 Funny Coaching Stories

49:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Lily Drury on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/64N8LfiRByOaKGR00gNgWw?si=-a3yGmZ2TyOagcAEgoxDkQ