Hoop Heads

Devrinn Paul is entering his third year as the head coach of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team in the 2025-26 season. Paul has guided Rose-Hulman to a combined 24 wins in his first two seasons as head coach after the program won just 23 games over the previous four seasons combined. In his inaugural season in Terre Haute, Paul guided the Fighting' Engineers to a 10-win improvement over the previous season.

Paul has been a member of the coaching staff at three Division One institutions, including Louisville, Cincinnati and Marshall. His stop at Louisville included two trips to the Final Four.

Paul recently wrote, edited and released, on May 1, 2025, his first book titled “"Coaching the Winner Within, 7 Leadership Skills to Elevate Your Team and Your Life." To help promote and sell the book, Paul created a website to enhance the reader's experience that introduced individuals to the book and accompanying workbook. Throughout the book, Paul discusses his exposure to championship cultures that focus on preparation, humility, and leadership and his evolution of a coach while helping rebuild a program - learning how to recruit, develop talent, and elevate team chemistry.

On this episode Mike and Devrinn discuss the idea that success in coaching is not solely determined by tactical knowledge, but rather by personal growth and character development. Paul emphasizes the importance of letting players express themselves on the court while fostering an environment that prioritizes their academic commitments. Additionally, he shares insights from his newly published book, "Coaching the Winner Within," which outlines seven leadership skills essential for both personal and professional elevation. As we explore Paul’s experiences and philosophies, we gain valuable perspectives on the intersection of athletics, personal finance, and the significance of nurturing a supportive team culture.

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Be prepared with a notebook and pen as you listen to this episode with Devrinn Paul, Women’s Basketball Head Coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Websites - https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/sports/womens-basketball