Zack Thomsen is entering his third season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at DII Frostburg State University. Thomsen increased the Bobcats’ win total by 9 in his second year.

Thomsen came to Frostburg having been the head coach at the State University of New York at Delhi for seven seasons. During his tenure, he compiled 123 total wins, including reaching at least 20 victories in each of the past three seasons. While at Delhi, Thomsen was named conference coach of the year three times and helped oversee the school's transition from USCAA and NAIA to full-fledged NCAA Division III members.

Prior to SUNY Delhi, Thomsen spent time in the region as an assistant at Shepherd University, Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College.

Thomsen played his college basketball at West Virginia Institute of Technology where he was a team captain and earned Mid-South Academic All-Conference recognition.

On this episode Mike & Zack discuss the critical importance of winning the possession battle, which encompasses securing more offensive rebounds than the opponent and minimizing turnovers. Thomsen also emphasizes the necessity of cultivating a competitive spirit within the team and fostering an environment conducive to player development. Throughout our discussion, we delve into Thomsen's coaching philosophy, specifically his strategic approach to practice design, which prioritizes live play and competitive drills to enhance skill acquisition. Additionally, Tomsen reflects on his journey in coaching, from his formative experiences as a player to his current role, underscoring the significance of recruiting players who embody the desired mentality and character of his program. Ultimately, this episode provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of coaching at the collegiate level and the ongoing pursuit of excellence within the realm of basketball.

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You’ll want to have a notebook handy as you listen to this episode with Zack Thomsen, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Frostburg State University.

Website – https://frostburgsports.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email – zwthomsen@frostburg.edu

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coachzthomsen/

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The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression...

Sean Hanna has been a Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at East Stroudsburg University for 4 seasons. Hanna previously served as a graduate assistant for the program from 2017-19.

Since graduating with a master's degree from ESU in 2019, Hanna served as the director of basketball operations at Division I Lafayette College.

As a student-athlete at Moravian College, Hanna averaged 10.2 points per game during his senior year, ranking second on the team in assists and steals. The guard distributed 213 assists in his career, which ranks 10th all-time in program history. Hanna served as a captain for Montclair State Head Coach Justin Potts for two seasons at Moravian.

On this episode Mike & Sean discuss the importance of instilling a robust work ethic in players, and why the foundation of effective coaching transcends mere tactical knowledge; it fundamentally hinges on teaching athletes the necessity of exerting maximum effort at all times. This episode delves into Hanna's coaching philosophy, highlighting his experiences transitioning from player to coach, and the invaluable lessons he gleaned from various coaching environments. We also explore the complexities of recruiting in the current landscape, where balancing the acquisition of both high school talent and experienced transfers poses a significant challenge. Ultimately, Hanna’s reflections on player relationships and the joy derived from fostering their development underscore the profound impact that coaching can have on young athletes' lives.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation.

Jot down some notes as you listen to this episode with Sean Hanna, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at East Stroudsburg University.

Website – https://esuwarriors.com/sports/mens-basketball

Email – shanna1@esu.edu

Twitter/X - @seanhanna_

Visit our Sponsors!

Dr. Dish Basketball

Our friends at Dr. Dish Basketball are here to help you transform your team’s training this off-season with exclusive offers of up to $4,000 OFF their Rebel+, All-Star+, and CT+ shooting machines. Unsure about budget? Dr. Dish offers schools-only Buy Now, Pay Later payment plans to make getting new equipment easier than ever.

The Coaching Portfolio

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners.

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