Paul Hiepler, former Abilene Christian basketball player and current criminal prosecutor in Ventura, California, joins the show to reflect on his journey from college athlete to life after sport. You may recognize him from his role on the ACU team that upset Texas in the first round of March Madness.

In this conversation, we dive into his development as an athlete, including the impact of his multi-sport background, the coaches and AAU environment that influenced him most, and the secret to his vertical jump.

Paul also reflects on the good and bad he’s seen from coaches, why a greater emphasis on strength and conditioning and weight gain could have better prepared him for college, how coaches can better support athletes through the transition when their playing careers come to an end, and how to impact a team even when you aren’t getting playing time.

🔗Check out more from Paul👇

Instagram: @paulhiepler

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:15 Early Athletic Development and Multi-Sport Experience

06:55 Transition to College Basketball and Overcoming Challenges

09:14 The Impact of Coaching and Training on Performance

11:43 The Role of AAU in Athlete Development

14:10 Specialization vs. Multi-Sport Participation

16:47 The Importance of Enjoying the Game

19:18 Coaching Perspectives and Lessons Learned

25:12 The Importance of Trust and Investment

29:52 The Role of Team Dynamics in Success

33:24 Adding Value Beyond On-Court Performance

39:47 Preparing for Life After Sports

EP 53: Paul Hiepler | From March Madness to Life After Basketball

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

EP 53: Paul Hiepler | From March Madness to Life After Basketball