Jared here, and you’re in for a treat, because my good buddy Joe Rutigliano is this week’s guest. In addition to being a great friend, Joe is a GREAT coach, who is now an assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire after spending the past three seasons at St. Johns.

A cool byproduct of having a friend on the show is that the conversation tends to be more informal. That said, you’re about to get some great insight into how college coaches behave “behind the scenes” as they recruit. And you’re going to hear it as if you were in a coaches’ meeting going over a recruiting big board.

Joe provides great perspective on what coaches are thinking during phone calls, campus visits, workouts, evals, and everything in between. You’ll also really love to hear Joe’s perspective on risk taking. After all, Joe achieved his current status after taking on 3 separate volunteer jobs so that he could “learn by doing.”

If you thought I was extroverted, I can’t wait for you to hear from the man who will prove you sorely mistaken. Joe is the people person to end all people people, and his episode drops first thing tomorrow morning.

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and I’ll be honest, this is a special one.

More than a decade ago, I decided to change careers, leave a lot of money on the table, take a huge pay cut and pursue a career in college basketball coaching. A lot of people thought I was nuts.

But at that time, I obtained some supporting evidence in the form of a New York Times article about Marc Mitchell. Coach Mitchell had ZERO college coaching experience until he was 40 years-old, and went on to win a D3 National championship with FDU Florham. His story was all the proof I needed to believe that any risk would pay off if I worked hard enough.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Coach Mitchell, who is now Head Coach at Indiana State. Coach Mitchell is known for his incredible ability to turn programs around, and we dive into everything it takes to build a program, including (as you can probably imagine) recruiting.

We also dive deep into Mitchell’s personal journey, even discussing (and this is 100% true) the time he told FDU Florham’s administrative team - while on his job interview - that he would win a national championship there. He won the D3 National championship there four years later.

Coach Mitchell shares the behind-the-scenes stories of his recruiting strategies, including the relentless pursuit of top talent and the importance of outworking other coaches when building a program. Tune in to hear insights from a coach who not only talks the talk but has proven time and again that he's willing to walk the walk, all while staying true to his values and vision. If you're passionate about coaching, leadership, or simply love a great story, this episode is for you!

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and be advised: a HIGH ENERGY podcast is coming your way. This week, I'm joined by Aaron Kallhoff, Head Coach of Sacramento State Women's Basketball. Coach Kallhoff is known for his contagious energy, his developmental expertise and his incredible resume as a recruiter at multiple competitive levels. Put these things together, and you’ve got a must listen episode for anyone passionate about becoming a college athlete.

In our conversation, Coach Kallhoff discusses his remarkable journey that started at the JUCO level both as a player AND as a coach. We delve into his coaching philosophy, his approach to recruiting and the importance of building a team culture that “only takes everyone.”

We also explore some of the challenges and triumphs Coach Kallhoff has faced throughout his career. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the collegiate level, sharing stories that highlight the importance of perseverance and staying true to one's values.

In addition to all of his great coaching experience, Coach Kallhoff also has a daughter who is currently navigating the college recruiting process. Parents won’t want to miss the advice he has for them.

Oh yeah, about that one small part at the end…Coach Kallhoff is dead serious about rewarding young people who are willing to take the initiative. As long as you are prepared to hear the feedback, Coach Kallhoff will watch your film. His email address is below if you want to take him up on it (and frankly, I don’t know why you wouldn’t).

kallhoff@csus.edu

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and I have a problem to report: Through my recruiting consulting work, I consistently find that young athletes and their parents don’t understand DIII basketball.

This week’s episode aims to fix that, and I have two AMAZING guests to help get it done: Zach Filzen of Bethel University and Sean Smiley of Fredonia State University. Zach and Sean are two great DIII Head Coaches who also happen to be old friends.

Despite having two very different coaching journeys (which you will learn more about as you listen) these two have a few things in common that make them perfect guests for the DIII Mythbusting episode:

1. They both were gifted DI athletes who ultimately chose DIII coaching

2. They both already experienced major coaching success at the DIII level

3. They both were recently hired to rebuild basketball programs at schools in OUTSTANDING DIII conferences

Tune in to hear Zach and Sean explain how Division III ACTUALLY works. You’ll learn how DIII coaches recruit, what the DIII competitive standard looks like, what it takes to be successful at the DIII level; and most importantly, why DIII is a GREAT option for aspiring college athletes.

This episode is packed with valuable lessons and inspiration. Don’t miss it.

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Episode 6: Interview with Vannessa Garrelts

Jared here, and this week’s interview is a far departure from our typical coaching chats. In fact, today’s chat isn’t with a coach at all. It’s with former Miami (OH) and Canisius hooper Vannessa Garrelts.

Ness currently serves as the Director of Communications at Marian Central Catholic High School. But this week, she’s here to walk you through her recruiting process and journey as a college athlete.

