The Rising Coaches Podcast

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast we’re joined by Lindsay Langford, a registered dietitian and the head nutritionist at Butler University. With years of experience working with athletes across multiple sports, Lindsay has developed a deep understanding of the vital role nutrition plays in performance and recovery. Her expertise spans from developing personalized nutrition plans to educating athletes on the importance of fueling their bodies correctly. In today’s episode, we'll dive into three key topics: what an ideal pre-game or pre-practice meal looks like, her take on the supplement industry—what's safe and what’s not—and how an athlete's nutritional needs differ during in-season versus off-season training. Lindsay’s insights will provide you with practical tools to optimize your nutrition for peak performance.

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we are excited to talk with Dave Richardson, the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Arkansas Basketball programs. Coach Richardson has been instrumental in helping the Razorbacks develop into one of the most physically dominant teams in the country. His expertise in player development, injury prevention, and performance optimization ensures that his athletes are prepared to compete at the highest level. We’re going to dive into his training philosophy, how he approaches in-season vs. off-season development, and what it takes to build a winning culture in the weight room. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or just someone interested in the science behind peak performance this is your episode.

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by a Philly hoops legend and the current Director of Player Development at Temple University — Khalif Wyatt. A standout at Temple University, Coach Wyatt went on to enjoy a nine-year professional career overseas in countries like China, Israel, France, Romania, and the Philippines earning multiple All-League honors along the way. Since jumping into coaching, he has served as an assistant at West Chester University, leading Team Big 5 in The Basketball Tournament, and returning home to Temple as the Director of Player Development. Coach Wyatt brings a rare mix of on-court experience, global perspective, and a deep understanding of how to connect with today’s players. In this episode, we dive into what it means to truly develop players — including: what are some common mistakes young coaches and trainers make, how playing internationally changed his perspective on the game, and how he structures individual workouts during the season vs. the offseason.

Mark Bialkoski is the Director of Basketball Operations at George Mason University. With over 15 years of experience in college basketball, Coach Bialkoski has played a crucial role in managing the behind-the-scenes operations that keep teams running at the highest level. From his previous roles at Georgia Southern, Charlotte, Maryland and East Tennessee State to his current role at George Mason, he’s been an essential part of successful programs, handling everything from logistics and scheduling to team culture and program development. Today, we’ll dive into his journey into basketball operations, the key skills needed to excel in the role, and his advice for young coaches and professionals looking to break into the industry of coaching.

Jeff Santarsiero is a true veteran of the game and longtime head coach at Geneva College. With nearly three decades leading the Golden Tornadoes, Coach Santarsiero has built a program centered on consistency, player development, and a strong culture of excellence. His coaching journey began at Nyack College, where he served as head coach before joining Geneva as an assistant in 1988. Since taking over Geneva as head coach in 1996, he has led the Golden Tornadoes to multiple successful seasons, including an NCCAA National Championship in 2001. Beyond wins and losses, Coach Santarsiero has dedicated his career to shaping young men on and off the court. This episode we dive into his insights on sustaining a successful program, coaching longevity, and the evolving landscape of college basketball.

Bill Cartwright is a true basketball legend. Coach Cartwright is a five-time NBA champion, a former All-Star, and a key figure in the Bulls’ first three-peat championship reign and helping one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. Coach Cartwright played for the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Seattle Supersonics in his career. After his playing days, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant of the Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns and head coaching roles with the Chicago Bulls, Osaka Evessa and the Mexican national team. In this episode we talk about what he learned playing under legend Phil Jackson, some advice working with post players and some knowledge he has taken away during his NBA coaching/playing career.

Ryan Murray is the assistant coach for the Ohio State Women’s Basketball team, Coach Ryan Murray. With a deep understanding of the game and a strong background in player development, recruiting, and game strategy, Coach Murray has held various coaching roles at Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin. A young coach, Murray has great experiences spanning multiple levels of basketball, and his ability to connect with players and build a winning culture sets him apart. In this episode we talk about how Coach Murray worked his way up the chain from being a practice player to an assistant coach at Ohio State, the importance of networking as a young coach and how to continue to grow as a coach during the offseason.

Chris Oliver is a basketball coach, educator, and the mastermind behind Basketball Immersion. With a wealth of experience in coaching at all levels, including an assistant position at McMaster University and Head Coaching titles at Queen's University and the University of Windsor prior to Basketball Immersion. Chris has worked with players and teams around the world, helping them elevate their basketball IQ and skills. Known for his innovative approach to coaching, Chris has a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies, from player development to creating high-level team systems. In this episode we dive into what Coach Oliver feels is the most important aspect of developing players on and off the court, advice to young coaches trying to implement game-based learning in their workouts and some of the biggest mistakes a coach can make when teaching their players.

Mike Brey is one of the most respected minds in college basketball and current Assistant Coach with the Atlanta Hawks, Coach Mike Brey. With over two decades leading Notre Dame, Coach Brey built a program known for its toughness, efficiency, and player-driven culture. Before that, he cut his teeth as an assistant at Duke under Coach K and as the head coach at Delaware, shaping a coaching journey filled with valuable lessons, big wins, and unforgettable moments. In this episode, we dive deep into his rise from the high school ranks to the NBA, his philosophy on developing assistants into future head coaches, and how to maintain the successes of a team as a head coach over a long period of time.

Toure Murry is a former NBA Player and current Player Development Coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, Coach Toure Murry. Coach Murry joins us having an extensive playing career starting at Wichita State and leading to the New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and numerous countries such as Turkey, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Kuwait, Ukraine and Mexico. Following his playing career, Coach Murry started his coaching career in the G league with the 76ers and grew into his current role as the Player Development Coach. In this episode, we talk about his playing career and what coaching styles resonated with him most, aligning player development goals with the long term team goals and some key traits to look for when evaluating a players long term potential.