24 October 2026
Ep 2052 Can a Coach Change the Way They Lead? Dr. Matthew Raidbard, Part 2
Basketball Coach Unplugged (A Basketball Coaching Podcast)
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https://teachhoops.com/
Lead Like a Pro, finding the toughness and leadership in a crowded gym, building relationships that transcend basketball, and the advice he would give his younger self.
In Part 2, Coach Steve Collins and Dr. Matthew Raidbard dig into how a coach actually changes the way they lead. Dr. Raidbard explains what his book Lead Like a Pro walks you through: figure out the style you are really practicing, decide whether it matches your values, then learn from real coaching stories and practical tools how to grow into the leader you want to be.
From there the conversation turns to the court. Teaching five players to move as one, what college coaches really look for in a recruit, why relationships off the floor earn trust on it, and how to correct a player without tearing him down. It wraps with a rapid fire round and the one piece of advice Dr. Raidbard would give his younger self.
In this episode
A menu of leadership options, and matching them to your own values
Why sport and level matter less than you think for leadership style
What the book walks a coach through, from self assessment to practical tools
Naming the book, and two years from first draft to release
The hardest thing to teach: getting five players to execute one plan
Breaking it down part by part, letting players fail, and repping it over time
What college coaches look for in a recruit: toughness, leadership, and talking on defense
Why the difference between the fifth and ninth best player in the gym is what kind of teammate he is
Building relationships that transcend basketball, and why the wins follow
The one coach he would spend an hour with: Pat Summitt
Rapid fire: game day routines, superstitions, and the best player he has seen in person
Correcting players one on one instead of across the gym
His advice to his younger self: listen, be patient, and have empathy
Chapters
00:00 TeachHoops.com pre roll
00:56 Lead Like a Pro and a menu of leadership styles
01:52 Does the sport or level matter?
02:20 What the book walks you through
04:12 The next step once you know your style
05:08 Naming the book and two years of writing
07:56 The hardest thing to teach
09:20 Letting players fail and repping it over time
10:44 What college coaches look for in a recruit
13:04 TeachHoops.com mid roll
13:32 A coaching philosophy built on relationships
15:24 An hour with Pat Summitt
16:48 Rapid fire questions
20:32 Superstitions and chewing gum
21:00 Correct players one on one
22:24 Best players and the Jordan versus LeBron debate
23:48 One skill, the shot clock, and the jump ball
24:44 Advice to his younger self
25:40 Raidbard Leadership and where to find the book
26:36 Post roll
Coach challenge: The next time a player makes a mistake, pull him aside and ask "What happened there?" before you tell him what went wrong.
Resources: Learn more about Dr. Raidbard's work at Raidbard Leadership, and find Lead Like a Pro wherever books are sold. Practice plans, leadership resources, courses, and on court clinics at https://teachhoops.com/
Missed the start? Go back to Part 1 for Dr. Raidbard's coaching journey and leadership research.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lead Like a Pro, finding the toughness and leadership in a crowded gym, building relationships that transcend basketball, and the advice he would give his younger self.
In Part 2, Coach Steve Collins and Dr. Matthew Raidbard dig into how a coach actually changes the way they lead. Dr. Raidbard explains what his book Lead Like a Pro walks you through: figure out the style you are really practicing, decide whether it matches your values, then learn from real coaching stories and practical tools how to grow into the leader you want to be.
From there the conversation turns to the court. Teaching five players to move as one, what college coaches really look for in a recruit, why relationships off the floor earn trust on it, and how to correct a player without tearing him down. It wraps with a rapid fire round and the one piece of advice Dr. Raidbard would give his younger self.
In this episode
A menu of leadership options, and matching them to your own values
Why sport and level matter less than you think for leadership style
What the book walks a coach through, from self assessment to practical tools
Naming the book, and two years from first draft to release
The hardest thing to teach: getting five players to execute one plan
Breaking it down part by part, letting players fail, and repping it over time
What college coaches look for in a recruit: toughness, leadership, and talking on defense
Why the difference between the fifth and ninth best player in the gym is what kind of teammate he is
Building relationships that transcend basketball, and why the wins follow
The one coach he would spend an hour with: Pat Summitt
Rapid fire: game day routines, superstitions, and the best player he has seen in person
Correcting players one on one instead of across the gym
His advice to his younger self: listen, be patient, and have empathy
Chapters
00:00 TeachHoops.com pre roll
00:56 Lead Like a Pro and a menu of leadership styles
01:52 Does the sport or level matter?
02:20 What the book walks you through
04:12 The next step once you know your style
05:08 Naming the book and two years of writing
07:56 The hardest thing to teach
09:20 Letting players fail and repping it over time
10:44 What college coaches look for in a recruit
13:04 TeachHoops.com mid roll
13:32 A coaching philosophy built on relationships
15:24 An hour with Pat Summitt
16:48 Rapid fire questions
20:32 Superstitions and chewing gum
21:00 Correct players one on one
22:24 Best players and the Jordan versus LeBron debate
23:48 One skill, the shot clock, and the jump ball
24:44 Advice to his younger self
25:40 Raidbard Leadership and where to find the book
26:36 Post roll
Coach challenge: The next time a player makes a mistake, pull him aside and ask "What happened there?" before you tell him what went wrong.
Resources: Learn more about Dr. Raidbard's work at Raidbard Leadership, and find Lead Like a Pro wherever books are sold. Practice plans, leadership resources, courses, and on court clinics at https://teachhoops.com/
Missed the start? Go back to Part 1 for Dr. Raidbard's coaching journey and leadership research.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices