Parks Pod

I'm joined this week by former colleague & Head Coach at Mount Saint Mary's Maria Marchesano. We discuss her journey in the profession, being a green light coach, utilizing your rotation, adjustments for freshmen at the college level and the bright future ahead for her program at The Mount.

'The Last Dance' officially comes to an end this week and I am joined by my good friend Dan Bere to discuss it all. We chat about the Pacers game 7 battle, the now food poisoning game, 98 finals performance, and a look back at our favorite moments from all ten episodes.

Dan Bere joins the pod again discussing episodes 7 & 8 of the ESPN documentary 'The Last Dance'. This week we chat about MJ's never ending slights, the close relationship with his father, the raw intense leadership style in practice and his 'I'm back' moment.

Dan is back to help me breakdown episodes 5 & 6 of 'The Last Dance'. We discuss the Drexler 92 Finals, Dream Team, MJ's shoe influence, turmoil in 93' & the parallels in both Jordan's 93' & 98' retirements.

Episodes 3 & 4 of 'The Last Dance' were electric. Dan Bere and myself give our thoughts on Dennis Rodman, the Bad Boys physical play, Phil's transition to head coach and Jordan overcoming the Pistons leading to their first championship. A lot to unpack this week!

The long wait is over for the much anticipated 'The Last Dance' documentary. Myself and good friend Dan Bere the assistant coach at Jacksonville University get together to give our reactions and breakdown of this historic documentary.

Joining the pod this week is FGCU head basketball coach Karl Smesko as he shares thoughts on his team's high powered offense, how he uses analytics & film breakdown, his game day routine & some outside the box ideas. Also, a special guest appearance by my brother to discuss Tom Brady leaving the Pats. :50 Karl Smesko Interview 1:02:30 Trent Parkinson 'Tom Brady Expert'

The Pod is BACK! Seton Hall head women's basketball coach Tony Bozzella joins me to talk about his coaching journey, turning around multiple programs, taking Seton Hall to the NCAA tournament, advice for young coaches and rapid fire questions to wrap things up. Also, I give a quick recap of the emotional rollercoaster from the past three weeks going from Horizon League Champions to having the NCAA tournament canceled. :30 Recap of last three weeks 8:10 Tony Bozzella Interview

Missouri head basketball coach Cuonzo Martin joins the cast to share his inspirational journey from his roots as a player growing up in East St. Louis, to his days rocking the #22 jersey for the Purdue Boilermakers, and his return to his home state to lead the Missouri Tigers. .45 (Austin Intro & 'Rollin with the Tide Recap'), 10:30 (Giving Back to East St. Louis), 12:00 (Growing up in East St. Louis & Playing for Lincoln HS), 14:20 (Why Zo Chose Purdue), 18:50 (Coaching Values), 21:00 (Glenn Robinson & Purdue Years), 23:25 (Durability & Becoming a 3pt Marksman), 28:25 (Zo & 8th grade Austin), 30:35 (Zo's Amazing Battle With Cancer), 36:25 (Perspective After Cancer), 38:45 (Special Caller From the Past), 44:05 (Being on Coach Keady Staff), 47:00 (Recruiting & Relationships), 50:45 (Turning Programs Around), 53:18 (Returning to Coach the TIgers), 54:40 (SEC), 56:45 (Coaching Pros), 58:25 (Offensive Approach), 59:30 (Faith & Family)

Former IU star and current Michigan State assistant coach Dane Fife stops by the Pod this week to discuss his IU days, becoming a head coach at age 25 & his current role as assistant coach to one of the legends in college basketball Tom Izzo. Interview Breakdown: 6:00 (July recruiting), 9:20 (Playing for his dad), 13:05 (Highly recruited football player, 14:45 (Why he chose IU), 16:45 (Playing for Coach Knight), 22:05 (Loved by IU fans & hated by opponents fans), 25:20 (Final Four as a player), 29:00 (Head Coach at age 25), 34:55 (Foundation for IPFW future), 38:00 (Ben in Muncie), 40:00 (Joining Coach Izzo), 44:00 (Evolving Role at MSU), 46:00 (MSU legendary video rep), 49:35 (Physical play), 51:50 (Offensive stye), 56:00 (1 & done impact), 58:15 (Brutal non-conference schedule), 101:40 (What's next)

Possibly my favorite podcast yet. Had the opportunity to interview the University of Florida Head Women's Basketball Coach Cameron Newbauer. Sit back and enjoy some great stories from his days as an assistant coach, a wild recruiting adventure and his plan to take Florida to new heights. 1:40 (Wild Travel Adventure in Europe), 8:00 (Unique Recruiting Story), 13:00 (My Wife as the Mascot), 16:10 Biggest Priority From Day 1 at Florida), 18:15 (Style of Play), 24:00 (Coaching in the SEC), 25:45 (Florida Brand Impact), 28:00 (SEC Football/Tim Tebow), 32:40 (Cam's Passion), 40:24 (Assistant chair to the Head Chair at Belmont, 42:00 (Nearly Beat Kentucky), 45:50 (Jeff Walz), 48:50 (No Practice Plan, 55:00 (Rule Changes), 59:00 (Time Out Advance), 1:01:00 (Most Embarrassing Moment as Coach), 1:04:00 (Other Coaches of Interest)

