Antonio Bostic, assistant basketball coach for the Grand Rapids Gold—the G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets—joins the show to discuss his transition from college basketball to coaching at the pro level. After serving as a college assistant at Oral Roberts and Abilene Christian, Antonio shares what’s different about coaching in the G League, from playing styles to daily demands.

We dive into the importance of simplifying as a coach, modeling consistency through both wins and losses, and the easiest way for college freshmen to earn playing time.

Antonio also reflects on what made the Abilene Christian team special and able to upset Texas in March Madness, and whether those mid-major Cinderella stories will still happen in the modern era of college basketball. 

🔗Check out more from Antonio 👇

Instagram: @antoniobostic5

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:44 Transitioning from College to G League Coaching

02:49 Adapting Coaching Styles: Lessons from the G League

04:13 Work Ethic and Mindset of Professional Players

06:06 Learning from the Pros: Young Players' Development

07:59 Impact of Personal Experience on Coaching Philosophy

09:57 Evolving Coaching Practices

11:35 Engagement in Training: Balancing Skill Development and Team Play

13:47 Simplifying the Game: The Importance of Clarity

21:02 Coaching Aspirations and Career Path

22:20 Impacting Players and Setting an Example

24:45 Faith and Defining Success in Coaching

28:00 Navigating Recruitment for High School Athletes

32:39 Team Dynamics and Upsets in College Basketball

41:35 Finding Purpose in Coaching

Blair Orr, founder of LEAD Athletic Performance, joins the show to break down how he’s built one of the top athlete-only sports performance facilities in California.

We dive into why Blair chooses to serve and market exclusively to athletes, how he crafts a gym culture that keeps athletes coming back, and the intentional conversations he has during onboarding to set expectations and drive long-term success.

Blair also walks through his Phase System—a data-driven framework he built to bucket athletes into different levels of programming. We unpack how the system works, why it creates clarity for both coaches and athletes, and how to scale high-quality programming without losing individualization.

🔗Check out more from Blair 👇

Instagram: @lead.blair @leadperformance

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:21 The Start of LEAD

12:20 Focusing on Athlete Training vs. Adult Training

15:49 Navigating Seasonality in Athlete Training

20:42 Creating an Addictive Experience for Athletes

28:03 Onboarding New Athletes and Success Meetings

35:07 The Phase System: Data Driven Programming

56:17 Utilizing Technology in Training

59:33 Designing a College Like Weight Room Environment

01:06:48 Longevity as a Gym Owner

01:11:11 Future Plans and Business Growth

01:13:29 Mentorship Cycle

This episode is centered on Long-Term Athletic Development and features insights from six high-level coaches. Together, they share how they think about developing athletes from early childhood through adulthood.

Featuring Nick Mascioli, Richard Burnett, Tanner Care, Justin Lovvorn, Josh Bray, and Colton Rosseau, this conversation explores what matters most at each stage of development and how to build systems that prioritize long-term growth over short-term results.

This episode is designed for coaches who want a clearer framework for developing athletes over time and creating environments that maximize long-term development.

🔗Check out more from these Coaches👇

Instagram: 

Nick Mascioli - @nickmascioli @sbs_athleticperformance

Richard Burnett - @richardburnett @triplefknoxville @plyomat_att

Tanner Care - @coach.care

Justin Lovvorn - @justinlovvorn.shooting @shootershq

Josh Bray - @jbraythecoach

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:37 Nick Mascioli

07:53 Richard Burnett

18:11 Tanner Care

20:07 Justin Lovvorn

24:41 Josh Bray

28:17 Colton Rosseau

Issac McBride joins the show to share his journey through basketball and the lessons that shaped him as both a player and a person. Isaac played at Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Oral Roberts, before most recently competing in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. At ORU, he was a three-time All-Conference selection, a conference champion, the Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, and averaged over 19 points per game in back-to-back seasons.

In this conversation, we dive into Issac’s development as an athlete, his advice for players making the jump from high school to college, and the most impactful things his coaches did to support his growth. He also offers an athlete’s perspective on recruiting—what matters during official visits, how players and programs can find the right fit, and what coaches sometimes miss in the evaluation process.

Issac closes with a powerful reflection on why he chose to turn down bigger programs and more money to stay at Oral Roberts for his final season—a decision rooted in values, trust, and long-term vision. This episode is packed with insight for athletes navigating their careers and coaches looking to better serve the players they lead.

