Coaches

COACHING STAFF

ASPIRE’s professional coaches and trainers, implementing their programs, provide the opportunity for exceptional student-athletes to act upon their desire to earn admission to top collegiate institutions, play top collegiate basketball, and, perhaps, even a chance at a professional basketball career. It takes extraordinary talent level and commitment on the part of the student-athlete, supported and encouraged by top teachers and coaches for the individual to achieve their goals. Teaching both fundamental and advanced techniques and tactics, ASPIRE’s coaching staff is able to bring out the best in every student-athlete. ASPIRE’s coaches played and/or coached at the professional, collegiate and prep level, under the tutelage of some the best coaches in the history of the game. They are committed to the development of all their student-athletes and work full-time to ensure every one of them are provided with the support and guidance they need while in our care and beyond. Our commitment to our student-athlete lasts beyond their time with ASPIRE.

Jeremy Kipness-Head Coach of National High School Team

Associate Head Varsity Coach and Head Freshmen Coach at Chaparral High School in Arizona-(2015-2016)
3-years of experience working under the tutelage and mentorship of Hall-of-Fame coach, Rick Pitino, serving as a student-manager for the University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Team-National Champions 2013, Final Four 2012 & 2013, Big East Tournament Champions 2012 & 2013, AAC Tournament Champions 2014, Sweet Sixteen 2014-(2011-2014)
Director of Player Development over in Senegal, West at Sports for Education and Economic Development (SEED) Project-(2005)
Co-Founder of the Connecticut Wizards AAU Basketball Program-(2009)
9-years of experience as a coach and basketball skills specialist, working with players at the youth level on up to the Division-I collegiate level and professional level, aiding in the development of 5 NBA Draft Picks (Gorgui Dieng, Peyton Siva, Russ Smith, Terry Rozier, Montrezl Harrell) as well as countless professional players overseas, and numerous players at the collegiate ranks (2008-current)
3-years of experience traveling the country to work alongside the likes of Florida Head Coach Billy Donovan, Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo, UConn Head Coach Kevin Ollie and Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner as a counselor/coach at their elite summer basketball camps-(2013-2015)
Opportunity to play at Division-III New England College of the North Athletic Conference (NAC), located in Henniker, New Hampshire
4-years of varsity high school basketball experience as a player at Guilford High School in Connecticut (2007-2009) and Massapequa High School in New York (2009-2010)
Graduated from the University of Louisville in 2015 with a Bachelors Degree in Sport Administration

Derek Olich-Head Coach of Post Graduate Team

Co-Founder and Director of O’zone Shooting Factory-(2012-2015)
Director of Player Development for Desert Mountain High School in Arizona-(2013-2015)
Director of Player Development for the Arizona Heat AAU Basketball Program-(2013-2014)
Assistant Varsity Coach at Saguaro High School in Arizona-(2009-2010)
Volunteer Assistant Coach at Grand Canyon University-(2010-2011)
Associate Head Coach and Director of Player Development for the Arizona Scorpions of the ABA-(2011-2012)
1-year professional playing experience for Tekelspor in the 1st Division in Turkey (2005-2006)
2-years of collegiate playing experience at Columbia Junior College in California-First Team All-Conference-2002-(2000-2002)
1-year of college playing experience at Northwest Nazarene University-Led conference in steals, assists, assist/turnover ratio and finished second in the nation in assists-(2002-2003)
4-years of varsity high school basketball experience as a player at Mountain View High School in Arizona-Arizona State Champions-1999, East Valley Player of the Year & Second Team All-State-2000-(1996-2000)
Graduated from Ottawa University in 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and a minor in History

Nick DeFeo-Assistant Coach of National High School Team

Assistant Coach for the National Team at Commonwealth Academy in Massachusetts (2015-2016)
Head Coach for the Middle School team at Commonwealth Academy (2015-2016)
Played basketball for 3 years at Western New England University and earned an honorable mention for All-Conference in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (2012-2015)
6-years of experience working as a player development coach, teaching players from the youth level up to high-major Division I collegiate athletes (2010-current)
Selected to coach at the Connecticut Basketball School, Five Star Basketball, and UConn Men’s Basketball Camps (2014-2016)
Co-Founder and Director of Southington Summer Basketball League in Southington, Connecticut and ran all operations including scheduling, location, and referees (2013-2015)
4-years of varsity high school basketball experience at Southington High School, earning All-Conference honors senior year (2006-2010)
Graduated from Western New England University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management and in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Communications and Public Relations

don Boug’e-Head Strength & Conditioning Coach

Owner/Head Performance Coach at A Better Athlete, LLC (2013-Present)
Strength and Conditioning Coach at Desert Mountain High School (2014)
Strength and Conditioning Coach at Chaparral High School (2015-Present)
Strength and Conditioning Coach at Gilbert Christian High School (2015-Present)
Strength and Conditioning Coach at South Mountain Community College (2016)
Certified Personal Trainer (Stronger Team)
Certified Speed and Agility Coach
Applied Performance Enhancement Coach
Assistant Coach with AZ Warriors (2005-2007)
Owner/Head Coach of Phoenix Flyers (2008-2012)
Head JV Coach Highland High School (2009-2011)
Head JV Coach Mesquite High School (2012-2013)
BioForce
Functional Movement Screen
Functional Movement Techniques
Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Golf Fitness Specialist