UCLA WBB head coach Cori Close joins Laura to talk about a culture that outlasts banners and awards—sweeping the sheds, nurturing the roots, and why “coaching people’s hearts” is her real playbook. She opens up about the Final Four learning curve, the NIL and transfer-era noise, and what infrastructure college programs actually need so coaches can coach. Plus: the service work that connects teams—and how gratitude, discipline, and “uncommon” choices turn talent into titles.


01:18 Coach Cori Close's Journey and Early Influences
03:35 The Coach Close Basketball Method
06:28 Achievements and Reflections on Awards
09:11 Mental Conditioning and Player Development
13:13 Challenges and Lessons from the Final Four
17:43 Navigating NIL and Financial Conversations
23:50 Future of Women's College Basketball

UCLA WBB head coach Cori Close joins Laura to talk about a culture that outlasts banners and awards&mdash;sweeping the sheds, nurturing the roots, and why &ldquo;coaching people&rsquo;s hearts&rdquo; is her real playbook. She opens up about the Final Four learning curve, the NIL and transfer-era noise, and what infrastructure college programs actually need so coaches can coach. Plus: the service work that connects teams&mdash;and how gratitude, discipline, and &ldquo;uncommon&rdquo; choices turn talent into titles.
 01:18 Coach Cori Close's Journey and Early Influences 03:35 The Coach Close Basketball Method 06:28 Achievements and Reflections on Awards 09:11 Mental Conditioning and Player Development 13:13 Challenges and Lessons from the Final Four 17:43 Navigating NIL and Financial Conversations 23:50 Future of Women's College Basketball

Women’s sports aren’t just growing—they’re booming. And Courtside is where you’ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward. Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business. From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women’s sports are changing the game. Whether you’re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women’s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Women&rsquo;s sports aren&rsquo;t just growing&mdash;they&rsquo;re booming. And Courtside is where you&rsquo;ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward.&nbsp;Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports &amp; Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business.&nbsp;From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women&rsquo;s sports are changing the game. Whether you&rsquo;re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women&rsquo;s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Courtside with Laura Correnti

Broom & Shovel Leadership: Cori Close on Building an Uncommon Program

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e75e207e-173e-4c4a-8e6d-b35c0022dd89/transcript