Coach Canova’s Hoops Coaching A to Z

Who's ready for another season of hoops.  Let's recharge our batteries and get ready for the grind.

This week's episode I sit down with all of the other 4A girls basketball coaches who have advanced to the Final 4.  Coach Craig McGill from New Hope, Coach Jason Roberson from Prattville Christian, and Coach Terrie Nelson from Priceville.   This is a very different, but fun episode.  Enjoy.

A short episode about the upcoming Regional playoffs and a GREAT nugget by Simon Sinek

This episode takes a slightly different turn as we first celebrate my two seniors a day after our Senior Night. Then we get a parents perspective.  We talk about the growth he has seen through his daughter from basketball, and lends a little advice to parents as well.

I invite my two 2023 Seniors Elizabeth & Bailey, to join Coach Hodge and myself to talk about leadership.  There are so many ways for players to lead, my two seniors are very different but equally great.

This week we not only have an outstanding coach, but someone who coaches the leading scorer in the country.  Coach David Armstrong consistently has Baker as one of the best teams in the state of Alabama.  Now he does it with Labaron Philon, a junior averaging 40 points a game.  This week's episode talks about some of the added things to deal with while coaching a player of this magnitude.

Coach Joye Lee McNelis joins us to talk hoops.  If you want to know why her teams are tough and gritty - check out this episode.  Coach McNelis talks about coaching through her bout with lung cancer, tough career decisions, and what she thinks is necessary to be an assistant coach in her program. 

If you havent been a frequent listener, or if you've loved every episode, this one is for you.  This is clips from the past year.  The guest list includes.... Jerry Hernandez - intro and parent meeting Mike Neighbors & Paw Paw Neighbor Quotes Ravon Justice - Leon Barmore Story Bobby Champagne - From HS to Final Four Mark Gottfried - Loyalty Tim Miller - Parent missing the mark Rick Pietri - Coaching evolution Chad Prewett - Bruce Pearl Story Bob Starkey - Shaq & Kobe Dan Horwitz - Game touches Kristy Curry - Leon Barmore  

I catch up with an old coaching buddy, who is doing so many good things these days.  I met Coach Jamy Bechler over 20 years ago when he was a young Head Coach at LeTourneau University in Texas.  Today he is an author, Leadership Expert, and motivational speaker.   Be sure to check out Jamy's podcast - Success is a choice.  Also visit his website at www.jamybechler.com for all the great things he has going such as the Leadership Playbook.

Here we sit at the midway point of our season.  Lot's to improve upon, but also so much to be proud of.  You'll here from two former Lady Bulldog players - Tori Sudeiha and Sarah Elizabeth Freeman.  Sarah Elizabeth's story is LEGENDARY. We talk about being 14-2, and while most would assume it's smooth sailing, there are always fires to put out.

This is a celebration with several former coaches and players looking back over the years.  Some funny and sappy stories to share.  I also share for the first time "the letter" -  the letter some anonymous parent sent asking me to resign for a "job poorly done".   I share this letter to illustrate that we will all have detractors, just don't let them rob you of your passion. To my players, coaches, parents, and friends....Thank you!!!!  Here's to the next 400.

Coach Danny Broussard enters this season as the 9th all-time winningest basketball coach in the Nation with 1,082 career wins.  Danny has been at STM for 41 years and has only had one losing season.  Coach Broussard has also won 6 state championships and advanced to 17 Final Fours.  This is a fun chat with one of the best coaches in the country.

Coach Sam Purcell, the new head coach at Mississippi St, joins us this week.  Coach Purcell has been a huge part of the University of Louisville program over the past nine seasons.  Coach Purcell talks about some of his mentors on his path to has new job in the SEC.     Join us for this fun interview with this dynamic new addition to the SEC.

This week we sit down with the new coach at Coastal Alabama, Cedric Yelding.  Cedric is known locally for is playing days at the University of South Alabama, and more recently coaching at Daphne High School.  Cedric is an outstanding coach, and someone we can all learn from.

Coach Donnie Quinn is one of the most successful coaches I know.  He's had a tremendous run in women's basketball on both the High School and Collegiate levels.  He's won state championships in both Louisiana and Alabama.   Donnie stands out to me because of his "thinking outside the box" mentality.  He has a very unique formula for attacking a full court press that not enough people utilize.  This nugget alone is worth the listen.

