Episode 213: Josh Merkel, Lessons From Building a National Championship Program

Guest: Josh Merkel, Randolph-Macon Head Coach  Randolph-Macon head coach Josh Merkel joins the Basketball Podcast to share lessons from building a national championship program.In 2021-22, Randolph Macon won its first national championship with the largest margin of victory in NCAA DIII history. The team won a program-best 33 games and capped a remarkable run of success for the program during Merkel’s time there. Merkel has made four trips to the NCAA tourney and has the most NCAA wins in program history. He has been ODAC Coach of the Year five times and was named the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.The program is 148-38 in Merkel’s seven seasons as head coach. He also engineered a 12-0 record during the 2020-21 campaign. Josh Merkel is the first coach or player to win one of CollegeInsider.com awards in consecutive seasons.  Breakdown1:00 - Introduction4:30 - Every Player Doesn't Shoot the Same7:30 - Player Led Block10:30 - All-Star Game Concept12:30 - Building Connection15:30 - Truth over Harmony18:00 - Respond to Mistakes19:00 - Footwork19:37 - 20:16 - JUST PLAY AD22:00 - The Mouse Game25:00 - Two Foot Playing Off Two Foot29:00 - Ignition and Asking Too Many Questions32:00 - Language36:30 - Coaching with Constraints40:00 - Feedback Loop40:53 - 41:37 - Dr. Dish AD45:00 - 50 Point Game51:00 - Defensive Outstanding Program53:00 - Valuing Individual Differences56:00 - Building a Championship Program58:00 - Conclusion Josh Merkel’s Bio:Bio: https://www.rmcathletics.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/MerkelTwitter: https://twitter.com/joshmerkel4 Basketball ImmersionWebsite: http://basketballimmersion.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bballimmersion?lang=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/basketballimmersionFacebook: https://facebook.com/basketballimmersionImmersion Videos:Check out all our all-access practice and specialty clinics: https://www.immersionvideos.com/