United Basketball Podcast

Culture beats X's and O's when you're building a winning program from the ground up. Hunter Todd shares the exact coaching philosophy he's bringing to Forreston - from respect, accountability, and team-first standards to the family atmosphere he wants to create before the first play is ever drawn up. After receiving his teaching license in Texas, Todd learned how to run a program with freedom, trust, and relentless buy-in. Now, as Forreston's new head girls basketball coach, he's focused on setting a culture that lasts, earning the community's trust, and building something bigger than wins and losses Todd also opens up about the realities of coaching in two different states, the lessons he brought back from Texas, and why he wants every athlete to feel like they belong in the program from sixth grade on. If you care about coaching, culture, or what it really takes to build a program people rally around, this one is for you. Perfect for coaches, players, parents, and anyone who loves high school basketball done the right way.United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/ Let's Grow the Game!

Back-to-back success does not happen by accident. Barr-Reeve head coach Coach Howington breaks down exactly how he is resetting after a state championship, keeping his team humble, and building a new climb for year two - without letting anyone get comfortable at the top. If you coach in a small community, care about culture, or want a real blueprint for turning a strong returning core into another contender, this conversation is packed with practical answers. Coach Howington shares how he uses the “mountain” analogy to reframe a title run, why his program tracks wins in practice, and how Barr-Reeve keeps its edge with a process-first approach. You’ll discover: How to lead a championship team into a new season without chasing a “repeat” mindset Why Barr-Reeve’s culture shows up in real actions, like varsity players coaching fourth graders The exact pillars of the program’s offense, including transition, matchup hunting, made-ball sets, and extra possessions How Coach Howington uses short film sessions, plus-minus self-scouting, and opponent-specific menus to keep players locked in Why youth development, Saturday skill sessions, and community buy-in matter just as much as varsity wins He also opens up about building offense around personnel, simplifying preparation for high school players, and the competitive details that helped Barr-Reeve finish with one of the best turnover numbers in the state. Along the way, he shares the drills, coaching influences, and everyday habits that keep the program evolving instead of repeating itself. Coach Howington is the head coach at Barr-Reeve, where he helped guide the program to a state championship in his first season. He is known for blending strong culture, player development, and adaptable offensive ideas that fit his roster. Essential listening if you coach basketball, lead a team, or want to understand how championship programs stay hungry after they win.United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/ Let's Grow the Game!

Grinnell basketball is built on pace, pressure, and a whole lot of puzzle solving - and Coach David Arsenault reveals exactly how he keeps it all working. If you coach, love hoops, or want to understand how a wildly unique system wins at the college level, this conversation is packed with the real stuff: relationships, practice design, and why less can actually produce more. Arsenault breaks down how he uses Grinnell’s out-of-season flex days to install the system, why his practices are intentionally short, and how he figures out which combinations of players actually fit together on the floor. He also explains what has changed since the program’s start, why trust matters just as much as X’s and O’s, and how Grinnell has evolved into a team that can defend, rotate deep, and still play at full throttle. Arsenault also gets into the realities of recruiting four-year players, managing a roster in the transfer portal era, and coaching talented players like Kai Te Huki, Gabe Garcia, and Tyler Copes. Plus, he shares what makes the Midwest Conference so competitive, why this year’s league race is wide open, and how Grinnell’s style has turned into something far more nuanced than just “shoot threes and run.” This is essential listening if you’re a coach who wants better practices, a deeper identity, and a system your players actually believe in. By the end, you’ll understand why Grinnell’s success starts long before tipoff.--------------------------------------------------------------------United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/Let's Grow the Game!

In this episode, United Basketball+ owner and high school coach, Jacob Durdan shares his insights and experiences as he prepares for his seventh season as a basketball coach. He reflects on the challenges faced by coaches, the importance of personal development, and the need to build strong relationships within the community. Jacob outlines seven key strategies he is implementing to ensure a successful season, emphasizing the significance of planning, networking, and maintaining a positive team culture. He also encourages fellow coaches to connect and share ideas to foster growth in the coaching profession.-------------------------------------------------------------------- United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/ Let's Grow the Game!

Young coaches chasing the next level will want every minute of this one. Cam McKinney breaks down how he climbed from college player to student coach, high school assistant, Troy staffer, and now assistant at Colorado College—and why the jump from D3 to D1, then back to D3, has sharpened the way he thinks about winning. He gets into the real work behind building a program: teaching middle school players to play off two feet, develop footwork, and actually enjoy the game while getting better. From there, the conversation opens up into what changed his career, how a law firm job pushed him back toward basketball, and what he learned from elite staffs at Troy and Colorado College. Cam also explains how Colorado College recruits nationally, why the school’s championship culture matters, and how the program balances elite academics with serious basketball. If you care about player development, analytics, culture, and the day-to-day reality of coaching at a high level, this episode delivers practical ideas you can use immediately. Perfect for coaches, players, and anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build trust, compete hard, and grow a program the right way. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Coaches! Plan some personal time and personal development this offseason. Plan to attend the 2026 Hoosier Gym Coaches Clinic in Knightstown, Indiana on September 11 & 12! Sign up here: https://unitedbasketballplus.com/united-basketball-hoosier-gym-coaches-clinic/ United Basketball+ is a resource for coaches, teachers, players, and leaders. If you want to improve your knowledge as a coach, teacher, player or leader, join the community today! https://unitedbasketballplus.com/register/ub-plus-annual-membership/ Let's Grow the Game!