Episode 37: Season 7, Episode 5- Matt Aldred: "I don’t think we win games in July"

This week we welcome Matt Aldred of the University of Michigan to The Podcast to discuss preparing basketball athletes for performance—and what it means to be a strength and conditioning coach beyond the weight room. Matt shares how he adjusted summer training after a long season, why he prioritizes keeping players fresh, and how he builds individualized plans around each athlete’s goals, movement, and needs.In this episode, the focus is on thoughtful coaching systems that support both athletes and coaches: managing training volume, adapting programs, creating athlete buy-in, and explaining the purpose behind the work. Matt and Jay also have an honest conversation about the emotional demands of coaching, the pressure to make work your identity, and the importance of protecting relationships and life outside the profession.Time Stamps00:00 - Welcome and why this conversation matters for young strength coaches01:40 - Matt’s coaching journey from Alabama Huntsville to Michigan04:21 - How a long postseason run affected the offseason05:46 - Reducing summer training intensity and session length07:12 - Keeping summer work in perspective and preparing for the season10:03 - Adapting training around travel and player availability10:58 - Using coach feedback and movement observations to individualize programs11:56 - Setting specific summer goals with athletes13:12 - Aligning player, coach, and program priorities14:41 - Listening to athlete ideas while staying grounded in training principles15:10 - Explaining training choices and building trust16:31 - Making athletes co-authors in their development18:41 - Building relationships through intentional one-on-one conversations19:38 - Using visuals and practice examples to explain the purpose of training21:19 - Shifting the conversation from coaching to identity22:30 - Coaching as experimentation and learning23:00 - How work follows coaches into life outside the gym24:26 - Separating professional success from personal identity25:52 - “Leasing the jersey” and letting go of ego27:20 - The challenge of switching off after work28:48 - The uncertainty of evaluating strength and conditioning work31:16 - Why coaches keep thinking about work during personal time32:13 - The emotional swings of wins, losses, and close games33:36 - The value of talking openly about the strain34:03 - A reminder to keep family and personal priorities in view35:55 - Supporting relationships through the demands of coaching36:08 - Communicating when work c