Hoop Heads

Hoop Heads Podcast Network

The Hoop Heads Podcast is co-hosted by Head Start Basketball Founder Mike Klinzing and Coach Jason Sunkle. The Hoop Heads Podcast covers a wide range of basketball topics relevant to coaches, players, and parents. Listen in for interviews with personalities from across the basketball landscape. Our line-up of podcast guests includes some of the top minds in the game across all levels, from grassroots to the NBA. They’ll share insights to help you grow as a coach, improve as a player, or enhance your experience of the game as a parent. You’ll gain new perspectives on what the best coaches are doing, how they do it, and why they do it. We hope to make you think and challenge you to consider your approach to the game of basketball. We’ll also attempt to entertain and inform as we share our thoughts on the NBA and college hoops. We are passionately committed to the Hoop Heads Podcast and growing the game of basketball. Visit our website www.hoopheadspod.com to check out every episode we've ever recorded and learn more about what drives our show! Thank you for being a part of Hoop Heads Nation!Podcast by Hoop Heads

  1. 20h ago

    Nick Friedman - Wake Forest University Men's Basketball Assistant Coach - Episode 1282

    Nick Friedman is entering his second season as a Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at Wake Forest University. He previously served in numerous NBA and G-League coaching roles including four seasons as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets. Friedman has also worked with the Capital City Go-Go, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Northern Arizona Suns, Maine Celtics, and the University of Miami during his coaching career. Since 2017, Friedman has served as the associate head coach for the Haitian National Team and this summer as the newly appointed head coach, led the team to their first ever wins in international competition. Nick founded a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the game at the grassroots level in Haiti. Friedman played two seasons at Bates College before earning an undergraduate degree in Sport Administration from Miami. On this episode Mike & Nick discuss the importance of player development and the unique challenges faced by athletes transitioning from high school to collegiate basketball. Coach Friedman shares his extensive journey through various coaching roles, emphasizing the necessity of adaptability and the value of fostering strong relationships with players. He stresses the importance of creating a structured environment that enhances both individual and team performance, ultimately aiming to instill a sense of belief in the players he mentors. This episode underscores the impact of dedication and strategic thinking in college basketball. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Grab your notebook as you listen to this episode with Nick Friedman, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at Wake Forest University. Website - https://godeacs.com/sports/mens-basketball Email - friedmn@wfu.edu Twitter/X - @CoachNickyFree Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  2. Jul 24

    Matt Rogers - Founder & CEO of Significant Coaching & Recruiting - Episode 1281

    Matt Rogers is the Founder and CEO of Significant Coaching & Recruiting, where he advises student-athletes and families, consults with college athletic programs, and speaks on recruiting, leadership, and personal development. Over a coaching career spanning more than 25 years, he has led men’s and women’s college basketball programs, guided teams to NCAA Tournament appearances, earned multiple conference Coach of the Year honors, and helped transition Maryville University from NCAA Division III to Division II. Rogers also spent nearly nine years with NCSA, where he helped more than 4,000 student-athletes across 34 sports earn opportunities to compete at all five collegiate levels. He is the author of the five-star-reviewed book Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes, a step-by-step guide designed to help families navigate the college recruiting process. In addition, he hosts the Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers podcast and writes The Blog of Significance, sharing practical guidance for coaches, parents, and athletes. On this episode Mike & Matt discuss the significant challenges and emotional complexities associated with the transition from high school to collegiate athletics. With over 25 years of experience, Rogers emphasizes the necessity for aspiring student-athletes to endure the arduous first year, regardless of the institution's prestige, asserting that the emotional and psychological hurdles faced during this period are universally daunting. He advocates for the importance of selecting the appropriate environment and mentors, thereby ensuring that athletes have the requisite support to navigate the inevitable adversities they will encounter. Additionally, the episode delves into the multifaceted roles of coaches, parents, and athletes in the recruitment process, highlighting the need for candid communication and self-awareness among all parties involved. This episode highlights the dynamics of athletic recruitment and the pivotal moments that shape a student-athlete's journey. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Be sure to have pen and paper by your side as you listen to this episode with Matt Rogers, Founder and CEO of Significant Coaching & Recruiting. Website - https://coachmattrogers.com/ Email - coachsignificance@gmail.com Twitter/X - @coachmattrogers

