Building with Brick: Recent Episodes
Dr. Joe Brickner
Interviews with coaches, business leaders and spiritual leaders concerning the concepts and principles as found in Dr. Joe Brickner's book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." The book is a story about a corporate executive who at the age of 50 made a major career change and became a Head Men's College Basketball Coach.
In Episode 20 NCAA Consultant Chuck Smrt provides an up-to-date account of where the NCAA stands as far as rules and regulations for the 2024 Transfer Portal and the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) programs. This is a follow-up to Chuck's expert opinion on the 2023 version of these two programs he shared with us last summer. Chuck also shares some of his thoughts about where all this is headed for the NCAA and for college athletes and what it does for amateurism in the U.S.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
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View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
In the third and final episode of Ruth Murray's Interview on how we can help make our brain and body work better together, Ruth introduces us to her Developmental Pyramid. She uses the three sided structure to relate Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs with the Physiology of the Brain and the Developmental Nervous System. She then demonstrates some brain or body exercises (hacks) that help relieve specific issues like not being able to sleep, lightheadedness and constipation/diarrhea, among other items.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
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View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
Ruth builds on Part 1's concepts by providing examples of clients who were helped using Brain Gym and/or Rhythmic Movement exercises. She provides individual examples of parent/child relationships to athletic team performance success stories. Ruth also demonstrates some of the respective exercises from Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
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View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
Ruth Murray is a Registered Nurse who branched out to holistic, scientific methods of working with patients who struggle with symptoms that are a result of their subconscious nervous system not being fully connected. This brain/body connection ranges from treating anxiety and emotional control to balance and sleep issues.
In Part 1 of "Body & Brain", Ruth tells how her success using these methods with her children resulted in her creating her own practice to deal with brain/body issues of her clients. She describes Brain Gym® and Rhythmic Movement Training and provides examples of Brain Gym®techniques you can use to help someone read better, focus better, and control anger. She also provides actual examples of people she has helped overcome issues that dealt with a lack of brain and body connection.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
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View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
In the second part of the interview with premier NCAA consultant Chuck Smrt, we concentrate on the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. The NIL goes hand-in-hand with the NCAA's Transfer Portal, which was covered by Chuck in the first part of this interview (Episode 17). Chuck explains how that came about. Chuck also discusses the rules involved in athletes benefiting from NIL, and explains how this happens in real life. The college transfer portal and the NIL program are changing what has previously been known as amateur sports.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
-
View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
The NCAA rule change allowing athletes to transfer to another institution and be immediately eligible has changed the landscape of college athletics, especially basketball and football. Former NCAA Infractions Committee Coordinator and current NCAA premier consultant Chuck Smrt lays out what the transfer portal is, how it works, and the reasons why it came into existence. Chuck has 40 years of experience working for and with the NCAA and its institutions concerning rules compliance. He shares his experience and knowledge with the average fan as it concerns the transfer portal, and will do the same for the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program in a follow-up podcast.
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Leave a Comment/Review at **drjoebrickner@gmail.com
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Order Dr. Brickner's books** on Amazon or go to his website
-
View Dr. B's Amazon Author page Here
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Theme music for podcasts by Kevin MacLeod
Dr. Joe Brickner retired from his corporate executive position at the age of 50 to become the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. In his book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." he lays out not only what it took to be a candidate for such a drastic career change, but also what it was like to actually fulfill his dream of being a college basketball coach. He lets the reader in behind closed doors to see what it's exactly like to coach at the small college level. By the end of the book, you will be able to decide if you think it was all worth it or not.
Dr. Joe Brickner's book, America: Lost in Place is a reflection of Dr. Brickner's life growing up in the 1950's and 60's compared to today. He examines 17 different topics and analyzes them as to being better off today or worse off. He then summarizes his findings and makes recommendations as to how America and Americans can achieve the success our founding fathers envisioned for our country. His book is available on Amazon.com in paperback, eBook, hardback and audio book formats.
Jerry Reynolds, the second most famous person from French Lick, IN, shares his 35 year experience with the Sacramento Kings. He was an assistant coach, head coach, director of basketball operations and general manager for the Kings - plus he was their TV color commentator for 20 of those years!
