The Basketball Podcast

Chris Oliver
  • 4.3 (501)
  • BASKETBALL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Basketball Podcast

This is the podcast where you will hear real basketball coaching conversations. Whether you are a new or experienced coach at any level of basketball these coaching conversations will give you practical ideas to stimulate your coaching and make what you do even better.

  1. 5D AGO

    Andrew Wade on Coaching Lessons from Unrivaled 3-on-3 (EP368)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, New York Liberty Director of Player Development and Unrivaled Laces head coach Andrew Wade joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on coaching lessons from Unrivaled 3-on-3. Andrew Wade is currently the Director of Player Development for the New York Liberty, the reigning WNBA champions. In 2024, Wade took on the role of head coach for the Laces in Unrivaled, the professional 3-on-3 women's basketball league.The team finished the regular season standings in third place. In 2019, Wade joined the Washington Wizards' G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, as a video coordinator. His role expanded to include player development responsibilities with the Washington Mystics, where he served as a player development assistant coach. During his tenure, he was instrumental in implementing "vitamins," a practice routine focusing on intentional skill development. Wade's journey in basketball began at the Catholic University of America, where he played collegiate basketball. His passion for the game led him to establish Prism Basketball, a consulting firm aimed at simplifying basketball analytics for teams and players. He also contributed as a sports blogger, analyzing NBA strategies and trades. If you have not had the opportunity yet be sure to check Coach Wade’s excellent masterclass excerpt presentation available on our Basketball Immersion YouTube channel called “Using Video for Basketball Teaching Success with Andrew Wade.” The full video is available on demand to all members of our community inside the membership portal.

    46 min

  2. APR 9

    Stephanie Gaitley on The Wheel of Defense, FDU's Success, and Captains (EP367)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Stephanie Gaitley joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on FDU's success, the wheel of defense and captains. Stephanie Gaitley is one of the most accomplished figures in NCAA Division I history. With an impressive career record of 684-393 (.635), Coach Gaitley ranks as the 12th winningest active head coach in Division I basketball. Her legacy includes 20 postseason bids, 11 WNIT appearances, and nine NCAA tournament appearances, showcasing her ability to lead teams to success at the highest levels. Under Coach Gaitley's leadership, Fairleigh Dickinson Knights have experienced an incredible transformation during her first two years with the team. In her inaugural season (2023–24), the Knights finished 14–17 overall, with a strong 11–5 Northeast Conference record, landing them in 3rd place. The following season (2024–25) marked a historic leap, as the team finished with an outstanding 29–4 record, an undefeated 16–0 conference run, and a berth in the NCAA First Round—a testament to her ability to elevate programs to new heights. Prior to joining FDU, Coach Gaitley also led programs at Fordham (2011-2022), Richmond (1985–1991), Saint Joseph’s (1991–2001), Long Island (2002–2008), and Monmouth (2008–2011), further solidifying her reputation as one of the most successful and versatile head coaches in women's basketball.

    54 min

  3. APR 2

    Craig Doty on Adapting to Change (EP366)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Houston Christian University head coach Craig Doty joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on adapting to change. Doty arrived at Houston Christian University as a three-time national champion head coach and three-time national coach of the year, with 12 years of head college coaching experience and a 259-126 career record which includes a 31-10 mark in postseason play. Doty spent six seasons as head men’s basketball coach at Emporia State University in Kansas. Known as a program-builder, Doty improved the Emporia State program from an inherited 9-19 record (4-15 MIAA) to a 23-9 record (15-7 MIAA) in 2022-23. In each of his final three seasons at ESU, Doty’s teams appeared in the NABC Division II national polls while being ranked in the top 25 for six weeks in 2022-23 and as high as #15 in 2023-24. Prior to his arrival in Emporia, Doty led Graceland University to national prominence. In just two seasons at Graceland, Doty’s program had a 49-22 record and won the 2018 NAIA Division I National Championship in the school's first trip to the national tournament. Along the way Doty earned NAIA National Coach of the Year and the 2018 Don Meyer Award. Upon winning the 2018 national championship, Doty had led his teams to the National Championship game four out of the previous five seasons. Doty began his head coaching career as the head men's basketball coach at Rock Valley College. In his four years he built a national powerhouse. When Doty took over the program in 2012, Rock Valley was ranked last in Region IV preseason poll. Over the next four years, Doty would lead the Golden Eagles to four consecutive national tournaments including three straight national title games. Rock Valley was crowned National Champions in 2014 and in 2016, the first and second national championships in the 50-year program history.