  3. Jul 20

    Ari Miller - Founder of ASM Performance - Episode 1280

    Ari Miller is the founder of ASM Performance and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant who helps athletes, coaches, executives, and organizations perform more consistently under pressure. Miller began his career as a college basketball coach, serving on staff at St. Michael’s College, Bryant University, and the University of Vermont. He brings more than 15 years of experience in college athletics as a coach, administrator, counselor, and performance specialist. Miller has developed and led mental health, leadership, and performance programs at several NCAA institutions, including Vermont and Johns Hopkins. In 2024, he began working with New York University Athletics as a mental performance consultant for its student-athletes and coaches. Through individual coaching, team workshops, and leadership development, Miller provides practical, evidence-based strategies designed to strengthen confidence, focus, resilience, and sustained high performance. On this episode Mike and Ari discuss why physical preparation is essential for athletic success, so too is the mental preparation that athletes must undertake. Throughout our conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between mental resilience and athletic performance, delving into strategies that foster confidence, focus, and composure under pressure. Miller shares invaluable insights gleaned from his work with athletes, coaches, and organizations, illustrating how tailored mental performance strategies can lead to sustained high performance. Cultivating a strong mindset is not merely advantageous but essential for those striving to excel in the competitive arena of basketball. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Grab your notebook before you listen to this episode with Ari Miller, founder of ASM Performance. Website - https://www.asmcoach.com/ Email - coacharimiller@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/arimillercmpc Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  4. Jul 17

    Round Table 91 - What's something you've completely stopped doing as a coach that you used to think was essential? - Episode 1279

    Welcome to the 91st edition of the Coach’s Corner Round Table on the Hoop Heads Podcast. Each episode of the Coach’s Corner Round Table will feature our All-Star lineup of guests answering a single basketball question. A new Coach’s Corner Round Table will drop around the 15th of each month. July’s Round Table question is: What's something you've completely stopped doing as a coach that you used to think was essential? Our Coaching Lineup this month: Erik Buehler – Arapahoe (CO) High SchoolMark Cascio – Savi CoachingTyler Coston – Savi CoachingMatt Elkin – Stanford UniversityStephen Halstead – Grace CollegeRyan Hintz – Blue Valley West (KS) High SchoolMike Koehler - Elkhart Lake (WI) High SchoolBob Krizancic – Mentor (OH) High SchoolSherry Levin – Author of the Book “Pre-Game: A Winning Mindset”Dave McGreal – Penn State AltoonaCaleb South – CPS TrainingDon Showalter - USA BasketballJohn Shulman – University of Central Arkansas Please enjoy this Round Table episode of the Hoop Heads Podcast and once you’re finished listening please give the show a five star rating and review after you subscribe on your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow us on twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  5. Jul 16

    Top 4 Picks Shine in Summer League, Wemby & Trent, Jr. Contracts, & Kawhi in Limbo - Episode 1278

    On this episode Mike & Jason talk about the rookie class performances in the NBA Summer League. Maleek Thomas of the Cavs has been lighting it up and the top 4 of Dybansta, Peterson, Boozer, and Wilson have all shown why they were thought of as potential franchise players. Mike continues to believe that Caleb Wilson will win the ROY and emerge as the best player from this rookie class in the long run. Next, they discuss Wemby forgoing the 5% All-NBA/DPOY kicker in his max contract and the curious contract that Gary Trent Jr. signed with the Bucks. Mike and Jason wrap up by trying to figure out what will happen in the Kawhi/Clippers/Raptors saga before speculating whether there is any chance James Harden won't be on the Cavs' roster this season. Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  6. Jul 13

    Malin & Lucas Morrison - Owners of the Red Rose Thunder Professional Basketball Team - Episode 1277