Coach Reynolds shares his coaching experience as part of two junior college national championship teams, an NAIA national championship team, and holding five different positions with the Kings. His next-door-neighbor-matter-of-fact personality and humorous wit that entertained Kings fans for 20 years are on display in this podcast. You will walk away thinking you've known (and liked) this man for years!
How a Catholic Cardinal and a NFL Owner Influenced Chris Godfrey's Future
Chris wraps up his four-part series with some deeply personal experiences with people who have helped guide him down a path that puts others first - especially young people. In Part 4 Chris talks about:
- John Cardinal O'Connor's surprise guidance revelation
- Why he wrote "That's Where I Live" & started Life Athletes
- How he became involved in the Corps of Renewal and Charity (CORAC)
- His wise advice to players and coaches
A deeply spiritual man was my take-home opinion of this giant among NY Giants. Chris Godfrey's feet are solidly on the ground, but his spirit is in Christ and he is not ashamed to profess that fact. The wisdom he shares in Part 4 is of value to young and old alike.
In Part 3 of 4, Chris talks about:
- how his faith grew after his Green Bay experience
- his wife Daria, her faith & the sacrifices she made
- his book, "That's Where I Live"
- his Christian organization Life Athletes
This part in the series delves beyond football and concentrates on things very important to Chris - his faith, his wife and family, his book and his organization that both touch young people's lives. You will quickly recognize that there is much more to this man than being a pro athlete. There is a ton of substance to go along with a great athlete with a great personality.
In Part 2 of our interview with Chris Godfrey, All-pro and Super Bowl winning offensive guard for the NY Giants, Chris discusses:
- how his life changed at age 23
- moving from defensive lineman to offensive guard
- teammates who were "Players who made plays"
- Coaching Mentors
- what the pre-Super Bowl locker room was like
Once again Chris shares the behind the scenes stories of his journey from getting cut numerous times to winning a championship with the fledgling United States Football League (USFL) to becoming a starter for the Giants and winning the 1987 Super Bowl. Along the way he discovered just how big of a part God played in his life.
Chris Godfrey grew up in Detroit and played on three University of Michigan Big Ten Champs and Rose Bowl teams as a starting defensive lineman. He eventually moved to the offensive line as a pro and played 9 professional seasons, highlighted by his Super Bowl win over the John Elway's Broncos in of all places, the Rose Bowl!
In part 1 of 4 Chris talks about:
- growing up in Detroit and being mentored early for success
- having to move to Florida his high school senior year
- coming back to Michigan to play for the Wolverines
- how playing for Bo Schembechler prepared him for the NFL
As you will find out in the latter parts of this 4-part series, Chris was and is much more than just a pro football player. He became a lawyer, and author, and founded an organization, Life Athletes, geared to help people do what is right and to never quit. He is smart, articulate, spiritual and well grounded. He shares his secret to success with the listeners and offers his guidance for others as they face adversity.
In Part 4 of 4, Coach O'Connor talks about:
- any career regrets?
- advice for young coaches
- practices being relevant, competitive, and repetitive
- staying healthy
- staying close to the game in retirement
Coach OC raps up his in-depth interview with some great counsel for coaches, both young and old. After 41 years of coaching, Bill's perspective on what, how, when and why to coach is invaluable.
In Part 3 Hall of Fame Coach O'Connor talks about:
- difference between coaching at 2 yr vs 4 yr college
- recruiting to a 4-year school
- attendance at today's basketball games
- how his faith influenced his program
- how difficult a coach's wife's life can be
As always, Bill is frank in giving his opinion on all of these items, and shares a number of nuggets of wisdom garnered over 41 years of coaching experience.
Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Assn's HOF coach O'Connor continues his "Building with Brick" podcast with Part 2 of 4 by discussing:
- who his coaching mentors were
- his "take-aways" from working/playing for various coaches
- recruiting to a remote location
- the difference between small college and major college players
Coach O'Connor is one of the few coaches who has coached at the high school, junior college, small college, and major college levels. His insight is remarkable as he shares his experiences.
