Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Episode 151: ESPN’s Paul Biancardi

Paul Biancardi is ESPN’s national recruiting director for boys high school basketball. Prior to joining ESPN, he was a long-time college basketball coach culminating with Horizon League Coach of the Year honors when he was at Wright State University. 

Click here for Coach Biancardi’s complete bio

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Being cut as a D3 athlete to being captain of the team
  • Playing for future NBA coach Tom Thibodeau
  • Transitioning from assistant to head coach
  • Recruiting advice for players and parents
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 150: Robyn Fralick, College Basketball Coach

Robyn Fralick was named the head women’s basketball coach at NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University in spring of 2018. Fralick was the architect of the two greatest offensive seasons in NCAA Division II women’s basketball history when she was at Ashland University. She was at Ashland for a total of 10 years. The last three years, she was Ashland’s head coach and had a record of 104-3, for an incredible winning percentage of .972. The Eagles won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2016-17 before returning to the national championship game and earning a runner-up finish in ’17-18. She earned national coach of the year honors twice while at Ashland University.

Click here for Coach Fralick’s complete bio

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Losing only 3 games in 3 years as a Division II head coach
  • Making the transition from DII to DI
  • Taking over a winning program vs. taking over a struggling program
  • Putting together a new staff of coaches
  • Work-life integration with a career and family
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 148: Dr. Bhrett McCabe, Sports Pyschologist

Dr. Bhrett McCabe is one of the leading experts in the area of sports pyschology. The best of the best turn to him when they need help with performance and mindset. He is the founder of The MindSide and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with Clinical Psychology PhD from Louisiana State University (LSU). He is also a practicing Sports Psychologist and he works with a number of PGA TOUR professionals, including Jon Rahm and Billy Horschel. Dr. McCabe has also worked extensively with the University of Alabama athletic department. His podcast “The Secrets to Winning” comes highly recommended and is one of our favorites.

Click here for Dr. McCabe’s complete bio

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What makes Nick Saban so good
  • Mental toughness
  • Getting the most out of athletes
  • Building a championship culture
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 147: Kurt Hines, Football Coach & Thought Leader

Kurt Hines is a well-respected football coach at Coronado High School in San Diego. His social media insights are top-notch. You will want to follow him even if you aren’t a football coach. He is a motivational speaker that provides great thoughts and energy to audiences across the country. Coach Hines is also the host of the “For What It Is Worth Coaching” podcast.

Click here for Coach Hines’ complete bio

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Why he coaches
  • How teaching helps his coaching
  • Playing favorites as a coach
  • Working with special needs kids
  • Advice for coaches – both head coaches and assistants
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 146: Coaching Culture with J.P. Nerbun

J.P. Nerbun is the founder of Thrive On Challenge, host of the “Coaching Culture” podcast, and author of Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership. He was also a college basketball player, winning the NIT Championship when he was a member of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

Click here for J.P.’s complete bio

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Dealing with “uncoachable” players
  • Focusing on the process even though you get fired if you lose
  • What transformational coaching means
  • How to build a strong culture
  • Rules and punishment for your team
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 142: Karissa Niehoff, NFHS Executive Director

Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff is the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is the first female to head the national leadership organization for high school athletics and performing arts activities and the sixth full-time executive director of the NFHS, which celebrated its 100th year of service during the 2018-19 school year. She previously was executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for seven years.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • The state of high school athletics (recorded prior to Covid-19)
  • Advice for how parents can help their kids best
  • Challenges & opportunities facing high school athletics
  • Qualities of great coaches
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 141: Adrian Griffin, Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach

Available on 4/6/20

Adrian Griffin won a World Championship as the lead assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in 2020. He played in the NBA from 1999-2008 after a stellar career at Seton Hall University. In 2010 he was inducted into the Seton Hall athletic Hall of Fame. Prior to serving as the Raptors lead assistant coach, he also spent time on the sidelines for Oklahoma City, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Next year he’ll have each of his three children playing Division I basketball (Duke, UConn WBB, and Syracuse).

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Winning the NBA Championship
  • Integrating a superstar into an existing team
  • How he got his start in coaching
  • Building a team that meshes and accepts their roles
  • What makes Coach K such a good coach
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 139: Rising Coaches Elite CEO Adam Gordon

Adam Gordon spent 17 years in the coaching industry, making stops from the JUCO level to High-major Power 5 basketball. In 2010, along with Andy Farrell, he co-founded a company called Rising Coaches with the mission of servicing the coaching industry. In June of 2019, he stepped away from his coaching career and decided to run Rising Coaches full-time. He is now growing his passion project which has an incredible following, support and brand awareness into a profitable business that helps basketball coaches all across the country. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What qualities the best coaches possess
  • How Rising Coaches helps young coaches develop
  • Tips for young coaches
  • The Rising Coaches conference in Phoenix and Atlanta
  • … and so much more!!!

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BORED Yet?

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” (Albert Einstein)

You’ve stocked up on more toilet paper than one person should own at one time.

You’re starting to wonder if your hands will ever smell like something other than hand sanitizer.

You’re binge-watching shows you would never be caught dead admitting to viewing.

You’re watching all of ESPN’s 30 for 30’s again.

Sound familiar?

BORED yet?

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Episode 137: Mark Immelman, PGA Broadcaster

Mark Immelman is currently the host of the “On the Mark” podcast on pgatour.com. He also covers live golf for the PGA TOUR on their live-streaming mobile app, PGA TOUR Live, on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio and for Golf Channel and CBS Sports. In addition to his broadcasting career, he’s also the Director of Golf at Columbus State University and the author of Scandalously Simple: The Easy Way to Accurate Golf Shots. Mark is the older brother of 2008 Masters champion, Trevor Immelman and son of former South African Sunshine Tour commissioner, Johan Immelman.

Immelman believes in a holistic approach to the game. Having coached two Masters Champions, Larry Mize and younger brother Trevor Immelman, Mark understands what it takes to get to the top of the game, and he shares these “trade secrets” with listeners around the globe on the PGA Tour’s “On The Mark” podcast. As a player, Mark Immelman was a four-time All American and played on two NCAA championship-winning teams. He was also the 2009 NCAA-II National Golf Coach of the Year.

Click here to see Mark’s full bio on the Columbus State website.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • Transitioning from the national office to becoming the NAIA’s first-ever female conference commissioner
  • Challenges facing today’s student-athletes
  • Qualities of good leaders
  • How to advance in college athletics
  • … and so much more!!!

[Read more…]

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