Episode 301 with Western Kentucky Head Coach Steve Lutz
·25 min·2 clips
Steve Lutz reveals why he left Texas A&M Corpus Christi after two NCAA tournaments for Western Kentucky.
The episode features an interview with Steve Lutz, the new head coach at Western Kentucky. Hosts Matt Giglio and Mindong introduce Lutz, who recently moved from Texas A&M Corpus Christi after two seasons there. Lutz begins by discussing his current workload, noting he still has scholarships to fill and scheduling to complete. He then traces his basketball origins, explaining how a high school baseball injury shifted his focus to basketball. Lutz played at Ranger College and Texas Lutheran before entering coaching. He spent 26 years as an assistant at institutions including Incarnate Word, Garden City Community College, Stephen F. Austin, SMU, Creighton, and Purdue. Lutz describes learning from coaches like Matt Doherty, Greg McDermott, and Matt Painter, emphasizing how he borrowed elements from each. In 2021, he became head coach at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, leading the team to the NCAA tournament in his first year and winning a conference title and tournament game in his second. Lutz recounts the chaotic travel to his first NCAA tournament and adjustments made in year two. He explains his decision to leave for Western Kentucky, citing the program's history and his family's stay in Corpus Christi. Lutz expresses pride in his assistant Jim Shaw taking over at Corpus Christi. He sets expectations for Western Kentucky, aiming to win the conference and reach the NCAA tournament. Lutz discusses the difficulty of balancing coaching with family life, admitting coaches lack balance. He offers advice to aspiring coaches, stressing humility and hard work. Lutz compares college and NBA basketball, noting differences in game counts and practice structures. The episode concludes with well-wishes for his season.
