The Coach Mark Gottfried Show

On this episode of the Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with longtime friend and UCLA Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Cori Close. They discuss Cori’s journey from assistant coach to building one of the nation’s premier programs, her coaching philosophy shaped by mentors like Coach John Wooden, and the importance of character, growth, and purpose in leadership. The conversation a...

In this episode of the Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with Chris Hetherington, an 11-year NFL veteran and current CEO of Fathead. Chris shares his unconventional journey from a small town in Connecticut to the Ivy League at Yale, and ultimately to a successful career in the NFL as an undrafted player. He opens up about the importance of grit, leadership, overcoming setbacks,...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with Angela Gargano, a former college gymnast, American Ninja Warrior, fitness coach, and keynote speaker. Angela reveals how she accidentally found herself competing on American Ninja Warrior and describes the thrill of embracing the sport and community. She opens up about her devastating ACL injury on the show, the ident...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable career. Steinberg shares how he got started in the industry, what it takes to build trust and represent top athletes, and the core values that have guided him for decades. They discuss the competitiveness of recruiting, Steinberg’...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with renowned sports media personality Colin Cowherd for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about Cowherd’s journey from small-town beginnings to national stardom. Colin shares insights on his work ethic, the evolution of sports media, building trustworthy relationships with sources, and the challenges of delivering st...

In this episode of the The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried sits down with the legendary Sonny Vaccaro. Known for his monumental impact on basketball, Vaccaro shares stories of his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pivotal figure in the sports industry. He discusses his role in signing Michael Jordan to Nike, the founding of the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic, and his influence...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Gottfried reunites with his long-time friend and rival, Rick Stansbury. Both delve into their storied past, reminiscing about the fierce basketball rivalry between Alabama and Mississippi State, two programs they led with passion and tenacity. Through anecdotes and laughter, they explore memorable games, recruitment battles, and the evolution...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, coach Mark Gottfried interviews Antoine Pettway, head coach at Kennesaw State and former Alabama standout. They reminisce about Alabama's basketball achievements, including reaching the Final Four and Pettway's journey from unranked walk-on to key team player. Pettway shares how his upbringing instilled a strong work ethic, contributing to his succ...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Mark Gottfried welcomes Mackenzie Brooks, a sports betting analyst from CBS. They dive into Mackenzie’s unique journey from Philadelphia to the University of Georgia, her transition into the sports betting industry, and the dynamics of analyzing and predicting sports outcomes. The discussion covers the intricacies of being a sports analyst, d...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Mark Gottfried hosts Toby Bailey, a former UCLA basketball star and national champion. They delve into Toby's phenomenal freshman year, highlighting his standout national championship performance and impressive career. Toby shares insights on playing alongside legendary players, his unique family influence, and the camaraderie forged with pas...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, host Coach Mark Gottfried welcomes former University of Alabama basketball standout Richard Hendrix. They explore Richard's basketball journey, from being a highly sought-after high school recruit facing choices like Alabama and North Carolina, to his impactful collegiate career and transition to professional basketball. Richard reflects on his tim...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Mark Gottfried interviews Kiki VanDeWeghe, celebrated UCLA alumnus, NBA player, and executive. They reflect on their shared experiences at UCLA, discuss the importance of fundamentals in basketball, and explore Kiki's remarkable career, including his transition from player to coach and executive. They also delve into the evolution of the NBA,...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, Coach Mark Gottfried sits down with his longtime friend Seth Greenberg, an ESPN broadcaster and former successful Division 1 college basketball coach. They discuss Seth's journey from a passionate ten-year-old influenced by his father's LIU coach, Claire Bee, to a renowned coach himself. The conversation covers pivotal moments in Seth's career, the...

In this episode of The Coach Mark Gottfried Show, host Coach Mark Gottfried sits down with influential soccer entrepreneur Brett Johnson. Brett shares his journey in the world of soccer, from his early experiences in London to his involvement with various clubs like Phoenix Rising, Ipswich, and most recently, the Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC). The discussion delves into Brett's vision for expa...

