Then and Now with Coach Z

Ron Zetcher
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Then & Now with Coach Z is a podcast hosted by Ron “Coach Z” Zetcher, bringing together athletes, coaches, officials, broadcasters, business leaders, and influential voices for candid conversations about their lives, careers, and experiences. Drawing on decades in sports, education, and leadership, Coach Z explores the defining moments, challenges, triumphs, and relationships that shaped each guest’s journey. From untold stories and memorable moments to lessons learned along the way, each episode bridges generations, celebrates lasting legacies, and connects the past with the present.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep. 020 | Gus Otto & Johnny Roland | Then & Now

    In Episode 20 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z welcomes two University of Missouri football legends, Gus Otto and Johnny Roland, for a conversation about their remarkable careers on the gridiron. Otto, a Mizzou All-Century selection, standout linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, and member of the Raiders' 1967 AFL Championship team, and Roland, a College Football Hall of Famer, Mizzou No. 23 retiree, NFL Rookie of the Year, and two-time Pro Bowl running back for the St. Louis Cardinals, reflect on their playing days, the transition from college football to the professional ranks, and the coaches, teammates, and experiences that shaped their careers. Together, they revisit the golden era of Missouri football, share memories from their time in the game, and reflect on how football has evolved across generations. Subscribe for more conversations preserving the stories, memories, and people who shaped the games we love.

    Ep. 020 | Gus Otto & Johnny Roland | Then & Now

  2. Oct 8

    Ep. 019 | Jay Blossom | Then & Now

    Coach Z sits down with Jay Blossom, a Hall of Fame St. Louis high school basketball coach whose career helped shape generations of players and leave a lasting mark on the local basketball community. Jay reflects on his journey through the coaching ranks, the teams and players who defined his career, and the relationships built along the way. He and Coach Z swap stories from the sidelines, discuss how high school basketball has evolved over the years, and explore the lessons in leadership, competition and mentorship that extend well beyond the court.

    Ep. 019 | Jay Blossom | Then & Now

  3. Oct 1

    Ep. 018 | Bob Bunton Sr. & Bob Bunton Jr. | Then & Now

    Coach Z welcomes Bob Bunton Sr. and Bob Bunton Jr. for a father-son conversation rooted in decades of St. Louis sports. Bob Sr., founding president of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation, and Bob Jr., a St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Famer and longtime Parkway North baseball coach, reflect on their careers, the people and moments that shaped them, and a shared lifetime in sports.

    Ep. 018 | Bob Bunton Sr. & Bob Bunton Jr. | Then & Now

  4. Sep 24

    Ep. 017 | Kelvin Lee | Then & Now

    Coach Z sits down with Kelvin Lee, a storied St. Louis high school basketball coach whose career has put him on the sidelines for some of the city’s greatest basketball talent. Kelvin looks back on his years coaching in St. Louis, sharing stories from the gym and reflecting on what it was like to coach future NBA stars David Lee, Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum before they became household names. He and Coach Z also explore the evolution of high school basketball, the relationships that define a coaching career, and the lessons learned from a lifetime in the game.

    Ep. 017 | Kelvin Lee | Then & Now

  5. Sep 17

    Ep. 016 | Ron Zetcher | Then & Now

    This week on Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Ron Zetcher takes the microphone solo to share personal stories, reflect on memorable moments from his years in sports, and revisit the people and experiences that shaped his journey. From lessons learned on and off the court to memories that have stayed with him through the years, Coach Z offers a personal look back at a lifetime in the game and the wisdom he's picked up along the way.

    Ep. 016 | Ron Zetcher | Then & Now

  6. Sep 10

    Ep. 015 | Danny Nee | Then & Now

    In Episode 15 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z sits down with former NCAA Division I men’s basketball coach Danny Nee. Danny reflects on a coaching career spanning more than four decades, including head coaching stops at Ohio, Nebraska, Robert Morris and Duquesne. He shares stories from his years on the sidelines, the players and coaches who left a lasting impact, and the experiences that shaped his life in basketball. From building programs and competing at the highest levels of college basketball to watching the game evolve over the years, Danny offers a look back at a lifetime spent coaching, teaching and leading. Subscribe for more conversations preserving the stories, memories, and people who shaped the games we love.

    Ep. 015 | Danny Nee | Then & Now

  7. Sep 3

    Ep. 014 | Emilie Brockman & Alex Rich | Then & Now

    Coach Z welcomes his daughter, Emilie Brockman, and her colleague Alex Rich to Then & Now for a special conversation about the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games. Emilie, who led the St. Louis delegation, and Alex, who coached the St. Louis baseball team, recap their experience at the Games — from the competition and memorable moments to the friendships and sense of community that make Maccabi so special. They also take Coach inside the work that goes into representing St. Louis and creating a meaningful experience for the young athletes who participate. Plus, Emilie shares what it’s like being on the other side of the microphone with her dad.

    Ep. 014 | Emilie Brockman & Alex Rich | Then & Now

  8. Aug 27

    Ep. 013 | Art Shamsky | Then & Now

    Coach Z sits down with his childhood friend Art Shamsky, the greatest University City Lion power hitter of all time and a member of the legendary 1969 “Miracle Mets.” Art looks back on growing up with Coach in University City, his journey from U City baseball standout to the Major Leagues, and a career that took him from the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Mets. He shares stories from his years in the big leagues, the unforgettable 1969 championship season, and the friendships and experiences that have stayed with him long after his playing days. From childhood friends in University City to baseball’s biggest stage, Coach Z and Art Shamsky reminisce about a lifetime of memories — then & now.

    Ep. 013 | Art Shamsky | Then & Now
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Then & Now with Coach Z is a podcast hosted by Ron “Coach Z” Zetcher, bringing together athletes, coaches, officials, broadcasters, business leaders, and influential voices for candid conversations about their lives, careers, and experiences. Drawing on decades in sports, education, and leadership, Coach Z explores the defining moments, challenges, triumphs, and relationships that shaped each guest’s journey. From untold stories and memorable moments to lessons learned along the way, each episode bridges generations, celebrates lasting legacies, and connects the past with the present.

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