On The Bench Podcast

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are joined by Youngstown Cardinal Mooney second-year coach Carey Palermo, who discusses the importance of summer basketball growth, the growing pains of last season and the challenges of being a teacher at Mooney's crosstown rival. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are joined by Warrensville Heights coach and athletic director Brian Swift, who discusses his transition from player to coach, his vision for the Warrensville program and the differences in the basketball culture between now and the time of his playing career at Chanel and Warrensville in the early 2000s. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson sit down with Cleveland St. Ignatius head coach Brian Becker for a discussion on the changing basketball culture, why he came back for a second stint, the annual rubber match with St. Edward and the difficult schedule his team plays each winter. 

The show hits the road for Youngstown and the YSU team camp. Zac Jackson and Ken Rector are joined by new Youngstown State head coach Jerrod Calhoun, who discusses his vision for the program, his play-fast philosophy and the first 60 days on the job. 

NCAA certified scout Chas Wolfe of Prep Scouting LLC and the Dunk For Diabetes high school event joins the podcast to discuss his role in the scouting process, what parents should know if their son is a recruitable player and the return of the Dunk For Diabetes event next January at John Carroll University. 

New Orange High School Coach Ashen Ward joins the podcast to discuss his new challenge, his expectations, his playing career and the difference he hopes to make going forward. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are joined by Marietta College assistant coach Nick Sales, who talks recruiting and developing players, his own experiences playing for Coach Rector, how good Div. III college players really are and shares some coaching success stories. 

After a tropical offseason vacation, Ken Rector and Zac Jackson are back and talking hoops. They recap the first season of the podcast and take you through the ins-and-outs of wrapping up a season, planning a summer schedule and discuss the difference between having a good season and having a successful program. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson put the wraps on a Northeast Ohio title sweep and the 2016-17 season. They're also joined by Jackson coach Tim Debevec, who relives the tense moments from last Saturday's Div I. state title game. 

The final podcast of the 2016-17 season is presented by Stark State College and features a breakdown of all 12 games on tap for Thursday-Saturday in Columbus as four Ohio state champions will be crowned. Also, University of Mount Union coach Mike Fuline stops by to share memories of Jackson's last trip to the state tournament and what the week is like for coaches whose teams are headed to Columbus. 

The districts have been decided, and regional play begins Tuesday. Zac Jackson and Ken Rector look back at some of the top district games and look ahead as just two games separate the 64 remaining teams across four divisions from their state tournament dreams. 

Longtime Garfield Heights coach William "Sonny" Johnson joins Ken Rector and Zac Jackson to discuss chasing a third straight state tournament berth, pursuing scholarships for his players, raising potential superstars and what he's still learning along the way. 

Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph Coach Babe Kwasniak joins the podcast to discuss his team's pursuit of a fifth straight state title game appearance, sitting in the chair that once belonged to his father, why he misses tournament doubleheaders and his journey coaching basketball around the world before returning home seven years ago. 

Ken Rector and Zac Jackson get you caught up on what's happening in the Canton, Copley and Stow district tournaments on the Stark State Local Tournament Roundup Show. They also check on the local D3 and D4 teams chasing a trip to the Fieldhouse, preview the big Jackson-Copley game Wednesday night and dive into some of the other intriguing matchups at the district semifinal level. 

TJ Peatross of NEOhioSpotlight.com and Zach Fleer of 270Hoops.com stop by to help preview the top teams, top players and the best potential matchups on the Div. III/IV State Tournament Preview Show, presented by Stark State College. If you're headed to college -- or back to college -- check out StarkState.edu for more than 280 available degree and certificate programs including the new two-year sports management program.   

TJ Peatross of NEOhioSpotlight.com and Zach Fleer of 270Hoops.com stop by to help preview the top teams, top players and the best potential matchups on the Div. II State Tournament Preview Show, presented by Stark State College. Headed to college — or back to college? Check out more than 280 available degree and certificate programs at StarkState.edu.     

TJ Peatross of NEOhioSpotlight.com and Zach Fleer of 270Hoops.com stop by to help preview the top teams, top players and the best potential matchups on the Div. I State Tournament Preview Show, presented by Stark State College. Headed to college -- or back to college? Check out more than 280 available degree and certificate programs at StarkState.edu. 

We inch closer to March Madness with a visit from longtime Manchester head coach Gene Schindewolf, who discusses the traits his best teams from four different decades have shared, the nerves he still feels on game days and coaching different generations. Later in the podcast Nate Schindewolf, one of the greatest players in Summit County history, joins the discussion to talk about playing for his dad, coaching his own son and some of his favorite memories from his playing career. 

Garrettsville Garfield Coach Andy Olesky is the latest guest, and Olesky talks with Ken Rector and Zac Jackson about building a program, the realities of small-school basketball, his coaching mentors and his long-term vision. 

Rittman Coach Chad Bever is the guest on the latest On The Bench Podcast. Bever shares insight on game-by-game preparation, his excitement for the upcoming sectional/district tournament and discusses his path from longtime assistant coach to taking over a rebuilding job at Rittman.