Coach Profile for Jason Billie

My coaching philosophy is centered on development, accountability, opportunity, and relationships. I believe basketball should prepare young people for more than the next game. My job as a coach is to help athletes improve their skills, understand the game, become better teammates, and develop habits that carry over into school and life. I have more than 25 years of experience coaching and training youth basketball players, and I have seen the game from several perspectives, including coach, athlete, parent, trainer, mentor, and recruiting advocate. That experience has shaped how I coach. I set expectations, hold players accountable, and push them to compete, but I also take time to understand each athlete and what they need to develop. One of my strongest beliefs is “Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated.” I do not believe every athlete has to pursue Division I basketball to be successful. I want players to find the academic and athletic environment where they can develop, contribute, earn an education, and have a positive experience. My background as a Certified Master Trainer and strength and conditioning professional also influences my approach. I value proper movement, conditioning, injury prevention, strength development, and teaching athletes how to take care of their bodies. My larger goal is to continue creating opportunities for young athletes, particularly Indigenous student-athletes and players who may not have access to traditional recruiting networks. I have presented on Indigenous student-athlete recruiting, developed recruiting and athlete-development initiatives, and spent years helping young people understand their options beyond high school. Ultimately, I want the athletes I coach to leave my program as better basketball players, better decision-makers, and more confident young adults, with a clearer idea of where they want to go next and how to get there.