Joe Gallo is the head coach at Merrimack College. Coach Gallo capped Merrimack’s final years in division II with 3 NCAA tournament appearances and snapped a 19 year championship drought, along with his 143-98 head coaching record at a nearly 60% win-loss ratio. Following Gallo’s playing career at Merrimack, he moved a few inches over to another seat allowing him to start his assistant coaching career. Following 4 years he moved on to Dartmouth and Robert Morris both in the assistant roles until he got the head job back at Merrimack. Coach Gallo has propelled his teams to 3 regular season championships and 2 tournament titles including a variety of Coach of the year awards. We are excited to speak with a young but great coach in the industry.

Chad Murray is the current head coach at Pacific Lutheran University. Coach Murray stepped into coaching after his playing career finished at Chapman University. His first coaching gig came about at North Central College then into Vassar College and Nebraska Wesleyan University in the assistant roles. Coach Murray then stepped into his first head coaching gig at Cornell College which would eventually lead him into his head role at Pacific Lutheran University. Coach Murray would help the Lutes reach their first league championship since 1986 and claiming the NWC Coach of the Year award.

David Grace is the current head coach of Campbell Hall High School. Coach Grace has a tremendous background starting in the High School ranks as an assistant at Trevor Browne HS and taking a head coaching position soon after at South Mountain HS. Following his brief head coaching stint, Coach Grace took a step into the college ranks at Sacramento State, San Francisco, Oregon State, UCLA, California, and Vanderbilt, all in the assistant roles and then back into a head role at Centennial HS and where he now stands, Campbell Hall High School. Coach Grace was ranked by ESPN as the 7th best recruiter helping get numerous players including Lonzo Ball, Scotty Pippen Jr., and many more. We are excited to learn from a tremendous coach and nationally known recruiter.

Jerrod Calhoun is the current Head Coach at Utah State University. Coach Calhoun has done a remarkable job growing programs over the years and leaving a place better than he found it. Following his playing career at Cleveland State he took a student assistant position with Cincinnati which would help him get his first assistant coaching position at Walsh University. Following 3 years at Walsh, Calhoun landed a role with West Virginia University under coach Bob Huggins which would help set himself up into his head coaching positions with Fairmont State, Youngstown State and now Utah State University. Coach Calhoun has grown each program he has taken over as a head coach and currently holds a record of 242-144 with a 63% win percentage and numerous regular season championships along with a Horizon coach of the year award. We are excited to talk with a veteran coach and first year Head Coach of Utah State.

Roy Blumenthal is the current Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Ryder University. Coach Blumenthal has five decades of coaching experience at the High School and Collegiate levels including his 25 year reign at West Chester University with experiences as the Head Coach and Founder of the Global Sports Academy Goodwill Select teams. He has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at West Chester for his commitment to the program over the years and has worked an extensive amount with international student athletes over the years. We are excited to learn from a tenured coach and current special assistant at Ryder University.

Mike Fuline is the current Head Coach of the University of Mount Union. Coach Fuline started his coaching career in the high schools ranks first as an assistant and then head coach at Massillon Jackson High School where he posted a 95-42 overall record and numerous championships here as a head coach. Following this Fuline would take a jump into the college ranks and start his long tenure as Head Coach, which will be his 13th season. Coach Fuline has had Mount Union continuously on the national rankings as well as deep runs in the NCAA tournament including their first 30 win season and a run to the NCAA Championship, while holding a variety of coach of the year awards. We are excited to speak with a strong coach in the division 3 ranks.

Alex Sarama, Founder of Transforming Basketball, has vast experience in player and coaching development across the globe. He emphasizes innovative coaching strategies, focusing on research-based methods that adapt to various contexts. The discussion dives into the constraints-led approach, enhancing player performance through small-sided games, while advocating for creativity in practice design. Sarama also highlights the significance of decision-making in training and building authentic relationships in the coaching community to foster a supportive environment.

Kevin Sutton is the Technical Director of Basketball at IMG Academy. Coach Sutton has an extensive coaching background ranging from High School to the Division 1 level. Coach Sutton has made a variety of stops in his 38 year coaching career including various roles at James Madison, Montverde Academy, George Washington University, Georgetown University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rhode Island, Florida Gulf Coast University, Kansas State and his current role at IMG Academy. As a head coach at the high school level, Coach Sutton has posted a 489-102 overall head coaching record for an 83% win ratio and has worked as a head and assistant coach for USA basketball for nearly 8 years.

Danny Reese is the current Assistant Coach at Youngstown State University. Coach Reese is a young coach on the rise who had a stellar playing career at YSU and following his playing career, Danny would become the Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Jerrod Calhoun for 6 years. Most recently Coach Reese was appointed as the assistant coach for the previous two years and he has been an integral part of the Penguins successes during their five straight winning seasons for the first time in YSU Division 1 history and helped the penguins break numerous 20 win seasons. We are excited to chat with a young coach on the rise!

Today, on the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are continuing the second half of our previous conversation with a long time NBA assistant and most recent assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, so please welcome back coach Dan Burke.