Interview w/ Coach Dylan Backalar (Assistant Coach at South Dakota Mines)

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.

Coach Dan Engelstad shares his journey from growing up in Bethesda, Maryland to becoming the Head Coach at Mount St. Mary's, and now being an Assistant Coach at Syracuse.Engelstad played basketball at St. Mary's College (D3) in Maryland prior to embarking on a college basketball coaching career. After serving on Coach Milan Brown's coaching staffs at Mount St. Mary's and Holy Cross, he was named the Head Coach at Southern Vermont College. He won over 75% of his games including nearly 80% of conference games in five seasons.Coach Engelstad left Southern Vermont to become the Head Coach at Mount St. Mary's. The D3 Head Coach turned D1 Head Coach led The Mount to the NCAA Tournament in his third season at the helm.On April 10, 2024 he resigned from his post at Mount St. Mary's to become an Assistant Coach at Syracuse.

Coach Amber Raisner shares her journey from growing up in West Hartford Connecticut to becoming an Assistant Coach at Army.After a stellar playing career at Union College she joined the women's coaching staff at Yale and served under Coach Dalila Eshe. In March of 2025 Amber was named a WBCA Thirty Under 30 honoree.Coach Raisner is entering her first season at Army onKatie Kuester's coaching staff.**Sponsored by Defense on a String**Be sure to check out www.DefenseOnAString.com and use the promo code "BOXSCORE" for 15% off your order.

Coach Jordan Bushrod shares his journey from growing up Prince George's County Maryland to becoming the Head Coach at Cheney University.Jordan started high school at Westlake HS before transferring to Fork Union Military School, after graduating he attended Bowie State University, he then transferred to Delaware State.While at Delaware State he played for different coaches [Keith Walker and Eric Skeeters] prior to becoming a Graduate Assistant under Coach Skeeters.Jordan joined the coaching staff at nationally ranked Legacy Early College in South Carolina prior to joining the staff at the College Southern Maryland. He also served as the Head Coach for the Southern Maryland Heat boys 17U AAU basketball team while coaching at the College of Southern Maryland.Coach Bushrod was introduced as the Head Coach at Cheney State University (D2) in October of 2024.**Sponsored by Defense on a String**Be sure to check out www.DefenseOnAString.com and use the promo code "BOXSCORE" for 15% off your order.

Coach Mike Cifliku shares his coaching journey from being a Student Manager at Ohio University to becoming an Assistant Coach at his alma mater.While in high school, Mike served as a high school basketball coach in the same area. After graduating from high school he enrolled at Ohio University and became a Student Manager.He was on staff when the Bobcats won the MAC Tournament during the 2020-21 season and knocked off Virginia, the defending national champions, in the Round of 64.Coach Cifliku is entering his tenth season in Athens and his second as an Assistant Coach under Coach Jeff Boals after previously serving as a Graduate Assistant and Video Coordinator.**Sponsored by Defense on a String**Be sure to check out www.DefenseOnAString.com and use the promo code "BOXSCORE" for 15% off your order.