Bill O'Connor, the long time head coach of Rockhurst University in KC, is this month's guest on "Building with Brick." Coach O'Connor is the winningest basketball coach in the history of Rockhurst. He won multiple "Coach of Year" awards in two different conferences at the college level. He coached at the high school, junior college, small college and major college levels throughout his 41-year coaching career. He is a member of the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, inducted in 2019. In Part 1 of 4 of the podcast, Bill talks about:
- Growing up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood
- Being cut from the team as a freshman in high school
- Being a starter on his No.1 KC ranked team as a senior in high school
- Playing college basketball at a small college power
Coach O'Connor is informative and entertaining in Part 1 as he lays out for the listener the path he followed in order to pursue his dream of being a basketball coach. His resilience is obvious as you listen to him relive his playing days, which allows you a peak into why he was so successful as a coach.
Rich Niemann, former ABA and NBA player, completes his "Building with Brick" podcast interview in Part 4 of 4 as he discusses:
- his advice for players who want to get to the next level
- his advice for coaches who want to make a career of coaching
- the difference between coaching girls vs. boys
- his advice on choosing a career, even if it is not in athletics
Rich raps up his podcasts with words of wisdom and experience. Like many others from the "Building with Brick" podcasts, he is a role model for those who want to be successful, regardless of their chosen career. For podcast interviews with other successful role models, you can go to www.drjoebrickner.com.
Rich Niemann was a star center for the St. Louis University Billikens who was drafted and played in both the ABA and the NBA. In Part 3 of 4, Rich shares his thoughts concerning:
- Choosing to become a teacher after pro ball
- Keeping his mind and body healthy as he ages
- Volunteering in Retirement
- How his Catholic Education and faith has guided him over the years
Making a career change into academia did not come easy, but Rich leveraged his education and experience to help thousands of young people as they moved through the private and public school systems in St. Louis.
Continuation of in-depth interview with Rich Niemann, former St/ Louis University star and NBA & ABA player.
In Part 2 of 4 Rich talks about:
- Coaches from high school thru the pros
- Life lessons learned from teammates & coaches
- Why AAU after the pros
- Career after bball
Rich Niemann was a 7'0 post player who won a state championship in high school, was a star at St. Louis University, was drafted by both the NBA and the ABA, and eventually played in both leagues. After completing his pro career, he eventually got his Master's degree and became a teacher and an assistant coach in high school.
A Chemistry major in college, Rich used his knowledge and life experiences to teach young people not only the academics they needed to succeed, but also the life lessons to do the same. Even in retirement, the "gentle giant" dedicates much of his time helping others, most recently in helping seniors with tax return preparation.
This four-part series will lead you down Rich's path to success, helping you decipher what brings such success to a person who lost a parent rather early in life.
In Part 1 of 4, Rich talks about:
- Always being taller than his age group
- winning a high school state championship
- playing college basketball
- playing pro ball in both the NBA and the ABA
Tony Garofalo became the youngest trainer in the major leagues when the Chicago Cubs hired him away from the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. In Part 4 of 4, Tony discusses:
- the top 3 highlights of his career
- how his faith influenced his career
- career regrets
- advice for people who want to become athletic trainers
Tony wraps up his 4-part series in grand style. His honest and forthright comments concerning his career are words of wisdom for younger athletic trainers seeking to advance to the highest level of their profession.
Tony Garofalo went from a volunteer high school trainer to becoming the youngest head trainer in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs. He shares his story, and in Part 3 of 4 Tony discusses:
- how the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) was formed
- his role in founding PBATS and his continued contributions to it
- heart-warming stories of be-friended Cubs players, including Bobby Mercer and Bruce Sutter
When many of today's athletes are concerned about their next contract or promotional gig, Tony's stories of some great Cubs' players restore your confidence in athletes who are generous and compassionate.
