Basketball is far more than a game. It is a relentless pursuit of excellence — a craft that demands curiosity, humility, passion, and an unwavering commitment to getting better every single day. In The Championship Blueprint, Kevin Furtado brings together the voices and philosophies of some of the most respected minds in coaching, offering a roadmap for anyone striving to become not just a better coach, but a master teacher of the game. As someone who has spent decades in the gym — building programs, mentoring young athletes, and constantly learning — I know firsthand that great coaching is not an accident. It’s the product of dedication: late nights watching film, endless conversations with fellow coaches, and the constant challenge to evolve. This book captures that spirit. What makes this collection special is its authenticity. These are not theories — they are hard-earned lessons from practices, locker rooms, and championship games. Whether it’s Gene Durden’s relentless grind, Doc Scheppler’s skill-building genius, or the practical wisdom of the other featured coaches, each chapter is filled with insights that translate to the court and beyond. If you love basketball — if you love the process of building players, building programs, and building people — this book is for you. It reminds us that while the wins and banners are nice, the true legacy of a coach lies in the impact we make on the lives of others and the standard of excellence we demand of ourselves. Enjoy the journey.

Kevin Kiernan All-Time Winningest Girls Basketball Coach in California History

Former Head Coach, Mater Dei High School Southern California Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee

Foundations of the Blueprint

— Why Coaching Is Teaching When you step onto the court with a whistle around your neck, you’re not just coaching basketball — you’re stepping into a classroom. The floor becomes your chalkboard, the players your students, and every drill, correction, and huddle a lesson in discipline, resilience, and growth. The best coaches know this truth: great coaching is great teaching. Think about your own journey. You didn’t fall in love with basketball because someone handed you a playbook — you loved it because someone believed in you, taught you, and showed you how to learn. The heartbeat of elite coaching isn’t found in clever X’s and O’s alone; it’s found in the teacher’s craft — explaining, modeling, questioning, encouraging, and sometimes even failing alongside your players so they can learn to rise again. The most effective coaches build their programs like master educators build classrooms. They create systems of progression, where each skill connects to the next. They set clear standards and model them relentlessly. They study how their athletes learn best and meet them where they are. And above all, they understand that before a player will run through a wall for you, she must trust you — and trust is earned through teaching, not just telling. In this chapter, we lay the foundation for the entire book: to become a master coach, you must embrace the teacher’s mindset. Every great practice plan is a lesson plan. Every film session is an opportunity to spark curiosity. Every moment you correct a mistake or celebrate a breakthrough is a chance to show that learning matters more than looking perfect. Coaching is teaching, and when we approach the game that way, we empower players not only to perform but to grow as people.

Gene Durden — The Grind Formula: Relentless Development and Discipline: "The Gym Before Sunrise": (Chapter 1) The lights in Buford High School’s gym flicker on long before dawn. The squeak of sneakers hasn’t started yet; the baskets sit quietly in the dark. But Gene Durden is already there, clipboard tucked under his arm, making notes for the day’s practice. He isn’t obsessed with winning trophies — at least not directly. His obsession is standards. Durden has spent decades turning the Buford Lady Wolves into one of the most disciplined and successful girls’ basketball programs in Georgia. His teams have played in ten of the past sixteen state championship games and have captured multiple titles. Yet when you talk to him, you quickly realize the banners aren’t the point. They’re a byproduct of something bigger: a culture of accountability, relentless skill work, and personal growth. “If a kid comes out of our program in four years and I only taught her a jump shot, I failed,” Durden says. “My vision isn’t state championships. It’s preparing kids for the real game — and the real game is life.”

$12.99 The Championship Blueprint: Eight Masters Coaches on Building Elite Teams Basketball is far more than a game. It is a relentless pursuit of excellence — a craft that demands curiosity, humility,... Read more Get it now!

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Thanks,

Coach Kevin Furtado