The Rising Coaches Podcast

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Cheri Mah, a leading expert in sleep and performance who has worked with some of the best athletes and organizations in the world, including Nike, Under Armour, the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, Olympic athletes, Formula 1, and the U.S. military. In this episode we discuss how coaches can build daily and weekly routines around sleep, how to plan travel to maximize sleep and performance, the biggest sleep disruptors athletes face, and how screen time before bed can impact sleep quality.

Learn more: https://www.drcherimah.com/

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Hansen Wong, Manager of G League and International Scouting for the Indiana Pacers. Wong has built a unique career with the Pacers, starting as a video intern and working his way through roles as Assistant Video Coordinator, Video Coordinator, and Director of Basketball Information and Technology before reaching his current position, while also serving as an Advanced Scout for the Nigerian National Team. In this episode we discuss his unique journey from student manager to the NBA and what his NBA interview process looked like, how scouts balance what their eyes tell them with data and analytics, which information matters most when evaluating a player, and whether watching a player live or on film provides the best understanding of their game.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Assistant Coach with the New York Knicks. Ahelegbe played at Northern Iowa before continuing his career professionally in Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Austria, eventually transitioning into coaching with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Windy City Bulls, and Knicks. In this episode we discuss how coaches can help injured players stay mentally strong and come back stronger, the impact Coach Ben Jacobson had on his development as a leader and point guard to help his preparation for the professional level, and how players can make an impact without the ball and become stars in their roles no matter the level.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Michael Huger, Associate Head Coach at Temple University. Huger played professionally in Finland, Holland, and Belgium before coaching at Longwood, George Mason, Miami, and Temple, along with serving as the head coach at Bowling Green. In this episode we discuss what European basketball can teach American player development, the lessons from Coach Larrañaga that stayed with him from player to coach, and the toughest parts of leading a program and what he would do differently the next time he’s a head coach.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Joe White, Assistant Coach at the University of South Dakota. White’s journey includes playing at Southern Oregon and professionally in Ecuador before transitioning into coaching, with stops at Tacoma CC, Lane CC, Idaho State, and South Dakota, along with head coaching experience at Lane CC. In this episode we discuss how head coaches can delegate while developing their assistants, the biggest mistakes young coaches make when trying to advance, and the habits and mindset that help coaches separate themselves.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Phil Beckner, a player development coach and performance consultant with Be Better. Be Different. Beckner has built an impressive career with coaching stops at Weber State, the Oklahoma City G League, Nebraska, and Boise State, while also working closely with some of the game’s top talent. His experience in player development has given him a unique perspective on building elite players and programs. In this episode we discuss how head coaches can build and develop a stronger staff, what working with Damian Lillard and other elite NBA talent taught him about player development, and what goes into creating an elite development plan before a player even steps on the floor.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Dexter Gooding, Assistant Coach at the University of Tampa. Gooding played at High Point before transitioning into coaching, with stops at South Florida, High Point, and now Tampa. His experience on both sides of player development has given him a unique perspective on helping athletes improve while continuing to grow as a young coach. In this episode we discuss the biggest challenge he faced transitioning from player to coach, what goes into developing a player before they even step on the court, and the key areas of growth and development that shaped him early in his coaching career.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Aaron Fearne, Assistant Coach at the College of Charleston. Coach Fearne has built a unique career across Australia and the United States, with experience as both a player and coach at the professional and collegiate levels. His journey includes stops with the Cairns Taipans, Charlotte, and Charleston, along with head coaching experience with the Cairns Marlins, Cairns Taipans, and Charlotte. In this episode we discuss how coaching young players early in his career shaped his approach to development, the biggest adjustments he had to make transitioning from Australia to the United States, and what he would do differently if he could go back and relive his experiences as a head coach.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Hamm, Assistant Coach at Cal State Fullerton. Hamm’s journey includes time as a player at Thomas More, followed by coaching stops at Thomas More, Lindenwood, Saint Leo University, and now Cal State Fullerton, along with experience as a head coach at NKY Elite. His time across different programs has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to build winning environments and continue growing as a coach. In this episode we discuss the common traits he’s seen in programs that consistently win, how coaches can measure their impact beyond their assigned duties, and the most important skills coaches should develop away from the court to continue advancing their careers.