A Recap of the Soldiers To Sidelines Basketball Coaching Certification Seminar powered by the Wounded Warrior Project
Honoring the Mission
The 2025 Soldiers To Sidelines Basketball Coaching Certification Seminar brought together veterans, athletes, and coaches for a transformative four-night program. Powered by the Wounded Warrior Project and proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo, PenFed Foundation, and CVS Health, this event exemplified the power of sports to heal, inspire, and lead.
More than just a seminar, it was a journey of learning, reflection, and community building. Soldier coaches engaged with some of the brightest minds in basketball—professionals who generously shared strategies, philosophies, and personal stories that resonated both on and off the court.
Setting the Stage: Night One
The week opened with Harrison Bernstein, founder of Soldiers To Sidelines, welcoming participants and outlining the path to certification. His message was clear: great coaching starts with inspiration, not just instruction.
Harrison introduced his Inverted Pyramid of Coaching Success, with inspiration at the foundation, followed by motivation, fitness, technique, and strategy. His leadership framed the week around the belief that coaching is about influencing players to want to give their best.
Featured Coaches: Steve Smiley & Leigh Klein
The basketball spotlight belonged to Coach Steve Smiley, head coach at the University of Northern Colorado, and Leigh Klein, STS Athletic Director and Basketball Director. Together, they explored:
- Offensive Fundamentals: Spacing, timing, and leveraging moments when two defenders are drawn to the ball. Drills like the Numbers Break and Mizzou Rotate gave participants actionable tools.
- Defensive Principles: Contesting shots, rebounding, and preventing transition baskets. Klein reminded participants that contested shots within two feet can cut an opponent’s percentage in half.
- Modern Basketball: Shot selection and positionless basketball, encouraging coaches to design systems around players’ strengths.
Their energy set a dynamic tone for a very special keynote address from Steve Lutz, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Oklahoma State University. Coach Lutz’s words of wisdom inspired the class to continue to grow as a positive influence in basketball.
Night Two: Coaching Identity and Defensive Systems
Night two opened with reflections from participants, before shifting into a masterclass on identity and defense.
Todd Simon: Building a Coaching Philosophy
Todd Simon, head coach at Bowling Green (formerly Southern Utah), shared his coaching journey, highlighting the importance of aligning identity with core values.
His program DNA includes competitiveness, gratitude, and brotherhood, supported by a culture of loud, early, and consistent communication. Simon stressed the coach’s dual responsibility: assistant coaches add value; head coaches sometimes must subtract—making tough roster decisions for the good of the team.
Doug Wojcik: The Gap Defensive System
Doug Wojcik, Navy Veteran and associate head coach at Michigan State University, offered an intensive look at defense. His progression from one-on-one to five-on-five drills showed the structure behind elite defensive teams.
Key takeaways:
- Daily defensive drills like jump-to-the-ball and closeouts.
- The Nagani Drill and 3-on-4 Scramble Drill for simulating pressure.
- Ball screen coverage options: feather, jam, and 45-degree.
Wojcik’s mantra—communication, physicality, and discipline—rang loud throughout the session.
Robert Moore: The Amoeba Defense
Robert Moore, head coach at Columbus State, presented on his trademark Amoeba Defense, a flexible zone system he’s used for over 16 years. Quickness, communication, and commitment are essential, and Moore underscored the value of belief: “If your players believe in it, it works.”
Night Three: Player Development and Transition Offense
The third evening emphasized building players, both as athletes and as people.
Jackie Alexander: Drill Design and Development
Jackie Alexander, U.S. Army Veteran and coach at the University of Illinois, taught the principles of intentional, individualized, and aligned drills. From shooting programs to positional development, she urged coaches to track measurable progress while investing in relationships.
Phil Handy: Authentic Player Development
Phil Handy, assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, shared insights from decades of NBA experience. Known as a player development guru, Handy urged coaches to:
- Be “truth-tellers” and build authentic relationships.
- Focus on quality over quantity in training.
- Collaborate with trainers to ensure alignment with team objectives.
He also provided practical wisdom for parent-coaches: separate family from basketball, avoid favoritism, and give children room to grow.
Jennie Baranczyk: Fast-Break Philosophy
Jennie Baranczyk, head coach at the University of Oklahoma, brought infectious energy with her system for teaching transition offense. Her progression from 2-on-0 drills to complex 6-on-6 scenarios highlighted timing, spacing, and pace.
Equally powerful was her philosophy: conditioning through positivity, not punishment. She emphasized instilling confidence by letting players learn through experience—an approach that resonated deeply with soldier coaches.
Night Four: Efficiency, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership
The final evening combined tactical brilliance with leadership wisdom.
Carly Thibault-DuDonis: The 5-Out System
Carly Thibault-DuDonis, head coach at Fairfield University, presented her high-efficiency 5-Out Offense. Anchored by advanced metrics like points per possession and assisted-to-turnover ratios, her system emphasized quick decision-making and constant movement.
Her innovation: the “Roadrunner” role for mobile post players, creating unique spacing and rim-running opportunities. She also discussed daily defensive habits, emphasizing effort, intensity, and accountability.
Seth Greenberg: Coaching as a Life Mission
Seth Greenberg, veteran college coach and ESPN analyst, closed the seminar with a heartfelt reflection on leadership.
He praised soldier coaches for their discipline and service, noting their natural alignment with the habits of great leaders. His message underscored:
- The importance of consistent habits and clear communication.
- Balancing family life with coaching responsibilities.
- Building team trust through fairness and candor.
- The lifelong value of mentorship and relationships.
Sponsor Spotlight
This powerful seminar was made possible through the generosity and vision of:
- Wounded Warrior Project – championing veterans and empowering their next chapter of leadership.
- Wells Fargo – investing in communities through education and opportunity.
- PenFed Foundation – supporting military families with resources for resilience and success.
- CVS Health – promoting health, wellness, and growth through partnerships that uplift communities.
Their support not only funded the seminar but also validated the mission of Soldiers To Sidelines: transforming service members into servant leaders through the power of sports.
Final Reflections
Across four nights, soldier coaches learned that basketball is the vehicle, but leadership is the destination. From the Xs and Os of offensive spacing to the subtleties of emotional intelligence, the seminar reinforced one truth: great coaching changes lives.
Thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project and sponsors Wells Fargo, PenFed Foundation, and CVS Health, these soldier coaches are now equipped with certification, knowledge, and the inspiration to lead from the sidelines.
As Harrison Bernstein reminded participants: coaching is not just teaching the game—it’s about transforming lives, one practice, one player, one moment at a time.
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