Today’s episode features basketball head coach and strength and conditioning specialist, Scott Thom. Scott has experience in the high school, collegiate and professional levels in sports performance and basketball coaching. He is the head men’s basketball coach and the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Marin. He was the former head strength coach for men’s basketball at Washington State University and the same role at the University of California-Berkeley. Scott is the author of “Season of Strength” also happened to be the guest for the third episode of the Just Fly Performance Podcast back 2 years ago, so I’m excited to have him back.
Of all the coaches I’ve worked with or alongside, I’ve had a particular respect for Scott in terms of his ability to relate to his players, build a great team culture, and send his athletes on the path to success. This is reciprocated in the professional players that Scott has worked with in the past that still continue to work with him after their time with him in their collegiate career is over.
In being a sports performance professional, or coach in general, we know that team culture and relationships are the first priority in the road to success. The best training program, devoid of buy-in, discipline, and team cohesion will fall flat in the grand scheme of things. In our own journey as coaches, particularly as strength coaches looking to create a culture in the weight room that will reciprocate success on the field of play, as well as life in general, Scott’s thoughts and ideas are of great value.
On today’s podcast, Scott goes into his transition from college strength and conditioning to a head basketball coach at College of Marin and gives insights on how he ties the weight room to what he expects on the court as a head coach. We’ll also chat on ideas on using the weight room as a conduit to enhancing communication, motivation, and overall culture.
Today’s episode is brought to you by SimpliFaster, supplier of high-end athletic development tools, such as the Freelap timing system, kBox, Sprint 1080, and more.
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Key Points:
- Scott’s recent transition from NCAA DI Strength and Conditioning Coach for Basketball to Head Junior College Basketball Coach
- Ways Scott uses the weight room as a conduit to improve his athlete’s communication skills
- Using terminology and language that blends the weight room and the field of play
- Challenges in the weight room used to improve team cohesion and dynamics
- Methods to keep athletes being active participants in a workout
- Key points of a great team culture
“First and foremost, the transfer from the weightroom to the basketball court is confidence and self-belief”
“You are either a drain or a faucet, you are either giving to the group, or you are taking away from the group”
“I try to step back once we establish our expectations and let players run a lot of it”
“Responsibility + accountablity = success”
“A marker of a great team culture is when you as a coach can step away and everything runs itself and the players are making everything happen”
“Not getting out of your comfort zone is one of the top things that holds athletes back from reaching their potential”
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement”
“Your effort has to match your expectations”
About Scott Thom
Scott Thom is the head men’s basketball coach and the Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Marin. He was the former head strength coach for men’s basketball at Washington State University and the same role at the University of California-Berkeley. Previously he was the head basketball coach for Vintage High School (Napa, Calif.) He has over 10 years of experience working with athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional level. You can check out his website at ScottThom.com
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