Eric Konkol on Attitude, Commitment, Class (EP439)

University of Tulsa head coach Eric Konkol discussed his successful 2025-26 season that produced 30 wins and an NIT championship game appearance, a campaign built on staff continuity and attracting a complementary, high-character roster. His program is guided by the core philosophy of “Attitude, Commitment, Class,” a framework from Jim Larrañaga that prioritizes energy, dedication, and professionalism. Konkol emphasized playing lots of basketball through a game-based approach that incorporates advantage drills and a “three-trip game” (canceling pauses) to develop decision-making skills, while using video in multiple ways—primarily for corrections—for teaching. He detailed the team’s record-breaking three-point shooting performance, explaining their recruiting strategy and testing methods such as the 5-minute threes drill to identify and develop shooters. The conversation also covered managing roster turnover, maintaining program-building momentum after his success at Louisiana Tech, defensive principles focused on sprinting back and physicality, and the mental aspects of coaching through challenging periods.