OUR GUEST
Bob Starkey is one of the most accomplished assistant coaches in the history of women’s college basketball. He has been part of nearly 1,000 collegiate victories, 27 NCAA Tournaments, 10 Elite Eight appearances, and five consecutive Women’s Final Fours. In 2023, he was part of the LSU Tigers staff that won the national championship under head coach Kim Mulkey.
Bob served as acting head coach for LSU during its 2007 Final Four run and has coached at Marshall University, West Virginia State, LSU under Dale Brown, Sue Gunter, and Kim Mulkey, as well as Texas A&M under Gary Blair.
He is the author of The Art of Being an Assistant Coach and publishes Hoop Thoughts, where he shares insights on coaching, leadership, and personal development.
Bob is also deeply committed to community impact and serves on the board of directors for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, supporting the fight against cancer.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
- How a junior high coach shaped Bob Starkey’s lifelong approach to leadership
- Why the greatest coaches measure impact through relationships, not records
- Lessons on leadership from Dale Brown, Don Meyer, George Raveling, Nick Saban, and John Wooden
- Why loyalty, work ethic, initiative, and preparation remain timeless standards
- How failure becomes a teacher when leaders are willing to examine it honestly
- Why “the process” starts with controlling today and taking the next best action
- How daily habits, reflection, reading, and journaling build consistency over time
- Why storytelling creates buy-in, belief, and deeper connection with a team
- What the “Foxhole Test” reveals about trust, accountability, and true teammates
- How transformational leadership stays rooted in connection, attitude, and hard conversations
RESOURCES & LINKS
Bob Starkey
Ed Molitor
