The Assistant
Hello and welcome to The Assistant. So many of the great podcasts I listen to feature the very best head coaches, leading actors and CEO’s of companies. I learn a ton from all of them. However, who is helping these top performers in their field on a daily basis? What about the behind the scenes geniuses who are helping to run the show out of the public eye? My thought is… let’s dive down a little deeper into these professions and interview those who are just “below the top” of their fields and find out what it takes to be a great Assistant. Learn about the people who understatedly keep teams and organizations functioning. Learn about the aspiring leader paying their dues. There is always the leader front and center but there are many more folks who not only make each system run fluidly, but also aspire to one day be a “Head Coach” themselves. We will chat with top “Assistants” on many topics and find out what it takes to be great at it.Damian DiGiuliandamian.becker@gmail.com
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Episodes
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
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
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
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
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
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
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
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
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