We discuss the determination and self-initiative that characterized both of Vannessa’s recruiting processes, as well as her experience playing just about every role you can possibly play on a college team. Vanessa opens up about the challenges of balancing sports with personal life, including the impact of her father's ALS diagnosis and how that shaped her college decisions.

Throughout our conversation, Vanessa emphasizes the importance of owning your recruiting process. She provides valuable advice for young athletes, highlighting the benefits of leading conversations with coaches, asking the right questions, and seeking genuine relationships. Vanessa's story is a testament to the power of taking responsibility for your journey, facing challenges head-on, and staying true to yourself.

Tune in to learn from Vanessa Garrelts' experiences and discover how you can nail your own recruiting process.

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Jared here, and I have an AWESOME episode in store for high school athletes and their parents.

My guest is Amy Reed, an outstanding DIII Head Coach at RIT who recently left her position to launch State of Mind Executive Coaching. Amy specializes in helping coaches build programs by activating their best selves.

So, where do parents and athletes come in? Glad you asked!

A key focus of Amy’s work is helping coaches build better relationships with the parents of athletes. Amy is also very passionate about teaching parents how to be better resources and supporters of their kids as they navigate the challenges that come with competitive sports. She’s even developed several models that parents can use to help build up their child’s competitive energy. Amy is doing some “next level” stuff, and she’s here to break down all of it!

Amy shares some incredible stories about her own experiences and adjustments that led to greater success at RIT, along with key tips for both players and parents navigating the athletic journey. One of the key themes of our conversation is the importance of player-led programs. Amy shares some great stories about player ownership at RIT, as well as specific strategies that parents and coaches should be utilizing with young athletes to raise their levels of accountability.

Amy’s experiences and strategies offer practical lessons for coaches, athletes, and parents looking to foster a positive, collaborative and successful sports environment. If you are a parent of a young athlete, this is a “can’t miss” episode.

To learn more about Amy Reed or State of Mind Executive Coaching, check the following pages:

Instagram: @StateofMindExecutiveCoaching

Web: www.StateofMindExecutiveCoaching.com

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Episode 4: Interview with Siena Assistant Coach Ben Lee

Jared here. In this week's episode, I sit down with Siena Assistant Coach Ben Lee for an episode all about making the most of your opportunities and maximizing your potential.

Ben and I first met when he was a freshman on the men’s basketball team at Union College. He knew he wanted to get into coaching from the day we met, and in the time since he has rapidly ascended the coaching ranks. After holding multiple positions at the University of Washington - with a few years of organizing grassroots club basketball tevents in between - Ben is now the right-hand man for Siena’s new Head Coach, Gerry McNamara.

Tune in to hear Ben share his journey from being a D3 college athlete to a D1 Assistant and recruiting coordinator. He also talks about the back-to-back Liberty League championship runs he was a part of at Union, and the importance of setting high standards to build a winning culture.

We take a deep dive into the day-to-day operations and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a top-tier basketball program. Young hoopers, you may be surprised to learn the similarities between succeeding as a player and as a coach. The secret is that there is no secret, and Ben talks all about doing the work to succeed on both fronts.

Be sure to stay tuned all the way to the end, when Ben shares AMAZING advice to players and parents navigating the recruiting process. From start to finish, this is an inspiring episode that sheds light on the dedication and passion required to excel in the world of basketball.

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach

Episode 3: Interview with Cortland Head Coach Colleen Ames

Jared here, and it’s time for another awesome interview with another great coach on the women’s side of college hoops. My guest this week is Colleen Ames, Head Coach of the Cortland University Red Dragons.

Colleen shares her unique coaching journey, which includes becoming a Head Coach at the collegiate level at only 23 years old!!! She delves into the challenges of running a college basketball program at a young age while also managing a full graduate school course load. We also discuss strategies she used to gain the respect and buy-in from players her own age, and how those experiences shaped her coaching philosophy.

As our conversation shifts to the recruiting process, Colleen provides invaluable insights into what D3 basketball really looks like, what she looks for in potential recruits, and specific things that make top recruits stand out. We also talk about the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. You’ll also hear about winning cultures, dependable teammates, and the power of plain ol’ hard work.

Colleen's story is not just about basketball; it's about leadership, perseverance, and the power of believing in yourself.

If you’re looking to be inspired by a story of determination and growth (albeit inspired by some chaos), this episode will offer you that motivation. Coach Colleen’s insights can surely help you nail the recruiting process!

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Have a question that you’d like answered by me or a guest? Have an idea for an episode topic? Have no suggestions but just want to say hello? Email me at RecruitingGEAR@gmail.com

To obtain more information about my coaching services or to check out the book, visit www.nailtherecruitingprocess.com

Follow me on social media!

Instagram - @NailTheRecruitingProcess
X (Twitter) / TikTok - @JaredTheCoach