The Rising Coaches Podcast

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast we’re joined with the former longtime head coach at John Carroll University, Coach Mike Moran. Coach Moran, a legendary figure in Ohio basketball, built a remarkable career over four decades at both the high school and collegiate levels. After beginning his coaching journey at Elder High School, he led Villa Angela-St. Joseph to two state championships and nine district titles over 11 seasons. In 1992, he became head coach at John Carroll University, where he compiled a 460-230 record, capturing 10 OAC titles, and making 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2004. Known for his signature platoon system and emphasis on team-first basketball, Moran cultivated a culture of selflessness and relentless effort. He also coached John Carroll’s golf team for 32 years, guiding them to six NCAA appearances. His impact on generations of athletes has earned him induction into the John Carroll and Ohio Basketball Halls of Fame. In this episode we dive more into recruiting tactics, the story of some unique tendencies from Coach Moran and growing a program as a Head Coach over the years.

On today’s episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast we’re joined with Coach Fran Dunphy, the former La Salle Head Coach and one of the all-time winningest coaches in Philadelphia history.Coach Fran Dunphy has spent over 30 years on the sidelines, leading two of Philadelphia’s most storied programs: the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. During his 17 seasons at Penn, he guided the Quakers to 10 Ivy League championships and numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, establishing a standard of excellence within the conference. In 2006, he became the head coach at Temple, where he continued his success with eight NCAA Tournament berths and multiple Atlantic 10 titles over a 13-year span. With a remarkable 580 career wins, Coach Dunphy is widely respected not only for his coaching acumen but also for his leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to student-athletes. In this episode, we dive into how starting his career coaching at Army had helped his career, how to help your assistants and players grow to be head coaches and how to get the most out of your players and assistants as a Head Coach.

Today on the Rising Coaches podcast, we get the opportunity to speak with the current assistant coach at Georgia State University, Coach Sean Flannery. Sean is a Cleveland, Ohio native and graduate from John Carroll University where he led all Divisions (1,2 and 3) in Assist to turnover ratio. Sean Served internships with the NBA Summer league and team USA basketball over the years, which ended up helping him grow into his GA role at Xavier. He currently is an assistant and pivotal part at Georgia State and is also a Rising Coaches Member.

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.