In this episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, we sit down with Will Burkett, an assistant basketball coach at Santa Clara University. Will shares his journey from being a high school athlete in Watsonville, through his time as a student manager at the University of Arizona, to playing and coaching roles at institutions like Monterey Peninsula College and Santa Clara University. He discusses the nuances of his coaching experience, insights on Division I athletics, the importance of authenticity in coaching, and the impact of NIL on college sports. Will also touches on creating a culture of joy in athletics and the valuable lessons learned from working under various coaching staff and within different basketball programs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:52 Early Career and University of Arizona Experience

02:01 Transition to Coaching and Santa Clara Journey

10:40 Roles and Responsibilities in Coaching

17:55 Offensive and Defensive Coordination

24:32 The Coach's Mindset and Adaptability

25:49 Developing NBA Talent at Santa Clara

30:02 Impact of NIL and Transfer Portal on Recruiting

33:10 Creating a Culture of Joy and Competitiveness

38:12 The Role of Multi-Sport Athletes

41:50 Learning from Other Sports and Analytics

45:55 Simplifying Coaching for Better Performance

49:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts