On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Connor McCaffery, assistant men’s basketball coach at Butler University. A former standout guard at the University of Iowa, Connor played under his father, Coach Fran McCaffery, while also earning his degree and playing baseball for the Hawkeyes. After his playing career, he joined the Indiana Pacers as a team assistant under head coach Rick Carlisle, gaining valuable NBA experience. In 2023, he was hired by Thad Matta to join the Butler coaching staff, bringing a strong foundation of basketball IQ, leadership, and communication skills. Known for his poise and competitive edge, Connor has quickly earned respect as a rising coach in the college ranks. His experience learning from elite basketball minds has shaped his coaching philosophy early on. On this episode we talk about how to balance listening and learning while also trying to grow your own coaching voice as a young coach, 3 things that would be in Coach McCaffery's "Starter Pack" as a young coach and the skills he has learned working with legendary coaches in Rick Carlisle, Fran McCaffery and Thad Matta.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Marty Richter, the head men’s basketball coach at USC Upstate. Coach Richter began his coaching journey at Simpson College before moving on to South Dakota and then Bowling Green under Dan Dakich. He gained junior college experience at Chipola College and international coaching experience with Budivelnyk in Ukraine. After a return stint at Chipola, he was then later a part of the historic “Dunk City” run at FGCU. He then served as the head coach at Florida SouthWestern, compiling a 56–10 record in two seasons. From there, he joined Drake University as an assistant, helping lead the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2024, he was named the head coach at USC Upstate. In this episode we talk about what made the FGCU "Dunk City" team so special, how to know if you are ready for a head coaching position as an assistant and what he learned as a first year head coach at a JUCO position.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Desaree Festa, the team psychologist for the Buffalo Bills. She earned her PhD in Sport and Counseling Psychology from Florida State and began her career working with athletes at William & Mary during her internship. Dr. Festa then led a private practice in Charlotte, consulting with UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State, the Charlotte Hornets, and NASCAR teams. In 2020, she joined the Bills full-time, becoming one of the few embedded psychologists in the NFL. Dr. Festa plays a vital role in player development, rookie success programs, and in-game mental performance. She’s also heavily involved in coach support and the team’s draft evaluation process. Her experience bridges the gap between clinical care and performance enhancement. In this episode we talk about her definition of mental toughness, the psychological impact of how coaches talk to their players and a couple simple mental training techniques coaches can integrate into practice.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Tevin Brown, assistant coach with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. Tevin’s coaching journey started as a 7th-grade girls head coach and high school girls assistant at All Saints Episcopal in Tyler, TX. He then worked as Director of Player Development and Special Assistant at UT Tyler for a year. Following that, he spent a season as a pro skills trainer with Tyler Relph Basketball in Dallas. In 2022, he joined the Texas Legends as Video Coordinator and Player Development Coach. He’s since added the title of assistant coach, now entering his third season with the Legends . Tevin brings a unique perspective shaped by mentorship, skills training, and video breakdown experience. Known for his energy, attention to detail, and relational approach, he’s quickly become a rising voice in player development. In this episode we talk about his growth from being a 7th grade girls coach to being in the NBA, the mindset to have as a young coach looking to grow in the industry and how to adapt as a coach with an always changing roster.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Patrick Crarey, the head men’s basketball coach at Grambling State University. Crarey was hired in 2024 after a successful 11-year tenure as head coach and athletic director at St. Thomas University in Florida. At St. Thomas, he led the program to multiple national tournament appearances and was known for his ability to build and sustain success at the NAIA level. Before that, he served as an assistant at his alma mater, Marymount University, and spent time coaching at the high school and grassroots levels. Crarey is respected for his leadership, culture-building, and adaptability across all levels of basketball. At Grambling, he’s focused on taking the program to new heights within the SWAC. In this episode we talk about what he looks for when hiring an assistant from an athletic director and head coach’s standpoint, things to consider when looking to take that next coaching position at a new school and how to alter your offense and defense around a roster when stepping into a new program

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Jarvis Hayes, assistant men’s basketball coach at Georgia State University. A former NBA player and standout at the University of Georgia, Hayes was selected 10th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He enjoyed a seven-year NBA career followed by several seasons overseas. After retiring from playing, Hayes began his coaching career as an assistant at Morehouse College. He later joined Georgia State, where he brings a wealth of professional experience and on-court insight to the program. Known for his player development skills and calm demeanor, Coach Hayes has quickly made an impact on the collegiate level. In this episode we talk about what his playing career has taught him about coaching, some of the strongest tendencies to take away as a coach and what mindset more coaches should focus on in the profession.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Herman Mandole, the head basketball coach at Manchester Basketball. Originally from Argentina, Mandole began his coaching career as an assistant with Club Atlético San Lorenzo and Club Atlético Olímpico. He then served with Argentina’s national team before moving to Japan’s men’s national program, holding both assistant and head coaching roles. In 2022, he took a position in Italy as an assistant and was later promoted to head coach. In 2025, he took over at Manchester and has quickly revitalized the program. His international experience brings a unique perspective to player development and team culture. Manchester made a major leap under his leadership, rising from the bottom of the standings to a top-four finish. In this episode we talk about the first steps he incorporated once taking over as head coach, the building blocks that led to Manchester's turnaround in their program and major differences from international basketball to basketball in the USA.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Chris Caputo, head men’s basketball coach at George Washington University. Coach Caputo began his coaching career as a student assistant at Westfield State before joining Jim Larrañaga’s staff at George Mason. He was part of the legendary 2006 George Mason Final Four run and followed Larrañaga to the University of Miami, where he spent over a decade, eventually becoming associate head coach. In 2022, Caputo was named the head coach at GW, bringing with him a reputation for player development, recruiting, and defensive intensity. He’s helped develop multiple NBA players and led Miami to several NCAA Tournament appearances. At GW, he’s focused on building a competitive, connected culture in the A-10. In this episode we talk about how his first coaching stops came about through connections, what he looks for as a head coach in the hiring of an assistant and mistakes he sees young coaches make when trying to network and grow in the industry.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Matt McCall, former head coach at UMass and Chattanooga, and current game analyst with NBC. Coach McCall began his coaching career as a student manager and later graduate assistant under Billy Donovan at the University of Florida. He went on to serve as an assistant at Florida Atlantic and then returned to Florida as an assistant coach during two Final Four runs. In 2015, McCall was named head coach at Chattanooga, where he led the Mocs to a 29-6 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season. He later took over the UMass program, guiding them through five seasons of transition and growth. Now a respected voice in the media, McCall brings coaching insight to his analyst role with NBC. In this episode we speak on his mindset in his early years of his coaching career, experiences in his 7 years as a head coach and what he has taken away now from the analyst side of the game.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Coach Steve Ridder, the legendary head men’s basketball coach at Embry-Riddle University. Ridder took over the program in 1989 and has since built it from the ground up into a nationally recognized powerhouse. Before arriving at Embry-Riddle, he was an assistant coach at Berea Community High School in Kentucky. Under his leadership, Embry-Riddle won the NAIA National Championship in 2000 and made multiple deep national tournament runs. Ridder has earned over 700 career wins and countless Coach of the Year honors. He also led the transition of the program into NCAA Division II, continuing its tradition of excellence. In this episode we talk about changing a program from a losing program to a winning program, what he looks to instill in his players and coaches and staying loyal to a program for 36+ years.