Tony Garofalo, who went from a volunteer high school trainer to the head athletic trainer for the Chicago Cubs, continues his "Building with Brick" interview with Dr. Joe Brickner (www.drjoebrickner.com) with Part 2 of 4. In Part 2, Tony talks about:
- how he moved from a college student trainer at Benedictine College (KS) to the athletic trainer (AT) for the Cardinals' Sarasota Rookie League team
- what and who he experienced at the Cardinals' AA farm club in Arkansas
- how he became a candidate for the head trainer job for the Chicago Cubs and how he eventually became the youngest AT in the major leagues
- how athletic training has drastically changed over the past few years
If you are a baseball fan, especially if you are a Cardinals or Cubs fan, you will not want to miss this podcast. Tony shares behind the scenes things that only he would know, and how, as a native St. Louisan, he was received back at Busch Stadium when he returned with a Cubs uniform on.
Part 2 of this podcast builds the foundation for the stories Tony will tell in Parts 3 and 4 of his relationships with many players whom the average fan will recognize. A number of these stories are truly inspiring and will restore confidence in the character of some of our athletic heroes.
Tony Garofalo went from a volunteer high school manager/trainer to becoming the head athletic trainer for the Chicago Cubs for more than a decade. In this interview Tony tells his story and shares the lessons he learned along the way. He also shares experiences he had with major league baseball players who not only benefited from his athletic training expertise, but also became good friends of his.
In Part 1 of 4 of Tony's "Building with Brick" podcast Tony talks about:
- his early sports experience and where he got his competitive spirit
- progressing from high school to college to professional baseball as an athletic trainer
- why and how he chose Athletic Training as a career path
- his mentors along the way
Tony is now semi-retired, but still works with physicians to help people who are in need of the training expertise he developed over 40+ years.
International Journalist Mike Tharp culminates his in-depth "Building with Brick" interview with Dr. Joe Brickner in Part 4 of 4, discussing the following:
- how 16.5 years of Catholic Education formed his work ethic
- where his faith life is today after all of his war zone experience
- his latest fight with bone marrow cancer
- advice for a journalism career & recommended schools of journalism
- advice for pursuing a coaching career
Mike is very candid in addressing the above five topics, and the viewer/listener will benefit significantly from Mike's take on journalism today after over 50 years in a writing career with some of the top newspapers and magazines in the world. Mike Tharp has truly lived an exciting and challenging life, but is now facing his biggest confrontation yet with his latest cancer diagnosis.
In Part 3 of 4 of this interview international journalist Mike Tharp discusses:
- his experience in North Korea
- how basketball was intertwined in his writing/reporting career
- the effect agent orange has had on him personally
- the lessons he learned from being in six war zones during his career
Mike continues to share interesting as well as humorous stories of experiences he had while reporting for major newspapers and magazines in foreign countries. He shares the lessons he learned by being exposed to the military and our foreign enemies as well as allies. He talks about the personal relationships that were forged by his various assignments, and how those relationships have survived over these many years.
International Journalist Mike Tharp returns for Part 2 (of 4) of Coach Joe Brickner’s “Building with Brick – Foundational Wisdom on Coaching, Careers, and Christ” audio podcast. In Part 2 Mike discusses:
· Coaches who influenced his journalism career the most
· Lessons from sports that most influenced his writing
· His take on today’s journalists
· How playing basketball in foreign countries enhanced his understanding of foreign cultures
Tharp was a writer for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other prestigious papers and magazines during his 50 year journalism career. His experience and experiences are unique, and he shares some of those with the audience in each of his four weekly podcasts. The wisdom he has gained and shares is so worth the time it takes to listen to his interview. It will make you long for news reporters from days gone by!
Mike's testimony will make you appreciate just how influential a coach or mentor can be to the success of those they coach/mentor. His story is just one example of how sports coaches can stimulate success in non-athletic careers.
Episode 9 of "Building with Brick" takes a little different twist. Instead of highly successful athletes who have pursued an athletic career, this Episode highlights the journalism career of a former star athlete. Part 1 develops the background information showing how athletics, and basketball in particular, shaped international journalist Mike Tharp's drive to be the best he could be. Parts 2 through 4 go into the depth of his journalism career, including his time in six different war zones and how that affected his health mentally, physically and spiritually. If you hare pursuing or are entrenched in a career outside of athletics, this one is for you. Even those following an athletic career will benefit from the wisdom Mike shares as he describes how his coaches and later his international teammates expanded his view of the world and his place in it.
