A Pen And A Napkin Presented by Ruiz Auto-Episode #321 TJ Eskildsen

A Pen And A Napkin Presented by Ruiz Auto-Episode #321 TJ Eskildsen

Author: Martin Plum April 9, 2026 Duration: 1:17:01

Episode #321 features TJ Eskildsen, the head men's basketball coach at McPherson (KS) University. Coach Eskildsen has built a great program at McPherson, including an NAIA national tournament berth this past season. In this podcast, we discuss the influence of his father, building his program, developing players, pressbreaks, transition offense and much more! A really fun conversation with one of the best NAIA coaches in the country!


Imagine a whiteboard session after a big game, the kind where strategy gets scribbled on whatever's handy. That's the spirit of A Pen And A Napkin. This weekly conversation lives at the crossroads of sport and creative thinking, diving deep into the art of coaching basketball. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a gym office, listening to the nuanced discussions about player development, offensive sets, defensive adjustments, and the philosophy behind building a team. It’s less about Xs and Os in a vacuum and more about the why-the human elements and the creative problem-solving that define the craft. You’ll hear authentic breakdowns of game situations, reflections on leadership, and practical ideas that often start with a simple sketch. Think of it as a portable mentors’ roundtable, a clinic distilled into conversation, offering perspectives that resonate whether you’re on the sidelines or just appreciate the deeper layers of the game. Tune in for a podcast that captures the ongoing, ever-evolving dialogue at the heart of coaching.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

A Pen And A Napkin
Podcast Episodes
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #285 Carrie Eighmey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:33
After almost a year of scheduling conflicts and 25 years after I tried to recruit her to Briar Cliff, Carrie Eighmey comes on episode #285 to discuss a variety of topics. Eighmey, who is entering her second year as head…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #284 Jared Ronai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:34
I had a great conversation with Jared Ronai, the head men's basketball coach at Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH), for episode #284. In this episode, we talk about a variety of topics, including his basketball journey, building…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #283 Jory Collins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:37
Rebuilding a once-proud program is not as easy as it seems, but Jory Collins, the head women's basketball coach at North Dakota State University, is well on track to getting the Bison back to the elite. In this episode,…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #281 Northwest Iowa Roundtable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:14
I was back at home last week visiting family and friends, and my friend Kiley Yates from South O'Brien (IA) HS helped me bring together Derek Keizer from Hull Western Christian (IA) and Loren DeJong of Siouxland Christia…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #280-Rafael Barlowe and Jordon Klein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:19
We've got a two-parter this week! We'll kick it off with NBA draft guru (and Omaha native) Rafael Barlowe breaking down the top end of the draft, discussing players with Omaha ties, some foreign players that may sneak up…