United Basketball Podcast

The difference between a good big man and a great one is not height. It is IQ, patience, and the willingness to ask the right questions. Elmhurst assistant coach Jonathan Zapinski reveals the modern post play blueprint that helps bigs thrive in a perimeter-centric game - and why the best coaches are building players who can think, not just score.
Jacob Durdan and co-host Jeremy sit down with Zapinski for a sharp, wide-ranging conversation on coaching, player development, recruiting, and what it really takes to become a college basketball coach.
Zapinski shares the path from Dallas to Elmhurst, the coaching influence that sparked his love for the game at age six, and the lessons he carried from playing at Elmhurst College and now coaching back at his alma mater.
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/

In this episode, Jacob Durdan interviews Tony Holler, a veteran coach and creator of the Feed the Cats program. They discuss Holler's journey as a coach, the evolution of his coaching philosophy, and the principles behind Feed the Cats, which emphasizes enjoyable and effective training methods for athletes.
Holler shares insights on creating a positive practice environment, the importance of measuring progress, and the success stories of programs that have adopted his methods. The conversation highlights the need for coaches to adapt and innovate in their training approaches to foster athlete development and success.
In this conversation, Coach Tony Holler discusses innovative training methods in sports, particularly focusing on the 'Feed the Cats' philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of offseason training, counterintuitive coaching strategies, and creating effective practice environments. The discussion also highlights the need for coaches to adapt their methods to keep athletes fresh and engaged, as well as the value of continuous learning and resource sharing among coaches.--------------------------------------------------------------------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!

Host Jacob Durdan sits down with newly hired Northern Illinois head coach Matt Majkrzak to unpack how he’s approaching a major rebuild in DeKalb. Majkrzak shares why he leans into scripted structure on offense, how he evaluates players for fit and winning DNA, and what it takes to build a culture fast when you inherit a program that has struggled for years.
In this episode, the conversation focuses on practical coaching ideas, from recruiting familiar players and staff to designing practices that create better decision-making through live play. It’s especially useful for coaches who want a clearer way to connect structure, player development, and team identity.
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!

In this episode, host Jacob Durdan interviews Coach Kellen Fernetti - Women's Basketball coach at Carl Sandburg College. They discuss Coach Fernetti's coaching journey, his philosophy on player development, and the importance of maintaining energy and positivity throughout the season. Coach Fernetti shares insights on practice structure, flexibility in scheduling, and the significance of team bonding beyond basketball. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of coaching at the junior college level, emphasizing the need for effective communication and a supportive team environment. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the significance of creating memorable experiences in coaching, emphasizing that it's not just about wins and losses but the relationships and moments shared among players. They explore various strategies for building team culture, engaging players, and designing effective practices.

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!

In this episode, Coach Jason Tucker shares his journey from high school coaching to becoming the head coach at Harper College. He discusses building a winning culture, adapting practice strategies for college, and his vision for success at the junior college level.Key topics
Coaching journey from high school to college
Building team culture and buy-in
Practice design and adaptation for college level
Importance of defense and offensive styles
Recruitment and community engagement at JUCO
Mentorship and learning from other coaches
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://forms.gle/Fv1hjfN8xYM2H9si6⁠United 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/⁠