We’re thrilled to welcome Horizon League Coach of the Year Andy Toole to the JustIn Time Podcast! In this captivating conversation, the Robert Morris head coach takes us through his remarkable journey from playing at Elon and Penn to becoming one of college basketball’s respected young coaches. Toole shares incredible stories about playing against Allen Iverson in Philadelphia summer leagues, coaching against legends like Coach K, and receiving unexpected wisdom from the late John Thompson. We explore the emotional rollercoaster of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 2020 only to have it canceled due to COVID, and how his team fought back to return to March Madness in 2025. This conversation offers rare insights into the challenges of mid-major coaching, recruiting philosophy, and what it takes to build a championship culture. Join us for this basketball masterclass with one of the game’s brightest minds.
⏰ Timestamps:
(00:00:21) - Introduction to Andy Toole and his NCAA Tournament qualification
(00:02:08) - Andy’s college playing career at Elon and Penn
(00:07:05) - The experience of representing the Ivy League in the NCAA Tournament
(00:10:12) - Choosing coaching over traditional Penn career paths
(00:12:23) - Early leadership experiences and coaching influences
(00:16:19) - Taking over as head coach at Robert Morris at age 30
(00:19:07) - Coaching against basketball legends like Coach K
(00:22:08) - First experiences coaching against established head coaches
(00:24:09) - Meeting and receiving advice from John Thompson
(00:25:49) - Developing his coaching style and player accountability
(00:28:12) - The heartbreak of the 2020 NCAA Tournament cancellation
(00:31:42) - Challenges of coaching through the COVID-19 pandemic
(00:34:29) - Building the 2025 NCAA Tournament team
(00:38:10) - Recruiting philosophy and finding competitive players
(00:41:40) - The story of Amarion Dickerson, Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year
(00:46:34) - Preparing to face Alabama as a 15-seed in the NCAA Tournament
(00:52:52) - This Just In segment: Playing against Allen Iverson
(00:54:50) - Best player he ever coached against (55:42) - Coaches who challenged him the most
(00:57:15) - The reality of being a first-time head coach
💡Key Topics:
📌 Andy Toole’s journey from Ivy League player to successful mid-major head coach
📌 The emotional impact of the 2020 NCAA Tournament cancellation and the road back to March Madness
📌 Recruiting philosophy and identifying competitive players at the mid-major level
📌 Coaching against basketball legends and receiving wisdom from iconic figures
📌 Building team culture and player accountability at Robert Morris
🏀 About Andy Toole:
Andy Toole is the head men’s basketball coach at Robert Morris University, where he’s been at the helm for 15 years. A former standout guard at Penn, Toole has led the Colonials to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and was named Horizon League Coach of the Year in 2025.
🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.
#AndyToole #RobertMorrisBasketball #MarchMadness #CollegeBasketball #HorizonLeague #NCAACoaching #BasketballRecruitment
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