Welcome to The Assistant!

The guest is Bob Walsh, the assistant coach for St. John's University men's basketball team. Bob shares his extensive coaching journey, starting from Hamilton College to his head coach roles at Rhode Island College and the University of Maine, and back to being an assistant at various institutions including the prestigious St. John's under Rick Pitino. Through this insightful conversation, Bob discusses the challenges of moving from Division III to Division I, the mental aspects of transitioning from head coach back to an assistant role, and his approach to continually improving and mentoring in the field of coaching. He also touches upon his book 'Entitled to Nothing' (https://entitledtonothingbook.com/), a unique narrative blending storytelling with practical leadership lessons, and shares valuable books and resources for coaching inspiration.    Topics 00:27 Meet Bob Walsh: Career Overview 02:03 Bob's Coaching Journey Begins 05:16 From Assistant to Head Coach 10:06 Challenges and Insights of Coaching 21:31 Transitioning Between Coaching Roles 23:49 The Role of an Assistant Coach 25:02 Transitioning from Head Coach to Assistant 25:45 Choosing the Right Coaching Opportunity 28:34 Writing 'Entitled to Nothing' (https://entitledtonothingbook.com/) 33:17 Working with Rick Pitino 38:13 The Importance of Mentorship 42:51 Continuous Learning and Improvement 44:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Damian interviews University of Vermont associate head soccer coach Brad Cole. Brad shares his coaching journey, which started at UVM where he played and continued coaching after graduation. His experiences include a coaching internship in England, roles at Cornell University, and the University of Portland before returning to Vermont. They discuss the differences in coaching styles and youth development between the US and Europe, strategies for molding winning teams, and the importance of mentorship. Brad also reflects on UVM's remarkable season culminating in their first Division I national championship, emphasizing the community support, the players' dedication, and maintaining grounded despite immense success.   Topics 00:30 Meet Brad Cole: From Player to Coach 02:15 Coaching Journey: From Vermont to England 03:39 Insights from Coaching in England 10:28 Transitioning Back to the U.S. and Coaching at Cornell 17:04 Adapting to Different Coaching Environments 24:20 The Importance of Mentorship 24:55 Building a Network of Trusted Advisors 25:50 Transitioning from Mentee to Mentor 29:15 Handling Success and Its Challenges 33:49 The Pressure of Sustained Success 36:38 Creating a Winning Culture 41:59 Balancing Intensity and Relaxation 43:59 Final Thoughts and Social Media

The guests are Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal, assistant coaches from the prominent Rutgers University field hockey program. The guests share insights on their extensive coaching journeys from the UK, South Africa, and various points in the United States, including collegiate, national, and international levels. They discuss the differences in coaching between men and women's field hockey, adapting coaching techniques, and the importance of mentorship. The episode highlights the value of diverse coaching experiences and the impact of supportive environments in developing coaching skills.   Topics   00:24 Meet the Guests: Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal 08:06 Challenges and Insights in Coaching Field Hockey 13:38 Differences in Coaching Men and Women 18:31 The European Coaching Model vs. The U.S. Model 23:55 Mentorship and Learning from Different Experiences 32:16 The Importance of Mentorship in Coaching 37:53 Fun Stories and Recommendations 43:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Damian interviews Topher Scott, founder of the Hockey Think Tank and prominent figure in ice hockey development. They explore Scott's transition from player to coach, his experiences working at esteemed programs like Cornell University and the University of Michigan, and the importance of building a strong team culture. Scott shares insights into his career path, mentorship, and the trials of starting his own business. The conversation offers valuable advice for young assistants aiming to rise through the ranks in their respective fields.   Topics   00:29 Meet Topher Scott: Ice Hockey Development Expert 01:48 Topher's Coaching Journey Begins 03:55 Finding Your Voice as a Young Coach 05:28 Building Relationships with Players 09:16 Lessons from Coaching at Cornell 17:19 Transitioning Out of College Coaching 21:11 Passion for Team Culture 23:05 Lessons from Running a Business 24:45 Role at Michigan and Team Building 29:53 Importance of Mentorship 36:26 Favorite Books and Fun Stories 40:29 Closing Remarks and Music

Damian interviews Kim Weiss, the video coach for the Colorado Eagles of the AHL and a pioneering female presence in men's ice hockey coaching. Kim discusses her rapid career progression, starting from her playing days at Trinity College to her current role. She shares insights into her coaching journey, the challenges and rewards of being a woman in a predominantly male field, and the importance of mentorship. Listeners will learn about Kim's proactive mindset, how she found her voice in a male-dominated arena, and her experience in the NHLCA Female Coaches Program. The episode also delves into the critical skills that make a good assistant coach and the significance of building trust and relationships with players and head coaches. Topics 00:30 Meet Kim Weiss: A Trailblazer in Men's Ice Hockey 02:11 Kim's Coaching Journey Begins 03:40 Transition to Junior Hockey and the Men's Game 05:22 The Importance of Saying Yes and Learning 09:45 Finding Your Voice as a Coach 14:37 The Role of a Good Assistant Coach 19:26 Joining Trinity College's Men's Program 22:33 Taking a Chance: Landing the Assistant Job 23:30 Adjusting to Coaching College Men 24:11 Building Trust with the Team 26:34 Transitioning to a Video Coach Role 35:57 The Importance of Mentorship 40:01 Fun Stories and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'The Assistant', Damian chats with Morgan Valley, assistant coach for the UConn women's basketball team and former player who was part of three national championship teams. The discussion highlights Morgan's journey from a player to a coaching role, her transition from UConn to other programs, and back to UConn. Morgan shares insights on mentorship, the importance of maintaining relationships, and her experiences as both an assistant coach and head coach. They also discuss the culture of excellence at UConn and how it influences the dynamics within the team and coaching strategies. Lastly, Morgan reveals some personal stories and tips for cultivating successful relationships as both a coach and player. Topics 00:31 Meet Morgan Valley: Basketball Royalty 03:41 From Player to Coach: Morgan's Journey 06:45 Networking and Relationships in Coaching 15:31 Mentorship and Guidance 22:09 Transitioning to Head Coach 27:12 Returning to UConn: New Challenges 30:34 Favorite Books, Podcasts, and Stories 35:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the inaugural episode of 'The Assistant,' host Damian DiGiulian sits down with his very first assistant coach hire, Jeff Hill, currently a goaltending development coach for the Utah hockey club in the NHL. Jeff shares his journey in the coaching world, from starting at Rice Memorial High School with only nine players to moving up the ranks at Culver Military Academy. He later returned to his alma mater, the University of Vermont, where he navigated a coaching change during the pandemic. Jeff discusses his experiences working under different head coaches, learning the importance of mentorship, and finding his voice as a coach. The episode ends with a story about Jeff frequently being detained at the Canadian border due to a namesake with a criminal record. The show concludes with a musical feature from Chicago artist Lily Drury. Topics 00:00 Introduction to The Assistant Podcast 00:39 Meet the First Guest: Jeff Hill 02:06 Jeff Hill's Coaching Journey Begins 05:55 From Volunteer to Full-Time Coach at UVM 09:57 Navigating the Transition from Player to Coach 26:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Coach 27:02 Finding Your Voice in Coaching 29:30 Transitioning Between Head Coaches 30:18 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic 38:22 Mentorship and Its Importance 40:50 Lessons from Challenging Situations 46:09 Book and Podcast Recommendations: Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning: https://a.co/d/aB1aZhp 48:06 Funny Coaching Stories 49:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Lily Drury on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/64N8LfiRByOaKGR00gNgWw?si=-a3yGmZ2TyOagcAEgoxDkQ