Contacts Coaching Podcast

In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we sit down with Ozzie Parente, head boys soccer coach at the Taft School and associate dean of students. Ozzie shares his journey from growing up in Connecticut to becoming a multifaceted leader in a boarding school environment. He discusses the importance of building team culture, forming meaningful relationships with players, and redefining adversity. Ozzie also covers his coaching experiences across different sports and how these have informed his approach to coaching varsity soccer. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the values of selflessness, humility, and community in sports.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:08 Ozzie's Early Life and Passion for Sports01:57 College Years and Initial Career Path03:25 First Job at Taft School04:22 Mentorship and Early Coaching Experiences05:53 Life in New Haven and Taft School Culture07:38 Coaching Philosophy and Evolution11:58 Balancing Multiple Roles and Family Life16:29 Experimentation and Learning as a Coach19:07 Challenges and Realizations as a Head Coach22:24 Exploring the Concept of Culture in Teams23:20 Building a Strong Team Culture24:36 Traditions and Practices that Unite Teams26:56 The Importance of Recognizing Individual Contributions32:01 The Role of Coaches Beyond the Field40:05 Redefining Adversity and Team Support43:43 Concluding Thoughts on Team Culture and Support

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