    59 min

  4. MAR 26

    Sandy Brondello on Insights from a Championship Season (EP365)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on a championship season.   Sandy Brondello is a two-time WNBA Champion head coach, and holds an overall regular season record of 244-164 (.598) over her 12 combined seasons at the helm of the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and San Antonio Silver Stars - making her the sixth-winningest coach in WNBA history. In 2014, Brondello  was named the WNBA Coach of the Year after she led Phoenix to a WNBA regular season-record 29 wins and capped the season with a WNBA Championship. In 2023, Brondello led the Liberty to the Commissioner’s Cup Championship and first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002. Brondello made history in 2024 after leading the New York Liberty to its first WNBA Championship in franchise history and the city's first professional basketball championship since 1973. A 20-year veteran of the WNBA coaching ranks, Brondello has been affiliated with the league for 25 of its 28 seasons, including her time as a player. A proven winner internationally and in the WNBA, her 20 total years as an assistant coach and head coach have featured 17 playoff appearances, highlighted by a perfect 12-for-12 in postseason berths as a head coach. Brondello also became the coach of the Australian Women's national team, the Opals in 2017. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Australian team won the bronze medal, the team's first Olympic medal since a bronze in 2012.

    46 min

  5. MAR 19

    Lindsey Wilson on Belief is a Skill (EP364)

    In this week's coaching conversation, mindset and mental performance coach Lindsey Wilson joins the Basketball Podcast to discuss belief as a skill. Lindsey Wilson is a mindset and mental performance coach best known as The Sports Hypnotist™. With a professional basketball career spanning close to a decade, Lindsey took her knowledge of the mental game to work with collegiate athletes, professional athletes from Olympians and players in the NFL and WNBA, all the way to youth athletes.  She is the founder of Positive Performance™ and The Mindset Coach Academy™ where she helps aspiring mental performance coaches start their dream business and impact lives. She’s also the author of the upcoming book Think Like an Athlete which teaches the critical and undertrained skill of belief and how to build it to be successful on the playing field and off.  Lindsey’s exposure to mental performance came at age 16 and completely changed her perspective on how to navigate physical training with her mental barriers. She also learned the power of belief and importance of consistently training it to achieve the highest goals. Despite a successful career, she did fall short of her ultimate athletic goals but is using that experience and message to create and surpass her professional goals! Her mission is to teach mental performance tools so that coaches can have a massive impact on athletes’ performance, enjoyment of competing and life.

    51 min

  6. MAR 12

    Hernando Planells from Hollywood Sets to Global Coaching (EP363)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Hernando Planells shares lessons from Hollywood sets and global coaching. With over two decades of experience spanning professional and collegiate basketball, as well as film and TV, Hernando Planells is a dynamic coach, film and tv sports coordinator, and leadership consultant. As the Technical Director of the NBA Basketball School in Dubai, he combines his passion for basketball with a mission to inspire the next generation of athletes across the UAE. Hernando's coaching career includes: Duke University (Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Led the team to an ACC Championship, two Elite Eights, and six NCAA Tournament appearances. Recruited, coached and developed 11 future WNBA players, including Las Vegas Aces and Team USA guard Chelsea Gray, while maintaining a 100% graduation rate.Maine Red Claws (NBA G-League): Worked with the Boston Celtics affiliate alongside current Celtics Assistant GM Austin Ainge, developing players such as 12-year NBA veteran Avery Bradley and Mario West.International Coaching: Served as the Head Coach for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan and the University of the East in the Philippines, as well as the head coach for the New Zealand Junior National Team.William Jessup University (Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Guided the team to their first GSAC championship, earning Coach of the Year honors and an NAIA national tournament appearance.University of Illinois and UNLV: Gained valuable experience under former NBA Assistant Coach Bill Bayno. Beyond coaching, Hernando has made significant contributions to film and TV as a part owner and sports coordinator/choreographer for Game Changing Films on major projects like 'Coach Carter,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'Swagger’, 'The Crossover,' and the newly released “Running Point’ starring Kate Hudson on Netflix. ”bringing authentic basketball action to the screen. He is also the founder of Be Contagious Leadership a consulting company dedicated to empowering teams and organizations through courage, communication, and connection. A proud father, Hernando’s son Preston Planells, who is in his first year as the assistant women's basketball coach at New Mexico State, and Gabrielle Planells, is a senior theatre student at Chico State University. Driven by a passion for storytelling, leadership, and basketball, Hernando’s goal is to empower athletes both on and off the court.

