Contacts Coaching Podcast

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, host Justin Clark interviews Charles Gordon Jr., the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at Rutland High School in Macon, Georgia. Charles shares his journey from being a military kid with a passion for athletics to becoming an Athletic Director. He discusses the challenges of managing multiple roles, including coaching cross country and basketball, dealing with administrative responsibilities, and the importance of mentorship. Charles also talks about the significance of fundraising, transportation logistics, and managing limited resources. Tune in to learn about the insights and lessons Charles has gained throughout his career and how he's adapting to his new role as AD.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:52 Journey to Coaching03:09 Returning to Macon04:49 Educational Background and Coaching Roles05:40 Challenges and Lessons in Coaching13:50 Fundraising Strategies19:10 Transportation and Facility Management24:37 Transition to Athletic Director32:56 Coaching Challenges and Adaptations33:56 Managing Multiple Sports and Coaches34:19 Uniform Management and Logistics43:50 The Importance of Energy and Consistency45:30 Evolving Coaching Philosophies48:30 Empowering Assistant Coaches54:59 Adapting to Team Needs and Overcoming Challenges01:03:59 Reflecting on Growth and Future Plans

Welcome back to the Contacts Coaching Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Coach Ryan Diew, head basketball coach at Head Royce Boys basketball and proud alum of the school. Coach Diew shares his journey from being an athlete at Head Royce to playing basketball at Colgate University, and eventually returning to his alma mater to coach. He discusses his experiences as a walk-on, the valuable lessons he learned from his mentors, and his unexpected path into coaching. Coach Diew also delves into his entrepreneurial background, his coaching philosophy, and how he integrates data analytics into his coaching strategies. Tune in to hear insightful stories about resilience, leadership, and the impact of youth mentorship.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:24 Coach Ryan Diew's Athletic Journey01:22 Transition to Coaching02:09 Early Coaching Challenges and Successes03:29 Return to Head Royce and Pandemic Impact04:52 Coaching Philosophy and Adaptation06:20 Balancing Coaching and Personal Development09:25 Building a Basketball Program14:33 Analytics in Coaching19:27 Kids' Engagement and Tracking Performance19:53 Grading System for Player Evaluation20:23 Democratic Process in Team Selection21:04 Analyzing Player Combinations and Effectiveness22:49 Balancing Scoring and Team Dynamics27:37 Evolving Coaching Philosophy30:22 Impact of Venture Capital Experience on Coaching35:59 Redefining Success and Personal Growth38:07 Shark Tank Experience and Lessons Learned39:57 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Welcome back to the Contacts Coaching Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Coach Ryan Diew, head basketball coach at Head Royce Boys basketball and proud alum of the school. Coach Diew shares his journey from being an athlete at Head Royce to playing basketball at Colgate University, and eventually returning to his alma mater to coach. He discusses his experiences as a walk-on, the valuable lessons he learned from his mentors, and his unexpected path into coaching. Coach Diew also delves into his entrepreneurial background, his coaching philosophy, and how he integrates data analytics into his coaching strategies. Tune in to hear insightful stories about resilience, leadership, and the impact of youth mentorship.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:24 Coach Ryan Diew's Athletic Journey01:22 Transition to Coaching02:09 Early Coaching Challenges and Successes03:29 Return to Head Royce and Pandemic Impact04:52 Coaching Philosophy and Adaptation06:20 Balancing Coaching and Personal Development09:25 Building a Basketball Program14:33 Analytics in Coaching19:27 Kids' Engagement and Tracking Performance19:53 Grading System for Player Evaluation20:23 Democratic Process in Team Selection21:04 Analyzing Player Combinations and Effectiveness22:49 Balancing Scoring and Team Dynamics27:37 Evolving Coaching Philosophy30:22 Impact of Venture Capital Experience on Coaching35:59 Redefining Success and Personal Growth38:07 Shark Tank Experience and Lessons Learned39:57 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, host Justin Clark speaks with Trey Brown, Head Football Coach and Associate Director of Admission at Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts. Trey shares his journey from growing up in Livingston, California, to becoming a key figure at one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the USA. He discusses the importance of building personal connections with players, fostering a strong team culture, and the challenges and rewards of coaching at a high academic institution. Trey also emphasizes the need for adaptability, delegation, and continuous learning in coaching, as well as the unique dynamics of working within the prep school sports ecosystem. His insights provide valuable lessons for both current and aspiring coaches on balancing performance with personal growth and well-being for student-athletes.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:29 Coach Trey's Background and Journey01:33 The Andover Experience02:26 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose03:58 Returning to Andover and Career Growth07:08 Coaching Philosophy and Advice16:52 Building Team Culture and Connections19:54 Learning from Other Sports and Team Bonding21:54 Adding Fun and Competition to Practice22:07 Balancing Practice and Team Bonding22:24 Learning from Other Coaches22:54 The Importance of Time Management23:04 Reflecting on Practice Priorities23:46 Starting Practice with Full Games24:31 Conceptual Offense in Football26:21 Live Read Components in Practice30:56 Delegating Responsibilities as a Coach35:48 Evolving Coaching Approaches39:13 Sustainability in Prep School Sports41:53 Final Thoughts and Appreciation

In this episode of the Contacts coaching podcast, we sit down with Tyler Whitley, the head football coach at Taft School and Associate Athletic Director. Tyler shares his journey from growing up in Torrington, Connecticut, to becoming a multi-sport athlete in high school, and eventually finding his passion in coaching. He discusses the challenges and rewards of juggling multiple roles at a boarding school, his approach to building an inclusive team culture, and how he navigates the complexities of recruiting in the age of NIL and the transfer portal. Tune in to hear valuable insights on managing expectations, trusting your assistants, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:32 Coach Whitley's Background and Journey04:36 Boarding School Experience and Accessibility10:14 Challenges and Realizations as a New Head Coach14:22 Creating a Culture of Inclusivity and Service17:40 Game Schedules and League Details20:40 The Rise of Northeast Football21:02 Evaluating Talent Without Crossover Play21:32 Transitioning to Athletic Administration23:26 Learning from Other Coaches27:51 The Value of Diverse Perspectives30:06 Challenging Personal Beliefs35:26 Balancing Coaching and Family37:32 Adapting to Modern Recruiting Challenges40:55 Final Thoughts and Tools for Success