1 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: Hey, welcome to All Ball. I'm Doug Gottlieban. This week's 2 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: guest is I think you're really Aroangana is the head 3 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:19,680 Speaker 1: coach at Hawaii. He had a really fascinating life before 4 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,319 Speaker 1: becoming the head coach at uh Manoa and we're gonna 5 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: talk about it. From being a growing up in Jersey. 6 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: Is the son twin son of immigrants, going to Swarthmore, 7 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: playing for a legendary coach and then shutting what you 8 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: would think would be a six figure job on Wall 9 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: Street in finance to go and be a volunteer assistant 10 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: at St. Mary's and uh live in a living a, 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: you know, like a two bedroom house which he had 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: a a car repode and ultimately becomes the head coach 13 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: uh Manoah. Like, that's a really interesting tale. Plus some 14 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: of the things he's learned along the way a coach 15 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: or two that he admires. I think you'll enjoy our conversation. 16 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: We have got a chance to see a little bit 17 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: of the NBA, and of course I'm fascinated by the 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,199 Speaker 1: Lakers and what Lebron looks like. And I told people 19 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: when he signed there, look at their roster and look 20 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: at how he played in the NBA Finals and he 21 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 1: was Garden Draymond Green. You're gonna want to try and 22 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: find a mismatch for Lebron James as he creeps into 23 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: his mid thirties. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he 24 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: plays a good amount of center. They play small ball. 25 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 1: And the one mistake that people make about the Lakers 26 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: is they take last year and they say, that's what 27 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: Josh Harden is, That's what Brandon Ingram is, That's what 28 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 1: a Lonzo ball is. Young older players, um, they get 29 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:41,760 Speaker 1: to be role players. They are what they are until 30 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 1: they lose a step and they're out of the league. 31 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: But younger players, especially with the player development that they 32 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: have with the Lakers, they're gonna improve. And so on paper, 33 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 1: it looks like this is not a good enough shooting team. 34 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: Rondo Land, Stevenson, Javail. They bring toughness and experience and 35 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: a couple have a championship pedigree, but they don't bring shooting, 36 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,600 Speaker 1: and he needs shooting around Lebron James. Well, a couple 37 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: of things. One, I think Lebron will make them a 38 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: better shooter because if he's playing four, he's playing five. 39 00:02:08,080 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: He's just a tremendous passer and his ball dominance. People 40 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: gravitating towards him creates open shots. Secondly, they're going to 41 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 1: prove because the longer in the league, the better shooter 42 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 1: you become. But while everyone's paying attention to the Lakers, 43 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: I'm fascinated by the South. I don't know. Maybe it's 44 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: because he's wider. He played in Utah. Uh. We seem 45 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: to have forgotten how good Gordon Hayward was as an 46 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,239 Speaker 1: All Star in the West before became the biggest free 47 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 1: agent on the market two years ago. But Kyrie didn't 48 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 1: get a chance for a full training camp with the 49 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: Celtics last year. He does this year, and he wasn't 50 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 1: fully healthy last year he is this year. You had 51 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: two All Stars and Kyrie, a guy who's a top 52 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 1: ten player, to a team that went to the Eastern 53 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: Conference Finals Game seven. Make a shot they probably win. 54 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,480 Speaker 1: I think people are under selling just how close the 55 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 1: Celtics are in proximity to the Warriors, who won't be 56 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 1: complete until they add to Marcus Cousins. And let's be honest, 57 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: when they add to Marcus Cousins, if he's gonna play 58 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter, they're not playing small ball. They 59 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:16,080 Speaker 1: can't switch everything changes who they are. We'll also cover 60 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: a little bit um the scandal in college basketball and 61 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 1: the testimony which we're seeing in this federal grand jury testimony. 62 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 1: But uh, without further Ado, let's get to our conversation 63 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: this week on All Ball with Iron gan Ut all Right, 64 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: the Elball podcasts that continues on. I wanted to not 65 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: only preview his basketball program, but he's got a fascinating 66 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: kind of life story and life journey that's that's led 67 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 1: him to being the fourth year is all right, fourth 68 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: year head coach at Hawaii. Man, it just it does 69 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: seem like yesterday where we were in the second round 70 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: the n s A tournament in Spokane, Washington, hanging out 71 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 1: getting ready as they had upset. It was supposedly an 72 00:03:57,240 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: upset against Cal, but it's a beatdown against cow for 73 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 1: the lost in the second round. He's aronn He joins 74 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: us here in the All Ball podcast, Aron, how are you? 75 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: I'm doing great? Another perfect day in paradise. Can't complain? Yeah, 76 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 1: what what what is it really like? I mean, for 77 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: for a guy from the States and you, you know, 78 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 1: you grew up in Jersey, went to college in the 79 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,240 Speaker 1: East Coast for heading out to the West Coast and 80 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: working for Randy Bennett. What is it like every day 81 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 1: to wake up in Honolulu. I don't want to sound 82 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: to cliche, but it is living with the dream. I 83 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 1: mean you're doing what you love, where you love, with 84 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: people you love. Nothing better. You know, I was so 85 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: loyal and still and to Jersey. Um it's a little different. Um, 86 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: I love Jersey, but no, why it's pretty nice now. 87 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: There are there are challenges with Hawaii basketball right, Like 88 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: there's some budgetary issues with with the entire athletic department. 89 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: But also there's this there's this sense that hey, we 90 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: can get everybody to visit any who doesn't want to 91 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 1: visit Hawaii. What's the actual like can you bring anybody in? 92 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: What's what's the limitations on how many kids you can 93 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: actually bring in the campus? Well, as you know, we 94 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:04,919 Speaker 1: can only get twelve business I think you get twenty 95 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:06,680 Speaker 1: four now. A couple of years ago they changed you 96 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: can have twenty four official visits over a two year period, 97 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 1: so you can vary it, whereas before it was only 98 00:05:11,760 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: twelve per year. But yeah, I don't know if it's 99 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,800 Speaker 1: that difficult to bring certain guys on business. Um, like 100 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,360 Speaker 1: you said, there are some challenges here, but I think 101 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: we put all our time and energy into the great 102 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: things we have going on because we do have a 103 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 1: lot to sell, program that's got a lot of momentum, 104 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 1: a state that's unbelievable with great people. So I think 105 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 1: it's an exciting time right now to be here. Let's 106 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,600 Speaker 1: go back to to your childhood because it's it's not 107 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 1: like that. It's not like mine, right, Like, you didn't 108 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,800 Speaker 1: grow up grew up in a basketball household. Uh yeah, 109 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:46,719 Speaker 1: you have a twin brother and Um, your dad immigrated 110 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: to the United States from Romania, your mom immigrated from Israel. 