Darnell Archey became a household name when he helped Butler defeat Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA Tournament.  Today he is the head coach at the University of Mobile. Coach Archey talks about his path through the basketball world as a player, and to where he is today, as a head coach.  Coach Archey talks about some of his accomplishments as a player including his time competing against current Auburn Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl.

Coach Ish is "one of a kind".  He has literally succeeded in just about every level imaginable.  He is also one of the funniest guys on the planet.   While most people prefer to "find a quiet spot", to conduct a podcast, not Coach Ish.  During this episode John Ishee is working the barbecue, and killing bees, among other things as he doesn't skip a beat on his endless stories.  This is an instant classic.

Kristy Curry is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Alabama.  One of only 10 coaches in the country with 100 wins at 3 different schools - Alabama, Purdue, Texas Tech.   Our friendship began many years ago at the Leon Barmore Camps, and I've followed her success throughout the past three decades. One of the nicest people on the planet, but don't let that fool you, she's one of the fiercest competitors in the game.  This was a fun episode to record.

45 year coaching veteran, Coach Larry Tidwell joins us in this week's episode.  Coach Tidwell join Coach Brooks Williams and her staff at ULM this season.  We discuss a wide range of things in this episode.  Come sit under the learning tree with this Hall of famer.

This topic cannot be talked about enough.  The coach /parent relationship is vital for any team or program to have ultimate success.  We invited Coach Jerry Hernandez back, the author of the "Athletic Trinity', to discuss with us some more ideas about this dynamic. For a team to succeed, and for the player to have the best possible experience, the coach and parent must work together.

We kick off our second year of the podcast with my former boss at South Alabama - Rick Pietri.  Rick is the winningest coach at both South Alabama and Jacksonville State.  Coach Pietri is also second, All time, in wins in the state of Alabama behind Joe Ciampi.  

Coach Trent Powell, One of our original podcast listeners tells us his experiences from his first season as a girls high school head coach.  Sometimes we forget those early struggles of starting a program.  Coach Powell is doing it the right way. We then switch gears and talk about some lessons learned this summer acting on the stage, and how those experiences will make me a better coach.  5 great reminders that I wasn't practicing what I was preaching.

I sit down with new Men's Basketball Coach Todd Kelly of Dallas Christian.  We talk about his journey to this new position.  Some of his plans and ideas as he looks forward to this new challenge.

Coach Gottfried talks about is introduction into coaching with Legendary Coach Jim Harrick.  Lots to be shared and learned through his experiences with Coach Harrick as they experience a National Championship at UCLA together.

I sit down with one of the best high school coaches in the Country.  Coach Tim Miller just finished up winning the 6A Alabama State Championship with a 35-0 record.  This is also his 5th straight Championship at Hazel Green. Prior to Hazel Green, Coach Miller won championships at both Jeff Davis and Bob Jones. We talk about everything from team culture to parent meetings.  He even shares a conversation with a parent when he arrived at Hazel Green, who told him his methods wouldn't work at Hazel Green.  Boy, was that parent wrong!!! This is a great episode!!!!

I sit down with one of the most impactful coaches in the country, when it comes to women's basketball.  Coach Mike Neighbors is a proven winner, and one of the best minds in basketball.   We talk about his beginnings with his mentor Coach Gary Blair, and a little bit of everything in between.  From is thoughts on the slogan "Defense wins Championships", to his favorite books and even a surprise MUST watch tv series.   This one is long overdue.

Another Lady Techster Camp Alumni joins me on the podcast.  Jodi has taken her coaching background and expanded it to being an author and so much more.   Jodi touches on her three books and shares some stories with us - from meeting some NBA legends to climbing mountains.  She has also connected the challenges of her experiences to building the mindsets of athletes. This is a fun chat with an old friend that has a little bit of everything.

A fun sit down with Head Coach Terry Fowler from the University of South Alabama.  We talk about his background and his journey up through the coaching ranks.  Unlike many of our guests, he is NOT a product of the Lady Techster Camps.  However, we are both alumni of the Doug Bruno Camps at DePaul.  We also talk about NIL (Name Image Likeness) as he has a player with 2.5 million tik tok followers.

I get to sit down and visit with Coach Mike Pittman from Northwestern State University.  Mike has helped every program he has been a part of.  We follow his path through the coaching ranks to where he is now.

This special two part episode features two of the top assistant coaches in the country.  The topic is being a great assistant, however this is so much more. Coach Chad Prewett shares his insight into his world with Coach Bruce Pearl.  Also we touch on the fame and book that came from his daughter Maddie after her time on National TV with the Bachelor. Coach Bob Starkey talks about his previous stint at LSU with Dale Brown, Shaq, Sue Gunter and so much more. This is a great episode with something for everyone.

