Episode 37: Season 7, Episode 5- Matt Aldred: "I don’t think we win games in July"

This week we welcome Matt Aldred of the University of Michigan to The Podcast to discuss preparing basketball athletes for performance—and what it means to be a strength and conditioning coach beyond the weight room. Matt shares how he adjusted summer training after a long season, why he prioritizes keeping players fresh, and how he builds individualized plans around each athlete’s goals, movement, and needs.In this episode, the focus is on thoughtful coaching systems that support both athletes and coaches: managing training volume, adapting programs, creating athlete buy-in, and explaining the purpose behind the work. Matt and Jay also have an honest conversation about the emotional demands of coaching, the pressure to make work your identity, and the importance of protecting relationships and life outside the profession.Time Stamps00:00 - Welcome and why this conversation matters for young strength coaches01:40 - Matt’s coaching journey from Alabama Huntsville to Michigan04:21 - How a long postseason run affected the offseason05:46 - Reducing summer training intensity and session length07:12 - Keeping summer work in perspective and preparing for the season10:03 - Adapting training around travel and player availability10:58 - Using coach feedback and movement observations to individualize programs11:56 - Setting specific summer goals with athletes13:12 - Aligning player, coach, and program priorities14:41 - Listening to athlete ideas while staying grounded in training principles15:10 - Explaining training choices and building trust16:31 - Making athletes co-authors in their development18:41 - Building relationships through intentional one-on-one conversations19:38 - Using visuals and practice examples to explain the purpose of training21:19 - Shifting the conversation from coaching to identity22:30 - Coaching as experimentation and learning23:00 - How work follows coaches into life outside the gym24:26 - Separating professional success from personal identity25:52 - “Leasing the jersey” and letting go of ego27:20 - The challenge of switching off after work28:48 - The uncertainty of evaluating strength and conditioning work31:16 - Why coaches keep thinking about work during personal time32:13 - The emotional swings of wins, losses, and close games33:36 - The value of talking openly about the strain34:03 - A reminder to keep family and personal priorities in view35:55 - Supporting relationships through the demands of coaching36:08 - Communicating when work changes family plans37:17 - Checking in with your partner and creating boundaries38:16 - Being present instead of letting work and ego take over39:50 - Matt’s suggestion for a future podcast guest41:38 - Finding practical ways to help athletes42:56 - Closing thoughts and thanks

In this weeks episode of The Podcast, host Jay DeMayo sits down with David Ventress, strength coach for the University of Louisiana men's basketball program, to break down how speed work, movement training, and weight room design fit into a basketball culture. The conversation focuses on how to build acceleration and speed reserves, then carry those qualities into competition, conditioning, and team identity.David also explains how he adapts his programming to the realities of a team setting, from group-based sprint work to position-specific lifting for guards and bigs. The big theme throughout is simple: the program has to serve the culture, not the other way around.Key topics In this episode, David Ventress shares his background across Nicholls State, Tulane, South Alabama, and now Louisiana, where he is entering year two with the Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball staff. Jay and David discuss why top-end speed still matters in basketball, even on a court where max velocity is less frequent than in field sports. David explains his view that exposure to higher speeds helps build speed reserves, improve hamstring resiliency, and support rate of force development. The speed program is built around two weekly days: one linear day focused on max velocity one change of direction and multi-acceleration day David says the biggest coaching challenge is not exercise selection but getting maximum intent from players, especially in a team environment. Group-based sprinting is used to drive competition, with three to four players going at a time, winners and losers called out, and built-in consequences or rewards. Rather than relying on timing gates, David uses competition as the main driver and believes the rise in performance within the same groups shows progress over time. In the weight room, the program shifts by position: guards get more eccentric, reactive, single-leg, and high-speed plyometric work bigs get more concentric, two-foot, and strength-focused work David uses jump mats and VBT-style feedback to gamify lifting, but he emphasizes intent and competition more than prescription by exact load or speed targets. As the team moves from eight-hour to 20-hour NCAA rules, the focus shifts from building speed reserves to repeat sprint ability and post-practice conditioning. David says practice itself provides much of the high-velocity exposure during the season through accountability, transition work, and down-and-back efforts.