🔗Check out more from Issac👇

Instagram: @issac5mcbride

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Issac McBride

05:01 Transitioning from High School to College Basketball

07:46 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes

10:45 The Role of Inspiration and Community in Development

13:23 Fruition of Repetition

16:21 Coaching Impact on Player Development

18:49 Identifying Good Coaches and Programs

21:33 The Importance of Sacrifice in Coaching

24:27 Creating a Love for the Game

26:53 Building a Positive Team Environment

28:41 The Importance of Research in Recruitment

31:24 Building Genuine Relationships in Recruiting

34:18 Understanding the Whole Athlete

38:04 Challenges of Team Cohesion in Modern College Basketball

40:49 Finding Purpose Beyond the Game

47:26 Choosing Passion Over Money

52:57 The Role of Truth Tellers in an Athlete's Life

Jorge Ruiz, Assistant Coach and Assistant GM at Weber State University, joins the show to share his path from Video Coordinator to one of the youngest assistant coaches in the nation and his recent promotion to Assistant GM.

We dive into how Jorge approaches recruiting and roster building in today’s unpredictable college sports landscape, what he evaluates in high school recruits versus the transfer portal, and what coaches often miss about players like Damian Lillard and Dillon Jones, who became 1st-round NBA picks.

Jorge also breaks down what makes Weber State unique in developing professional-level talent, how strength coaches can add value in the recruiting process, and his in-season approach to skill development that balances long-term growth with keeping players fresh.

🔗Check out more from Jorge 👇

Instagram: @ruizjorge1

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:13 Career Journey at Weber State

04:51 The Value of Longevity in Coaching Roles

08:26 Understanding the Assistant GM Role

09:46 Navigating Roster Management and Recruitment

11:14 The Importance of Honest Communication in Recruiting

13:04 Fitting Roles and Managing Expectations

15:38 Finding the Truth in Recruitment

17:35 Managing Challenging Personalities

20:27 Expectations and Ownership in Player Development

22:03 The Path to Professional Success

28:10 What Big Schools Miss in Talent Recruitment

34:16 Choosing the Right School for Development

35:40 The Pressure of Immediate Production in College Basketball

39:40 The Importance of Development and Growth

41:49 The Impact of Alumni on Current Players

47:33 Identifying Talent: What Sets Players Apart

52:04 The Role of Strength Coaches in Recruiting

58:04 The Costs of Pursuing Greatness in Coaching

59:54 Finding Purpose in Coaching Relationships

Anthony Cockrill, Director of Volleyball Sports Performance and Assistant Director of Olympic Sports at SMU, returns to the Podcast for his second appearance after his first episode became our most downloaded episode ever. 

In this conversation, we go deep into the systems behind elite volleyball performance. Anthony breaks down jump and swing mechanics, squat progressions, jump training, building bulletproof shoulders, getting your first chin-up, and how he balances physical preparation with skill development.

We also dive into assessments, warm-ups, gymnastics movements, nutrition, injury mitigation, and how to organize training to support long-term athlete development.

This episode is packed with practical insight and high-level thinking for anyone training volleyball players—or athletes at any level.

🔗Check out more from Anthony👇

1st Episode with Anthony: The Epidemic of the Underprepared Athlete (#1 MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODE) - [click here]

Framework For Flight - PDF Program: [click here]

Instagram: @anthonycockrill

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:10 Jump Mechanics: Understanding the Approach

14:56 Visual Feedback and Skill Acquisition in Jumping

17:38 Body Awareness and Squatting Fundamentals

25:54 Plyometric Training for Vertical Jump Improvement

34:48 Swing Mechanics: Enhancing the Volleyball Arm Swing

41:01 Why Volleyball Players Should Throw Footballs

48:32 Key Movements for Shoulder Health

51:14 Getting Your First Chin Up

01:00:49 Nutrition for Young Athletes

01:09:11 Game Day Nutrition and Timing

01:11:14 Effective Warm-Up Strategies

01:18:03 Balancing Skill and Physical Development

01:22:11 The Importance of Physicality in Youth Sports

01:25:39 Assessment and Evaluation Processes

01:32:55 Reflecting on Injury Management and Prevention

01:36:58 Building Routines for High-Pressure Situations

Owner of Hansen Athletics and Speed Lab Director with Universal Speed Rating, Darren Hansen joins the show to break down how he’s built one of the top performance facilities in the region by making speed development a true priority. Voted the best performance facility in Southeastern Idaho, Hansen Athletics is known for both results and culture.

We dive into how Darren creates an environment athletes can’t wait to return to, how he programs in the private sector, and how to build systems that make high-quality training scalable as your business grows. Darren also shares the biggest mistakes he sees in youth athlete development, how they run assessments and onboard new athletes, and what actually drives long-term progress.