111 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:53,360 Speaker 1: What was it like? Where was it Tenafly? Is that 112 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 1: where you grew up? Yeah, a small town, and so 113 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 1: we're actually my brother and I were born in Philly 114 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 1: and then went to Bergenfield, New Jersey, and then basically 115 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: moved to ten of Fining eighty seven, So I kind 116 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: of grew up there. I went to elementary school and 117 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 1: middle school, high school, and then after graduating went over 118 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: to you know, Swarthmore College, which is only about two 119 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 1: hours away in terms of a drive. So I spent 120 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: our years formertive years growing up in Jersey of an 121 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: older sister, younger sister, a really low key family. It 122 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: was a low key city, a great city where people 123 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: kind of knew each other and uh, about twenty minutes 124 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: from New York City, but it was very much an 125 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: East Coast guy and basically felt like East Coast was 126 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 1: why at the time, um, Swarthmore is a great not 127 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: good like I'm I'm not under selling it when I 128 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:43,400 Speaker 1: say it's one of the premier liberal arts, private liberal 129 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,600 Speaker 1: arts schools in the country, isn't it. Yeah? I know, 130 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: it was very clear when you know I had been 131 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:51,160 Speaker 1: recruited there and kind of with the background I had 132 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:52,920 Speaker 1: that that was where I was going to go, especially 133 00:06:52,960 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 1: when I didn't have as much say and my parents 134 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: knew about how good the school was and that's where 135 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 1: you're going. But I really appreciate it there. I met 136 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 1: a lot of life and friends, great professors, played for 137 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 1: a really good coach, a guy who's a mentor to me, 138 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 1: somebody talked to often still. But I really appreciate my time. 139 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: It's worth Moore, who's that? Who did you played for? 140 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: It that I played for? Lee Wimberley who's retired to 141 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: winning his head coach there was there for about twenty 142 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: five years. Actually coached at Bellerman Prep in the late 143 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 1: early late seventies early eighties, and then was assistant coach 144 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 1: to Greg Povich for two years of Plmono Pitzer. That's amazing. 145 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: So what was he like as a coach? He was good. 146 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: He was you know, well balanced as a coach. I 147 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 1: learned a lot from him about you know, just cared 148 00:07:35,160 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 1: about the guys you know, on the court, off the court, 149 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: and academic, you want to shoot. His graduate from Stanford, 150 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: got his doctor and jurisprudence from cal Berkeley, and you know, 151 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: did take us sabbatical for a couple of years to 152 00:07:46,360 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 1: be the head scout for the Spurs before he came 153 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 1: back to Swarthmore to finish out his coaching career. So 154 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: just really valued how much he cared about myself and 155 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: all the guys. What did he run? What how did 156 00:07:57,160 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: you guys play? Now, he was big on scouting, so 157 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 1: we kind of mixed things up in terms of you know, 158 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: man played a lot of man, a lot of zo. 159 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: There was an offense he actually took a lot more sets, 160 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 1: you know, he took a lot. We even ran an 161 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: offense called egan after Hank Agan, who was with him 162 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: when they're working together for Pop in San Antonio. So 163 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 1: a little bit more of a structured system, you know 164 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 1: that it's the game has obviously changed, and shoot, that 165 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,880 Speaker 1: was almost twenty years ago, but in terms of the international, 166 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: the free flowing and so back then, it was more 167 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: of a set to set to set structure and mix 168 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: it up a little bit on d Alright, So how 169 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 1: good a player were you? I was. I started off 170 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: pretty well and got hurt. It didn't really play much 171 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: my last couple of years. But uh, pretty solid Division 172 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: three player, wasn't It wasn't that wasn't good enough to 173 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:50,080 Speaker 1: play Division one or anything. No, as you know how 174 00:08:50,120 --> 00:08:52,319 Speaker 1: it is. And shore we had four or five guys 175 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: go abroad like mid years. So you might start at 176 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: the two and by the second semester you might be 177 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 1: playing some four. And I'm only six two as you so. 178 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: But that was kind of the life of Division three basketball, 179 00:09:03,679 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: and especially at a liberal arts school. And you know, 180 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:09,439 Speaker 1: we only had four kids, but it was awesome and 181 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 1: prayed for very much the love of the game. I 182 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: thought our league was really good. My brother actually played 183 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: at Franklin Marshall for Gwen Robinson who was close to 184 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: a thousand wins right now. And you know programs like 185 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: Johns Hopkins and and Haverford and UM. You know, it's 186 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: just really good, good league with a lot of good programs. 187 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,760 Speaker 1: You've actually played against your twin brother in college. Oh yeah, 188 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: all four years. I don't know how we did against them? 189 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 1: How did you do? No? They were a powerhouse. You know. 190 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: It's great as Swarthmore now has become a you know 191 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 1: when bit to the tournament each of the last two years. 192 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,959 Speaker 1: I believe under Landry Becaumowski, who's if you remember, was 193 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: an assistant at Davidson UM. It was done a really 194 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:55,520 Speaker 1: good job there. And just to see a lot of 195 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:59,160 Speaker 1: those programs do well, it's been nice to follow from far. Okay, 196 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: see you get in oh three and you you got 197 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: you graduate and so what was your was your playing? 198 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:08,559 Speaker 1: What to go to Wall Street? Well? My back. So 199 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 1: even when I went to swarth where I knew it 200 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: was a good school, and if there was some one 201 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: percent chance that I you know, I love the game, 202 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:16,719 Speaker 1: I love being part of a team. I love to 203 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 1: compete and and I shoot a lot of it. It 204 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: was the academic school that's Warthmore was. But I saw 205 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: a coach Wimberley's background, I thought there was a good 206 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,719 Speaker 1: chance that I would want to continue to stay in 207 00:10:26,760 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: the game. He knew a lot of guys and they 208 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: end up working out for me. But my background, if 209 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: if the one percent chance that I didn't go into 210 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: and stay involved in basketball, that I would be set up. 211 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:40,559 Speaker 1: I had an economics background and most of my opportunities 212 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,439 Speaker 1: weren't investment banking. But yeah, as you know, and we 213 00:10:43,559 --> 00:10:45,599 Speaker 1: talked about before, I was really excited to get a 214 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: volunteer opportunity for Andy Ben at same areas. Okay, so, 215 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: but but but take me through kind of the timeline. 