We recently had the pleasure of interviewing former NBA guard and long-time pro coach, Jay Humphries, who is one of our top private basketball coaches on CoachUp. Jay played in the NBA from 1984-95; he was Phoenix’s 13th overall draft pick in ’84, coming out of the University of Colorado. He went on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics, averaging 11.1 points and 5.5 assists over his career. Currently (as of 4/2013), Jay sits at 76th all-time in assists and 90th all-time in steals. Here’s a quick synopsis of Jay’s coaching background:
The Spotlight has returned! This year, we are committed to bringing our readers bigger and better content than ever before. Not only have we brought the CoachUp Spotlight back, but we have changed it for the better.
We here at CoachUp understand that private coaching is about more than the sport itself: it’s about having fun, teaching good sportsmanship, and inspiring confidence. Our new Spotlight interviews reflect all that we believe coaching is about. We’ll still deliver you information similar to what we shared in the past, only now you can expect a more in-depth look at our coaches, their influences, and everything else in between.

The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
Can you tell us about your background as a runner and coach?
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
What is your background in strength and fitness training?
I originally began to strength train for sports in high school. At the time, I read everything I could to become better. I eventually competed in bodybuilding and martial arts with distinction.
Being an athlete is an essential component of understanding how to “push” to reach those better and often hidden capacities. There are many tactics along the way to consider such as diet, sleep and nutritional needs that push strength, recovery and motivation.
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
How did you get started playing basketball?
I began playing basketball when I was 9 years old. I joined a big organized basketball club at the age of 11 which gave me exceptional fundamentals. I continued playing organized ball in sports clubs, high- school (in Europe), and college (US), all the way up to professional (Europe), national and Olympic levels with the Turkish national team. I then began to coach, and coached around the country in various camps and clinics for organizations such as Stanford University, Philadelphia 76ers and Bob Hurley, among many others.
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
How did you start playing and coaching football?
I started playing football my junior year of high school, and loved it…I started to play once I was in the military, but once the war broke out (Desert Shield/Storm), our season was cut short. So the next progression for me was to start coaching, which began in the fall of 1999. And I’ve been going strong ever since.
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
Why did you decide to become a private coach?
Teaching privately allows for an understanding between coach and athlete that does not always occurs in a group. Private instruction is the quickest and most effective way to learn Chinese martial arts. It allows for hands on instruction and immediate feedback. Private instruction also allows me as the coach to tailor the training to the individual.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com
Why did you decide to become a private coach?
Because so many ballplayers don’t get the specialized coaching they need to succeed with 20 other players on the team. That, and I love teaching baseball to youth.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy seeing the joy of the game grow as the player grows to overcome major challenges, both mentally and physically.
The Coach Spotlight is a new series where we will be featuring interviews with CoachUp Coaches. If you are interested in being interviewed for a spotlight, please contact info@coachup.com




