EP 7: Phil Baier | Making Career Moves, Acing Interviews, and Developing Interns

Kansas State Men’s Basketball Strength Coach Phil Baier shares practical, high-impact insight on developing interns, career progression, and separating yourself in the interview process. Whether you're just starting out or further along in your career, this episode is packed with lessons you can use right away.

Phil has been the driving force behind the physical preparation of two programs that made back-to-back Elite Eight runs — first with Miami in 2022, then with Kansas State in 2023.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

03:48 Value Beyond Physical Development

06:18 Recruiting and Evaluating Potential Players

10:39 Career Decisions and Job Transitions

13:57 Common Traits of Successful Coaches

18:30 Building Relationships and Communication

21:36 Individualized Training Approaches

24:06 Interview Strategies for Coaches

29:34 Effective Communication in Coaching

32:22 Developing Interns and Young Professionals

36:25 Building Coaching Philosophy and Experience

40:04 The Importance of Reps and Real-World Experience

45:47 Closing the Skill Gap

49:12 Influential Mentors in Coaching

51:28 Balancing Personal and Professional Life