216 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 1: I mean, this is a great thing about what I 217 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,959 Speaker 1: want to do with this podcast is people like you 218 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:58,839 Speaker 1: your path to becoming a head coach and uh and 219 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 1: and you know, you won the Red Arbak Jewish College 220 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: Coach of the Year award a couple of years ago, 221 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: and I think it's just kind of fascinating. So you graduated, 222 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: like literally you walk in graduation. Did you come home 223 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: and try and figure out what you want to do? 224 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:16,040 Speaker 1: Were you getting ready to go work in finance? Did 225 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 1: you right away pack and go work for Randy? What 226 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: was the how did it actually work? So that stretch 227 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: was it was pretty clear. You know, you go through 228 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:25,959 Speaker 1: the anxiety, a little bit of hey, you know, I 229 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,199 Speaker 1: might have some opportunities, and I did in terms of 230 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: invest banking, but this might not be what I want 231 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: to do. It was clear that it wasn't what I want. 232 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 1: I wanted to be involved in the game. And so 233 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 1: how does the Division three guy get an opportunity to 234 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: get us foot in the door? I mean it started 235 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: with you know, emailed, which email was a lot bigger 236 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: than we and have some of the things. In terms 237 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: of communicating with coaches. I emailed and wrote a letter 238 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,599 Speaker 1: to all three and and fifty Division one coaches and 239 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:51,199 Speaker 1: I was blown away by the responses. I got some 240 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 1: guys um with advice, and it wasn't heck can I 241 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 1: It was more how would you advise someone like me 242 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,599 Speaker 1: who wants to, uh, you know, start this path And 243 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 1: a lot of guys recommended, you know, getting working camps 244 00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 1: and you know, just get in front of people. The 245 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 1: two things that stood out to me was film. Martelly 246 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: invited me to his office and they were about St. Joe's, 247 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 1: about twenty minutes from swarth Maurin, so I went up 248 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: and met with him and Lawrence Frank was the other 249 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,199 Speaker 1: one who I met up with him in his office. 250 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:22,560 Speaker 1: He was I went to tea Neck, which wasn't far 251 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,559 Speaker 1: from Tenafly where I grew up, in five minutes and 252 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 1: met with him into the office and he was the 253 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 1: third assistant with the nets at the time. And as 254 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 1: you know all the time, when you look back, you 255 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,719 Speaker 1: keep in touch with people, and Clippers were actually here, 256 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 1: you know, this week doing training camp. So it's fun 257 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: and I see coach Martelli and so that's how it started. 258 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,719 Speaker 1: Just worked. I worked Kentucky Camp, I worked Virginia, I 259 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: worked St. Joe's, I worked Villanova Cha Wright and I 260 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:51,200 Speaker 1: talked to him about that. So it's just that's how 261 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:53,679 Speaker 1: it started. And eventually, you know, it led me to 262 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: Randy Bennert hired me the phone through my college coach, 263 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 1: my college new coach, New coach Bennett, and he hired 264 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 1: me over the phone in August when things were looking 265 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 1: bleak as a volunteer and then I just kind of 266 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: grabbed my stuff and what I had and went over 267 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: there and he picked me up from the airport and 268 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 1: then here we go. Wait, what would your parents say 269 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 1: when you said, hey, I'm I have this this great degree. 270 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: Your parents, um are to successful educated immigrants who made 271 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 1: a life for you and your family, and you said, hey, 272 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: I'm gonna go work for free in Moraga, California. Uh, 273 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: for a private Jesuit school. Yeah. I think there was 274 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,319 Speaker 1: some disappointment there. There was a lot of concern. There 275 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: was a way we want to sit down and rethink this. 276 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: But I think they knew me pretty well to know 277 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 1: that even if we talk about this, this is clearly 278 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:46,599 Speaker 1: what he wants to do and he's going to chase it. 279 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: And so I and I think they finally changed the 280 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 1: two and maybe change there too, and maybe ten or 281 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: eleven years later. Um, okay, So so you get out 282 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 1: your Randy's there? Who else is on the staff when 283 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 1: you get there? Great staff, great players. I mean, it's 284 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 1: funny to look back and when I was sharing an 285 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,319 Speaker 1: office with Lamont Smith, who was obviously recently the head 286 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: coach San Diego is now at Utah. Across from us 287 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,360 Speaker 1: was CAYL Smith, who's been the head coach at Columbia 288 00:14:13,440 --> 00:14:16,599 Speaker 1: now San Francisco. And this is two thousand three, So 289 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,960 Speaker 1: what this is my sixteen sixteenth year coming up. Randy's 290 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: obviously still there, Dance Shallow who was one of our 291 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: assistants who's done a great job working with Fox and 292 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: im G since that time, and just Todd Golden wasn't 293 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 1: one of our players whose associate head coach at USF now, 294 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 1: So over the years, the amount of those are some 295 00:14:37,560 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 1: guys who emerged and running their own programs right now 296 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: and doing a great job with it. Didn't you have 297 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: your car repode when you're there? Actually I didn't really 298 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: have it. I didn't have a car. I mean, there 299 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 1: was a strate of my parents actually moved to Brazil 300 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: because my dad's work. They had a lease on this 301 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 1: car for about a month. They set it over and 302 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 1: you know that stuck paying paying the the last month. 303 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: I didn't really want it because I didn't have the 304 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: money to pay for it. So it's funny looking back 305 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: on it, but I was glad when that got out 306 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 1: of our system. Okay, and then but there wasn't there 307 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: a stretch though where you also you're at you're in 308 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 1: Hawaii as a director of ops, had that? When when 309 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 1: was that? So? I worked for three years as a 310 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: volunteer at St. Mary's, trying to you know, soak up 311 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 1: a lot of knowledge. And it was very much an 312 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: apprenticeship learning from those guys. But obviously you know you're volunteering. 313 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: I was able to make some extra money through camp, 314 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: build a good relationship with the people to cafeteria. Um. 315 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: That helped me out. Maybe felt bad for me and 316 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: then uh um, but then your life was simple. Then 317 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: I didn't mean much. I was just happy. I shoot, 318 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: I was trying to figure out how I could stay 319 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: for a fourth year at one point when clearly I 320 00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:48,680 Speaker 1: didn't have the funds to do it. But through that relationship. 321 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: It's funny because Randy Bennert hired me of the phone. 