Host Jon Adams welcomes MSUM Men's Basketball Head Coach Jason Kemp for his first interview, diving into the unique "ecosystem" of the Fargo-Moorhead culture and the coach's plan for rebuilding the Dragons program. Coach Kemp, a Dragon alum with Big Ten experience, discusses his coaching philosophy, which focuses on "high road leadership," defining player roles, and prioritizing character over X's and O's. The conversation also touches on the challenges of being a coach's family, the excitement of MSUM's homecoming week, and the need for alumni to re-engage with the university's athletics.
Key Moments:
- 01:05 - The host praises Fargo's "unique culture" of diversity and kindness, recounting a moment when a stranger recognized him at Costco simply by his voice.
- 02:59 - The host rants about local politics, specifically the controversial location of the Engagement Center, asking why surrounding cities like Horace or Oxbow don't share the financial burden.
- 04:36 - Coach Jason Kemp details his impressive career trajectory: starting at MSUM, moving to NDSU, and then spending four years with the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten before returning as head coach.
- 05:32 - Coach Kemp outlines his program-building philosophy, which centers on three elements: "places, people, and culture," emphasizing the need for players with strong character who the community would want as neighbors.
- 07:29 - Kemp discusses his "CEO role," which involves using a high road leadership style and empowering his staff. He reveals that his wife, who is a doctor of psychology, helps him with his approach to discipline and communication with athletes.
- 08:31 - Kemp names his high school JV football coach, Lowell Davis, as his most influential mentor because of his ability to be both supportive and highly demanding: "He'd also grab you by the face mask and, like, tell you you stunk."
- 10:49 - The coach explains that successful modern coaching is about being transformational rather than transactional, arguing that yelling at a kid in a game is ineffective and will "immediately lose that trust".
- 13:00 - Coach Kemp discusses the sacrifices his family has made for his career, explaining that he took the MSUM job partly because Division II offers a better work-life balance than Power Five coaching.
- 14:02 - Kemp details his exciting, fast-paced, up-tempo playing style for the Dragons, designed to "catch the eye of the neutral fan," though he stresses the non-negotiable need to limit turnovers.