Young coaches chasing the next level will want every minute of this one. Cam McKinney breaks down how he climbed from college player to student coach, high school assistant, Troy staffer, and now assistant at Colorado College—and why the jump from D3 to D1, then back to D3, has sharpened the way he thinks about winning.

He gets into the real work behind building a program: teaching middle school players to play off two feet, develop footwork, and actually enjoy the game while getting better. From there, the conversation opens up into what changed his career, how a law firm job pushed him back toward basketball, and what he learned from elite staffs at Troy and Colorado College.

Cam also explains how Colorado College recruits nationally, why the school’s championship culture matters, and how the program balances elite academics with serious basketball.

If you care about player development, analytics, culture, and the day-to-day reality of coaching at a high level, this episode delivers practical ideas you can use immediately.

Perfect for coaches, players, and anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build trust, compete hard, and grow a program the right way.

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Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here:  https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

In this episode of the United Basketball Plus Coaching and Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Zapinski of Elmhurst University men’s basketball for a deep conversation on coaching, player development, recruiting, film study, and the modern game.

Jonathan shares his path from playing at Elmhurst to coaching at the college level, along with the lessons he learned from mentors, teammates, and his own journey through the game. We also dive into the details that separate good teams from great ones — from teaching bigs to play through contact, to using film and feedback effectively, to understanding what coaches should really look for in recruits.

Whether you coach high school or college basketball, this conversation is packed with practical ideas on leadership, systems, and how to help players grow the right way. If you love basketball, coaching, and development, this one is for you.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here:  https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

The difference between a good big man and a great one is not height. It is IQ, patience, and the willingness to ask the right questions. Elmhurst assistant coach Jonathan Zapinski reveals the modern post play blueprint that helps bigs thrive in a perimeter-centric game - and why the best coaches are building players who can think, not just score.

Jacob Durdan and co-host Jeremy sit down with Zapinski for a sharp, wide-ranging conversation on coaching, player development, recruiting, and what it really takes to become a college basketball coach.

Zapinski shares the path from Dallas to Elmhurst, the coaching influence that sparked his love for the game at age six, and the lessons he carried from playing at Elmhurst College and now coaching back at his alma mater.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here:  https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

In this episode, Jacob Durdan interviews Tony Holler, a veteran coach and creator of the Feed the Cats program. They discuss Holler's journey as a coach, the evolution of his coaching philosophy, and the principles behind Feed the Cats, which emphasizes enjoyable and effective training methods for athletes.

Holler shares insights on creating a positive practice environment, the importance of measuring progress, and the success stories of programs that have adopted his methods. The conversation highlights the need for coaches to adapt and innovate in their training approaches to foster athlete development and success.

In this conversation, Coach Tony Holler discusses innovative training methods in sports, particularly focusing on the 'Feed the Cats' philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of offseason training, counterintuitive coaching strategies, and creating effective practice environments. The discussion also highlights the need for coaches to adapt their methods to keep athletes fresh and engaged, as well as the value of continuous learning and resource sharing among coaches.--------------------------------------------------------------------Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here: https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today!  https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

Host Jacob Durdan sits down with newly hired Northern Illinois head coach Matt Majkrzak to unpack how he’s approaching a major rebuild in DeKalb. Majkrzak shares why he leans into scripted structure on offense, how he evaluates players for fit and winning DNA, and what it takes to build a culture fast when you inherit a program that has struggled for years.

In this episode, the conversation focuses on practical coaching ideas, from recruiting familiar players and staff to designing practices that create better decision-making through live play. It’s especially useful for coaches who want a clearer way to connect structure, player development, and team identity.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here: https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today!  https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

In this episode, host Jacob Durdan interviews Coach Kellen Fernetti - Women's Basketball coach at Carl Sandburg College. They discuss Coach Fernetti's coaching journey, his philosophy on player development, and the importance of maintaining energy and positivity throughout the season. Coach Fernetti shares insights on practice structure, flexibility in scheduling, and the significance of team bonding beyond basketball. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of coaching at the junior college level, emphasizing the need for effective communication and a supportive team environment. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the significance of creating memorable experiences in coaching, emphasizing that it's not just about wins and losses but the relationships and moments shared among players. They explore various strategies for building team culture, engaging players, and designing effective practices.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here: https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

In this episode, Coach Jason Tucker shares his journey from high school coaching to becoming the head coach at Harper College. He discusses building a winning culture, adapting practice strategies for college, and his vision for success at the junior college level.Key topics

• Coaching journey from high school to college
• Building team culture and buy-in
• Practice design and adaptation for college level
• Importance of defense and offensive styles
• Recruitment and community engagement at JUCO
• Mentorship and learning from other coaches

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up HERE: ⁠https://forms.gle/Fv1hjfN8xYM2H9si6⁠United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! ⁠https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/⁠

In this insightful interview, Luke Gromer, founder of RYG Athletics and host of Better Coaching Podcast, shares his expertise on restoring joy in youth sports, redefining success, and coaching with purpose. Luke dives into practical strategies for coaches and parents to create positive, development-focused sports experiences that foster lifelong love for the game.Key topics include:

• Restoring joy in youth sports
• Redefining success in youth athletics
• Scaling and segmenting sports developmentally
• The impact of coaching relationships on athlete experience
• Parent support and involvement in youth sports

To learn more about Luke, RYG Athletics, or to help with a camp, check out these links!

Better Coaching Hub

RYG Athletics HomepageRYG x Nike Sports Camps - Staff Application Summer 2026RYG Athletics - NIKE Sports Camp Director Interest FormDirect a NIKE Sports Camp

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up HERE: https://forms.gle/Fv1hjfN8xYM2H9si6

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

This interview with Coach Ryan Davis (Roanoke-Benson, IL) explores how he turned around a high school basketball program in a year, focusing on relationship-building, community engagement, and innovative practice strategies. After listening, you will gain insights into effective coaching techniques, player recruitment, and fostering a positive team culture.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up HERE: https://forms.gle/oKCDB8wXZ4iv1QQ17

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!

This is the fifth episode of a series dedicated to helping coaches build their program.

This episode focuses on creating practice plans that match your play style or system, flows from drill to drill or segment to segment, keeps players fresh while maintaining competitiveness, and tracks player progress.

Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12!

United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/

Let's Grow the Game!