The Assistant

UVM's Brad Cole on the Journey to a Title

Damian interviews University of Vermont associate head soccer coach Brad Cole. Brad shares his coaching journey, which started at UVM where he played and continued coaching after graduation. His experiences include a coaching internship in England, roles at Cornell University, and the University of Portland before returning to Vermont. They discuss the differences in coaching styles and youth development between the US and Europe, strategies for molding winning teams, and the importance of mentorship. Brad also reflects on UVM's remarkable season culminating in their first Division I national championship, emphasizing the community support, the players' dedication, and maintaining grounded despite immense success.
 
Topics
00:30 Meet Brad Cole: From Player to Coach
02:15 Coaching Journey: From Vermont to England
03:39 Insights from Coaching in England
10:28 Transitioning Back to the U.S. and Coaching at Cornell
17:04 Adapting to Different Coaching Environments
24:20 The Importance of Mentorship
24:55 Building a Network of Trusted Advisors
25:50 Transitioning from Mentee to Mentor
29:15 Handling Success and Its Challenges
33:49 The Pressure of Sustained Success
36:38 Creating a Winning Culture
41:59 Balancing Intensity and Relaxation
43:59 Final Thoughts and Social Media

Rutgers Field Hockey: The Journey of Assistant Coaches

The guests are Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal, assistant coaches from the prominent Rutgers University field hockey program. The guests share insights on their extensive coaching journeys from the UK, South Africa, and various points in the United States, including collegiate, national, and international levels. They discuss the differences in coaching between men and women's field hockey, adapting coaching techniques, and the importance of mentorship. The episode highlights the value of diverse coaching experiences and the impact of supportive environments in developing coaching skills.
 
Topics
 
00:24 Meet the Guests: Phil Edwards and Ajay Dhadwal
08:06 Challenges and Insights in Coaching Field Hockey
13:38 Differences in Coaching Men and Women
18:31 The European Coaching Model vs. The U.S. Model
23:55 Mentorship and Learning from Different Experiences
32:16 The Importance of Mentorship in Coaching
37:53 Fun Stories and Recommendations
43:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Building Pathways and Culture with Topher Scott

Damian interviews Topher Scott, founder of the Hockey Think Tank and prominent figure in ice hockey development. They explore Scott's transition from player to coach, his experiences working at esteemed programs like Cornell University and the University of Michigan, and the importance of building a strong team culture. Scott shares insights into his career path, mentorship, and the trials of starting his own business. The conversation offers valuable advice for young assistants aiming to rise through the ranks in their respective fields.
 
Topics
 
00:29 Meet Topher Scott: Ice Hockey Development Expert
01:48 Topher's Coaching Journey Begins
03:55 Finding Your Voice as a Young Coach
05:28 Building Relationships with Players
09:16 Lessons from Coaching at Cornell
17:19 Transitioning Out of College Coaching
21:11 Passion for Team Culture
23:05 Lessons from Running a Business
24:45 Role at Michigan and Team Building
29:53 Importance of Mentorship
36:26 Favorite Books and Fun Stories
40:29 Closing Remarks and Music

Kim Weiss of the Colorado Eagles

Damian interviews Kim Weiss, the video coach for the Colorado Eagles of the AHL and a pioneering female presence in men's ice hockey coaching. Kim discusses her rapid career progression, starting from her playing days at Trinity College to her current role. She shares insights into her coaching journey, the challenges and rewards of being a woman in a predominantly male field, and the importance of mentorship. Listeners will learn about Kim's proactive mindset, how she found her voice in a male-dominated arena, and her experience in the NHLCA Female Coaches Program. The episode also delves into the critical skills that make a good assistant coach and the significance of building trust and relationships with players and head coaches.Topics00:30 Meet Kim Weiss: A Trailblazer in Men's Ice Hockey02:11 Kim's Coaching Journey Begins03:40 Transition to Junior Hockey and the Men's Game05:22 The Importance of Saying Yes and Learning09:45 Finding Your Voice as a Coach14:37 The Role of a Good Assistant Coach19:26 Joining Trinity College's Men's Program22:33 Taking a Chance: Landing the Assistant Job23:30 Adjusting to Coaching College Men24:11 Building Trust with the Team26:34 Transitioning to a Video Coach Role35:57 The Importance of Mentorship40:01 Fun Stories and Final Thoughts

UConn’s Morgan Valley: From Player to Assistant Coach

In this episode of 'The Assistant', Damian chats with Morgan Valley, assistant coach for the UConn women's basketball team and former player who was part of three national championship teams. The discussion highlights Morgan's journey from a player to a coaching role, her transition from UConn to other programs, and back to UConn. Morgan shares insights on mentorship, the importance of maintaining relationships, and her experiences as both an assistant coach and head coach. They also discuss the culture of excellence at UConn and how it influences the dynamics within the team and coaching strategies. Lastly, Morgan reveals some personal stories and tips for cultivating successful relationships as both a coach and player.Topics00:31 Meet Morgan Valley: Basketball Royalty03:41 From Player to Coach: Morgan's Journey06:45 Networking and Relationships in Coaching15:31 Mentorship and Guidance22:09 Transitioning to Head Coach27:12 Returning to UConn: New Challenges30:34 Favorite Books, Podcasts, and Stories35:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Welcome to The Assistant!

In the inaugural episode of 'The Assistant,' host Damian DiGiulian sits down with his very first assistant coach hire, Jeff Hill, currently a goaltending development coach for the Utah hockey club in the NHL. Jeff shares his journey in the coaching world, from starting at Rice Memorial High School with only nine players to moving up the ranks at Culver Military Academy. He later returned to his alma mater, the University of Vermont, where he navigated a coaching change during the pandemic. Jeff discusses his experiences working under different head coaches, learning the importance of mentorship, and finding his voice as a coach. The episode ends with a story about Jeff frequently being detained at the Canadian border due to a namesake with a criminal record. The show concludes with a musical feature from Chicago artist Lily Drury.Topics00:00 Introduction to The Assistant Podcast00:39 Meet the First Guest: Jeff Hill02:06 Jeff Hill's Coaching Journey Begins05:55 From Volunteer to Full-Time Coach at UVM09:57 Navigating the Transition from Player to Coach26:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Coach27:02 Finding Your Voice in Coaching29:30 Transitioning Between Head Coaches30:18 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic38:22 Mentorship and Its Importance40:50 Lessons from Challenging Situations46:09 Book and Podcast Recommendations: Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning: https://a.co/d/aB1aZhp48:06 Funny Coaching Stories49:10 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLily Drury on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/64N8LfiRByOaKGR00gNgWw?si=-a3yGmZ2TyOagcAEgoxDkQ