We also touch on the business side—what truly fuels growth, where coaches overcomplicate things, and how to build a model that lasts.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:51 The Story Behind Hansen Athletics

04:42 Culture and Environment at Hansen Athletics

08:49 Coaching Staff and Development

13:41 Making Them Want To Come Back

18:12 Scalable Individualized Training

19:45 Onboarding New Athletes

20:50 Balancing Training Loads

21:54 Scaling and Structuring Programs

24:32 Integrating Middle School and High School Athletes

31:33 Fostering Positive Competition Among Young Athletes

33:56 Common Mistakes in Youth Athletic Development

38:32 The Importance of Diverse Experiences for Young Athletes

41:00 Building a Business from Scratch in a New City

43:05 Drivers of Growth in Established Athletic Programs

46:59 Incentivizing Referrals in Youth Sports Training

47:38 Learning from Controversial Training Methods

51:16 Reflecting on Decision-Making and Growth

Director of Strength and Conditioning at Cistercian Preparatory School, Colton Rosseau, joins the show to discuss his transition from coaching in college to leading athletic development in a high school setting. We explore the biggest shifts he’s experienced moving sectors and what it really takes to serve athletes well at different stages of their development.

This conversation goes far beyond sets and reps. Colton shares what drives his desire to make a meaningful impact, why he prioritizes excellence over perfection, and how he thinks about building skills and character alongside physical development. We also dive into how to structure long-term athletic development from elementary-aged athletes through college, balancing both athletic and skill progression.

This episode is packed with insight for coaches who care deeply about leadership, values, and building systems that truly serve the athlete in front of them.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Challenges and Joys of Coaching High School Athletes

10:25 Finding Purpose Beyond Monotony in Coaching

11:37 The Drive to Impact Young Athletes

14:50 Balancing Athletic Excellence with Life Lessons

16:42 Coaching Conversations: The Heart of Impact

18:31 Learning from Burnout: Efficiency in Coaching

21:29 Chasing Excellence Over Perfection

23:20 Simplicity in Programming for High School Athletes

24:46 Long-Term Goals and Skills Development

26:33 Simplifying Coaching Approaches

27:45 Skill Acquisition and Learning

30:55 Life Experiences Shaping Coaching Skills

32:28 Enhancing Communication Through Storytelling

34:02 Balancing Information Intake for Effective Coaching

35:33 Contextualizing Coaching Practices

40:26 Evolving Perspectives on Training Intensity

42:51 Foundational Development for Young Athletes

46:46 The Bigger Picture in Coaching

In this solo episode, I break down how to separate yourself in the coaching interview process and land your next job. From getting your foot in the door to preparing for Zoom and on-campus interviews, I walk through the strategies that make the process simpler, clearer, and far more effective.

I cover how recruiting, interviewing, and sales are deeply connected, what you should be researching before every interview, and how to communicate your value with confidence. I also explain why every coach should build a Portfolio Packet, what to include, and how to use it as a true separator in the hiring process. 

This is a short, practical episode for coaches who want to show up prepared, stand out in interviews, and position themselves as the obvious choice.

⁠⁠EP 7: Phil Baier | Making Career Moves, Acing Interviews, and Developing Interns⁠⁠

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Getting Your Foot in the Door

01:31 Building Your Resume

02:31 The Research Phase

03:35 Connection of Recruiting, Interviewing, and Sales

06:08 Zoom Interviews

07:48 Zoom Slides

10:27 Making a Lasting Impression

11:42 Building Your Portfolio Packet

13:02 Preparing for On-Campus Interviews

Julian Lo Casto, Head of Performance and Nutrition at Challenger Strength, joins the show to discuss what actually goes into building elite basketball athletes. Julian recently released his first book, The Foundation: The Proven System for Building Elite Basketball Athletes, and this conversation centers around the principles behind that system.

We dive into the most common mistakes basketball players make, the myths young hoopers often fall for, how athletes should structure their weekly schedules, and how to approach sprint and jump training throughout the year—including why AAU season should be treated like a mini in-season.

Julian also shares lessons from the business side of private-sector training, including how to consistently show parents that their athletes are improving, the sacrifices he’s made along the way, and why he still prioritizes protected time for family and himself, even without perfect work-life balance.

Check out Julian’s book The Foundation: The Proven System for Building Elite Basketball Athletes by [clicking here].

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:13 Common Myths in Youth Basketball Training

13:27 In-Season Training: Maintaining Strength and Performance

17:56 Educating Parents: The Importance of Consistency

23:29 Structuring a Balanced Training Schedule

31:35 Maintaining Speed and Strength During the Season

35:25 Communicating Progress to Parents

38:01 Establishing Clear Metrics for Success

41:58 The Importance of Skill Development

45:58 Ruthless Consistency in Business and Training

49:16 Sacrifices on the Path to Success

53:21 The Foundation: A Resource for Young Athletes