Last week, new Michigan coach Dusty May spent time with the Miami Heat staff before heading to Pittsburgh to exchange ideas with Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy and Charlotte Hornets assistant Josh Longstaff. May is dedicated to his growth and learning, willing to read any book or watch any basketball team’s film if it will give him an edge in ideas, plays, or leadership tactics.
As part of his ongoing education, May tunes into a podcast hosted by two relatively unknown basketball coaches.
While driving to lunch one February day, May listened to Olympia Milano coach Ettore Messina discussing spacing concepts in his offense. The following week, he heard from Tokyo Hachioji Bee Trains head coach Tyler Gatlin, and the week after, he was set to hear from former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy.
These valuable lessons are delivered through the Slappin’ Glass Podcast, which has gained popularity among coaches of all levels over four years and 201 episodes.
“I listen to every episode,” May shared. “My staff also listens regularly. I believe most college coaches tune in frequently.”
Jeff Van Gundy came across one of the hosts’ video breakdowns and was so impressed that he encouraged his peers in the industry to appear on the show. This led to two former Division III basketball players hosting a podcast that attracted legendary football coach Bill Parcells as a guest.
The podcast features respected coaches like Brad Stevens, Geno Auriemma, Rick Pitino, and others, creating a space for valuable discussions and insights.
“You can become a better coach after just an hour of listening to one of those episodes,” said Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz.
Carney and Krikorian in Berlin, the night the idea for the podcast was hatched. (Courtesy of Dan Krikorian)
After graduating from Chapman in 2007, Dan Krikorian initially pursued a career in music. However, he discovered his passion for coaching and eventually became the head coach at Chapman in 2013. Meanwhile, Pat Carney played professionally in Germany for 12 years before transitioning to coaching. The two former teammates developed the idea for the podcast during a night of discussions in Berlin.
The podcast’s creation was sparked by a conversation about Division III Yeshiva University’s successful motion offense. Krikorian and Carney sought to learn more from coach Elliot Steinmetz, recording their Zoom meeting for what would become their first episode published in August 2020.
Despite the initial roughness, the podcast gained traction as it provided a platform for in-depth basketball discussions amid the pandemic.
The show’s success was not solely reliant on big-name guests but also on its ability to showcase lesser-known coaches and their insights.
Krikorian and Carney’s podcast has grown substantially, with sponsors and a loyal audience of coaches and basketball enthusiasts. The ultimate goal was personal development and improvement, and the platform has indeed fostered genuine relationships and career opportunities.
Both hosts acknowledge the potential for further career advancement but remain focused on their current achievements and the impact they are making in the coaching community.
Coach Schiller, who was a guest on the show, recruited Carney to join his staff based on their interactions.
Their podcast has been likened to a modern-day version of coaches like Hubie Brown and Dean Smith sharing international basketball knowledge.
“Slappin’ Glass has become a vital source of basketball coaching information,” remarked ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla.
(Top illustration photos courtesy of Alex Vasquez and @ralf.zimmermann.fotografie)