One of my favorite parts of coaching is the conversations. Sitting on a bus with other the coaches, talking basketball for hours, definitely makes my Top 5 reasons why I love this profession.
Sure, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get comfortable on a bus, but great basketball talk makes the aches and pains of the ride fade away. We dive into everything — our teams, other teams, plays we caught on TV yesterday, what we need to do to win the next game, plans for the summer, and what’s ahead for next year. These conversations remind me why I’m so passionate about coaching.
Speaking of Top 5 lists, I’m spending some of this bus ride compiling a few for the podcast and newsletter. Reflecting on 2024, one number stands out: 166. That’s how many new subscribers joined this newsletter last year. In the grand scheme of newsletters, it might not seem huge, but to me, it means a lot. To every one of you who clicked that “subscribe” button — thank you. Your support means the world to me, and I hope you’ve found value in following along on my journey to becoming the best basketball coach I can be.
Looking ahead to 2025, the plan is to keep podcasting and writing once the season wraps up in February. Until then, my free time during the season is pretty scarce, but you might see the occasional episode or post pop up.
In the meantime, I’ve put together five Top 5 lists to kick off the year. I hope you enjoy them, and here’s to a fantastic 2025 filled with growth, great basketball, and meaningful conversations.
Top 5 Newsletter Posts of 2024
1. A 'Game-Based' Practice Plan For A Conceptual Offense
Sept. 8
2. Conceptual Offense Focus: Advantage
Nov. 24
3. 9 Small-Sided Game Scenarios
Aug. 1
4. Stretch bigs in a Conceptual Offense
Oct. 31
5. 5 Concepts from the Start of EuroCup
Oct. 13
Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2024
1. Conceptual Offense Development w/ Ryan Josephson
July 24
2. Conceptual Offense Talk w/ Liam Jefferson
April 26
3. (tie) Zone Offense Concepts w/ Kirby Schepp
July 11
3. (tie) NADA Defense w/ Brian McCormick
June 20
5. Uptempo Offense w/ Bill Himmelberg
Aug. 9
Top 5 Podcast Episodes All Time
1. Small-Sided Pod w/ Alex Sarama
Nov. 26, 2020
2. Small-Sided Pod: Alex Sarama
April 7, 2022
3. Conceptual Offense Development w/ Ryan Josephson
July 24, 2024
4. Conceptual Offense Talk w/ Liam Jefferson
April 26, 2024
5. Small-Sided Pod with Mark Cascio
Aug. 3, 2020
Top 5 Albums of 2024
1. Tigers Blood, Waxahatchee
2. Easy Company, Futurebirds
3. Another Side of Skinshape, Skinshape
4. Bow to Love, Isobel Campbell
5. Steel Saddle, Steel Saddle
5 Book Recommendations for 2025
1. Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures With A Clueless Craftsman
Patrick Hutchinson
2. The Way of the Hermit: My Incredible 40 Years Living In The Wilderness
Ken Smith
3. Creative Acts for Curious People
Sarah Stein Greenberg
4. Until Victory Always: A Memoir
Jim McGuinness
5. How To Write One Song
Jeff Tweedy