Climbing the Coaching Ladder

On this episode, we welcome Brown University Women's Basketball Head Coach, Monique Leblanc to the podcast. Throughout the episode, Derek and Monique discuss her coaching journey and how she ended up becoming a head coach at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Tune-in to get the first head coaches perspective on the pod! 

On episode 6, Derek sits down with Fairfield Women's Basketball Assistant Coach, Blake DuDonis to discuss his coaching journey. After attending Gardner Webb and serving as a practice player for the Women's team there, Blake decided to pursue his dream of becoming a college basketball coach. His journey took him to multiple coaching stops while also taking some time away and joining the media. In the end, he ended up back in college coaching where he now serves as an assistant coach at Fairfield University. Tune in her his Blake's climb up the coaching ladder!

On episode 5 of "Climbing the Coaching Ladder", Derek welcomes, John McGraw, the Founder of Insider Exposure. At Insider Exposure, John runs one of the most successful girls basketball grassroots operations in the country. After serving as a manager for Coach Cal at UMass, John took a job in the business world but quickly realized that was not for him. Tune into this episode and hear how his journey led him to becoming one of the most influential people in grassroots girls basketball. 

On Episode 4, Derek sits down with St. John's Women's Basketball Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, Candice Walker to discuss her quick climb up the coaching ladder. After taking a 9-5 pm job when she finished her playing career at Loyola University (MD), Candice decided to leave her day job to take a part-time coaching position at University of Wilmington. To make ends meet, she worked a second job as a stylist. Just a few years later, she has established herself as one of the fastest rising coaches in the game. Make sure to tune in and listen to Coach Walker's coaching journey. 

On Episode 3, we decided to switch things up and have one of our friends from the media hop on the pod! Our guest Bash Hudson, created Her Hoops Network, a media/scouting website that focuses on New England Girls Basketball. Listen to hear how Bash went from a union worker to becoming one of the biggest advocators for Girl's Basketball in the northeast. Don't miss your chance to hear Bash's story as well as hear his opinions on some of the best girls basketball players New England has to offer!

On Episode 2, Derek sits down with Appalachian State Women's Basketball Assistant Coach Jazz Weaver. The two discuss Coach Weaver's journey from  Director of Basketball Operations to now being the Recruiting Coordinator at App State. After finishing her playing career at UNC Greensboro, Coach Weaver has been on staff at a number NCAA Division 1 programs while earning a tremendous reputation in the coaching community. This episode is a must for all coaches. Follow 

Derek interviews Utah Tech Women's Basketball Assistant Coach, Matt Thune. Derek and Matt discuss how they met, Matt's coaching journey, and how he's risen up the coaching ladder from a Video Coordinator to a Division 1 assistant coach. Take a listen!