Interview w/ Coach David Hastings (Former Interim Head Coach at Keene State)

Coach Dylan Evans shares his journey from growing up in Owego, New York to becoming the Associate Head Coach at Richard Bland College.He attended St. Bonaventure and was a Student Manager under Coach Mark Schmidt. During his first two seasons at St. Bonaventure he also coached at Owego Free Academy [his alma mater]. The Bonnies made a NCAA Tournament appearance, a NIT appearance, won an Atlantic 10 Regular Season and won an Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship.After graduating Coach Evans accepted a Graduate Assistant position at Keuka College on the women's side. He received his Master's Degree and then joined the men's basketball staff at Richard Bland College (NCJAA D1).Coach Evans was promoted from Assistant Coach to Associate Head Coach after two seasons at RBC under Coach Will Cabrera.

Coach Jared Wagner shares his journey from growing up in York, Pennsylvania to becoming the Head Coach at York College.Wagner was a multi-sport athlete before deciding to attend York College and play for Coach Matt Hunter. He helped lead the Spartans to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and was a first-team NABC All-Region V selection as a senior - and was 2nd Team D3 All-American.After graduating from York, he joined Coach Chad Dickman's staff at Hood College. Unfortunately Hood did not have a season as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, however the following season he would rejoin the York College Men's Basketball program as an Assistant Coach.Following four seasons as an Assistant Coach at York College, he was promoted to Head Coach after Matt Hunter accepted the job at Gettysburg College. Coach Wagner led the Spartans to a 23-9 record in his first season at the helm.

Coach David Hastings shares his journey from law enforcement to becoming a college basketball coach at Keene State.Hastings grew up in Gill, Massachusetts and entered the Police Academy straight out of high school and worked his way up the ranks to the Chief of Police of Gill.While serving as a police officer he coached AAU and high school basketball, and ran AAU tournaments. He eventually joined Ryan Caine's coaching staff at Keene State, they had great success and after a couple of seasons he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.After Coach Caine accepted the head coaching position at Johns Hopkins University, Coach Hastings was elevated to Interim Head Coach. He led the program to their 7th Little East Conference tournament title (3rd straight and 6th in the last 10 seasons), reached the Sweet 16 for the 6th time, and the NCAA tournament for the 9th time in program history in 2023-2024.Keene State ultimately did not bring him back as Head Coach and so he returned to the high school ranks and began refereeing college basketball.

Coach Nate Bollinger shares his journey from growing up in York, Pennsylvania to becoming the Associate Head Coach at American University.Nate attended Delaware Valley before transferring to Millersville. He set a program record 50 points in a single game and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Shortly after graduating from Millersville he accepted his first coaching position at York College under Coach Matt Hunter - in addition to working the third shift at a juvenile detention center.After one season at York he joined Scott Cherry's coaching staff at High Point University as the Director of Player Development. In his first season at High Point the team captured the Big South Conference regular season championship.Following three seasons at HPU he moved onto Saint Vincent College under Coach D.P. Harris. He helped the team go 22-5 and subsequently was named to the NABC 30-Under-30 Team.Coach Dane Fischer hired Nate to his staff at William & Mary in 2019 as the Director of Basketball Operations. He was promoted to an Assistant Coach in 2021 and then moved onto American University in 2023.Coach Bollinger was promoted from an Assistant Coach to an Associate Head Coach following the 2024-25 season. The Eagles won both the Patriot League regular season and conference tournament in 2024-25.

Coach Dylan Backalar shares his journey from growing up in Michigan to becoming the Assistant Coach at South Dakota Mines.Dylan was a four year Student Manager at Ball State under Coach James Whitford and served as Head Manager during his senior year. After graduating he served as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside under Coach Luke Reigel, helping lead University of Wisconsin-Parkside to the D2 NCAA Tournament.Following his time in Wisconsin, Coach Backalar moved onto Rockford University where served under Coach Jeremy Reigle during the 2024-25 season. Coach Michael Iseman hired Dylan as his lone Assistant Coach at South Dakota Mines in May of 2025.

