The Basketball Podcast

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Seattle University head coach Chris Victor joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on playing with joy, unity and defense.

Chris Victor enters his fourth year as Head Coach of the Redhawks in 2024-25. The season will mark his eighth year overall at Seattle University as he spent four seasons as Associate Head Coach. Over the past three seasons, Victor has compiled a 66-35 record, including three straight seasons of 20 wins or more – the first such streak since 1957-59.

Chris Victor has an impressive head coaching record of 169 wins and 74 losses, boasting a winning percentage of .695. In 2022, he was honored as the Don Haskins WAC Coach of the Year.

Most recently, the 2023-34 concluded in the program's first-ever postseason tournament championship as the Redhawks won four games in five days to clinch the 2024 Ro College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in Daytona Beach, Fla. The postseason run led the Redhawks to a 23-win season for the second time in the past three years under Victor, as well as a 117 NET ranking – the highest such end-of-season ranking for the program.

Prior to Seattle U, Victor served as an assistant coach at Eastern Washington for two seasons. His first season on the Eagle coaching staff was punctuated by Eastern’s first-ever victory in a national postseason tournament as a member of NCAA Division I when the Eagles beat Pepperdine, 79-72, in the College Basketball Invitational. The Eagles went 22-12 and returned to the CBI in 2016-17.

Victor’s first head coaching position was at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., where he led the Owls of the Western State Conference and California Community College Athletic Association to 103 victories over five seasons. He won 73 percent of his games overall (103-39) and 73 percent in league play (44-16) with a pair of CCCAA Final Four appearances and one league title.

Victor spent four seasons as a top assistant at Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., under Head Coach Ken Ammann. In that span, Concordia went 118-23, won three out of four Golden State Athletic Conference Championships and made four-straight appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, including appearing in the national title game in 2006-07.

In this week's basketball coaching conversion, Boston Celtics Director of Player Development Craig Luschenat joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on Boston Celtics Player Development.

Craig Luschenat is the Director of Player Development for the Boston Celtics, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record in player enhancement and coaching. 

Prior to joining the Celtics, Craig served as a player development intern for Integrity Hoops and Wasserman Sports Agency Clients in Los Angeles, California. In this role, he was responsible for planning and leading workouts for NBA talent, as well as developing strong relationships with NBA players and agents. His notable work with NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis highlights his ability to work with top-tier talent.

Craig’s journey in basketball began as a college player at Saint Joseph’s College, where he played under the guidance of Coach Rob Sanicola. His passion for the game and dedication to player development led him to various coaching roles, including his tenure with the Maine Celtics. Craig served as an Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development for the Maine Celtics from 2020 to 2022, where he played a crucial role in enhancing player performance and development.

In July 2022, Craig transitioned to the Boston Celtics as a Player Enhancement Coach, a position he held until July 2024. His exceptional skills and commitment to player growth earned him the role of Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development in July 2024.

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, Washington Wizards assistant coach JJ Outlaw joins the Basketball Podcast to share insight on defense, player maturation, and transitions.

J.J. Outlaw is a dynamic and experienced NBA assistant coach who has made a significant impact on the game. Currently serving as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards under Brian Keefe, Outlaw has been a valuable member of various NBA coaching staffs, including stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Outlaw's journey to the NBA began with a successful football career at Villanova University, where he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. After two seasons in the NFL, he transitioned to the world of basketball, leveraging his competitive spirit and athleticism to excel in a new sport.

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, University of Richmond head coach Aaron Roussell joins the Basketball Podcast to share insight on Coaching the Princeton Offense.

Aaron Roussell, the reigning A-10 Coach of the Year, enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Richmond Spiders Women's Basketball team. With an impressive career winning percentage of .694, Roussell has transformed the Spiders into a competitive force in the Atlantic 10 Conference and nationally.

Roussell's tenure at Richmond has been marked by significant accomplishments. In the 2023-24 season, he led the Spiders to their first A-10 regular season title and championship since 1991, culminating in a historic appearance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. His coaching prowess has also been recognized with individual accolades, including the 400th career win against Loyola Chicago and the program's 1,000th win against Fordham.

Prior to his time at Richmond, Roussell gained valuable experience at Minnesota State, the University of Chicago, and Bucknell University. His consistent success throughout his career has solidified his reputation as a skilled and dedicated coach.

Swarthmore College head coach Landry Kosmalski joins the Basketball Podcast to share insight on shifting strategies and sustained success.

Two-time National Coach of the Year Landry Kosmalski has a 224-93 record at Swarthmore with a .707 win percentage since taking the helm in 2012. Under his leadership, the Garnet have become a powerhouse in Division III basketball, consistently ranking among the top teams in the nation.