Coach Nichols considered by many to be one of the top women's college basketball recruiters in the country.  Coach Nichols takes us from the time we met in Mobile, while he was coaching at Central Florida, and throughout collegiate career.  We talk about his stops at the University of Kansas, University of Michigan, and his job in helping take West Virginia from the bottom of the Big East to a National Power.

One of my first ever recruits recount our early meetings, the highs and lows, and her eventual path to becoming a collegiate head coach.  We discuss the emotions of a player who signs with a school and one of the coaches depart.  The path of going from a player to a college coach.  A day in the life of a college head coach.  And even a funny story involving Coaching legend Leon Barmore from the Lady Techster Camp of Champions

I sit down with a dear friend, Brooks Donald Williams and talk about her journey into the top seat at ULM.  The challenges of being a mom and a head coach in Division 1 athletics.  Also her roots from Jennings, LA, and her path to being a head coach.  Another member of our Louisiana Tech Camp of Champions alumni.

I sit down with Ido Singer and talk about special situations, particularly BLOB (Baseline Out of Bounds).  Ido is a former college basketball coach, and a tremendous student of special situations.  Check him out on twitter where he shares about 9 - inbounds plays a day.   4zwGLunBGl3uHSGyrQZK

Brian Rosario assistant coach at Pepperdine sits down with me as we talk about the beginnings of our friendship 20 plus years ago.  Brian has also started a mentor program for young coaches called Magic 32, and he talks about it's launch. 

Dan Horwitz sits down with us and shares a couple great principles from his book, "Help them Up- 14 Principles to Educate Energize and Empower your team to build a Championship Culture.

You can't play a game without referees.  However, some coaches deal with them better than others.  Veteran coach Ronnie Arrow and myself talk about how we deal with officials.  Advise for both parents and coaches.

When you win 20 straight state championships, what else needs to be said?  Except maybe that Coach Ann Schilling has won 27 total state titles at Bayside Academy in Daphne, Alabama.   I sit down for my first interview with Coach Schilling and pick her brain about her unmatched success.

A great chat with a longtime friend who has seen it all.  High school coaching, JUCO assistant, Both Women's and Men's coaching and more.  We discuss some of the differences.

Veteran Coach Bobby Champagne is just starting his new high school teaching and coaching job at a small North Alabama High School, when he gets a call from his former boss Kelvin Sampson at the University of Houston.  About 6 month later Coach Champagne is in the Elite Eight, one game from the Final Four.     Listen to Coach talk about this journey and lots more.

We are BACK!!!!  The season was a grind.  Finished a little sooner than we wanted, but 28-7 and Regional Finals is nothing to be ashamed of.   This episode is on The MVP of my House!!!!  Being the spouse of a coach is tougher than most people realize.

Some ideas and tips to help build your team offense.

Let's talk about building your defensive philosophy.  Our friend Coach Donnie Quinn pops back in with us for some great ideas.

Revisiting Championship Culture with two Louisiana HS Coaching Legends - Danny Broussard and Donnie Quinn

Revisiting our most popular episode - Coach /Parent Relationship.  This time we have as our guest, Coach Jerry Hernandez.  Coach Hernandez is the author of two books, including The Athletic Trinity - Can Players, Parents and Coaches Co-exist?   You can find this book at www.sportseducationexperience.com

I talked with over a dozen coaching friends, and shared our ideas on what we feel are important to have on your scouting reports.

This is always a hot button topic.  Playing time.  What should parents do?  How do coaches handle this?

We are going to take a bit of a detour from our typical topics and discuss a viral picture on social media.     Is it ok to yell at players?  

Do you have an in game playsheet?  Here's what I include on my playsheet.     Come visit us in our Facebook Group and share your thoughts on more items that can be included on your playsheet.

The beginning of official hoops season is about a month away.  Let's brainstorm on everything we need to prepare for.  A "spit balling" checklist of everything ahead of us.    If you have any other suggestions, please share them in our Facebook Group.

This episode will address the first step necessary to building a championship culture - being an Authentic Leader.  I will discuss some of the great leaders, and their books, that have helped be grow as an Authentic Leader.  Plus a few other ideas to help your team grow.   This is a Bonus Episode to celebrate 100 downloads in our first week.