Episode Details

Mike Jagacki is a Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at SUNY New Paltz where he helped lead the Hawks to the NCAA D3 Tournament in 2024 and to the SUNYAC Tournament in each of his 4 seasons. Prior to arriving at New Paltz, Jagacki spent 3 years as a Video Coordinator and Assistant Coach for the Women’s Basketball Program at Hofstra University helping the Pride to a Semi-Final appearance in the CAA Tournament and the first Top 5 conference finish in 5 years.

Before Hofstra, Mike spent time as Boys’ Basketball Associate Head Coach at Combine Academy, a Post-Grad program in North Carolina. He started his career as a Boys’ Basketball Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Middlesex High School in New Jersey. During this time Mike also opened his own AAU Program, TrueHoops.

Jagacki is also the creator of Lockdown Defense which has amassed over 8 million views and 44,000+ subscribers on YouTube and is the author of Lockdown Defense: Developing Elite Defenders which has reached Amazon’s Top 12 Best Basketball Books and has sold over 1000 copies worldwide.

On this episode Mike & Mike discuss the importance of disruptive defensive strategies, particularly in the context of preparing for postseason play. Jagacki emphasizes the necessity for coaches to instill a strong foundational understanding of core defensive principles within their teams. As the playoffs approach, he advocates for a balanced approach that combines maintaining present focus, reinforcing established fundamentals, and developing tactical adjustments to counter opponents effectively. The conversation highlights the significance of designing turnovers and creating pressure, which can significantly alter the course of a game, particularly in post-season situations. Ultimately, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide for coaches seeking to enhance their team's defensive capabilities and improve overall performance during post-season matchups.

If you’re looking to improve your coaching please consider joining the Hoop Heads Mentorship Program. We believe that having a mentor is the best way to maximize your potential and become a transformational coach. By matching you up with one of our experienced mentors you’ll develop a one on one relationship that will help your coaching, your team, your program, and your mindset. The Hoop Heads Mentorship Program delivers mentoring services to basketball coaches at all levels through our team of experienced Head Coaches. Find out more at hoopheadspod.com or shoot me an email directly mike@hoopheadspod.com

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Get ready to take some notes as you listen to this episode with Mike Jagacki, Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach at SUNY New Paltz.

Website - https://nphawks.com/sports/mens-basketball https://www.lockdownhoops.com/

Email - mikejagacki@gmail.com

Twitter/X - @Mike_Jagacki

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