Kosmalski’s coaching career is marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He has been named the NABC Division III Coach of the Year and has earned the Centennial Conference Coach of the Year award multiple times. His teams have made several NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Elite Eight and the Final Four. In the 2019-20 season, his team was ranked No. 1 nationally and finished with an impressive 28-1 record.

Kosmalski has been recognized as the Region/District Coach of the Year in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2023. He has also earned the title of Centennial Conference Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Under his leadership, Swarthmore has made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 seasons. Additionally, his teams have clinched the Centennial Conference Championship in 2016-17, 2018-19, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

Before joining Swarthmore, Kosmalski served as an assistant coach at Davidson College, where he helped lead the Wildcats to two Southern Conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.

Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich joins the Basketball Podcast to share defensive concepts, techniques and drills.

With a career coaching record that includes over 347 wins, Krista Gerlich brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the program. A former standout player for Texas Tech, Gerlich was a key member of the 1993 NCAA Championship team, earning accolades such as Final Four All-Tournament Team and NCAA Woman of the Year for Texas.

In 2013, Gerlich took over as head coach at UT Arlington, where she became the winningest coach in program history with 121 victories. Her tenure at UT Arlington was marked by significant achievements, including a Sun Belt Regular Season Championship and a Sun Belt Coach of the Year award..

Gerlich returned to her alma mater in 2020, taking the helm of the Lady Raiders. Under her leadership, the team has shown steady improvement, reflecting her commitment to building a competitive and resilient program. Known for her strategic acumen, player development skills, and ability to foster team chemistry, Gerlich continues to inspire and lead her players both on and off the court. Her dedication to excellence and her deep connection to Texas Tech make her a pivotal figure in the world of collegiate basketball.

Minnesota State University-Mankato head coach Emilee Thiesse joins the Basketball Podcast to share insight on National Championship motion defense and offense.

Emilee Thiesse has transformed the Minnesota State University’s women’s basketball program into an NCAA Division II powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Mavericks clinched their second NCAA Division II Championship during the 2023-24 season, breaking several team records along the way. Thiesse’s tenure boasts an impressive 228-116 (.662) overall record, with 5 NCAA Tournament appearances, and her teams consistently ranking among the top in scoring offense and defense. Minnesota State’s 2023-24 season saw them achieve a 20-2 conference record, their second NSIC Championship, and their first NSIC Tournament Championship.

Thiesse’s coaching prowess has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the NSIC Coach of the Year honor. The team broke several team records during their 2023-24 championship season, including games played (37), most wins (32, tied with 2008-09 season), points scored (3,069), field goal attempts (2,673), field goals made (1,146), field goal attempts (789) and free throws made (571). Along with the fourth-best scoring offense in NCAA Division II (82.9 ppg), the Mavericks also boasted a smothering defense that ranked second in steals per game (17.1), second in turnovers forced (28.05) and first in turnover margin (+13.11).

NBA Youth Basketball Consultant and Basketball Immersion founder Chris Oliver reflects on ten years of transformative basketball coaching and player development ideas.

Chris Oliver is the founder of Basketball Immersion, a leading resource for basketball coaches and players worldwide. Since 2014, Chris has been dedicated to sharing his passion for the game through innovative coaching methods, immersive videos, and insightful podcasts.

With a decade of experience in educating coaches, Chris Oliver has established himself as a trusted authority in youth basketball development. As a consultant for the NBA's youth basketball development programs, Chris Oliver works to shape the future of the game. He is also involved with the renowned Sierra Canyon basketball program, further solidifying his commitment to nurturing young talent. 

Through Basketball Immersion, Chris Oliver provides coaches with the tools and knowledge to enhance their teams' performance. His engaging content, including the popular Basketball Immersion podcast and in-depth video analysis, has resonated with coaches from grassroots to elite levels.

Chris's mission is to empower coaches, players, and basketball communities globally, fostering a deeper understanding and love for the game. Join the Basketball Immersion community to tap into Chris's expertise and transform your coaching and playing experience.

Guest: Dustin Kerns, Head Coach Appalachian State Men's Basketball

Appalachian State head coach Dustin Kerns joins the Basketball Podcast.to share insights on draft time, defense and a culture of appreciation.

Kerns guided the Mountaineers to a historic season in his fifth year at the helm, securing the program's first regular season outright conference championship since the 1978-79 season, a program-record 27 wins and an NIT first-round appearance for the first time since 2006-07. The Mountaineers won 16 Sun Belt games in 2023-24 and finished with a 16-2 record, marking the best winning percentage in conference play in program history. For the third consecutive season, the Mountaineers won at least 10 home games, winning 15 games at the Holmes Center, the most in the building's era. App State was one of 12 teams in the country to be undefeated at home while shattering their regular-season attendance record.

