Chop Talk

Guest: Kyle Young is a sophomore on the Siena Men's Basketball team. In this episode Kyle and I talk about his adjustment to college hoops, mindset during the pandemic lockdown, and investing as a college student. Enjoy!  Breakdown:  -Background  2:13- Adjustment to college  6:02- Pandemic Mindset  14:00- Control what you can control  18:00- Changing weights  21:02- Goals  24:40- Controlling...

Guest: Dwayne Killings is the Associate Head Coach at Marquette University for the Men's Basketball team. Coach Killings and I met about five years ago and he's always been willing to help the next generation. I appreciate him taking time to join the podcast!  Breakdown:  :30 - Background  4:00 - Connecting with people  9:30 - Learn from everyone  14:50 - Building trust  19:30 - First im...

Guest: Drew Flanagan is a former Villanova Men's Basketball student manager. I met Drew while working camp at Lehigh University. Since graduating Drew has climbed the ladder in the fundraising world. He currently works as the Director of Business Development at George Washington University. Enjoy!  1:00 - Background  3:45 - Working camps  9:20 - His time at Stanford 13:20 - Be authentic  18:1...

Guest: Josh King coaches for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg a professional team in Germany. He's our first overseas coach on Chop Talk and has taken a unique route to get to where he is today.  1:00 - Background  3:00 - Getting bumped up  6:00 -Hoop Group  8:00 - Working in the real world  13:30 - Getting a job in sales  17:00 - Marshall vs UNH  18:24- Recruiting JUCO  20:45- Getting involved with a...

Guest: Coach Carm is the head coach at Siena College for the Men's Basketball team. Before coming to Siena he had stops at George Washington, Boston University, Providence, Fairfield, and Siena as an operations guy. He is also our FIRST D1 head coach to come on Chop Talk. Hope everyone enjoys!  2:25- Coaching in the community your grew up in  3:45- Getting your foot in your door  5:30- Pick t...

Guest: Jared Czech is an Assistant Basketball Coach at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Coach Czech has worked his way up from Graduate Assistant, Director of Operations, Hoop Group, and finally got his break as an assistant at Columbia. This episode is filled with tangible advice that people can go out and apply right now. Enjoy!  Breakdown:  1:00 - Background  4:00 - St. Patricks...

Guest: Kevin Hoehn is a walk-on for the Villanova basketball team. Kevin was 14 years old when I met him coaching a local AAU program called NJ Thunder. In this episode he takes us through the process of walking on, Villanova culture, and most importantly his Mental Health Struggles.  Breakdown:  1:46 - Decision to not pursue D3/D2 opportunities 8:30 - Learning from the older guys  14:30 - COVID a...

Guest: Jake Martino is a freshman at Texas Christian University (TCU) where he works with the football team in content creation. He is at every BIG12 game shooting video to create content on and off the field. Jake got his start through Siena athletics and really helped the basketball team in particular. He does a great job of breaking down what makes elite content and the process of making your v...

Guest: Matt Healing is the Head Men's Basketball Coach at D2 Pace University. In this episode we talk about working his way up the ladder, revitalizing a program, and more. Matt coached me in high school and it's been fun to watch his journey. Enjoy! 3:30- Jobs while coaching  6:03- D3 prepares you  9:45- Adjusting to DOBO  12:30- Volunteering is underrated  16:20- Getting involved @ Pac...

Guest: Nick LoPinto works for the Montag Group as a sports agent where he represents numerous sports broadcasters. Nick was also a former St. Johns student manager and worked as an Executive Assistant for Steve Lavin after college.  Breakdown  1:30 – Manager Experience  6:00 – Building Relationships with you coaches  10:40 – Things you learned as a manager that helps you now  16:30 – Networking wh...

Breakdown  2:00 – Choosing Temple University  5:00 – Taking defense seriously  8:50 – What makes a good defender?  10:45 – Looking for tendencies  18:40 – Work Ethic  22:50 – Rankings don’t matter  24:20 – Who do you model your game after?  28:45 – Time is so important  30:30 – Family  33:34 – Advice for the youth  38:30 – What’s a good day?  Guest: Nate Pierre-Louis  Resume -All-State Selection (...

Breakdown:  1:00 - Hoop Group / Working camps  6:05 - Relationships   10:30 - Getting the job at St. Rose College  20:29 - D2 recruiting challenges  24:23 - How to contact a college coach via email  29:10 - Try this email HACK  34:00 - Recruits communication with coaches  37:15 - 2020/2021 Season  41:10 - Career goals  Guest: Mike Murray  Resume -Assistant Coach St. Rose College  -Hoop Group Camp...

Guest: Bobby Whyte. Bobby is the owner of HyPower Performance, a company that helps develop athletes. HyPower offers both basketball and strength programs that allow athletes to develop. Whyte has worked with a variety of athletes ranging from D1 to D3 the NBA and more.   Breakdown:  2:20 - Coaching in China  10:00 - I'm Possible Training  16:00 - Training athletes  22:30 - Building a busines...

Guest: Andrew Ford: University of Florida Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant  In this episode of Chop Talk Andrew talks about his transition from Providence College to University of Florida. Ford gives some key advice and also shares some of his experiences that he has had with USA Basketball.  Resume:  -Providence College Basketball: Head Manager  -Team USA Basketball: Head Manager. Gold Me...

Jordan King is a local product of Albany NY and Siena Men's Basketball player. In this episode King talks about different topics including playing on the "B" team in AAU and how it helped him develop into the player he is today. Jordan also talks about coming to Siena and earning his scholarship by putting in the work.  Instagram: @_ChopTalk  Twitter: @_ChopTalk 

AJ Mott is the head strength coach at Division 2 Western Colorado University. He joins Chop Talk to discuss moving across the country for his new job, betting on yourself, and much more. Coach Mott has had stops at UNC, South Carolina, FDU Florham, and now Western Colorado. Enjoy! 

Welcome back to a new season of Chop Talk. We have joined with us MAAC player of the year Jalen Pickett. In this episode, he talks about his journey to where he is today. Pickett goes into depth about choosing the right fit when being recruited and what can separate you from the pack. Rob Mahala and Greg Fahey are back with some new and fresh content. Be sure to stay tuned in for a fun season of C...

We are back at it again with another hot new episode of Chop Talk. Rob Mahala, Ben Diamond, and Greg Fahey, with special guest Danny Cohen, go into depth of Danny's life of being a Division I men's basketball manager. Danny gives some great insight of the skills and tools he uses to be successful in everything he does. He also touches on the importance of friendship and a strong support...

The first episode of Chop Talk is finally here. Co-Hosts Rob Mahala and Ben Diamond, along with Greg Fahey and guest Conner Fenlon, go into depth on Conner's story of being a walk-on for Siena College's Men's Basketball team from '08 to '12. Rob Mahala and Ben Diamond share their experiences so far with being a walk-on on the current Men's Basketball team at Siena Col...