Influenced by championship-winning coaches early in his career, St. Michael’s graduate Damian Segura has built his own legacy by becoming one himself.

A longtime boys basketball coach at Albuquerque St. Pius X, where he guided the Sartans to four state titles, Segura is now trying to make contenders of Sandia Prep.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Segura joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his coaching career and philosophy, his mentors and his thoughts on the possible “free” one-time transfer rule that’s being considered by the New Mexico Activities Association.

Segura talks about his early years at St. Pius, where he went up against coaching legend Mike Brown and powerhouse Albuquerque Academy. He also talks about his decision to leave St. Pius after winning four titles, and what he learned from his time away from coaching before he returned to the sidelines to guide Sandia Prep.

Segura discusses the challenge of competing in a loaded Class 3A, and what he thinks of his squad heading into next season.

In the second segment, Will and James chat about the NBA Finals, where another Mike Brown will be on the sidelines. Will talks about the first-year New York Knicks head coach’s ties with the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program and the rumors that were swirling that he was going to succeed Richard Pitino as the Lobos’ coach when Pitino left for Xavier.

The guys then chat about this year’s spring NorthStars and reveal who The New Mexican’s male and female athletes of the year.