About the Guest(s):

Sarah Miles is a seasoned figure in the world of women's basketball, having both played and coached basketball.

She played collegiate basketball at West Virginia and has since transitioned into coaching. As a graduate assistant at West Virginia, Sarah got her start in coaching and has since served in various coaching roles across multiple universities, including the University of Denver, Central Michigan, and Northwestern.

Her experience and knowledge make her a distinct voice on the intricacies of college basketball recruiting and coaching.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Sarah Miles dives deep into the current landscape of college basketball, particularly focusing on recruiting and the transfer portal.

Her insights shed light on the challenges and strategies coaches face as the dynamics of student athletics evolve. Sarah passionately discusses the critical importance of building authentic relationships and the art of coaching in today's sensitive and competitive environment.

From the outset, the conversation with Sarah Miles encompasses a multitude of topics, starting with the stark contrasts between past and present recruitment practices. The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the ramifications they have on the recruitment process are unpacked in detail.

Later, the discussion pivots to the whirlwind world of the transfer portal—its operations, challenges, and impacts on high school and college players.

Sarah provides a window into her journey through different coaching roles, revealing the path that led her to her current position and her aspirations for the future.

Key Takeaways:

• The shift in college sports, particularly basketball, where present-day athletes often have different expectations and approaches compared to previous generations.

• The intricacies and challenges of navigating the transfer portal as coaches seek suitable recruits for their programs.

• The consequential nature of NIL deals and their influence on the decision-making processes of athletes and the offerings of universities.

• The delicate balance coaches must maintain between mentoring, relationship-building, and the strategic elements of coaching in a more sensitive athletic landscape.

• The power of starting small in a coaching career and the value of learning from various roles and experiences within different basketball programs.

Sarah on Socials: _coachmiles15

Its Just Different on social: itsjustdifferentpod

Ashley on socials: _thisisashleyr