A Pen And A Napkin

Bonus Pod Time! Today we're dropping our "Greatest Teams" podcast covering the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, owners (or previous owners) of some of the greatest records in NBA history, including the (perhaps) unbreakable record of 33 consecutive wins. From the tragedy of Elgin Baylor's retirement to Jerry West's agony, Wilt's excellence, Gail Goodrich's sharp shooting and more, Nate Wall, Jacob Brin...

Episode #305 features Todd Fergot, the head boys basketball at LaCrosse Central (WI) and newly minted Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer! In this episode, Coach and I break down a bunch of topics, including parent meetings, growing as a coach, extending your coaching career, building a quality youth program, building a defense and much more! This was a great conversation with a...

In this episode of "The Notebook" we take a look at Indiana football, it's Cinderella story and how studying their formula for success can help you! In addition, we talk Giannis trade rumors, the amazing streaks of LBJ (done) and SGA (still going), some game situations that you should prepare for before they even happen, including late game situations, the impressive starts of Texas and LSU women'...

It's time to "Rave On" w/ Briar Cliff Men's Basketball HC Mark Svagera! Coach Svagera and I discuss variety of issues, from stepping into a tradition-rich program, growing as a head coach, the challenges of coaching at a small school, blending his offensive philosophy while implementing a defensive identity, developing shooters and much more. A really fun conversation with one the best small colle...

In the 3rd edition of the notebook, we dive in on a variety of topics, including the state of Michigan and college basketball, things to think about for December, taking care of yourself, hot teams in the NBA and an appreciation of greatness . . . enjoy!

The second edition of "The Notebook" is here! In this episode we're talking about some great women's basketball achievements, injured NBA players, some X's and O's to prepare for, "Feast Week" and a story to give those who are struggling hope . . . I hope you enjoy this one!

Jamie Carey is the new WBB HC at the University of Omaha with a great lineage of coaches that she has played and worked for, and she's on track to build the Omaha program into something special! In this episode, we talk about those rebuilding efforts and what its going to take to get the Mavericks to the top of the Summit League, her influences and amazing journey, statistical analysis, her favori...

The first time that we've had a father-son duo on the podcast before! Bruce Chubick Jr., the head boys basketball coach at Omaha Central, comes on the pod to talk about his unique upbringing and the influence of his father, leaving Omaha South to go to a rival school, taking over a consistent power in Nebraska, communicating with administration, scouting and much more! A really fun conversation wi...

Hey, let's try this out! I've got a notebook next to my computer, and when I see something good and useful for coaches to help them out this season, I'm going to write it in my notebook. Once I get enough stuff in there, I'll spill it out! This first edition, we're talking some X's and O's with some of the stuff I've seen early this season, the excitement of early season college hoops, and some te...

We are going to continue with the Duke connection in this week's episode; we welcome in former Duke assistant coach, Notre Dame head coach and current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Mike Brey onto the podcast! Coach Brey and I talk about his career, the experiences and lessons learned that he has had over the years, adjusting to going back to being an assitant coach with Quin Snyder, his experience...

In our latest segment on the "Greatest Coaches" pod, Tony and I dive into Rick Pitino, the often traveled and highly successful coach at numerous stops, including Kentucky, Louisville and St. John's. We break down Coach Pitino's career, including his numerous successes, his failures and what makes him one of the best coaches of the last half century. We also have trivia, our TWIB segment where we...

EPISODE #300!!! WOW!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who has followed along with A Pen And A Napkin; I hope that I've been able to help you out, even if it is in the smallest of ways . . . it has been my pleasure! Today's podcast is with ESPN and NBA commentator Jay Bilas! We discuss Coach K's influence on him as a player and as a coach, along with his annual "Coaches Academy" he holds each year....

Tony and I have discussed how to take care of yourself for the short term, but this week we discuss a longer term view . . . how to sustain a long career. From organization to being a life long learner to knowing yourself, we've got a laundry list of tips to help coaches to not just thrive this year, but for many years. In addition, we've got trivia and a bunch of different topics in our TWIB segm...