Coach Tim Kaine shares his journey from growing up in Tennessee to becoming an Assistant Coach at the High Major level at LSU.Tim played both basketball and soccer in college prior to getting the coaching bug. After coaching high school basketball during his undergraduate years at Winthrop he embarked on a college coaching journey that began at Austin Peay where he served as a Graduate Assistant.Tim moved onto Guilford College (D3) and then Newberry (D2) before being hired at his alma mater [Winthrop] as their Director of Basketball Operations.Coach Mike Jarvis hired Tim to his coaching staff at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and he remained as an Assistant Coach for six seasons. Following FAU he landed on staff at Georgia Southern for one season before spending the next ten years on staff with Coach Matt McMahon at both Murray State and LSU.After 24 years in coaching and numerous championships, Tim stepped away and pivoted to the MMR Group.

Coach Hughes shares his journey from growing up in Ligonier, Pennsylvania to becoming an Assistant Coach at Northern Michigan (DII).John Michael attended the prestigious IMG Academy prior to being a PWO (Preferred Walk On) at High Point University. He played under the legendary Coach Tubby Smith and then played as a Graduate Transfer at The Citadel.Coach Hughes was then hired as a Graduate Transfer at USC under Coach Andy Enfield and had players such as Bronny James, DJ Rodman, Boogie Ellis, Isaiah Collier, and Kobe Johnson.After Coach Enfield accepted the job at SMU, Coach Eric Musselman wanted to retain John Michael, but ultimately accepted an Assistant Coach position at Northern Michigan.

Coach Bill Robinson shares his journey from growing up in Ocean City, New Jersey to becoming the Head Coach at Milligan University.After a Hall of Fame playing career at Kings College (NY) be quickly moved up the coaching ranks. He remained at his alma mater for two years serving as an Assistant Coach for the men's basketball program as well as the Head Coach for the baseball program.Coach Robinson then had a GA stint at UT Tyler before accepting the Head Coach position at LeTourneau in 1996. He led them to their only winning season in 20 years. Following that season he moved onto Montreat College where he was at the helm for 12 seasons.During his last 10 years at Montreat, the Cavaliers won an average of 18 games per season, had four 20-win seasons, won an Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season championship, two AAC tournament championships and made two appearances at the NAIA Tournament.Milligan hired Coach Robinson in 2009 and he's currently in his 17th season as their Head Coach. was named Coach of the Year for the 4th time in his career in just his second season at Milligan. To date, he's won over 200 games at Milligan and has led them to the NAIA Tournament three times.Coach Robinson became a published author when he penned the book "Carolina Basketball School", which detailed the legendary University of North Carolina's summer basketball camp. He has worked camp for over two decades.

Coach Alan Major shares his journey from being a Student Manager at Purdue, to becoming the Head Coach at Charlotte, and now an Assistant Coach at the University of San Diego. He served as a Student Manager for Coach Gene Keady and coached with - and alongside the likes of Thad Miller, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter, Archie Miller, Ryan Odom, John Groce, Dave Dickerson, Jeff Boals, Greg Paulus and Steve Lavin.Alan Major coached 1st Round NBA Draft Picks (Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook, Kosta Koufos and Evan Turner, David West, and Michael Olowokandi) and even author and podcast host Mark Titus. Coach Major spent a combined 18 years on staff at Ohio State, Pacific, Southern Illinois and Cal Lutheran before being named the head men's coach at Charlotte prior to the start of the 2010-11 season. He led the 49ers for four-plus seasons, including a 21-12 record and a National Invitation Tournament appearance in 2012-13.

Coach Ryan Silver shares his journey from running nightclubs to becoming a titan in basketball industry. The Pump Brothers [David and Dana] had a profound impact on him when they met in 2003 and he's blazed a trail of his own in the basketball world. He's currently the President of Attitude of Gratitude and has been and continues to be a giant in youth basketball and event operations. He coached at both Malibu High School and Sierra Canyon, as well as in the AAU ranks prior to creating one of the largest AAU programs in the country as well as operating events.Ryan started Silver Waves Media with the goal of lifting up others in the sports world and highlighting their successes and achievements. His nationally renowned Silver Waves Media Impactful Lists have identified some of the best and brightest in their respective spaces.