Coach Mark Gottfried sits down with legendary NFL coach Bruce Arians. Arians delves into the mindset of elite players like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, shares impactful anecdotes, and critiques modern football's situational challenges. Reflecting on his coaching philosophy of "coach them hard and hug them later," Arians recounts his coaching journey, from Temple to the NFL, emphasizing mentorship...

Auburn Basketball head coach, Bruce Pearl, joins Mark Gottfried on The Coach Mark Gottfried Show. They dive into the complexities of NIL and player compensation, with Pearl advocating for annuities and fair financial distribution within the NCAA. Pearl credits SEC's success to past investments and highlights Auburn's unique, values-driven community. Reflecting on his journey from Division 2 to the...

Coach Mark Gottfried engages with Terry Gannon, renowned broadcaster for NBC and Golf Channel. Gannon reflects on his remarkable journey from playing under legendary coach Jim Valvano on NC State’s 1983 championship team to a versatile broadcasting career. The discussion dives into memorable games, Valvano’s charismatic influence, the formidable opponents they faced, and the vibrant atmosphere of...

Coach Mark Gottfried sits down with Dan Gavitt, Senior Vice President for NCAA Basketball, to delve into the intricate world of March Madness. They discuss a groundbreaking 2010 media partnership that redefined game broadcasts, the complexities of conference realignments, and evolving NCAA tournament logistics. Key topics include NIL implications, the historical evolution of the Big East Conferenc...

Coach Mark Gottfried interviews Audrey and Nicole Nourse, four-time NCAA beach volleyball champions from USC. The twins share their journey, including their competitive spirit, the "Mamba mentality," and their inspiring path from high school multi-sport athletes to collegiate champions. They discuss plans for future careers in investment banking and private wealth management, and their aspiration...

Renowned College Basketball coach, Ben Howland, sits down with Coach Mark Gottfried. They discuss defining moments in Howland’s career, including memorable recruiting experiences and the emotional impact of 9/11 on his team. Howland reflects on the pressures of coaching at UCLA, the joy of developing player relationships, and the challenges of today's recruiting landscape. He also shares valuable...

Coach Mark Gottfried chats with former Dodger and MLB star Shawn Green. They delve into Green's connection to his Jewish identity, his impactful decision to skip games for Jewish holidays, and invaluable advice from Sandy Koufax. Green shares his journey from high school baseball to the majors, including insights into his record-breaking performances and transition to business with his software co...

Coach Mark Gottfried and the legendary George Karl explore the intricate world of basketball coaching. They discuss the unique skills of players like Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen, and praise Phil Jackson's defensive prowess. George Karl shares insights about Jerry Sloan, Greg Popovich, and Rick Carlisle, and reflects on the challenges of being fired. The conversation also covers Karl's coachin...

Coach Mark Gottfried engages in an enlightening conversation with Jimbo Fisher. The discussion covers the camaraderie among coaches, Fisher's coaching journey, and his roots in West Virginia with the Bowden family. Reflecting on his career as a Division III National Player of the Year and his emotional departure from Florida State after winning a BCS National Championship in 2014, Fisher delves in...

Coach Mark Gottfried sits down with legendary college basketball player Tyler Hansbrough. They explore Tyler’s admiration for Kobe Bryant's work ethic, his college recruitment experience, and the intense pickup games at North Carolina. Tyler gives his thoughts on the new age of college sports and the challenges with the NCAA. They also discuss Tyler’s transition to pickleball post-retirement, touc...

Coach Mark Gottfried interviews Thurl Bailey about his journey at NC State and their 1983 national championship. Bailey discusses the uncertainty following Coach Sloan's departure and how Coach Valvano's charismatic leadership and vision for a championship united the team. The conversation also covers Bailey's NBA career, the influence of legendary figures like Michael Jordan and John Stockton, an...