This week we welcome Allison Wade of LSU to The Podcast to share with us how sports nutrition fits into a sport performance system, specifically in basketball. Allison explains how she works alongside strength and conditioning, athletic training, and coaches to individualize hydration, fueling, and recovery without losing sight of the team-wide routine.In this episode, the focus is on practical nutrition systems that actually work in a team setting: sweat testing, plate coaching, mandatory snacks, recovery strategies, and how to build athlete buy-in through consistent habits. Allison also shares how her background in private practice and her relationship-driven approach shaped the way she works today.Key topics Allison’s path from private practice to NC State and then LSU Individualized sports nutrition for basketball athletes Collaboration between dietitians, strength coaches, athletic trainers, and coaches Building trust through daily interaction with athletes Baseline testing, including blood work, DEXA scans, and injury history Using weekly performance meetings to identify each athlete’s biggest need Sweat testing, hydration, and sodium-loss measurement Individualizing water bottles with carbohydrates and electrolytes Mandatory shakes, snacks, and dinners for athletes trying to gain weight Plate coaching for athletes with limited food preferences Why small nutrition changes are more effective than drastic overhauls The importance of carbohydrates for performance and recovery Nutrition strategies for athletes with a history of cramping Recovery nutrition based on player load and practice demands Turning nutrition strategies into daily team habits Action items Build a simple nutrition system around collaboration, not one-off fixes. Use sweat testing and weigh-in, weigh-out data to educate athletes visually. Match fueling strategies to individual player needs instead of giving every athlete the same plan. Focus on carbohydrates as well as protein when athletes are under-fueled or cramping. Introduce small, realistic nutrition changes rather than forcing a complete overhaul. Create consistent opportunities for snacks, shakes, and recovery nutrition throughout the day. Make nutrition part of practice and recovery routines so buy-in becomes habit. Help athletes understand their own fueling needs so they can become more independent. Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to the show and why nutrition matters in performance01:56 - Allison’s move from NC State to LSU and her relationship with Coach Wade03:26 - Why her private practice background made her more individualized06:16 - Building a performance system through collaboration and baseline testing08:39 - Mandatory shakes, extra calories, and hands-on weight gain strategies13:00 - Sweat testing, hydration data, and showing athletes what they lose15:49 - Using carbohydrate powder and electrolyte strategies in practice17:14 - Building a halftime routine into practice for fueling and recovery19:33 - Cramping, carbohydrate under-fueling, and fixing the real issue23:26 - Learning why athletes are picky and meeting them where they are26:46 - Why carbohydrates are often the missing piece—not more protein29:55 - Why observation and communication beat blanket nutrition rules31:07 - Creating opportunities throughout the day instead of forcing every meal34:31 - How recovery nutrition is tied to player load and practice demands35:52 - Smaller-volume recovery shots, smoothies, and anti-inflammatory support37:50 - Making team nutrition habits part of the culture40:25 - Who Allison wants to hear from next 

In this weeks episode of The Podcast, Abby Sherard joins Jay DeMayo to discuss the changing demands of college basketball strength and conditioning. With transfers, international competition, new coaching staffs, and constantly changing rosters, Abby explains why athletes must be evaluated individually instead of placed into a one-size-fits-all program.She emphasizes giving athletes time to recover and move independently before beginning a demanding summer program focused on foundational movements, volume, heavy lifting, tempo work, and conditioning. The conversation also explores how coaches can balance structure with athlete autonomy, communicate individualized plans, and prepare players for the entire season—not just the first practice.Abby’s overall philosophy is simple: meet athletes where they are, identify what they need, train the basics well, and help them become independent athletes who understand how to train, recover, and care for themselves beyond college basketball.Key Topics Summer training strategies for college basketball Managing roster volatility and transfer athletes Building trust and autonomy with athletes Individualized programs based on athlete needs Handling stress and recovery in training International athlete management and expectations Sound Bites "Give athletes space to be themselves" "Meet athletes where they are in their development" "Handle stress better by doing simple things well" Chapter List00:00 — Intro and Abby’s background03:41 — The new reality of college basketball rosters04:35 — Evaluating athletes during the summer07:14 — Why transfer summers are so important08:30 — Giving athletes autonomy in May09:56 — Building individualized summer programs10:54 — Training volume and handling stress12:16 — Adjusting training for a younger roster13:13 — Foot training and conditioning foundations14:13 — Trust, autonomy, and athlete buy-in

