logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
53m 42s

Scott Harmatuk on Applying Basketball Im...

Chris Oliver
About this episode

Exploring the real impact of Basketball Immersion on elite youth coaching with a coach who has completely transformed his approach to the game.

 Klein Collins High School head coach Scott Harmatuk discusses his journey since joining Basketball Immersion—how shifting away from traditional drills and embracing game-based learning has reshaped his coaching philosophy. Learn how these changes have elevated his players’ enjoyment of practice and games, while also improving their decision-making, skill development, and overall basketball IQ, leading to noticeable growth in both individual and team performance.

Beyond Scott’s personal evolution, this episode is packed with insights for all youth coaches looking to modernize their approach. What are the biggest challenges when making the shift? What are the most impactful takeaways that any coach—regardless of level—can apply? And ultimately, what does it take to develop players who truly understand the game?

Coach Harmatuk, born and raised in Spring, TX, played basketball at Fordham University from 1996-2000. He went on to play professionally for the Brooklyn Kings (USBL) and REYNOSA UAT (Mexico-LNBP). After retiring, he began his coaching career at Spring Woods HS, followed by Nimitz HS with mentor Randy Gilmer. In 2008, he became the head coach at Klein Collins HS, where he remains today.

Since joining Basketball Immersion in 2020, Coach Harmatuk has led his team to 3 district titles and earned Coach of the Year honors 3 times. Known as a "player's coach," he builds strong relationships with his players through respect and honesty.

If you’re a coach who wants to maximize your players' potential while making practices more engaging, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s get started!

Up next
Today
Dan Earl on See, Share, Shoot and Compete (EP380)
In this week's coaching conversation, University of Tennessee at Chattonooga head coach Dan Earl joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on his see, share, shoot and compete philosophy.Since taking over as head coach of the Chattanooga Mocs in 2022, Earl has transformed th ... Show More
58m 6s
Jul 2
Nicki Collen on Navigating Elite Coaching (EP379)
In this week's coaching conversation, Baylor head coach Nicki Collen joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on navigating elite coaching from the WNBA to Baylor.Nicki Collen has built an impressive coaching career across both the WNBA and NCAA, establishing herself as a d ... Show More
54m 48s
Jun 25
Patrick Crarey on Relationships then Championships (EP378)
In this week's coaching conversation, Grambling State head coach Patrick Crarey shares insights on Relationships then Championships.Crarey comes to Grambling State after spending one season as the head coach at Florida A&M. Crarey reignited the FAMU men's basketball program, exce ... Show More
50m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
EP1: What is the Future of Basketball Coaching?
In our first episode, Alex Sarama is interviewed by Adam Omiecinski to introduce the Transforming Basketball Podcast. This podcast series aims to bridge the gap between the research and its practical application in the basketball world. Alex discusses his journey of discovering a ... Show More
32m 10s
Jul 2024
EP72: Transforming U14 Basketball with Will Twigg
In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Will Twigg to discuss their experiences and insights into the implementation of a Constraint-Led Approach (CLA) in basketball coaching, highlighting the shifts in coaching philosophy and the impact on player development. They explore the ... Show More
27m 51s
May 2024
EP62: Exploring a Contemporary Approach with Nabil Murad
In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by interviews Nabil Murad, an Irish basketball coach currently coaching in Austria. Nabil shares his journey of discovering and embracing a contemporary approach to coaching, influenced by ecological dynamics. He discusses the challenges coa ... Show More
28m 44s
Jun 2024
Kevin Broderick on a Systematic Approach to Limiting Turnovers, Playing a Deep Bench, and Learning from Hard Truths {Nazareth University}
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text!Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the Head Coach of DIII Nazareth University, Kevin Broderick! The past two seasons Coach Broderick's teams have been the best in the nation at limiting turnovers, and we dive into his ... Show More
59m 15s
Jan 2025
Bob Levant on Building Emotional IQ, Fear in Coaching, and Responding vs. Reacting
Slappin' Glass is joined this week by author and performance consultant for some of the best coaches in the NBA and NCAA, Bob Levant. In this highly insightful conversation the trio dive into Bob's thoughts on building emotional IQ, the role of fear in coaching and lead ... Show More
59m 31s
Apr 4
Niko Medved on Useful Analytics, Defending DHO's, and Evolving as a Coach {Minnesota MBB}
Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the newly hired Head Coach of Minnesota MBB, Niko Medved! In this replay episode from when Coach Medved was at Colorado St., the trio dive into a ton of interesting and useful topics including: gaining confidence in building a program, ... Show More
55m 48s
Jan 2025
EP94: Developing a Youth Program with Jon Yu & Neil Houghton (Part 1)
In this episode, Adam Omiecinski is joined by Jon Yu & Neil Houghton, their conversation encompasses the implementation of ecological dynamics frameworks and the challenges of player retention within a culturally different basketball coaching environment in Vietnam. Emphasis is p ... Show More
26m 7s
Dec 2024
Rick Pitino on 8 Practice Segments, Benefits of Pressure Defense, and the Evolution of the PNR
Slappin' Glass sits down in this episode with the legendary, Rick Pitino! In this "December Rewind" episode with the current St. John's Head Coach the trio dive into Coach Pitino's thoughts on 8 different practice segments, the evolution of the PNR, and discuss the ... Show More
1 h
May 2024
John Beilein on the History of the Two Guard Offense, the Value of Scout Teams, and Beating the 1-3-1 Zone
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text!Slappin' Glass sits down this week with the great, John Beilein! Coach Beilein has been a Head Coach at every level from the NBA to HS, and shares with us his thoughts on the history, teaching points, and evolution of the 2-Guar ... Show More
48m 54s
Jul 2023
Ourtney Bryant: Win the kid not the game.
Head coach of the Warrensville girls basketball team, Ourtney Bryant, shares his insight to high school sports and the coaching style that has brought his program so much success.  
18m 50s