322 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: And then after year three there you know, I get 323 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 1: on with Riley Wallas and he hires me over the 324 00:15:55,880 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 1: phone and then I flew over there again with not 325 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:01,120 Speaker 1: much stuff. He picked me up from the airport and 326 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: so I spent four years there and with this my 327 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 1: second stint coaching, my third stint, coming back to same 328 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: areas for five years and then coming back obviously in 329 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: fifteen as the head coach. When it's a it's a 330 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: it's a crazy path and you inherited a program that 331 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: for people who don't remember, in your first year, the 332 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 1: n c A said that you're gonna be on probation 333 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: the year after your first year, and then all the 334 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: players were free to kind of transfer, which many of 335 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 1: many of them did. But you took that first team 336 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 1: that had some talent to the n c A Tournament. 337 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: You beat cow which is a loaded team, in the 338 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 1: first round of the n c A Tournament. Um okay, So, 339 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: and this is there's a lot of young basketball coaches. 340 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: I'm interested in it because I've interviewed for a couple 341 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: of jobs. The interview process at Hawaii. You had been 342 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 1: there before, but there's a you know this, there's years 343 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 1: in between, right, there's like eight years in between now 344 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: and not night years. There's uh, I'm gonna say like 345 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: five years in between right when you left there as 346 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: an assistant coach and when you be when you interviewed 347 00:16:58,040 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 1: to be the head coach. So you knew some people, 348 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: you knew the area very well, you knew a lot 349 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: of the different important people. How did you get the job? 350 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 1: In the interview here At the end of the day, 351 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 1: it's very competitive, as you know, and so you know, 352 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 1: I felt, you know, I had prepared, you know, the 353 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: learning from the ground up um, working for Riley Wallas, 354 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 1: working for Randy Man, working with the people I work with. 355 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 1: I just felt at the end of the day, I 356 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: had been ready for this position. I just had done 357 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 1: every aspect and I worked for guys who really empowered 358 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 1: you gave you a lot of responsibility. And then you 359 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 1: combine that with my knowledge of you know, hawaiety um, 360 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 1: what they were going through, kind of my background and 361 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: helping programs go through that, and I didn't think anybody 362 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 1: had as much passion as I did for not just 363 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 1: the job but the state, especially with what they were 364 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: going through. Like I wanted that challenge, and I think 365 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 1: it could have scared some people away, maybe because there 366 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: were some dark clouds that no one knew what would 367 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 1: end up happening. Of course, it wasn't very good when 368 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: we found out the clarity of what was going to happen, 369 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 1: but it kind of gravitated me more towards that. You know. 370 00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 1: I always set to people that you know, the dream 371 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,679 Speaker 1: job should be somewhere, in my opinion, where you kind 372 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 1: of played or coach, and so I had a lot 373 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 1: of my heart was into no affinity to to be there, 374 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:19,200 Speaker 1: but you know, I kind of I've been preparing it 375 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: since day one, So it wasn't It was kind of 376 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: work in the interview deal and speaking from the heart, 377 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 1: being very clear on what we're gonna do, how we're 378 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 1: going to do it. And you know, it's fortunate enough 379 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: to have the opportunity and I'm very grateful for that. 380 00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:37,160 Speaker 1: Your first day as head coach. Everybody, you know, every 381 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: anybody who's ever played and thinks about coaching has in 382 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:43,239 Speaker 1: their mind how they think they want to be, how 383 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: they think they want to talk to the team, the 384 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:47,879 Speaker 1: type of staff they want to put together. Well, in 385 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 1: your mind, how did you approach it? Well, there's an 386 00:18:52,359 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 1: old line like number one, have a plan. Number two 387 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: be flexible, And it basically became once I got there, 388 00:18:58,240 --> 00:19:01,199 Speaker 1: and be very flexible. I hadn't known a little bit 389 00:19:01,280 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 1: about what's going on. You have to imagine this is 390 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: a program at that time that was going through what 391 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,680 Speaker 1: a perfect storm in a in a really rough way, 392 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: and there's n c A clouds looming, there's off court issues, 393 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:15,680 Speaker 1: there's academic issues, um and here I come into that 394 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: and you only know so much from Afar, So I 395 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:23,480 Speaker 1: probably spent the first stretch really getting understanding what exactly 396 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:25,960 Speaker 1: what was going on, and then it became scratched that 397 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: plan and readjust and it just reconfirmed what you always 398 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 1: believe in in in the foundation and the culture. The 399 00:19:32,640 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: best thing I did, I think, was I spent the 400 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: first with all the pressure on recruiting and you know, 401 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: let's put it this way people, and I was like 402 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: this when they get an opportunity that you're thinking, build, build, build, 403 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: And it became clear that we needed to stabilize first, 404 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: which we've done and I'm really proud of, before we 405 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: can build. If we skipped steps, we would have been 406 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 1: in the same situation over and over again. So the 407 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: first couple of days were spent with in terms of relationships, 408 00:19:58,560 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: meeting people and and f into homes and if guys 409 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: are all over the country because we have a lot 410 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 1: of international players, to meet with these kids and their 411 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: families and get to know them and a lot. It 412 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: was really tough, but it was the best thing I 413 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: think we did. Um One of the things that I've 414 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,680 Speaker 1: that I learned about your style was you started early 415 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: morning workouts with the players and for a couple of 416 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,120 Speaker 1: for a couple of of weeks you guys ran them, 417 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:31,120 Speaker 1: but then didn't you turned over to the players. Yep. 418 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:33,840 Speaker 1: I think that's part of you know, you're building your 419 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:36,480 Speaker 1: program and your people talk about X as the nose 420 00:20:36,560 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: and development and are big part of our programs. Development here, 421 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 1: not just player development, academic development, personal development, developing future leaders. 422 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:47,720 Speaker 1: I think we all know sometimes people want to get 423 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: this Mr. Coach thing going, which we all like to do, 424 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,359 Speaker 1: but you're not gonna be as good as you can be. 425 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 1: You're stealing. It's not as high as you can be 426 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:55,920 Speaker 1: if your players aren't in power now they have to 427 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: earn that m But that group did, and it was 428 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 1: amazing to watch group that's been through so much, that 429 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:07,479 Speaker 1: has so much potential individual talent come together and created 430 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:10,119 Speaker 1: more investment on their end and then they ran with it. 431 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:12,800 Speaker 1: And as a coach, there's nothing better to sit back, 432 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:16,159 Speaker 1: relaxing and watch them go and get out of their way. 433 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 1: When they hit that point, it's a it's a special moment. 