Gamechangers: A WBCA Podcast

What does it take to build a powerhouse high school program — and sustain it year after year? On this episode, Sue Phillips, Head Coach at Archbishop Mitty High School, shares the blueprint behind developing elite talent and preparing players for the next level. She offers candid insights into what college recruiters should understand — and improve — when evaluating high school athletes, plus how to truly prepare players for collegiate success. Coach Phillips also pulls back the curtain on USA Basketball exposure and what she’s learned coaching on the international stage. A must-listen for coaches invested in long-term program building and player development.

In this episode, Oklahoma State assistant coach Mandi Carver shares what it takes to adjust on the fly in women’s basketball, reflecting on her transition from the mid-major level to a Power 4 program after spending years in one place. She discusses the evolving challenges of coaching highly visible, highly compensated athletes, navigating team culture in the social media era, and breaks down on-court insights around elite rebounding and building a fast, high-octane offense.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny Huth, assistant coach at Cal-Berkeley, as she reflects on her journey through the coaching ladder from assistant coach to head coach and back to the assistant role. Coach Huth shares key lessons learned from each perspective, discusses the evolving challenges facing assistant coaches today, and offers insight into how the recruiting landscape has changed since her days as a standout high school player.

How do you take the reins of a championship-winning program and make it your own—without losing the culture that built it? In this episode, we’re joined by Drury University Head Coach Kaci Bailey to explore what it takes to sustain success during a coaching transition. She shares how she evaluates talent that fits her style, how she’s adjusting to the evolving recruiting landscape, and why developing young coaches is key to long-term program growth. Whether you're taking over a powerhouse or building something new, this conversation offers insight on balancing legacy and leadership.

In this episode of the WBCA GameChangers Podcast, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025 WBCA Convention! WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew and Deputy Director Mary Ellen Gillespie join us to break down the schedule of events, key programming, and the business meeting agenda. Plus, we’re joined by Dr. Matthew Davidson, President of the Excellence with Integrity Institute, to discuss leadership, integrity, and how these values tie into the Convention experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime member, this episode is your go-to guide for making the most of the 2025 WBCA Convention!

In Episode 2 of Gamechangers, host Brian Rosario sits down with Karlie Burris, Assistant Coach at UNLV, for an in-depth conversation on player development. They dive into the strategies and philosophies that shape elite athletes, from skill-building to fostering a winning mindset. Karlie shares her approach to coaching, the importance of mentorship, and how UNLV is creating a culture of growth and success. Tune in for insights on helping players reach their full potential, on and off the court.

Flaum (Tulane) and Villarreal (Georgia Tech) offer their insights on building relationships, managing and maneuvering COVID-19 and what’s it’s like to wear many hats for a women’s basketball program.

We continue our “Coaches on Coaches” series with assistant coaches Tasha Brown of UCLA and Danielle O’Banion of Minnesota. Brown and O’Banion discuss coaching over the past eight months including empowering student-athletes through civic engagement and how their programs have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shanteona Keys, WBCA manager of education, sits down to talk with Amanda Alexander, licensed psychologist at Stretch Performance Psychology. Alexander is a former Division I athlete and earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Her primary areas of expertise and interest are peak performance, stress management/reduction, burnout and more. Today she will talk about performance anxiety in student-athletes and how coaches can best support them.

Nikki McCray-Penson from Mississippi State and Yolett McPhee-McCuin from Ole Miss join the #WBCAPodcast to talk about their activism to get the Mississippi state flag changed. McCray-Penson is entering her first year with the Bulldogs after a successful three-year stint at Old Dominion. McPhee-McCuin is a 16-year coaching veteran and is entering her third season with the Rebels. Today they will offer insight about their recent experience of going to the Mississippi state capitol to advocate to change the Mississippi state flag.

Shanteona Keys, WBCA manager of education, sits down with the University of North Georgia women’s basketball staff led by Buffie Burson to talk about their in and out’s of recruiting. Burson has over 500 wins in her career and has guided the Nighthawks to 12 national tournament appearances. Today, Burson and her staff break down their specific recruiting responsibilities and overall recruiting approach.

Shanteona Keys, WBCA manager of education, sits down with the newest member of the WBCA team, Deputy Director, Mary Ellen Gillespie, to talk about evaluating your staff. Gillespie is a former Division I athletics director and under her direction in 2019, the Hartford women’s basketball team earned a postseason berth for the first time since 2013. Gillespie goes in depth into the review process and offer tips and best practices for successful evaluations.