Season seven of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast 0pens with return of my good friend Chase Campbell, who joins from South Florida after a unique path through college basketball and IndyCar. The conversation centers on how Chase’s background has shaped his coaching, how the transfer era has changed the way strength programs are built, and why connection and mentorship matter just as much as sets and reps.Chase walks through how he ended up in South Florida after working with ECR and Ed Carpenter in IndyCar, where he trained both drivers and pit crews. That experience reinforced how important it is to tailor training to different demands, different bodies, and different levels of readiness. From there, the discussion shifts into the reality of modern college basketball, where rosters can turn over quickly and coaches have far less time to build athletes up the old way.A major theme in the episode is adaptability. Chase explains how having 15 new players from 15 different places forces him to be more efficient, more thoughtful, and more open to using tools and methods he may have resisted earlier in his career. He talks about changing his mind on machines, especially as a way to create a high training stimulus in a shorter amount of time, and how the current landscape has pushed him to sharpen his programming rather than rely on old habits.The episode also goes deep on mentorship. Chase shares what it means to move into a more direct teaching role with GAs and interns, how his own early career was shaped by trial and error, and why he wants the next generation to be more prepared than he was. He and Jay compare old-school graduate assistant experiences, the value of being challenged, and the difference between productive struggle and being left without enough guidance.Another strong thread is the importance of keeping the environment enjoyable. Chase reflects on the mentors who made the weight room somewhere he wanted to be every day, and he says that same kind of culture is what he wants to create now. Even as the profession gets more complicated, he emphasizes staying connected, staying curious, and keeping the love for the work alive.Key topics Chase explains how he got to South Florida after working in IndyCar with ECR and Ed Carpenter. He describes how racing showed him the importance of fitness, recovery, and individualized training. Jay and Chase discuss how college basketball has changed, especially with heavy roster turnover. Chase says the staff’s goal is to become the most connected team in the country. He explains why current roster turnover requires faster, more efficient training progressions. Chase shares how his views on machines have changed and why he now sees them as high-value tools. The conversation explores how limited time changes programming and forces coaches to be more intentional. Chase talks about stepping into a mentor role with GAs and interns. He reflects on being underprepared when he entered his first full-time job and how that affects how he teaches now. Jay and Chase compare older GA environments to more focused modern mentorship. Chase explains why he wants his staff and interns to genuinely enjoy coming to work. The episode closes with a discussion about learning from others, staying humble, and keeping the profession connected.

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo sits down with Brian Bingaman, an athletic director who spent years building his career in strength and conditioning at programs including Penn State, LaSalle, St. Joe’s, and Eastern University. The conversation centers on Brian’s transition from strength coach to administrator, and how the lessons he learned in the weight room—work ethic, communication, organization, and relationship-building—prepared him to lead an entire athletic department.Brian shares how unexpected job changes, COVID-era responsibilities, and years of wearing multiple hats helped him develop the confidence and skill set needed to move into administration. He and Jay also dig into hiring, professionalism, self-advocacy, side income, and why young coaches should think strategically about the paths they want to build. The episode closes with a broader reflection on the realities of coaching careers, the value of transferable skills, and the importance of building security and flexibility over time.Takeaways / Key Points Strength and conditioning develops transferable leadership skills. Work ethic remains one of the most valuable traits in any athletic role. Scheduling and planning in coaching directly translate to administration. Communication and soft skills matter as much as technical knowledge. Building relationships with athletes, coaches, and campus partners creates trust. Taking on unexpected responsibilities can accelerate career growth. Small institutions often force staff to learn multiple roles quickly. Hiring should focus on work ethic, professionalism, and fit. Good interview questions help reveal the real candidate behind the resume. Self-advocacy is necessary, but timing and approach matter. Coaches should understand the full athletic department, not just their silo. Young coaches need to decide what kind of role they actually want. Side income or a second revenue stream can create career stability. Scalable systems and online training can help build long-term flexibility. Career security in athletics is fragile, so planning ahead matters. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction: The journey from strength coach to athletic director02:11 - Lessons from working in collegiate strength and conditioning09:25 - Transferrable skills gained from strength coaching13:32 - Evolving hiring criteria for coaching staff14:07 - Developing soft skills: communication and professionalism18:43 - Reflecting on the support staff role and career growth20:03 - Advocating for more responsibility in your career22:01 - Diversifying revenue streams and side projects27:18 - Leveraging technology and social media for career advancement33:14 - Valuing strength and conditioning in the broader athletic landscape34:54 - Recommendations: Next guests and inspiring storiesThis episode underscores that the skills coaches develop on the gym floor—work ethic, communication, leadership—are highly transferable and valuable for upward mobility in sports organizations. Encouraging ongoing learning, soft skills mastery, and strategic career planning will empower support staff and coaches alike to reach new heights.

