In Episode 13 of the GRIT Hoops Podcast, Coach Kerry dives deep into one of the most important and misunderstood topics in basketball — what truly makes a great coach. Drawing from over 15 years of experience across high school, college, and professional training levels, Kerry breaks coaching excellence into five core pillars that define lasting impact far beyond the scoreboard.

This episode challenges traditional measures of success and emphasizes how elite coaches develop both the player and the person. Listeners will gain valuable insight into mindset development, skill growth, offensive and defensive concepts, and fostering a competitive will to win. Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this episode will help you identify — and strive to embody — the qualities that separate good coaches from great ones.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why wins and losses don’t define great coaching

• The Five Pillars of Coaching Excellence:

  1. Mindset Development – Building confidence, character, and resilience

  2. Skill Development – Teaching players how to grow, not just how to play

  3. Offensive Concepts – Understanding spacing, player movement, and decision-making

  4. Defensive Concepts – Teaching effort, rotations, and help-side principles

  5. Competitive Mindset & Will to Win – Cultivating drive, composure, and respect in competition

• How Mike D’Antoni empowered stars like Steve Nash and James Harden

• The importance of belief and encouragement in player performance

• Why many coaches focus too much on systems instead of skill

• How coaches can balance roles within a staff to cover all five pillars

• What parents should look for in a great coach

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GRIT Basketball Academy is dedicated to developing high-level athletes through elite training, strategic coaching, and a relentless focus on skill development. Our mission is to build players who are not only fundamentally sound but also mentally tough, competitive, and prepared to excel at every level of the game.