In Part 1 of 4 Mike talks about:
- Who influenced him to excel
- Where he got his competitive spirit from
- How he became part of a college national championship team as a walk-on
- How his high school and college teammates became life-long friends
From Topeka, Kansas to Tokyo, Japan and around the world, Mike Tharp has lived a treasured life in the field of journalism. Tune in and grab a piece of his wisdom.
In Part 4 (of 4) Richard Konzem, former Sr. Associate Athletic Director at Kansas University, discusses three main topics:
- how his faith influenced how he managed his job
- how his job effected his family life
- how he hires people based on a set of principles he has developed
This final Part completes the interview series with an extraordinary leader. Going from a farm boy to twice being the interim AD at one of the most prestigious athletic universities in the country, Richard has shared his experiences with us and gives us key principles by which we can approach our careers. He also shares his "Hiring Principles" college class's PowerPoint slides with the audience so that listeners can implement these principles in their own jobs. The class slides can be found on Dr. Brickner's website on the "Free Resources" page, Free Resources - Dr. Joe Brickner (drjoebrickner.com).
In Part 3 of 4 of the Richard Konzem series, KU Sr. Assoc. AD Konzem addresses:
- how he approaches a new position of authority
- things he did at Benedictine College and Rockhurst University as their Athletic Director to make an impact on their athletic programs
- his favorite memorabilia in his basement "museum"
- the importance of building relationships when pursuing an athletic administration career
- adjustments from going from an athletic administrator to being a coach
This one is really fun. Former KU Sr. Associate Athletic Director Konzem shares his experiences working with Roy Williams, Bill Self and a myriad of football coaches at the University of Kansas while he was at KU. He shares interesting stories of hiring Coach Williams as well as the moment he realized Coach Williams was leaving for North Carolina.
Richard also shares with the audience his favorite assignments at KU as well as his least favorite job there.
This session is entirely about KU. Jayhawk fans (and opponents) should really enjoy the inside stories.
Richard Konzem lived his dream. He grew up in Kansas and rose from being the University of Kansas track manager as a freshman in college to being the top assistant Athletic Director at KU . He was a finalist for the KU AD job twice, and later became the Athletic Director at Benedictine College and Rockhurst University. He's currently the Golf Coach at Rockhurst for both the men's and the women's golf teams.
In Part 1 of 4 of the interview podcast, Richard shares his early boyhood interest in sports, and how getting cut from the freshman basketball team actually spawned his long and successful career in athletic administration. He walks us through how he was mentored as a student by a famous coach and an assistant AD at KU, and how he landed his first job at KU after getting a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California.
In Part 1 Richard talks about his mentors personally and how they shaped his management style when he ascended to levels of authority. He also describes how his farm background shaped his mentality for striving for excellence. He has an amazing success story to share that is both educational and entertaining.
John Brown, a 1973 Mizzou All-American and 1st Round Pick of the Atlanta Hawks, returns for final part of Coach Joe Brickner’s “Building with Brick – Foundational Wisdom on Coaching, Careers, and Christ” video and audio podcast. In Part 4 John discusses:
· How his faith played a role in his career and personal life
· His business success after retiring form pro basketball
· Any regrets and his encounter with Calvin Murphy
· Coaching as an occupational option
· His advice for young coaches
Part 3 of 4 of John Brown, Altanta Hawk 1st Round Pick
John Brown, a 1973 All-American from Missouri, returns for Part 3 of 4 of Coach Joe Brickner’s “Building with Brick – Foundational Wisdom on Coaching, Careers, and Christ” video and audio podcast. In Part 3 John discusses:
· Some of his favorite teammates, including Pete Maravich
· NBA Players that made plays
· The change in today’s NBA game
· Why he kept playing after his pro career ended
John Brown – Mizzou All-American, Olympian, Atlanta Hawks’ 1st Round Pick
In Part 2 of 4 John Discusses:
- Coaching differences at the high school, college and pro levels
- The 1972 Olympics
- His European Pro Experience
- How he Invested his pro earnings
John Brown was a 1973 graduate of the University of Missouri who was an All-American, Olympian, and a first-round selection in the NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He made the all-NBA Rookie team his first year and was a multi-year starter for the Hawks. He eventually finished his career playing three years in the top Italian League. John grew up in Dixon, a small Missouri town where he led his undefeated high school team to a state championship. He was recruited to Mizzou by legendary coach Norm Stewart, who helped John become a 1973 College All-American. He was a starter on the 1972 Olympic team before a serious ankle injury prevented him from playing with the team in Munich. He was drafted by the Hawks by Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, who had lost John on the recruiting trail while Cotton was the coach at Kansas State University. He later played for another legendary coach, Hubie Brown, who replaced Cotton at Atlanta.