434 00:21:19,119 --> 00:21:20,959 Speaker 1: But then you completely had to rebuild the program though, 435 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: because they were all gone out for the first year. Yeah, 436 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: I know. So there's usually, as you know, and we're 437 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,159 Speaker 1: going through something, we either we know what we know, 438 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:32,920 Speaker 1: or we study from others or people that have gone 439 00:21:32,960 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 1: through something. So not many I think you said this earlier, 440 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:41,359 Speaker 1: have gone through the issues or the the penalties the 441 00:21:41,520 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: following year, it's usually that year. So um, while it 442 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: was great that our team came together to, you know, 443 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 1: do go on a historic run for our program, I 444 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,240 Speaker 1: was just as proud of the next two years, the 445 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,239 Speaker 1: last two years basically because they actually had to deal 446 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: with the reality of the situation and you know, you 447 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 1: you you build this deal and then you lose. We 448 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: literally returned one total point per game from that team 449 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 1: you covered in the tournament, So again it became a 450 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,080 Speaker 1: great opportunity, great challenge. We talked a lot about what 451 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:15,119 Speaker 1: we have, not what we don't, what we can do, 452 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 1: not what we can't, and that group has done a 453 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:19,920 Speaker 1: really good job to set us up for this year 454 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,000 Speaker 1: where we're back up, rock solid in every area, have 455 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:25,600 Speaker 1: eight out of ten back had a two guys sitting 456 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 1: out of two spn terms will be part of I 457 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 1: just can't say enough about that group because I know, 458 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 1: like you said, a lot of people talk about that 459 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,440 Speaker 1: n C a group. How do you like look, you're 460 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:40,360 Speaker 1: you're in paradise and anybody who's ever been to Oahu 461 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 1: a thriving nightclub scene. There's the beach, there's all these 462 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,159 Speaker 1: tourists that come by, there's I mean, you're it's and 463 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:49,240 Speaker 1: I know that they call what do they call? They 464 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: call Las Vegas? The what island? Lies that like the 465 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:54,760 Speaker 1: sixth is the ninth Island. Sorry, I forgot how many islands. 466 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:56,919 Speaker 1: It's the ninth Island, right, But there is a there, 467 00:22:57,040 --> 00:23:00,239 Speaker 1: There is a little bit of Vegas to a who 468 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:02,879 Speaker 1: especially to Honolulu, right, and that there's a lot of 469 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 1: things that can divert your players attention. How do you 470 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:09,760 Speaker 1: do that? How do you because like in the real 471 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: world of basketball, a lot of these guys they all 472 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:13,920 Speaker 1: think they're going to the NBA whatever, but they also 473 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:16,479 Speaker 1: want to have a good time. How do you get 474 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 1: your players to focus? Oh, perspective is important, and I 475 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: think number one, we have committed a group of people 476 00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 1: on our staff and our players that we either develop 477 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: within or that we bring in. We identified guys who 478 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 1: can understand the balance. Now I'm big on balance, and 479 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: something I've had to learn as a coach is still 480 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: working through. You know, sometimes coaches can get out of 481 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 1: whack there. But I am a big believer. You're not 482 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: gonna be very good if you're not happy. You're not 483 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: gonna be happy if you're not And you need it 484 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,200 Speaker 1: all aligned. You need to do what you love. You 485 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: need to be with, you know, in a great situation, 486 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: and be with people that you love to be around. 487 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: So I think we found a good group there. You 488 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,119 Speaker 1: also have to find the correct balance between fighting like 489 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 1: heck to get better but also enjoying journey. So how 490 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 1: do you balance that with a lot of great distractions 491 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 1: we have here. Well, we just make sure we're a 492 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 1: balanced we're not out of whack. We uh talk a 493 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:11,479 Speaker 1: lot about perspective, how hard it is to be good, 494 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:14,160 Speaker 1: at the sacrifices you need to make. Um, but understand 495 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,200 Speaker 1: there is a balance there. I do want to enjoy 496 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 1: the great things we have here in Hawaii, and we 497 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: have a lot, but just we you know, it's a 498 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 1: constant reminder of the sacrifice we need to do have 499 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,200 Speaker 1: to be good. And once they kind of buy into 500 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:31,440 Speaker 1: that and see that, it's reinforced and like you know, 501 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:33,879 Speaker 1: with the culture, now it comes from the staff and 502 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:36,919 Speaker 1: now the seniors show the younger guys and we're always 503 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,719 Speaker 1: on the same page, and when we have those moments 504 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 1: we veer off. We identify right there, keep going, give me, 505 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 1: give me a sense of why Randy has been able 506 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: to be successful, you know, I I look at what 507 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,640 Speaker 1: Randy's done taking over a program ones two games too, now, 508 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:56,240 Speaker 1: you know, consistently banging heads with Gonzaga, who's really a 509 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:59,160 Speaker 1: high major and a load of mid major kind of league, 510 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:02,560 Speaker 1: and and they've they've redone McKean. But it's it's not 511 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: anything spectacular. Rights tucked away there, you know, twenty minutes 512 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: from cal Berkeley. You know, one of the best in 513 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:13,200 Speaker 1: public school in the country. Uh, what's it really like? 514 00:25:13,359 --> 00:25:15,399 Speaker 1: What's the secret sauce really to what he's able to do? 515 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,520 Speaker 1: I don't know if there is really a secret deal. 516 00:25:18,560 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 1: And I'm I'm sure he would say this too. I mean, 517 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:23,800 Speaker 1: you know, someone asked me about him last year to 518 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,320 Speaker 1: talk about him, and you know, I just think you 519 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:28,919 Speaker 1: can agree he is or maybe you know he's one 520 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: of the best coaches in the country. Could argue he's 521 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 1: the best in terms of perspective things you just talked 522 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 1: about what's been done there, his discipline in terms of 523 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,440 Speaker 1: the routine to stick with it in terms of risk 524 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 1: program and the fundamentals over and over again. He there's 525 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:46,960 Speaker 1: not much fluff there. And you know there's you know, 526 00:25:47,080 --> 00:25:49,879 Speaker 1: you talked about the bells and whistles, but they have 527 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: the right bells and whistles, and good programs do in 528 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: terms of you know, the kids, They've got guys who 529 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:59,200 Speaker 1: are committed to each other, they work, they're united, um, 530 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: and he does outstanding job of that. So I don't 531 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 1: I think there's so many people looking for some magic 532 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:07,800 Speaker 1: formula and he found it. But it's not something magical. 