The Mountaineers finished the season 3-0 against teams that made the 2023-24 NCAA Tournament. App State's win over Auburn on December 3 made it back-to-back seasons that the Mountaineers have defeated a Power 5 opponent. Additionally, the Mountaineers were the only team in the country to post three separate winning streaks of at least eight games. Because of the team's success, Kerns was named App State's first Conference Coach of the Year since 2003. Kerns also garnered the All-District 23 Coach of the Year honors by the NABC and was named a finalist for both the Jim Phelan and High Durham Coach of the Year Awards.

Kerns coaching journey started as a student assistant at Clemson, and after graduation landed his first coaching job at Tennessee Tech. Following a one-year stop as a graduate assistant at Tennessee, Kerns joined Mike Young's staff at Wofford from 2004 to 2007, then moved on to Santa Clara as an assistant from 2007 to 2013. He returned to Wofford as the associate head coach in 2013, where he was on staff for the Terriers' 2014 and 2015 NCAA Tournament appearances.

On May 23, 2017, Kerns was named the head coach at Presbyterian.Kerns took over a Presbyterian program that had endured 12 straight losing seasons and a 5 win campaign the previous season. The program quickly turned around as in his 2nd season at Presbyterian, he led the Blue Hose to a 20 win season, first ever postseason berth, and quarterfinal appearance in the CIT Tournament. Kerns was named the head coach at Appalachian State on March 28, 2019.

Breakdown:

02:22 Celebrating Team and Fan Support

03:41 Unique Summer Training Approaches

05:08 Draft Time: A New Approach to Pickup Games

13:27 Mental Health and Player Wellbeing

14:58 Encouraging Diverse Training Environments

19:18 Emphasizing Offensive Skills in Summer

23:29 Focusing on Fewer Fouls During Games

26:33 Officiating Practice: A Teaching Tool

27:48 Addressing Bad Habits and Consequences

30:36 The Role of Analytics in Shot Selection

31:39 Consequences and Emotions in Practice

33:44 Verticality and Defensive Techniques

37:56 Defensive Conditioning and Team Building

40:11 Developing Defensive Intensity

43:01 Core Principles and Program Success

46:44 Appreciation and Individuality in Coaching

Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion

Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbballimmersion/

Immersion Videos:

Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com

Guest: Mike Bradbury, Head Coach New Mexico Women's Basketball

In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, New Mexico head coach Mike Bradbury joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on efficient language, keeping it simple, and his “so what” philosophy.

Mike Bradbury enters his ninth season as head coach for The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team. In his previous eight seasons at the helm, Bradbury has guided the Lobos to a 162-89 (.645) and 89-51 (.636) in conference and became just the second coach in UNM history to win 100 games. Overall as a head coach he has won over 340 games.

Five times in his tenure (2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) the Lobos eclipsed the 20-win mark, with the Lobos tying the program record for most wins in a single season with 26 in 2021-22. Further, the 25 wins in 2017-18 were tied for the second-most wins in program history. The consecutive 20-plus win seasons under Bradbury in 2017-18 and 2018-19 were the first for the program since the 2007-08 – 2008-09 seasons

From 2007 to 2010, Bradbury led Morehead State to a 50–44 record over the course of three seasons, including a 22–11 record and a bid to the WBI in his final season as head coach. The 22-win mark set the school's NCAA-era record for victories in a season, and the 14–4 conference mark in the same year set the school's single season conference wins record and was also the highest conference winning percentage in a season in school history

At Wright State from 2010 to 2016, Bradbury had five seasons with 20 or more wins and led the school to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014, in addition to WBI appearances in 2011 and 2012 and WNIT appearances in 2015 and 2016.

Breakdown:

01:10 Longevity in Coaching

02:02 Building a Winning Team Culture

03:03 Efficient Communication in Coaching

04:39 Non-Negotiables in Player Development

10:27 Adapting Offensive Strategies

15:14 Defensive Principles and Adaptability

21:14 Coaching Philosophy and Staff Development

26:05 Overcoming Adversity: No Excuses

26:42 Staff Organization and Responsibilities

27:56 Efficient Practice Communication

30:03 Post-Practice and Game Review

33:05 Adapting Coaching Strategies

39:06 Simplifying Game Plans

48:05 Maintaining Passion for Coaching

Chris Oliver / Basketball Immersion

Website: http://basketballimmersion.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersion

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbballimmersion/

Immersion Videos:

Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com