This episode dives into how Dr. Tommy Otley blends sports science, rehab, and performance strategies within college basketball. Gain insights into athlete evaluation, injury mitigation, and the balance between team-wide systems and individual athlete needs.Main Topics Comprehensive injury screening and assessment as the foundation for decision-making Balancing team protocols with individualized athlete programming How collaboration across staff improves injury prevention and performance Integrating analytics, PT, and strength training into daily team operations Using game demands and practice simulation to guide in-season training and recovery Key Insights Initial athlete evaluations combine physical exams, injury history, and tailored testing like force plates, isometric strength, and mobility assessments. Screening data is not predictive, but it helps shape treatment priorities and readiness decisions. Force plate and testing data can be interpreted differently by PTs, strength coaches, and sports scientists, so communication matters. Injury history helps determine whether a deficit should be addressed or accepted as part of an athlete’s normal profile. Periodization requires building volume, peaking appropriately, and adjusting for game demands throughout the season. Effective injury mitigation depends on combining team-wide strategies with athlete-specific adjustments. Data should support coaching decisions and athlete identity, not override them. Timestamps00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Dr. Tommy Otley’s role and background 02:25 - Path from athletics to sports science and PT in college basketball 04:11 - The athlete mindset: work ethic and attention to detail 06:37 - Balancing rehab, sports science, and performance work across teams 09:53 - The athlete evaluation process and how injuries affect screening priorities 11:11 - Customizing assessments based on injury profiles 12:07 - Interpreting testing data across PT, strength, and science roles 14:06 - Turning assessment results into training, rehab, and communication 15:24 - Team-wide benchmarks versus individual extremes 18:52 - Thresholds for intervention based on injury history and testing 20:19 - Retesting and process evaluation in injury mitigation 22:41 - Using historical injury data alongside athlete-specific nuances 24:51 - Size, athleticism, and sport-specific demands in performance metrics 26:40 - When to individualize training versus use group programming 28:07 - Tracking game demands and translating them into practice plans 30:16 - Season periodization: balancing volume, intensity, and recovery 33:33 - Managing training load in team sports 35:29 - Coach-athlete collaboration and strategic communication

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, we welcome Pat Lewis to the show. We explore Pat’s journey through collegiate strength and conditioning and how his experiences shaped a detail-oriented, athlete-first approach to coaching. The conversation emphasizes the importance of education, communication, and individualized programming in developing stronger, more prepared athletes.Pat shares his philosophy of “figuring it out” as a coaching mindset, highlighting how adaptability and problem-solving help coaches meet athletes where they are. He discusses the value of building programs around athlete history, assessment, and current needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all methods. The discussion also covers how education can improve athlete ownership of nutrition, hydration, and recovery.The episode also dives into the importance of onboarding new athletes, balancing general and specific training interventions, and using foundational movement principles across a wide range of ability levels. Pat reflects on the role of structural balance, full range of motion, and practical application of Charles Poliquin’s principles in modern program design.The conversation concludes with Pat sharing insights on mentorship, athlete accountability, and the importance of consistency in the small details. Listeners walk away with a clearer understanding of how thoughtful coaching, education, and individualized systems create long-term success.Main Topics Covered:• The “figure it out” mindset in coaching and problem-solving• Building individualized programs from athlete assessment and history• Athlete education around nutrition, hydration, and recovery• Onboarding new players into a performance program• Applying foundational movement principles across different athletes• Balancing general and specific training in diverse rosters• Structural balance, full range of motion, and safe training foundations• The role of mentorship, accountability, and communication in coachingKey Insights:• Great coaching is built on adaptability, not rigid systems• Athlete ownership improves when education is simple and consistent• Individual needs should guide exercise selection and progression• Small details in communication and implementation can create major performance gains• Foundational movement principles still matter in modern training environments• Coaches must balance efficiency with personalization when working with varied athletes• Long-term success comes from structure, consistency, and continuous learning• Strong mentorship helps build stronger coaches and stronger programFinal Notes:This episode emphasizes that excellent coaching depends on attention to detail, athlete education, and a willingness to adapt systems to the individual. Use these principles to create stronger relationships, improve performance outcomes, and build a coaching process that lasts.