533 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: It's just the daily discipline to stay locked in over 534 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 1: and over again for so long and they're not going away. 535 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 1: Give me, give me your best Randy Bennett story. So 536 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 1: give me Randy Benn story. What is it? I don't know. 537 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 1: For Yeah, I gotta be careful. I mean, for you know, 538 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,479 Speaker 1: for someone who's so dedicated, sometimes you can be an 539 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:29,119 Speaker 1: absent minded professor. I've had those moments too, He's you know, 540 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 1: I think sometimes I've I've had my car um run 541 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:34,159 Speaker 1: out of gas in the middle of the road, and 542 00:26:34,240 --> 00:26:36,040 Speaker 1: he'll give me crap for that, and then he'll have 543 00:26:36,160 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 1: it done to him the next day. So he could 544 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:41,000 Speaker 1: be so locked in on what's going on and forget 545 00:26:41,080 --> 00:26:43,840 Speaker 1: some of those other deals. But you know, I think, uh, 546 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 1: it's hard to find so much much on him because he's, 547 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:51,960 Speaker 1: like I said, remarkably consistent. What about Riley. Riley is 548 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: an absolute legend, And well, I played against his teams, 549 00:26:55,720 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: but it was when it started. It was to eight. 550 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,280 Speaker 1: They were talented, but not like they were when A 551 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:05,960 Speaker 1: c was there and Anthony Carter was there and they 552 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,159 Speaker 1: had that incredible backcourt but still stands Sheriffs Center was 553 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 1: a tough place to play. But he was just I mean, 554 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 1: he's such a legend that he's still like an ambassador 555 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: I think to the state, right, And isn't he like 556 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:17,120 Speaker 1: a I mean, he's a really kind of interesting guy. 557 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,399 Speaker 1: They used to run that flex which I'm I'm not 558 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 1: a big flex guy. Well, what's give me? Give me 559 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: a Riley Wallace story that for somebody who never worked 560 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 1: with him, didn't hang around him, kind of embodies who 561 00:27:28,640 --> 00:27:32,240 Speaker 1: he is. Well, first, Wallace is larger than life. He's 562 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 1: like you said, he is a legend, very much. Sitting 563 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: in his office, he's the coach of Hawaii. He's the 564 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:40,720 Speaker 1: the face of the program. And we induct him in 565 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 1: a Circle of Honor a couple of years ago. And 566 00:27:42,440 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: you know, he's a you know, a tough guy, but 567 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:47,320 Speaker 1: you know a heart of gold and he does will 568 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:49,919 Speaker 1: do anything for his guys. And I learned so much 569 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 1: from him in terms of you know, how much he 570 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,480 Speaker 1: you know, there's some coaches who just think about their programs, 571 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,359 Speaker 1: and like you said, in terms of the ambassador, he 572 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,600 Speaker 1: was everything Hawaii. He was at every team's games, he 573 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 1: was at every team's fundraisers. He was you know, meeting 574 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 1: with the state and fighting, he fought for the arena. 575 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: I mean, he's I learned just so much for him, 576 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,119 Speaker 1: how caring he was. But you know, he was the 577 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:15,680 Speaker 1: most direct coach I've been around, which I always loved. 578 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:17,800 Speaker 1: He was very much in your face whether you're a player, 579 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,919 Speaker 1: coach told you exactly where you stood. And and then 580 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 1: if he but he would do things for you with 581 00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:26,920 Speaker 1: you not knowing, like hey to support you, to encourage you, 582 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,320 Speaker 1: to push you. And if you thanked him, he would 583 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:31,960 Speaker 1: always say I didn't do that, but he totally did that. 584 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: He was just trying to continue to play off this 585 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:37,959 Speaker 1: tough guy exterior. But um, you know, we visited him 586 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:39,959 Speaker 1: every year. You know, he's had some health issues as 587 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: you know, and he's such a fighter, but he's dude. 588 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:46,360 Speaker 1: He taught me when I was there and as a 589 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 1: director of operations, I didn't know anybody. He picked me 590 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: up from the airport. I had lunch with him. Remember 591 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: I'm not making much. He took me to lunch every 592 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 1: single day from Monday through Friday that I was there 593 00:28:57,600 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 1: for that one year with him because he had retired 594 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: that for that year. And I was a guy who 595 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:04,920 Speaker 1: didn't really try many foods. But he would say, we're 596 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 1: having hallibit. I don't want to eat halibit. He'll eat this. 597 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:10,480 Speaker 1: Your fired, okay, I'll eat this. One day he made 598 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,680 Speaker 1: me eat pigs feed and you know, and he said, 599 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:14,560 Speaker 1: I'm not eating picks feed or who I think it 600 00:29:14,640 --> 00:29:16,920 Speaker 1: was chicken feed and I'm not eating that. We'll eat that. 601 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:19,600 Speaker 1: You're fired, Okay, I'll eat that, you know. So he 602 00:29:19,840 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 1: um And I talked to him every shoot, a couple 603 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:25,760 Speaker 1: of times a week for and this was oh six 604 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: and so six. He's uh. I was good abouture as 605 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: you could have your favorite Hawaiian food is what my 606 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 1: favorite of wine food? I am a big beef stew guy, 607 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 1: where's the best place to get beef stew in in 608 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,320 Speaker 1: o Wahu. Well, if I'm fortunate enough to be invited, 609 00:29:44,360 --> 00:29:47,600 Speaker 1: while I country club got the best. You have to 610 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,480 Speaker 1: be invited. You not, you don't get automatic membership. No, 611 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:52,760 Speaker 1: that was only coach loss. I'm not there yet. That's 612 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:56,400 Speaker 1: still that place. Back back to the that's that's part 613 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: of the renegotiation. Back to the n c A tournament. 614 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 1: The play she grew up playing basketball in Jersey was 615 00:30:02,640 --> 00:30:07,440 Speaker 1: what the Tennifly courts, which are still there, the outdoor courts? 616 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:12,640 Speaker 1: Do kids? I feel like that nobody plays outside anymore? No, 617 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:15,680 Speaker 1: I mean that was back. You know when people you know, 618 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 1: you forget when you're East Coast, you get the seasons. 619 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 1: I forget it now. But with the winner, we would 620 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 1: shove the snow so we could play. And that was 621 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:24,880 Speaker 1: a big deal at the Tennifly courts. And then you 622 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:26,640 Speaker 1: go there now and there are not many people there 623 00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 1: and you're thinking bidden your early mid nineties. It was 624 00:30:31,240 --> 00:30:33,200 Speaker 1: hard to get on the court and obviously got a 625 00:30:33,240 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: win to stay on and you have to just the 626 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:38,240 Speaker 1: wind and all that. But it was great and it's 627 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:41,000 Speaker 1: a shame that. It's like you said, what's happening with 628 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:46,080 Speaker 1: you know, playing outside Um, the most difficult place you've 629 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:52,560 Speaker 1: ever played our coach is where most difficult place probably 630 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 1: at Gonzaga, you know, I think I remember when we 631 00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:58,600 Speaker 1: beat them for the first time. Mickey McConnell had a 632 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 1: step through over Robert's right, and I can't tell you 633 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:07,480 Speaker 1: how great that locker room was. Firing, Oh, I mean unbelievable. 634 00:31:07,480 --> 00:31:09,880 Speaker 1: And then Mickey McConnell, I think about that deal. He 635 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:13,960 Speaker 1: was set to play for New Mexico, right, and Richie 636 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:17,080 Speaker 1: gets fired and so he you know, he gets out 637 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:19,040 Speaker 1: of his letter and comes in place for you guys 638 00:31:19,080 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: and has an incredible career, you know, if not, if not, 639 00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:25,440 Speaker 1: if not for Richie getting fired, Like none of that happens. 