Joining the pod this week is former Major League Baseball pitcher Joe Thatcher as she shares thoughts on his career, perspective from a Major League dug out, insight on today's game and his newest venture Pro X Development. 2:15 (Pro X Development), 23:35 (Attending Indiana State), 17:40 (Becoming a Closer), 23:15 (Minor League Baseball) 34:25 (Call Up to the Big Leagues), 42:30 (Pitching Style), 51:20 (Constant Travel), 55:25 (Current State of the Game), 58:40 (Pitch Clock), 1:01:30 (Dealing With Umpires), 104:30 (Toughest Out/Todd Helton) 1:06:45(Favorite Park), 1:08: 45 (Daily Routines) 1:11 )Bench Clearing Brawls)

This week I had a chance to sit down with Jacksonville assistant coach Dan Bere. Dan shares his journey in the profession with several intriguing stops along the way as well as some specific insight to the coaching profession. We also talk PGA golf along with a British Open Preview & the Chicago Sports Scene. ** 1:20 Dan's Career, 9:25 Mike Davis, 19:55, Butler Culture, 24:25 Move to Jacksonville, 27:40 Coaching Insights, 40:00 British Open Preview, 50:20 Chicago Sports Scene **

I'm joined this week by Purdue great and current Miami Ohio assistant coach Kenneth Lowe as journey back through his career as a player to now as a coach. Highlights: making it out of Gary (1:30), East Chicago/West Side rivalry (4:00), Legend of Outdie (5:15), How he chose Purdue (6:45), comparison game in recruiting(9:30), freshmen year at Purdue (14:10), Playing for Coach Keady (15:15), 2 time defensive POY (17:15), how defensive strategy has changed (20:00), overcoming injury (22:20), overseas hoops (24:00), decision to pursue coaching (26:15), game prep (31:15), our oops moments (32:55), assistant coach at Miami Ohio (35:05), advice to a young Kenny (39:50), nba talk (41:00), funny Purdue story (46:00).

**Marvel & Infinity War** (Spoiler Alert) This week I sit down with Marvel Universe fanatic DeAirra Goss as we breakdown our favorite characters, dissect all the biggest moments of the recent Infinity War & compare NBA players with the Marvel character who best represents them. (Brad Stevens - Iron Man, KD - Starlord, Steph Curry - Captain America, and more)

**Amy Williams Interview** In this week's episode, I discuss the Pacers success as well as breakdown the entire second round of the NBA Playoffs. Our guest this week is the reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Amy Williams of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Highlights: Playing for her dad (11:00), from walk on to a scholarship (13:55), why she got into coaching (15:50), being a college assistant (17:55), 1st head coaching job (19:55), taking over at USD (21:45), uptempo style of play (25:30), end of game situations (27:25), Nebraska opportunity (30:00), expectations year 1 (33:32), 3rd place finish in Big Ten (35:00), rebounding improvement (38:00), recruiting philosophy (38:55), Leigha Brown (42:25), mathematics & analytics (44:40), staff continuity over the years (46:55), Nebraska football & Scott Frost (50:55), balancing family & coaching (53:35)

Just getting off the road recruiting I share my observations on a number of different topics related to this past weekend in AAU. I also preview the NFL draft discussing the QB landscape, what the Colt's should do and why I would never make a deal with the Patriots.

**Bruce Parkinson Interview** This week I start by giving my thoughts on a few NBA Playoff opening round games followed by an intriguing interview with my father Purdue legend Bruce Parkinson. Interview Highlights: (:20) NBA Playoff Game 1 thoughts, (9:25) Jack Parkinson Shadow, (11:00) Alolph Rupp stories, (12:40) Winning the Muncie Sectional, (18:30) Recruiting process, (20:00) Tennessee visit wow factor, (25:00) Mr. Thornburg unwavering belief, (31:40) Expectations as a Purdue freshmen, (37: 50) John Wooden/Dick Enberg picture, (40:58) Single game assist record, (43:40) IU Rivalry & Quinn Buckner, (48:30) NIT Championship, (52:10) Pan Am Gold Medal & Robert Parish, (56:40) Being drafted into the NBA, (1:02:30) Changes in game today, (1:07:30) Watching old game footage with myself & Kenneth Lowe, (1:10) Stress of being a parent of a player vs a coach.

**Jason Gardner Interview** This week I open by sharing two articles I read this past season on the Law of Inversion & the secret behind the Warriors offense. I am then joined by the Head Men's Basketball Coach of the IUPUI Jaguars Jason Gardner as we discuss his playing and coaching career. Highlights of the interview: (5:30) Early playing days, (7:40) State title & Mr. Basketball, (10:45) Talent & history of Indianapolis area, (12:00) Arizona & Lute Olson, (15:55) Final Four experience as a player, (18:30) Gilbert Arenas & Khalid El-Amin, (22:00) Luke Walton, (25:55) Going from player to coach, (28:10) Scouting opponents, (33:00) IUPUI job opening, (38:00) Adjusting to the Horizon League, (39:50) Transfer Success, (46:23) Improving outside shot, (48:30) Fundamentals today, (51:30) Flow of the game, (53:15) Impact of 3pt shot, (55:00) Why more teams play zone.

**JD Gravina Interview** I open with with a brief Women's Final Four review and discuss why rule changes in the women's game need to be adopted by the men. Then I am joined by the Head Coach of the Western Illinois Leathernecks JD Gravina. Highlights of the Interview (7:23) Analytics, (11:58) Philosophy Development, (14:35) Instilling Confidence, (20:05) Overcoming Self Doubt, (23:45) Changing to Zone Defense, (28:55) Jacket Tossing, (32:00) Championship Run, (38.30) Breakdown Last Few Minutes of our Championship Game, (49:55) Rule Changes, (52:55) Favorite Coaches, (54:05) # of Transfers, & (57.50) Family.