logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
52m 36s

Hernando Planells from Hollywood Sets to...

Chris Oliver
About this episode

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Hernando Planells shares lessons from Hollywood sets and global coaching.

With over two decades of experience spanning professional and collegiate basketball, as well as film and TV, Hernando Planells is a dynamic coach, film and tv sports coordinator, and leadership consultant. As the Technical Director of the NBA Basketball School in Dubai, he combines his passion for basketball with a mission to inspire the next generation of athletes across the UAE.

Hernando's coaching career includes:

  • Duke University (Associate Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Led the team to an ACC Championship, two Elite Eights, and six NCAA Tournament appearances. Recruited, coached and developed 11 future WNBA players, including Las Vegas Aces and Team USA guard Chelsea Gray, while maintaining a 100% graduation rate.
  • Maine Red Claws (NBA G-League): Worked with the Boston Celtics affiliate alongside current Celtics Assistant GM Austin Ainge, developing players such as 12-year NBA veteran Avery Bradley and Mario West.
  • International Coaching: Served as the Head Coach for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan and the University of the East in the Philippines, as well as the head coach for the New Zealand Junior National Team.
  • William Jessup University (Head Women’s Basketball Coach): Guided the team to their first GSAC championship, earning Coach of the Year honors and an NAIA national tournament appearance.
  • University of Illinois and UNLV: Gained valuable experience under former NBA Assistant Coach Bill Bayno.

Beyond coaching, Hernando has made significant contributions to film and TV as a part owner and sports coordinator/choreographer for Game Changing Films on major projects like 'Coach Carter,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'Swagger’, 'The Crossover,' and the newly released “Running Point’ starring Kate Hudson on Netflix. ”bringing authentic basketball action to the screen. He is also the founder of Be Contagious Leadership a consulting company dedicated to empowering teams and organizations through courage, communication, and connection.

A proud father, Hernando’s son Preston Planells, who is in his first year as the assistant women's basketball coach at New Mexico State, and Gabrielle Planells, is a senior theatre student at Chico State University. Driven by a passion for storytelling, leadership, and basketball, Hernando’s goal is to empower athletes both on and off the court.

Up next
Yesterday
Mike Jones on UNCG Defensive Identity (EP393)
In this week's basketball coaching conversation, UNC Greensboro head coach Mike Jones joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their defensive identity.Mike Jones is the head coach at UNC Greensboro, where he has continued his winning tradition with three consecutive 20- ... Show More
51m 23s
Oct 1
Matt Wise on First Year Head Coaching (EP392)
In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Samford head coach Matt Wise joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on taking over as a first year head coach.Matt Wise enters the 2025–26 season as the head women’s basketball coach at Samford University, continuing to bui ... Show More
58m 36s
Sep 24
Tammi Reiss on Energy, Skill and No Skipping Steps (EP391)
In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Rhode Island head coach Tammi Reiss joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on energy, skill and no skipping steps.Tammi Reiss has led the University of Rhode Island women's basketball program to unprecedented success since ... Show More
59m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Fashion and basketball with guest Coach Sydney Carter
On this bonus episode of Sunday Sports Club sponsored by TJ Maxx, Allison sits down with Coach Sydney Carter, the assistant coach of women’s basketball at the University of Texas, a former college basketball and WNBA star, AND a fashion icon. They get into the importance of style ... Show More
38m 42s
Jan 2025
Ashley Langford, Rena Wakama & Kendall Sneed
Paul Boron checks in with Tulane women's basketball as we enter the stretch run of the season. Head coach Ashley Langford on the biggest improvement she's seen from her group and her journey back to her alma mater. Assistant coach Rena Wakama on growing up in the basketball hotbe ... Show More
46m 20s
Jan 2025
616: Bob Stoops- Building a Winning Culture, Connecting With People, Creating a Coaching Forest, Caring For Your Team, & Winning Championships
Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com Mindful Monday is the best way to start your week. Sign up for free here: https://ryanhawk.kit.com/profile Bob Stoops was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2021. He was the head football coach at the University ... Show More
52m 6s
Feb 2025
Nightcap - Hour 1: Southern University band, Allen robs Lamar, Coach Prime joins
Live from the Mahalia Jackson theater in New Orleans, head of SB LIX, Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson are joined by the Southern University Human Jukebox to kick off the show. Later, Unc and Ocho are baffled by the news of Buffalo Bills Josh Allen beating out Baltimor ... Show More
56m 49s
Mar 2023
Colin Cowherd Podcast - Teflon MJ + Jay Bilas on Blue Blood Upsets, Coach K Relationship, NIL Regulation
First, (3:00) Colin explains how the legendary ‘Air Jordan’ marketing campaign still shields Michael Jordan from criticism that all other athletes face. Then, ESPN College Basketball Analyst Jay Bilas joins Colin to discuss the numerous hall of fame level college hoops coaches le ... Show More
46m 12s
Sep 10
Arch Manning, NFL Announcers, a New Deal for 'PTI', the Ballmer Scandal, and a Crawford-Canelo Megafight With Van Lathan Jr., Bryan Curtis, and Chris Mannix
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons and Van Lathan Jr. are joined by Bryan Curtis to discuss Arch Manning, college football, media storylines, and more (3:39). Then, Chris Mannix joins to talk about the Steve Ballmer scandal (51:40) and the Crawford-Canelo fight (01:17:05). Host: Bill Simm ... Show More
2h 4m
Feb 2021
Julius Randle (featuring Kevin Love)
Julius Randle is known league wide as someone who doesn't take plays off, a tireless worker, and a very underrated player. But that last narrative might be changing a bit this year as he is enjoying the finest season of his career, leading the Knicks to a surprising 6th seed posi ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2023
Josh Allen, Bills HC Sean McDermott, Mt Rushmore Of GOATS, Plus We Do The First Ever Podcast From A Hole We Dug Ourselves
We are on Day 3 of Grit Week and Podcasting from a hole in the middle of Ohio that we dug ourselves. MLB trade deadline and the Mets are giving up. Is the US Women’s team bad at soccer now (00:00:00-00:17:47)? Hot Seat/Cool Throne including CFB realignment and a live cat joins th ... Show More
2h 4m
Sep 2
Court Visionary – The Muslim Coach Cracking The Code In College Ball 🏀✨
Send us a text Breaking barriers and rewriting the playbook! In this episode, OZ Media spotlights the youngest Muslim head coach in college men’s basketball, Mo Bazzi, as well as his assistant Hassan Abaas, true court visionaries who are making waves both on and off the hardwood. ... Show More
1h 7m
Feb 2025
Michael Cooper on Guarding Larry Bird, Kobe’s Draft Workout, 80’s Players Getting Disrespected
Lakers legend Michael Cooper joins All The Smoke for a walk down memory lane that reveals untold stories behind one of basketball's most celebrated defensive titans. The newly inducted Hall of Famer breaks down his incredible journey from junior college underdog to becoming the u ... Show More
1h 5m