640 00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:27,800 Speaker 1: I mean, just really remarkable how those how those things 641 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:31,239 Speaker 1: take place. No, it happens a lot, and you hear 642 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:34,120 Speaker 1: that with a lot of programs, and you know, just 643 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:37,600 Speaker 1: these little breaks and guys who come because Mickey, you know, 644 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:40,680 Speaker 1: played behind Patty Mills for two years and Patty leaves. 645 00:31:40,760 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 1: It's you know, how do you place Patty? And then 646 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 1: here comes the guy who first year playing a lot 647 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:47,880 Speaker 1: is an old Conference player in the second years player 648 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:50,200 Speaker 1: of the Year. So that's a great part of doing 649 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:53,600 Speaker 1: what we do. There's a lot of great stories. Um okay, 650 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: so the last part is give me the update in 651 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:59,120 Speaker 1: your family. Um, for people who don't know your your 652 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 1: sister in law try magically died in a car accident 653 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:05,840 Speaker 1: and you and your I think she was in your fiancee, right, 654 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:12,120 Speaker 1: you adopted your daughter. Um. Remember this is for for 655 00:32:12,160 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 1: people who are like trying to catch up. This is 656 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:17,200 Speaker 1: back in I'm gonna say two thousand and twelve, right, 657 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:21,000 Speaker 1: so you're you're at St. Mary's as an assistant. I 658 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:26,560 Speaker 1: think the car accident was an organ Yeah, Chelsea, Barbie's sister, 659 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:29,840 Speaker 1: Chelsea was in a car accident of September two thousand 660 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 1: and twelve. She didn't do anything wrong, obviously, she was 661 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:37,680 Speaker 1: pushed into the other the other lane and going the 662 00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:40,960 Speaker 1: wrong way and by someone who had some road rage, 663 00:32:41,000 --> 00:32:43,880 Speaker 1: and you know, she passed away. And I remember getting 664 00:32:43,880 --> 00:32:46,240 Speaker 1: a call from Barbie's father and I was actually, we're 665 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:49,400 Speaker 1: about to walk into me that St. Mary's and here 666 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 1: in the news and obviously making sure it was related 667 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:53,720 Speaker 1: to me so that I could be there when we 668 00:32:53,840 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: related to Barbie. There are no positive side sides of 669 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:01,560 Speaker 1: the story. The only thing was that the eighteen month 670 00:33:01,640 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 1: old Ziza was not in the car. And obviously, as 671 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:07,240 Speaker 1: you know, we've raised her since she's to think about 672 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:09,719 Speaker 1: how much time has passed. She's seven and a half now, 673 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:13,240 Speaker 1: she'll be eight in March. It's it's it's really really amazing. 674 00:33:13,320 --> 00:33:15,840 Speaker 1: I know, the you know, the anniversary just just came 675 00:33:16,520 --> 00:33:19,840 Speaker 1: and when, um, what's that law like to go through 676 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:23,360 Speaker 1: when you're you know, obviously you became apparent, but you're 677 00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:27,800 Speaker 1: also helping your spouse mourn, and then you're also coaching one, 678 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:31,080 Speaker 1: recruiting second, all these meetings like how do you how 679 00:33:31,160 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 1: do you process all of those different kind of emotional 680 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:36,640 Speaker 1: aspects of your life while maintaining what you're doing in 681 00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:40,160 Speaker 1: your profession. Well, I think that's where you lean towards 682 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:43,080 Speaker 1: continuing to lead that you go through and in that experience, 683 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,200 Speaker 1: you know, moving forward, you know, there's so many things 684 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,600 Speaker 1: that are awesome about life and things that are giving 685 00:33:47,640 --> 00:33:50,920 Speaker 1: a lot of heartache and are really tough and the 686 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:54,040 Speaker 1: and being in a leadership position, you get a continue 687 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:57,520 Speaker 1: to stay composed and be supportive of those and and 688 00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:00,040 Speaker 1: make sure you're you're someone they can look to the 689 00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:03,240 Speaker 1: first stability and support and um, you know, I can't 690 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,440 Speaker 1: imagine obviously, no one can imagine hearing news like that 691 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:09,640 Speaker 1: and the amount of motion it goes in. But you've 692 00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:12,160 Speaker 1: got to be able to compartmentalize. You gotta be able to, 693 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:17,440 Speaker 1: um sometimes just be there. And because it was, it 694 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:19,760 Speaker 1: was a very difficult moment for a lot of people. 695 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:22,600 Speaker 1: You know. I remember being with her for a couple 696 00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:26,160 Speaker 1: of days, you know, in Wanna Creek and then driving 697 00:34:26,239 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 1: over to Myrtle Creek, Oregon, spending you know, a week 698 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:33,640 Speaker 1: there going through all that and then shifting gears. But 699 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:36,120 Speaker 1: it's something you know that comes up every now often, 700 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:39,320 Speaker 1: you know, on the on the anniversary, and you know, 701 00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:42,240 Speaker 1: Barbie has been and her family have been so special 702 00:34:42,440 --> 00:34:44,920 Speaker 1: through it and obviously and you got to meet Zsa. 703 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:50,080 Speaker 1: She's an awesome young lady and uh a pleasure and 704 00:34:50,120 --> 00:34:53,000 Speaker 1: a treasure to to have around. Yeah, I know, she's 705 00:34:53,239 --> 00:34:55,719 Speaker 1: really really she's amazing. Of course, I know, I know 706 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:58,840 Speaker 1: your player's lover. UM, tell me about this team you 707 00:34:58,920 --> 00:35:01,720 Speaker 1: mentioned eight of ten, No Shreevez back, I know Bugs 708 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:05,359 Speaker 1: backs as well. Um, this is a pretty talented bunch. 709 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:07,719 Speaker 1: Has got off to a good start. Remember the one 710 00:35:07,760 --> 00:35:11,040 Speaker 1: point lost U c Irvine the Big West Tournament. What's 711 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:14,480 Speaker 1: your biggest challenge heading into the season. Well, you know, 712 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:17,560 Speaker 1: you lose two good players and Mike Thomas and Gibson 713 00:35:17,640 --> 00:35:20,480 Speaker 1: Johnson and Mike Thomas, you remember was their starting format 714 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:22,920 Speaker 1: on the n c A tournament team. But um, so 715 00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:25,279 Speaker 1: you know, but that's part of a program. You lose 716 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:28,400 Speaker 1: some guys to graduation and and other guys emerged. So 717 00:35:29,080 --> 00:35:31,200 Speaker 1: I feel great about we're at we're ahead, and you 718 00:35:31,239 --> 00:35:33,160 Speaker 1: talk about eight out of your ten coming back. You 719 00:35:33,239 --> 00:35:36,839 Speaker 1: have two guys and mate Kalina from Melbourne, Australia who 720 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:40,000 Speaker 1: played for the c OE and um, Justin Hamsley from 721 00:35:40,239 --> 00:35:42,719 Speaker 1: Damien High School in Southy, California who sat out. Then 722 00:35:42,760 --> 00:35:45,279 Speaker 1: you add, you know, three recruits to the mix. So 723 00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:49,280 Speaker 1: I think, um, clearly and hopefully some of this will emerge. 724 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 1: Our balance might be the best since we've had it. 725 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:53,719 Speaker 1: We might not have a guy who's emerged as the 726 00:35:54,520 --> 00:35:57,279 Speaker 1: superstar yet. Now I think even the guy the team 727 00:35:57,360 --> 00:36:00,239 Speaker 1: you saw, guys played into that. You know, even uh, 728 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:03,319 Speaker 1: you're talking about making McConnell guys, and sometimes you think 729 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:05,600 Speaker 1: you gotta bring in, but you can develop it too, 730 00:36:05,880 --> 00:36:09,000 Speaker 1: And so I think if anything, and the challenges, it's 731 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:11,120 Speaker 1: a good challenge is while we bring a lot back, 732 00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:13,960 Speaker 1: what's great about our league is there's probably about six 733 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:15,879 Speaker 1: teams that bring seven or eight out of the top 734 00:36:15,920 --> 00:36:19,520 Speaker 1: tent back as well. So it makes sure exciting. Yeah. Yeah, 735 00:36:19,680 --> 00:36:22,040 Speaker 1: And I obviously the travel is dynamic for you guys, 736 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:24,920 Speaker 1: but you're gonna spend a lot of time in southern California, uh, 737 00:36:25,040 --> 00:36:28,279 Speaker 1: in the the Wooden Um. What is it called the 738 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:32,000 Speaker 1: Wooden Um? Uh, we woulden Legacy. And then of course 739 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:35,160 Speaker 1: you gotta play Fullerton and Irvine and and Riverside and 740 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:37,880 Speaker 1: so on. Of course the David Patrick who's now at Riverside, 741 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:40,759 Speaker 1: who's the former another former Randy Bennett guy, Like you 742 00:36:40,760 --> 00:36:43,279 Speaker 1: guys are all kind of getting getting getting together, and 743 00:36:43,320 --> 00:36:45,480 Speaker 1: you'll tell better stories there than you told me. Like 744 00:36:45,520 --> 00:36:47,600 Speaker 1: you wouldn't even sell him out, you wouldn't give me anything. 