John had his jersey number, 50, retired at Mizzou in 2019, and it is now a permanent fixture in the rafters at Mizzou Arena. After retiring from professional basketball, John continued playing the game he loves in age-division AAU tournaments, where he himself became a legend!
John also has been an extremely successful businessman. He started his own construction company in Rolla, Mo., and he has grown it into one of the largest apartment and condominium builders, owners, and administrators in the region.
In the exclusive podcast with Dr. Joe Brickner on Joe’s “Building with Brick” podcast, John shares his story and the highlights of his successful basketball and business career. The four-part series gives you a glimpse into the life of a successful basketball player who is even a better person.
John graciously wrote the Foreword to Dr. Brickner’s book, “So, You want to be a Coach…” John and Joe were long-time AAU teammates after John’s pro career ended, and share a strong belief in the right way to play the game, as well as the right way to live your life.
Coach Joe Brickner provides his personal analysis of the Elite Eight NCAA games and projects what some of the keys will be to winning in the Final Four. His team by team analysis breaks down the positives and negatives of each team. He also projects the winners of Saturday's games, and who will take home the National Championship trophy (and why) on Monday night.
In Episode 5, Part 4 of 4, Coach Larry Holley, on Dr. Joe Brickner’s “Building with Brick” podcast, continues to share his 51 years of coaching experience with the audience. In Part 4 Coach Holley, one of the top ten winningest men’s college basketball coaches in history, talks about:
· any career regrets
· how his wives handled being a coach’s wife
· what he is doing now to stay close to the game
· why he wanted to be a coach & advice to young coaches
· his plans to write a book
In Part 3 Coach Holley discusses:
· his recruiting strategy and network
· his take on the “Players Make Plays” concept
· the hurdles he encountered taking his college from NAIA Division 1 to NCAA Division 2
Holley was named the head coach of the William Jewell College men's basketball program in the spring of 1979 and was a constant on the sideline until 2018, leading the Cardinals to unparalleled success. At the helm of the Jewell program, he owns 832 wins, 12 conference championships, twenty-five 20-win seasons, including 14 with 25 or more wins, and topped the 30-win plateau four times. In addition, he has coached 17 players to 24 NAIA All-America selections. He has also led the Cardinals to 14 NAIA National Tournament appearances, including three Elite Eights and four Final Fours.
Off the court, Holley served as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education for more than 35 years, started the annual tradition of the High School Holiday Classic, which recently completed its 40th edition. He began the well-respected Cardinal Basketball camps in the summer of 1980, and helped spearhead the start of the William Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame, which has now inducted more than 150 individuals and teams. Perhaps most impressive however, is that more than 96 percent of his fourth-year players have earned a William Jewell degree.
Over the course of his 49-year career as a collegiate head coach he won 919 games, making him the winningest coach in the state of Missouri and ninth all-time among men's coaches at all levels of collegiate basketball. He surpassed Bob Knight in February 2018. In addition, he has been inducted into five halls of fame and is a 15-time Coach of the Year, including the Sears/NABC NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1996 and the 2018 Kansas City Sports Commission Coach of the Year.