    53 min

  7. MAR 5

    Scott Harmatuk on Applying Basketball Immersion Concepts at the High School Level (EP362)

    Exploring the real impact of Basketball Immersion on elite youth coaching with a coach who has completely transformed his approach to the game.  Klein Collins High School head coach Scott Harmatuk discusses his journey since joining Basketball Immersion—how shifting away from traditional drills and embracing game-based learning has reshaped his coaching philosophy. Learn how these changes have elevated his players’ enjoyment of practice and games, while also improving their decision-making, skill development, and overall basketball IQ, leading to noticeable growth in both individual and team performance. Beyond Scott’s personal evolution, this episode is packed with insights for all youth coaches looking to modernize their approach. What are the biggest challenges when making the shift? What are the most impactful takeaways that any coach—regardless of level—can apply? And ultimately, what does it take to develop players who truly understand the game? Coach Harmatuk, born and raised in Spring, TX, played basketball at Fordham University from 1996-2000. He went on to play professionally for the Brooklyn Kings (USBL) and REYNOSA UAT (Mexico-LNBP). After retiring, he began his coaching career at Spring Woods HS, followed by Nimitz HS with mentor Randy Gilmer. In 2008, he became the head coach at Klein Collins HS, where he remains today. Since joining Basketball Immersion in 2020, Coach Harmatuk has led his team to 3 district titles and earned Coach of the Year honors 3 times. Known as a "player's coach," he builds strong relationships with his players through respect and honesty. If you’re a coach who wants to maximize your players' potential while making practices more engaging, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s get started!

    54 min

  8. FEB 26

    David Rebibo on Harvard Westlake's Championship Formula (EP361)

    In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Harvard-Westlake head coach David Rebibo joins the Basketball Podcast to share Harvard-Westlake's championship formula. David Rebibo has transformed Harvard-Westlake into a national powerhouse and established himself as one of the premier coaches in California basketball. Under Coach Rebibo's guidance, Harvard-Westlake has become synonymous with excellence, capturing multiple CIF championships, including three state titles (2016, 2023, 2024) and sectional championships (2012, 2017, 2023). His program's dominance in the highly competitive Mission League - winning 7 titles in the last decade - speaks to the sustainable culture of success he's built. Beyond his 400+ career wins, Rebibo's impact on the game extends nationally through his work with USA Basketball, where he's helped develop some of America's top young talent. His coaching acumen has been widely recognized, earning CIF Coach of the Year honors multiple times (2016, 2017, 2024) and being named State Coach of the Year in 2020. Before Harvard-Westlake, Rebibo served as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at the University of San Francisco, where he helped guide the program to its best WCC finish in 20 years and an NIT berth. His head coaching journey began at El Camino Real High School (2007-13), where he built a powerhouse program that consistently competed for City Section championships. Rebibo's success at multiple levels - from rebuilding El Camino Real to his collegiate experience at USF to creating a national power at Harvard-Westlake - demonstrates his ability to develop talent and build sustainable winning programs at every stop in his career.

    45 min
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    About

    This is the podcast where you will hear real basketball coaching conversations. Whether you are a new or experienced coach at any level of basketball these coaching conversations will give you practical ideas to stimulate your coaching and make what you do even better.

    Information

    • Creator
      Chris Oliver
    • Years Active
      2018 - 2025
    • Episodes
      204
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2025 Chris Oliver
    • Show Website
      The Basketball Podcast

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