On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Phil Beckner, a player development coach and performance consultant with Be Better. Be Different. Beckner has built an impressive career with coaching stops at Weber State, the Oklahoma City G League, Nebraska, and Boise State, while also working closely with some of the game’s top talent. His experience in player development has given him a unique perspective on building elite players and programs. In this episode we discuss how head coaches can build and develop a stronger staff, what working with Damian Lillard and other elite NBA talent taught him about player development, and what goes into creating an elite development plan before a player even steps on the floor.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Joe White, Assistant Coach at the University of South Dakota. White’s journey includes playing at Southern Oregon and professionally in Ecuador before transitioning into coaching, with stops at Tacoma CC, Lane CC, Idaho State, and South Dakota, along with head coaching experience at Lane CC. In this episode we discuss how head coaches can delegate while developing their assistants, the biggest mistakes young coaches make when trying to advance, and the habits and mindset that help coaches separate themselves.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Aaron Fearne, Assistant Coach at the College of Charleston. Coach Fearne has built a unique career across Australia and the United States, with experience as both a player and coach at the professional and collegiate levels. His journey includes stops with the Cairns Taipans, Charlotte, and Charleston, along with head coaching experience with the Cairns Marlins, Cairns Taipans, and Charlotte. In this episode we discuss how coaching young players early in his career shaped his approach to development, the biggest adjustments he had to make transitioning from Australia to the United States, and what he would do differently if he could go back and relive his experiences as a head coach.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Dexter Gooding, Assistant Coach at the University of Tampa. Gooding played at High Point before transitioning into coaching, with stops at South Florida, High Point, and now Tampa. His experience on both sides of player development has given him a unique perspective on helping athletes improve while continuing to grow as a young coach. In this episode we discuss the biggest challenge he faced transitioning from player to coach, what goes into developing a player before they even step on the court, and the key areas of growth and development that shaped him early in his coaching career.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Hamm, Assistant Coach at Cal State Fullerton. Hamm’s journey includes time as a player at Thomas More, followed by coaching stops at Thomas More, Lindenwood, Saint Leo University, and now Cal State Fullerton, along with experience as a head coach at NKY Elite. His time across different programs has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to build winning environments and continue growing as a coach. In this episode we discuss the common traits he’s seen in programs that consistently win, how coaches can measure their impact beyond their assigned duties, and the most important skills coaches should develop away from the court to continue advancing their careers.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Bobby Horodyski, Assistant Coach at Western Michigan University. Horodyski’s journey in basketball started as a manager before becoming a player at UCF, eventually working his way through coaching roles at Wyoming, Utah Valley, BYU, Queens, and now Western Michigan. His experience in different roles and programs has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to add value to a staff and continue growing in the profession. In this episode we discuss what a young DOBO should prioritize and master during their first year in this role, the little things great DOBOs do every day that make an entire staff better, and how a new coach can quickly find their place, build relationships, and add value when joining a new program.

On this episode of the Rising Coaches Podcast, we’re joined by Sean Dwyer, Assistant Coach with the Phoenix Suns. Dwyer has built an impressive coaching career with stops at Michigan State, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Loyola Chicago, and now with the Phoenix Suns. His experience across multiple college programs and the professional level has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to build sustained success. In this episode we discuss the one characteristic he’s seen consistently across successful programs, the biggest adjustment he faced moving from college coaching to the NBA, and how assistants can find their team's identity within a program and recruit players who truly fit that identity.