Episode 323: TJ Saint, Inside TJ Saint’s Playbook: Modern Strategies and Concepts

Guest: TJ Saint, Birmingham Squadron G-League Head Coach

In this week's coaching conversation, Birmingham Squadron G-League head coach T.J. Saint joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on his playbook and modern strategies and concepts.

Saint's professional coaching journey started in 2014 when he served as the video coordinator for the Detroit Pistons. He remained with the Pistons until 2018 gaining valuable insights into the NBA game. Following his departure from the Pistons, Saint went to the University of Georgia where he held the position of Director of Basketball Strategy for the Men's Basketball team during the 2018-19 season.

Saint then spent three seasons honing his coaching skills with the New Orleans Pelicans' G League affiliates. He started as an assistant coach (2019-20) before being promoted to associate head coach (2020-22). His dedication and hard work culminated in his well-deserved appointment as head coach of the Birmingham Squadron in 2022. Saint's 2023-24 Squadron team was the #1 ranked offense in the regular season, and the 4th all-time regular season offense in the history of the G-League.

Saint attended Belmont University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in business development. During his time at Belmont, he also served as a student assistant coach with the men’s basketball team from 2009 to 2011. His experience at Belmont laid a strong foundation for his coaching career, combining academic achievement with practical coaching experience.

Saint later pursued a Master’s degree in effective teaching and leadership at Butler University. While at Butler, he worked as a graduate assistant coach, further honing his coaching skills and expanding his understanding of leadership in sports.

Breakdown

1:00 - Coachikng Strategies and Culture

2:00 - Creating Team Identity

5:30 - Positive Reinforcement

9:00 - Basketball Coaching Strategies

15:30 - Confrontational Drives

19:00 - Alternating the Current

22:30 - Spacing

29:30 - Blitzing and Pick and Roll Coverage

32:30 - Defensive Tactics

35:00 - Pick and Roll Reads

41:30 - Hang and Hostage Dribbles