Really excited to have on for episode #299 Dick Wettengel, the head girls basketball coach at Council Bluffs St. Albert's (IA). Coach has been involved with the game in the Council Bluffs area for over 50 years, and last year his squad cut down the nets in Des Moines. We discuss his influences, building his program brick by brick, pressure defense, sharing of athletes and much more. A really fun c...

The goal of every offense is to create the best shots for the best players, but how do you get down to the details of accomplishing that goal? This week, Tony and I break down the intricacies of getting great shots, from your set list to passing and screening. We also have a good TWIB segment, where we discuss Giannis, J-Kidd's new contract, a preview of the NCAA Top 10's and a preview of the NBA...

It's the best $5 I've spent in a while . . . after years of negotiation, I was finally able to bribe John Carrier from Nova Classic (MN) to come on the podcast! John and I discuss a bunch of different topics, including hiring AC's, offensive basketball, building a culture, making basketball fun for the players while also getting them to work hard, plus we take a deep dive into sharing the game and...

There are very few people who we can associate with one word or phrase, but when you think of Nolan Richardson, "40 Minutes of Hell" immediately comes to mind! Coach Richardson was one of the best coaches of the 1980s and 90s in college basketball, leading Arkansas to its one and only national championship in 1994. We'll talk about the ups and downs of Coach Richardson's career, have some trivia,...

Chad Mustard is the boys basketball coach at Omaha Roncalli Catholic High School, and he has had a varied and exciting career. A former All-Stater in multiple sports in Nebraska who played multiple sports at the Division II level and eventually found himself on multiple NFL rosters, Coach Mustard brings those experiences and more to his coaching resume. In this episode, we talk about those things,...

The first female team that we are breaking down on the "The Great Teams" podcast is a terrific one! Pat Summitt's last national championship team in 2008 finished the journey of going "back to back" with one of college basketball's greatest players, Candace Parker. We break down the roster, the schedule and the journey of this squad with Nate Wall and Jacob Brindle; enjoy!

We had a great time getting together before the Omaha Metro Basketball Coaches Association clinic last week! Dave Hubert of Ashland-Greenwood (NE), Bruce Chubick of Omaha Central and Derek Sonderland of Tri-Center Neola (IA) jumped on the roundtable to discuss a variety of topics gearing up towards the season, including practice planning, quotes and more!

One of the greatest challenges that faces most coaches is how much time and energy to devote to installing your offensive system. Spend too little time on it and your offense starts the season clunky and uneven, even moreso than it's already going to be. Spend too much time and other areas of your team suffers, like your team defense or rebounding. In this episode, Tony and I breakdown some ideas...

Really excited to feature Bruce Dall, the girls basketball coach at Cedar Rapids Prairie (IA) High School. Dall, the 2024 National High School Basketball Coach of the Year, has won multiple state titles and has chosen to make the leap to a higher classification in Prairie, and we discuss those changes and how it has affected his philosophy. In addition, we talk about being in shape as a coach, pea...

As summer turns to fall, it means that we are taking more and more steps towards the start of our seasons! To prepare for your season, your players need to both be in shape and bond over situations that could generously be called "shared suffering". This week, Tony and I break down numerous different activities that a coaching staff can put their team through to get them ready for the upcoming sea...

Here is part II of our two part series breaking down the clinics and drills that were shared at the USA Gold Camp in Omaha over Labor Day weekend! Excited to have John Jungers from Omaha, Dominic Amorosa from Houston, Texas, Ryan Hintz from Kansas City, Missouri and Brandon Shaver from Lake Travis, Texas discussing topics to help players and coaches grow while working with some of the best youth p...

The topic was so good last week that we had to divide it into two podcasts! This week, Tony and I dive into the second part of our pod about leadership in your program and how you can be the best leader possible for the program. We addressed leading by example, staying calm, having high standards with minimal rules, be a developer of a whole program and have great passion for your job! We also hav...