On The Bench Podcast

The podcast is back. Zac Jackson and Ken Rector discuss the waiting game, the shifting of the girls state tournament and more quarantine-related topics. 

Second-year Canton McKinley boys coach Andy Vlajkovich talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about tournament formatting, his team's successful season, the Canton D1 district and more. 

Boardman boys coach Pat Birch makes his podcast debut. He talks program building, facing stiff competition and establishing a winning attitude with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson. 

Longtime Wadsworth girls coach Andy Booth joins Zac Jackson and Ken Rector for a discussion on his program's sustained success, the state of girls basketball and the start of the state tournament. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss the release of the district brackets, lament the lack of super-districting and then bring in Jonathan Alder coach Zach Ross for a discussion on his career, the Central District and why he's excited about his program. 

Twinsburg coach Phil Schmook joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a conversation about his team, his long coaching career and why he's excited about the Twinsburg program. 

Medina boys coach Chris Hassinger talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about lofty goals, tournament prep and spreading the wealth. 

Second-year Massillon coach Josh Hose joins Zac Jackson and Ken Rector for a discussion on program building, football's shadow and more. 

New Ellet High coach Chad Hazard talks being a basketball lifer and building a program with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss the return of the podcast, Ken's return to coaching and more. In the second half of the show, they talk hoops with first-year Barberton boys coach Kyle McBride. 

Our host is back in coaching. Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss Ken's surprise decision to return to coaching after he accepted the girls basketball coaching job at Barberton. 

After resigning as girls coach at Hoban, Scott Callaghan joined Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on the state of the coaching business, his fondest memories and why basketball will always be a part of his life. 

A season from retirement, legendary College of Wooster coach Steve Moore joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a conversation on his career, how the game has changed and what went in to all the winning Wooster has done during his tenure. 

Ohio State senior walk-on Joey Lane joins the podcast for a discussion about his career, his advice for the next basketball generation, what he learned in Columbus and his experience in the NCAA tournament. 

Green coach Mark Kinsley discusses his team's first district title, the success of point guard Kaleb Martin, the Federal League and more. 

Akron Buchtel coach Matt Futch discusses his team's regional appearance, the rise of Chris Livingston, how he relates to his players and why he's so excited about his program's future.

First-year Walsh Jesuit coach Kevin Byrne discusses his program, his basketball journey and his goals for the future with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson. 

Twinsburg coach Phil Schmook joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of today's game, why he un-retired for his current job and why he feels good about the Twinsburg program going forward. 

Perry coach Chad Spurgeon discusses his team's season, why he's so positive about his program going forward and why he misses sectional doubleheaders. 

Mount Union coach Mike Fuline joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on the OAC meatgrinder, tournament time, the keys to his team's success this season and why he thinks there's so much good basketball in Northeast Ohio.

Revere HS coach Dean Rahas talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about his team's win streak, raising expectations for the program and the fine line in March. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are joined by Zac's brother, Pitt-Greensburg coach Brody Jackson, for a discussion on the Div. III lifestyle, navigating a rebuild and and trying to turn things around. 

On this episode of On The Bench, Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss the qualities great teams share, the tournament structure, how to handle schedule changes and other topics from the Northeast Ohio basketball season. 

Coach Flan makes his return to that other basketball podcast. He discusses his program's annual goals, the recent game vs. Spire, what he likes about the 2018-19 Eagles and how he handles social media. 

Lake Center Christian coach Ryan McGonagle talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about his first head coaching job, his program's lofty goals, why he chose this career path and more. 

Longtime Alliance High School coach Larry Kukura talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about his 20 years in the lead seat, some games that got away, why he still gets excited for Friday nights and how high school basketball has changed. 

First-year North Canton Hoover coach Mike Bluey talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about his new job, the Federal League, his young team and why he's so excited about his program's future.

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are joined by first-year coach Zach Ross of Johnstown-Monroe in the Licking County League. Zach discusses his team's hot start, his path to the head coach's office and where he thinks his program can go from here. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson talk tradition, pressure, winning and long-range vision with first-year McKinley coach Andy Vlajkovich. 

New Wadsworth coach Mike Moser discusses his new job, his return home, what he's learned during his winding coaching career and why he thinks the Grizzlies can win over the long term. 

Longtime Lake coach Tom McBride joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on the Federal League, coaching his sons, how high school basketball has changed and how the Blue Streaks have remained competitive and successful. 

Nordonia coach Matt Cash discusses his team, his second stint in the head seat and why he's a kinder, gentler coach this time around. 

Crestwood boys coach Josh Jakacki discusses his second stint with the Red Devils, coaching his sons and his vision for building a program with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson. 

Medina Buckeye coach Tom Harrington joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on his coaching journey, high expectations for his program and the importance of being involved with a youth program. 

Medina boys coach Chris Hassinger joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on the Bees' program, prepping teams for the postseason, surviving a brutal schedule and keeping up with the times. 

New Rootstown boys coach Cody Calhoun joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion about his first head-coaching job, why he always wanted to be a coach and what's ahead for his program. 

New Tallmadge boys coach Bill Johnson joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on his coaching career, his second stint at Tallmadge and what's ahead for the Blue Devils. 

New Gilmour Academy coach Dan DeCrane discusses his hectic summer, his team's move to the NCL and his coaching path with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson. 

Zac Jackson and Ken Rector talk hoops with Loudonville High School girls coach Tyler Bates. 

Jamy Bechler, a former basketball coach who's now an author and leadership trainer, joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on basketball, developing leaders and and more. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are back. They talk the OHSAA's competitive balance court battle, the state of the game in the Twitter era and they interview second-year Chippewa boys coach D.J. Schrock. 

GlenOak Coach Matt Hackenberg joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on his program's growth, the plusses and minuses of his first two years on the job, the importance of summer basketball and the young talent set to take the floor for GlenOak this winter. 

NBA shooting coach Peter Patton joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on using the summer to improve your shot, what he's learned from working in the NBA and what he thinks young players should do to improve their shooting. 

Garrettsville Garfield Coach Andy Olesky joins Zac Jackson and Ken Rector for a discussion on his program, the importance of summer ball, his coaching roots and raising expectations. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss an offseason plan of action, Ken's experience with various ways to approach summer ball, St. Vincent-St. Mary's move to Div. I and the looming vote on the new OHSAA transfer proposal. 

J.J. Kukura just finished his career at Mount Union. Nate Axelrod won the Jostens Trophy as the nation's most outstanding Div. III player in his final season at Ohio Wesleyan. They joined Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on their accomplishments, their advice for young players and what's next. 

Massillon Jackson coach Tim Debevec joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on his team's Sweet 16 season, the Federal League, maintaining high expectations and opportunities ahead for the young players in the Jackson program. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson discuss the end of the 2017-18 season at the high school and college levels. They're then joined by Nick Sales, assistant coach at Marietta College and former player under Rector, for a discussion on the state of college basketball, basketball across Ohio, where the game is headed and more. 

Duquesne University assistant coach Terry Weigand talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about his career, last year's change of scenery, what he sees from today's high school players and more. 

Shaker Heights Coach Danny Young joins Zac Jackson and Ken Rector for a discussion on his team's Sweet 16 appearance, the pursuit of a state title, social media, his day job and more. 

Corrected version: T.J. Peatross of NEOhioSpotlight.com joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson for a discussion on the top players and teams still in the district tournaments, the path to Columbus and which upsets might lie ahead.