In this episode of the Central Virginia Sport Performance Podcast, host Jay DeMayo welcomes Duke's Preston Greene to the show. They explore Preston's extensive journey through the world of high-performance coaching, from his beginnings at Clemson to his current role at Duke. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humility, work ethic, and a growth mindset in coaching.Preston shares his insights on talent identification and the necessity of adapting training systems to fit each athlete, rather than forcing athletes into a rigid system. He discusses the value of clinical experience over purely theoretical research, highlighting how real-world coaching can lead to more effective athlete development.The discussion also delves into the challenges of modern coaching, such as managing program design within compressed timelines and the evolving landscape of college basketball. Preston reflects on his experiences with different coaching philosophies and the importance of maintaining foundational principles while being flexible to adapt to new environments.The episode concludes with Preston offering advice on mentorship and the significance of building a strong coaching tree. He shares his admiration for influential figures in the field and suggests future guests for the podcast, providing listeners with a wealth of actionable wisdom and inspiration.Main Topics Covered: The journey and evolution of a high-level performance coach Qualities and traits to identify in coaching mentees Program adaptability and efficiency in short-term training cycles The significance of humility, humility, and relationship-building in coaching The application of Charles Poliquin's principles and the importance of understanding athlete needs Key Insights: Success in coaching results from reputation built on results, not online fame Recruit talent with strong work ethic, humility, and drive to learn Adapt training systems to individual athletes, not vice versa Use clinical experience over research when time is limited Effective program design must be efficient, especially within shorter seasons Balancing foundational methodologies with ongoing evolution keeps results consistent Relationship and feedback from athletes directly influence training success Flexibility and communication with coaches are critical when aligning with various coaching styles Final notes: This show emphasizes the importance of experience, adaptability, humility, and ongoing mentorship in performance coaching. Use these principles to elevate your approach, foster strong athlete-coach relationships, and develop future leaders in the field.

In this weeks episode of The Podcast we are joined by Zane Scott to discuss the strategic focus on internal mobility within sports performance departments, emphasizing its role in strengthening staff loyalty and improving team dynamics. He shares insights from his experience at FAU, highlighting the importance of developing career pathways and creating growth opportunities for staff. Zane explains how transparency in setting expectations can aid in retaining staff and how understaffing can be leveraged as a catalyst for departmental growth.The conversation delves into mentoring young coaches and managing their career transitions, balancing long-term athlete development with short-term wins, and the benefits of diversity in coaching experiences across different levels, from D2 to high-major programs. Zane underscores the significance of building a cohesive, adaptable team culture, emphasizing humility and resilience in staff development.He also discusses tactical approaches for advocating for departmental resources and growth, sharing examples of promoting staff. The episode concludes with reflections on the power of consistency, shared purpose, and the importance of nurturing internal talent to build a transparent, growth-oriented environment.Takeaways Internal mobility strengthens staff loyalty and enhances team dynamics. Developing clear career pathways is crucial for staff retention. Transparency in expectations helps retain and motivate staff. Understaffing can drive innovation and departmental growth. Mentoring young coaches is essential for their career transitions. Balancing long-term athlete development with immediate wins is vital. Diverse coaching experiences enrich team culture and performance. Building a cohesive team culture requires humility and resilience. Advocating for resources demands strategic planning and communication. Promoting from within fosters a sense of loyalty and commitment. Consistency and shared purpose are key to team success. Creating growth opportunities boosts staff morale and engagement. Honest communication about opportunities builds trust. Practical, hands-on training is invaluable in high-stakes environments. Focusing on foundational principles ensures sustainable growth.