745 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:49,719 Speaker 1: I just need one nine Bennett story. I mean, I'm 746 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:52,480 Speaker 1: not asking for all that much. And we'll take that 747 00:36:52,560 --> 00:36:57,040 Speaker 1: off the air for those we all got ahead. We've 748 00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,040 Speaker 1: got some good ones on each other. It's just funny, 749 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:01,879 Speaker 1: you know, you look at EP with Riverside and Rick Croy, 750 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:05,879 Speaker 1: you know right now with Le Baptist and Adam cape 751 00:37:05,880 --> 00:37:08,920 Speaker 1: Borne who's now over running the Center of Excellence in 752 00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:11,799 Speaker 1: Australia and they've got their their guys in the mix 753 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:14,400 Speaker 1: that will be future head coaches, guys on their staff 754 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:17,480 Speaker 1: now that are terrific, Marty Clark who's now back in 755 00:37:17,560 --> 00:37:21,200 Speaker 1: Australia work with the NBA Global Economy. It's a it's 756 00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:24,040 Speaker 1: a group that's real close and support each other, and 757 00:37:24,239 --> 00:37:26,040 Speaker 1: it is you know, you spend so much time together 758 00:37:26,120 --> 00:37:28,759 Speaker 1: for so long and then you're scattered. That's the good 759 00:37:28,840 --> 00:37:31,359 Speaker 1: and tough thing about it. Yeah, and then the only 760 00:37:31,440 --> 00:37:33,520 Speaker 1: time you're together right now is when you when sometimes 761 00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:35,840 Speaker 1: in recruiting, but also when you're coaching against each other, 762 00:37:35,920 --> 00:37:39,040 Speaker 1: to which there's not really time for pleasantries. Last thing, 763 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:43,640 Speaker 1: the coach who has no idea but you have an 764 00:37:43,719 --> 00:37:46,279 Speaker 1: incredible amount of respect for that. You have thrown on 765 00:37:46,360 --> 00:37:49,160 Speaker 1: their tape and learn something from watching, or you watch 766 00:37:49,239 --> 00:37:51,239 Speaker 1: their game and you're like, man, I think that guy 767 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:53,279 Speaker 1: is really really good and he has no idea. I 768 00:37:53,320 --> 00:37:57,120 Speaker 1: think he's really good. Well, anyone I have an idea. 769 00:37:57,200 --> 00:37:59,359 Speaker 1: Brad Stevens is the guy kind of watch a lot. 770 00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:02,239 Speaker 1: The that I respect the most that I haven't worked 771 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:04,960 Speaker 1: with is Greg Pa. I've been fortunately because like the 772 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:09,040 Speaker 1: connection I taught you with uh my college coach that 773 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:12,040 Speaker 1: to spend probably a training camp with them, you know, 774 00:38:12,160 --> 00:38:14,160 Speaker 1: probably three or four times in the last six or 775 00:38:14,200 --> 00:38:16,840 Speaker 1: so years. So he's probably the one in terms of 776 00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:19,040 Speaker 1: how you run POP in terms of how he runs 777 00:38:19,080 --> 00:38:21,160 Speaker 1: this program and how he deals with this players and 778 00:38:21,239 --> 00:38:25,239 Speaker 1: the stuff he runs. But recently M Brad steam is 779 00:38:25,239 --> 00:38:28,440 Speaker 1: a lot. Those are the two guys. It's funny, remember Brad. 780 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:32,479 Speaker 1: You know what's funny is Brad and Randy. I both 781 00:38:32,520 --> 00:38:36,360 Speaker 1: saw their teams practice. I think they both maybe Randy's 782 00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:38,280 Speaker 1: team lost in the finals, but I did the Diamond 783 00:38:38,320 --> 00:38:40,440 Speaker 1: Head three years in a row, and they were in 784 00:38:40,480 --> 00:38:44,200 Speaker 1: different years, and both were two of the five best 785 00:38:44,239 --> 00:38:47,480 Speaker 1: practices I've ever seen run, and both had an incredible 786 00:38:47,480 --> 00:38:51,359 Speaker 1: amount of detail. Both teams were remarkably like the kids 787 00:38:51,440 --> 00:38:53,360 Speaker 1: walk in. They all have great looking haircuts, and they 788 00:38:53,480 --> 00:38:56,480 Speaker 1: look like you'd want to and they're the toughest damn 789 00:38:56,600 --> 00:39:01,000 Speaker 1: kids that you could find. And both practices emphasize fundamentals 790 00:39:01,719 --> 00:39:05,000 Speaker 1: in an expert way in which you'd you'd see it 791 00:39:05,080 --> 00:39:07,920 Speaker 1: come out like they My brother's big on passing and 792 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:10,200 Speaker 1: catching and I work with kids now and passing and catching, 793 00:39:10,840 --> 00:39:12,880 Speaker 1: and there was all of that in practice, and it 794 00:39:12,960 --> 00:39:14,560 Speaker 1: was It was one of those deals where it was 795 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:16,520 Speaker 1: before Brad's teams had made a run in the n 796 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:19,120 Speaker 1: c A tournament, but I could tell you then that 797 00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:20,719 Speaker 1: like they were going to do it. He was the 798 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:23,320 Speaker 1: real deal. And in watching Randy, I would tell anybody 799 00:39:23,360 --> 00:39:24,920 Speaker 1: who listening, like this is two of the five best 800 00:39:24,920 --> 00:39:27,399 Speaker 1: practice I've ever seen in my life. And it wasn't 801 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:30,000 Speaker 1: anything necessarily special. It wasn't any drills. It was just 802 00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:32,520 Speaker 1: the quick attention to detail. You could see how the 803 00:39:32,560 --> 00:39:36,040 Speaker 1: teams were tough when they played, and the fundamental aspects 804 00:39:36,080 --> 00:39:40,040 Speaker 1: of catching, passing, pivoting and spacing that I think everybody's 805 00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:42,319 Speaker 1: kind of trying to teach. They understood how to teach 806 00:39:42,360 --> 00:39:44,879 Speaker 1: on it practice by practice basis, and you could watch 807 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:47,359 Speaker 1: you watch one practicing stand sheriff Center the day before 808 00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:50,680 Speaker 1: the tournament began, and you knew their teams had no 809 00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:52,920 Speaker 1: those are the goods that you're trying to tell that 810 00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:55,680 Speaker 1: to your team because there's a tediousness to it, there's 811 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 1: you know, but the repetition. It could be considered to 812 00:39:58,760 --> 00:40:01,320 Speaker 1: some boring, but the is there are the goods. You 813 00:40:01,360 --> 00:40:02,839 Speaker 1: can run a lot of great players and a guy 814 00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:04,640 Speaker 1: can't shoot, and a lot of great players that guy 815 00:40:04,680 --> 00:40:07,160 Speaker 1: can't pass. I mean you bring that up as funny 816 00:40:07,160 --> 00:40:09,160 Speaker 1: because the first time I went to this first training camp, 817 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,200 Speaker 1: I was sitting with coach I don't believe and they're 818 00:40:11,239 --> 00:40:14,360 Speaker 1: literally doing pivots and jump stops and snapping passes with 819 00:40:14,440 --> 00:40:16,960 Speaker 1: two hands and thumps down and he's telling me this 820 00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:18,560 Speaker 1: is a lot of the stuff he's done when he 821 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:21,719 Speaker 1: was at Pimona Pitzer, and it's just great to see, Uh, 822 00:40:21,840 --> 00:40:24,320 Speaker 1: those guys rewarded for the way they're going about it. 823 00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:26,879 Speaker 1: And so that's the things that look up to. It's funny. 824 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:30,600 Speaker 1: I I started coaching, I was watching my moved to California, 825 00:40:30,680 --> 00:40:32,359 Speaker 1: put my son in a little there's a you pro 826 00:40:32,640 --> 00:40:36,560 Speaker 1: workout and they're doing eurosteps and they're taking shots they 827 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:39,480 Speaker 1: can't make and they got done and the guy came over, 828 00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:41,680 Speaker 1: what do you think? And I said, did I Did 829 00:40:41,719 --> 00:40:43,680 Speaker 1: I come in late? And he's like, no, you're here early. 830 00:40:44,120 --> 00:40:45,600 Speaker 1: And I said, well, where is the part with the 831 00:40:45,719 --> 00:40:47,600 Speaker 1: catching and the passing and the jump stops and the 832 00:40:47,640 --> 00:40:50,120 Speaker 1: pivoting and he goes, well, you think we should do that. 833 00:40:50,200 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 1: I was like, yeah, that's the part you do every day, 834 00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:56,400 Speaker 1: I said, And and so now it's funny you mentioned 835 00:40:56,440 --> 00:40:59,719 Speaker 1: boring like my son's nine, and he's like, Dad, do 836 00:40:59,840 --> 00:41:02,800 Speaker 1: we have to do the pivoting and the passing and 837 00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:07,160 Speaker 1: the thumbs up and thumbs down? Like yep, yep, yes, 838 00:41:07,239 --> 00:41:09,320 Speaker 1: you do the other stuff. The other stuff is just 839 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:12,400 Speaker 1: is just it's it's amazing, and uh it is. It 840 00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:14,640 Speaker 1: is the challenge, especially with the kid a d D 841 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:16,600 Speaker 1: to get him to do it every day. Ran, I 842 00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:19,279 Speaker 1: know you've got to run. You've been so thoughtful with 843 00:41:19,360 --> 00:41:22,400 Speaker 1: your time. I wish you nothing but success and of 844 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:24,840 Speaker 1: course safe travels every time you guys get on a 845 00:41:24,920 --> 00:41:28,440 Speaker 1: plane and uh and uh, love and respect to your family. 846 00:41:28,719 --> 00:41:31,719 Speaker 1: We'll see you when you come h to the contiguous 847 00:41:31,760 --> 00:41:34,920 Speaker 1: forty the meantime, enjoy paradise and best of luck this season. 848 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:38,480 Speaker 1: Thank you very much. I appreciate as always and look 849 00:41:38,520 --> 00:41:39,279 Speaker 1: forward to seeing you soon.