Coaches' Book Club

Episode 19: Joe Cravens on sports and politics

Join us for a wide-ranging, entertaining conversation with a man who has done it all - retired coach and current broadcaster, Joe Cravens. Recently inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, Cravens was a successful division one men’s basketball coach at Weber State University and after he’d retired from coaching, answered a plea to help St. Joseph Catholic High School with their girls basketball program. He talks about the difference between teaching the game to teenage girls and college men - and also what doesn’t change, regardless of skill, gender or league. Coach Cravens spent his life teaching and talking about basketball, but he grew up playing and watching Major League Baseball. He chose a book about a pivotal time in history and how baseball, specifically the Dodger team led by Jewish pitcher Sandy Koufax and African-American infielder Maury Wills, played a role in changes in baseball and society. It’s a fascinating book with a lot to teach us about modern sports, and Coach Cravens is the perfect guide. Join us in reading The Last Innocents by Michael Leahy - our July book of the month!

Episode 18: Morgan Scalley and the lessons of the ego

University of Utah head coach Morgan Scalley returns to discuss why he loves the book - Ego is the Enemy - by Ryan Holiday. He tells us how seeing flaws in other people help him appreciate the beauty in his own struggles. He shares how he’s learned that honestly and genuine care helps you navigate the toughest conversations, and how clearing the path for others, actually creates a path for you. This is a unique, thought-provoking conversation with one of the most intriguing coaches in the game!

Episode 17: Sharrieff Shah and The Energy Bus

Get to know Utah’s new Associate head coach - and longtime assistant coach - Sharrieff Shah in this episode where he shares lessons from one of his favorite books - The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. He discusses how a conversation with Kyle Whittingham led him to quit practicing law and take up coaching, how his friendship with Morgan Scalley developed and what matters most to him when he’s teaching and mentoring his players. He tells us how he and Coach Scalley used to discuss how they’d lead a program, and even gives an example of one thing they’re trying to do that makes them a bit of an outlier. Coach Shah also shares stories about tough times, tough conversations and how he’s learned that giving someone time is an act of love. Join us for a moving, thought-provoking conversation with one of the most energetic people you’ll ever meet.

Episode 16: Kevin McGiven, Utah Offensive Coordinator

In this episode, we get to know University of Utah football's new offensive coordinator - Kevin McGiven. We talk about his path to coaching college football, his unique interview for the Utah job, and how his ‘why’ for coaching helps him stay true to his values in what is an increasingly transactional business. We discuss this month’s book - Ego is the Enemy - and last month’s book - The Untethered Soul - and why the concepts of those books help him be a better teacher, leader and person.

Episode 15 - Don’t call me coach

In this episode, we get to know Utah’s new football general manager - Joe D’Orazio. A former center, Joe talks about how he was hired to work with the offensive line under Norm Chow, only to have former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham tell him he’d be working with then defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake. But what felt like a mistake turned out to be a life-changing opportunity. We discuss what he’s learned coaching college football, and why he is undaunted by the ever-changing landscape, including the transfer portal and NIL money. He talks about his mentors, like NFL coach Andy Reid, and why he and Morgan Scalley remained close friends through the years. He explains his love of statistics, analytics and why he says, “The plays don’t matter.” He also says he doesn’t want to be called coach because coaching is what he does, not who he is. This is a fascinating conversation with a man who could reshape football at the U.