Coach Larry Holley, a member of five different Halls of Fame, coached for 51 years, 49 of them at the college level. He was a head college men's basketball coach for 47 years and won 919 games, placing him 9th on the all-time list for NAIA, NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3 coaches. His teams had twenty-five 20-win seasons, including 14 with 25 or more wins, and topped the 30-win plateau four times.
In Part 2 of 4 Coach Holley discusses:
• who his coaching mentors were and what he learned from them
• what tactical strategies he used early in his career vs. later in his career
• how his faith influenced the way he coached
• if he had ever been ejected from a game over his 51 year career
Hall of Fame Coach Larry Holley was the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. His 919 career wins make him one of only 10 four-year college coaches (NCAA and NAIA) to amass 900 career wins. He is currently in ninth place all-time in total career wins.
In Part 1 Coach Holley talks about:
- where he developed his competitive nature
- his success in high school as a student-athlete
- how he made his college choice
- why he went into coaching after college
Coach Holley's teams won 20 games in a season 24 times and posted both a 45-game conference winning streak and a 43-game home court winning streak. Four times his teams won 30 or more games in a season, and his teams reached the NAIA Final Four four times.
Larry's teams won 11 Conference Championships and he received 14 Coach of the Year awards. He has been inducted into the William Jewell College Athletic Hall of Fame, the Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the NAIA Hall of Fame.
Larry joined William Jewell as head men's basketball coach for the 1979–80 season after coaching four years at Northwest Missouri University, six years at Central Methodist College and one year at Harrisburg Missouri High School.
Off the court, Larry served as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education for more than 35 years. He started the annual High School Holiday Classic, which recently completed its 40th edition, as well as the well-respected Cardinal Basketball camps in the summer of 1980. Coach Holley helped spearhead the start of the William Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame, which has now inducted more than 150 individuals and teams. More than 96 percent of his fourth-year players earned a William Jewell degree.
Coach Holley is a native of Jameson, Missouri.
Coach Brickner delays his podcast with NAIA Hall of Fame Coach Larry Holley one week in order to spend one episode talking about Coach Chic Downing the teammate, the coach, the friend. Chic passed away February 22.
Chic was an unbelievable athlete (High School & College Basketball All-American) and a Hall of Fame high school basketball coach. He acted as Coach Brickner's assistant coach for Coach B's first two years at Benedictine and helped change the direction of Raven basketball. In this episode Dr. B talks about:
- his relationship with Chic over the years and how their friendship grew
- Sharing a number of stories that probably only he and Chic knew about
- honoring his longtime friend and fellow coach emphasizing that there was much more to Chic than his record of accomplishments
Chic Downing was an amazing person who touched many lives. He is a Kansas legend, and will be missed by many. May God bless his soul.
In Part 4 Ohio High School Hall of Fame Coach Bob Seggerson completes his interview with Coach Brickner discussing:
- how he dealt with potential scholarship players and their parents
- how did you use your assistant coaches and managers
- his opinion on creating a difficult playing schedule for his teams
- how he got into writing a weekly article for the local newspaper, The Lima News
- giving Coach Brickner permission to publish his "50 things learned as a high school coach" on Coach B's website (www.drjoebrickner.com)
In wrapping up his final session with Dr. Brickner, Coach Seg continues to share the wisdom he gained over 32 years as a head boys high school basketball coach. His stories and shared experiences are of the quality that the listener will retain for a long time. The listener, at the conclusion of the series, will certainly understand why Coach Bob Seggerson achieved the results he did and became a Hall of Fame inductee.
In Part 3 Coach Seggerson talks about:
how his wife, Janie, dealt with being the spouse of a high school coach
how his faith was incorporated into his coaching
the concept of "Players Make Plays"
his perception of the differences in coaching in high school vs. college
Bob expounds upon these items with stories/actual experiences he encountered throughout his 32 year coaching career at Lima Central Catholic High School in Lima, Ohio. As always, Coach Seg is entertaining.
Bob Seggerson is a member of the Ohio High School Basketball Hall of Fame and the former coach of Lima Central Catholic high school in Lima, Ohio. Coach Seg won 518 games in 32 years at LCC including the state championship in win #518. In January, 2021, LCC named its basketball court after Coach Seggerson.
