In this heartfelt interview, Making the Team host Erik Soderborg sits down with Coach Gus Sopeña, head coach of the Summit Academy boys basketball team, for an honest conversation about the emotional and mental challenges of coaching — and the deep rewards that come from helping young athletes reach their full potential.
Coach Sopeña opens up about:
The pressure and expectations coaches quietly carry
What it means to truly care about your players
How high school basketball shapes character beyond the court
The moments that make it all worth it — even when no one’s watching
Why building a strong team culture is more important than just winning games
📌 Whether you’re a coach, player, parent, or sports fan, this conversation is a reminder that coaching is about people first — and that some of the most meaningful victories happen off the scoreboard.
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⏰ TIME CODES ⏰
0:00 Intro Teaser
0:30 Getting into Coaching
8:52 Coaching Interview Process
22:23 From Assistant to Head Coach
23:55 The Bountiful Experience
33:00 The Life of a Coach
39:15 Mental Struggles of Coaches
40:45 Summit Academy Opportunity
47:00 Building a Winning Team
52:58 Balancing Coaching and Caring
1:02:27 Practice Plans
1:06:05 Conditioning Philosophy
1:11:05 Communication Between Players and Parents
#gussopena #basketballcoach #summitacademy #highschoolbasketball