    Malin and Lucas Morrison are the mother-and-son ownership team behind Red Rose Thunder, a professional basketball organization based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They purchased the franchise in 2020 and have built it into a respected program that has competed in professional and pro-am leagues while helping players pursue opportunities around the world. Malin, who grew up playing basketball in Sweden, serves as the team’s head coach and became one of the first women to lead a team in The Basketball Tournament. Lucas became the youngest general manager in TBT history at age 20, overcoming the challenges of autism and Crohn’s disease to build a career in the sport he loves. In 2026, the Morrisons will help lead Red Rose War Ready, a partnership between Red Rose Thunder and Auburn alumni team War Ready, as it competes for TBT’s $2 million winner-take-all championship. On this episode Mike talks with Malin & Lucas about the details of owning the Red Rose Thunder, a professional basketball team. They delve into their remarkable journey, from acquiring the team in 2020 to navigating the challenges of the TBT (The Basketball Tournament). Malin, as a pioneering female head coach, and Lucas, the youngest general manager in TBT history, share insights on overcoming personal adversities and achieving success in a male-dominated arena. The episode underscores the significance of teamwork, resilience, and the pivotal role of analytics in shaping their strategic approach to roster building and game preparation as they join forces with the Auburn alumni of War Ready for TBT 2026. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Take a few notes as you listen to this episode with Malin and Lucas Morrison from the Red Rose Thunder. Website – https://tbthoops.com/about-the-tournament/ Email – redrosethunder2020@gmail.com Twitter/X - @WarReadyhoops Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  7. Jul 10

    Ednaija "Nay" Lassiter - The Governor's Academy (MA) Girls Basketball Head Coach & CEO of Heavy Hearted Convos - Episode 1276

    Ednaija “Nay” Lassiter is the Girls’ Basketball Head Coach at Governors Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts. In addition to her coaching role, Nay is the founder and CEO of Heavy Hearted Convos, a non-profit organization dedicated to mental wellness and fostering open discussions about emotionally challenging topics. Nay began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northeastern University, followed by an assistant coaching position at The College of Charleston. As a player, Nay played college basketball at the University of Rhode Island and Southern Connecticut State University, earning a degree in Sociology. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Be prepared with a notebook and pen as you listen to this episode with Nay Lassiter, Girls’ Basketball Head Coach at Governors Academy and CEO of Heavy Hearted Convos Websites - https://www.heavyheartedconvos.com/ https://www.thegovernorsacademy.org/athletics/teams-schedules/team-details/~athletics-team-id/42 Email - ednaija@heavyhconvos.com Twitter/X - @nayybaee0 Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

  8. Jul 8

    Mitchells Inks a Cavs' Extension...Is LeBron Next? - Episode 1275

    On this episode Mike & Jason debate the merits of Donovan Mitchell's $273 Million - 4 year extension with the Cavs before diving into the possibility of LeBron joining the Cavs. They also discuss Detroit's curious off-season, the Wizards reacquiring Kris Middleton, the summer league debuts of Cam Boozer and Darryn Peterson, and a few other off-season happenings around the league. Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Hoop Heads Listeners currently get 25% off! Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ

4.5
out of 5
408 Ratings

About

The Hoop Heads Podcast is co-hosted by Head Start Basketball Founder Mike Klinzing and Coach Jason Sunkle. The Hoop Heads Podcast covers a wide range of basketball topics relevant to coaches, players, and parents. Listen in for interviews with personalities from across the basketball landscape. Our line-up of podcast guests includes some of the top minds in the game across all levels, from grassroots to the NBA. They’ll share insights to help you grow as a coach, improve as a player, or enhance your experience of the game as a parent. You’ll gain new perspectives on what the best coaches are doing, how they do it, and why they do it. We hope to make you think and challenge you to consider your approach to the game of basketball. We’ll also attempt to entertain and inform as we share our thoughts on the NBA and college hoops. We are passionately committed to the Hoop Heads Podcast and growing the game of basketball. Visit our website www.hoopheadspod.com to check out every episode we've ever recorded and learn more about what drives our show! Thank you for being a part of Hoop Heads Nation!Podcast by Hoop Heads

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