Dr. John Wiley Bryson is the author of the new book “Billy: Coach. Leader. Legend. Friend.” which tells the story of Billy Hicks, Kentucky’s winningest high school basketball coach. Billy is the powerful biography of a man whose impact stretched far beyond the scoreboard and into locker rooms, living rooms, and lives across the state of Kentucky.

On this episode Mike & John discuss the life and coaching legacy of Billy Hicks, Kentucky’s all-time winningest high school coach. Bryson explains how research, interviews, and memories from former players, colleagues, and family members came together to tell Hicks’s story. The conversation examines how Hicks’s upbringing and early coaching experiences shaped his approach, including his emphasis on fast play, man-to-man defense, preparation, and personal relationships with players. It also reflects on the pressures of Kentucky high school basketball, Hicks’s rivalry and respect with Bobby Keith, and the joys and heartbreaks of coaching alongside his family. Throughout, the episode asks what makes a coach’s influence last beyond wins: the people they develop, the culture they create, and the stories others continue to tell.

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You will want to have a notebook by your side as you listen to this episode with Dr. John Wiley Bryson, the author of the new book “Billy: Coach. Leader. Legend. Friend.”

Website - https://www.johnwileybryson.com/

Email - jwileybryson@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnwbryson/

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On this episode Mike & Jason sort the league into tiers and make their wins and losses picks across the standings. They discuss why Oklahoma City and San Antonio look like top contenders, while teams such as the Knicks, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Pistons face a more uncertain path to 50 plus wins. The conversation explores roster questions and high-variance outlooks for teams including Minnesota, Houston, Orlando, Indiana, and Philadelphia. Injuries, depth, roster fit, coaching, and a team’s willingness to compete all emerge as factors that could shift the standings. It’s an argumentative, team-by-team look at who may thrive through the 82-game season and who could fall short of expectations.

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Zack Odell is the Founder XCIV.ai A tool built for high school, middle school, and AAU coaches. Using XCIV coaches upload film, box scores, or play diagrams. XCIV.AI builds your scouting reports, game plans, and practice schedules.

On this episode Mike & Zack discuss how XCIV.ai can help basketball coaches organize stats, scouting, and player development. Zack shares how keeping box scores and notes for his daughter inspired him to build a tool that turns game data and film observations into searchable scouting insights. He explains how coaches can use those insights to identify opponent tendencies, plan practices, and assign targeted training, such as a four-week free-throw program. The discussion also highlights the importance of coach feedback and human review so recommendations fit each team’s philosophy rather than replacing coaching judgment. Zack’s broader goal is to make practical coaching support more accessible, especially for smaller programs with limited staff and resources.

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Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Be sure to grab pen and paper as you listen to this episode with Zack Odell, Founder XCIV.ai

Website - https://xciv.ai/

Email - zack@xciv.ai

Twitter/X - @XCIVAI

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Welcome to the 94th edition of the Coach’s Corner Round Table on the Hoop Heads Podcast. Each episode of the Coach’s Corner Round Table will feature our All-Star lineup of guests answering a single basketball question. A new Coach’s Corner Round Table will drop around the 15th of each month.

October’s Round Table question is: What’s an idea you picked up outside of basketball that has influenced the way you coach?

Our Coaching Lineup this month:

Jerry Buckley – Bishop Kenny (FL) High School

Bob Krizancic – Mentor (OH) High School

Don Showalter - USA Basketball

John Shulman – University of Central Arkansas

Please enjoy this Round Table episode of the Hoop Heads Podcast and once you’re finished listening please give the show a five star rating and review after you subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

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On this episode Mike & Jason discuss every Western Conference team’s over-under outlook, from title contenders to the bottom of the standings. They debate which teams could exceed expectations and which teams may fall short while breaking down how injuries, player development, roster depth, and team chemistry could shape the seasons of teams like Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Houston, and Minnesota. Both Mike & Jason see Oklahoma City and San Antonio at the top of the conference. They dive into the risks facing the Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Pelicans. The conversation also explores how fewer teams may be tanking this season, making the standings, and the over-under predictions, harder to forecast. They wrap up by comparing their picks and previewing next week’s discussion of NBA team tiers.

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Jason Mays is the Founder of Cognitecture, a mental performance coaching practice. Mays coached at the high school level at both Ashland Blazer and Montgomery County High Schools in Kentucky and made 5 state tournaments in 6 seasons as a head coach.

Mays was previously an assistant coach and interim Head Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan after spending two seasons at Valdosta State University. Prior to Valdosta State, Mays spent seven years coaching alongside Head Coach Happy Osborne at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky.

On this episode Mike & Jason discuss how athletes and coaches can keep growing through adversity, plateaus, and success. Mays shares a four-part foundation for mental toughness: find your fuel, stack small wins, reframe adversity, and avoid becoming complacent after success. He explains why consistent routines and repetitive fundamentals matter, and how players can “do simpler better” to reach the next level. The conversation also explores defining player roles, having courageous conversations, and building meaningful relationships by investing in athletes beyond basketball. Throughout the episode, Mays emphasizes that coaching can prepare players for life beyond the court as well as help them succeed in the game.

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Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Grab a notebook and take down some ideas as you listen to this episode with Jason Mays, Founder of Cognitecture.

Website – https://www.coachmays.com/

Email - jason@coachmays.com

Twitter - @CoachJMays

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Mark McGonigal is starting his second season as a Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at Columbia University. In McGonigal's first season Columbia went 16-12 under Head Coach Kevin Hovde and secured the program’s first winning campaign in 10 years.

Prior to Columbia McGonigal served as an assistant coach at Cornell in 2024-25, where he helped guide the Big Red to a second-place finish in the conference and to the Ivy League Tournament Championship game. McGonigal spent 2016-23 on the staff at his alma mater, Richmond, which included four seasons as Director of Basketball Operations. He was elevated to an on-court assistant position in 2023.

Before his time at Richmond, McGonigal coached for the National Collegiate Scouting Association (2012-16). While there, he worked with student-athletes to evaluate their skill level on the court and their academic profile to guide them to college opportunities that would be the right fit. He began his career as an assistant coach at Holy Spirit HS in New Jersey in 2011.

As a player Mark was a four-year member of the basketball team at Richmond after joining the team as a walk-on and played in 27 career games.

On this episode Mike and Mark discuss how his basketball journey from South Jersey pickup games to Division I coaching, shaped his approach to the game. He explains why player development needs a balance of skill work and live play, where athletes learn to read the game and make winning decisions. Mark shares how preparation, film, and intentional practice design help coaches build stronger teams. He also describes the importance of earning players’ trust and building relationships with the people involved in recruiting. Finally, he discusses the Ivy League’s distinctive mix of basketball, academics, and long-term opportunity.

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Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

You’ll want to take some notes as you listen to this episode with Mark McGonigal, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at Columbia University.

Website - https://gocolumbialions.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email - mm6870@columbia.edu

Twitter/X - @MarkMcGo3

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On this episode Mike & Jason discuss every Eastern Conference team’s over-under outlook, from title contenders to the bottom of the standings. Mike and Jason revisit last season’s predictions before debating which teams could exceed expectations and which may fall short. They examine roster changes, defensive upgrades, depth concerns, injuries, and the uncertainty surrounding teams such as Boston, Cleveland, New York, and Indiana. The hosts also discuss how anti-tanking rules and roster turnover could make the playoff race especially unpredictable. It’s a candid NBA preview for fans looking for team-by-team analysis, betting angles, and bold calls.

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