
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