In Part 2 of 4 of the series Coach Seg talks about:
- college coaching career opportunities
- dealing with parents as a coach
- how he dealt with losing 5 games by a total of 8 points in the Ohio High School Final Four before winning the state championship on the last possession.
Bob Seggerson, a member of the Ohio High School Hall of Fame as the coach of Lima Central Catholic High School Thunderbirds, won 518 games at LCC over the span of his 32 year career. He took teams to the final 4 six times, losing five of those games by a total of 8 points. Finally, on his 518th win, in story-book fashion, he brought home the Ohio State Basketball Championship trophy.
In part 1 of this 4-part series, Bob first talks about where he got his competitive edge as a youngster growing up in Lima, Ohio. He shares his journey to eventually receiving a full scholarship to St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, where St. Joe's belonged to one of the best NCAA Division 2 conferences in the country. His recruiting stories will have you laughing at how some of the coaches tried to impress Bob's parents. He finishes up the first segment by talking about the lessons he learned from his coach at St. Joe's as well as other coaches who had an impact on his coaching philosophy.
In subsequent sessions with Bob he will share his college coaching opportunities and why he chose to stay at LCC, his reaction to the 5 losses by a total of 8 points on the biggest stage in Ohio basketball, how his wife dealt with being a coach's wife for all those years, how his Catholic faith was involved in his coaching experience, how he dealt with parents as a high school coach, how and why he became a journalist writing a weekly basketball column for the local Lima News newspaper, among other things.
If you are a young coach , if you have children playing or getting ready to play high school sports, or if you just enjoy hearing about the ups and downs of someone who has a passion for their career choice, this 4-part series with Bob Seggerson is one you will not want to miss!
In part 4 of 4, Ken discusses his views on a number of the concepts espoused in Coach Brickner's book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." Ken, an author himself, then talks about the children's books he has published and his latest baseball novel. He shares the story of his initiation into writing and gives a quick listing of some of his previous books. He also provides the listener with a way to purchase his books. And as expected from experiencing Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series, Part 4 ends in laughter.
In Part 3 of 4 Ken talks about:
- A coach's spouse's role
- Being fired
- Coach Brickner's 3F Model for Success.
He relates how his wife adjusted to his role as a coach in the minor leagues, the sacrifices required and what affect being married to a coach has on a marriage. Kenny also answers the question "Have you ever been fired?" and talks a little about Dr. Brickner's 3F Model for Success.
Part 3 is shorter than the first two parts of the interview, but no less entertaining.
Ken Berry describes his experience as a baseball player, coach, manager, and tutor over a 37 year career in professional baseball. In Part 2 Ken talks about the day the White Sox moved him from third base to the outfield, and the hilarious "first day" with his new outfield coach. He also discusses the "Players make Plays" concepts and who were some of his players that he coached that did that for him. He briefly describes his way of developing the whole person instead of just the baseball player, and how his Christian faith guided him.
An in-depth interview with Ken Berry, former Chicago White Sox All-star centerfielder and two-time Gold Glove winner. Topics include Ken's early years of high school sports and how he was able to break into pro baseball, his mentors along the way, and his coaching experiences and principles as a pro-baseball manager. Entertaining stories are shared as well as lessons learned as a player and as a coach.
Ken talks about parts of Dr. Joe Brickner's book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." and his reaction to the book. He also talks about making a career choice to coach and how he was brought to Christ during his coaching days.
Baseball fans in particular, and sports fans in general, will not only enjoy Ken's comments but also take home some nuggets of wisdom from Kenny's appearance on "Building with Brick - Foundational Wisdom on Coaching, Careers, and Christ."
In this initial episode, Dr. Brickner discusses why he decided to create a video podcast based on his book, "So, You want to be a Coach..." His intention is to have a monthly video podcast with a guest coach, business leader, or spiritual leader. They will discuss the concepts and principles outlined in his book, getting the perspective of the interviewee. They will also discuss the interviewee's experiences in the sports or business world, exploring the role that their Christian faith plays in how they coach, manage and/or lead.