11. St Andrew’s School Head Coach Mike Hart Interview

Audio Only

Download Listen On Apple Listen On Spotify

Meet Coach Mike Hart, the athletic director and basketball coach at St. Andrew’s School outside Providence, Rhode Island. He’s been at St. Andrew’s since 1994 and has been named New England Prep School Coach of the Year 6 times.

In this episode, he talks about St. Andrews School, the under-the-radar kid they’re focused on, and the diverse environment they provide for basketball players. He explains the importance of trust between college and prep school coaches which enables successful college recruiting.

Listen in to learn the importance of parents allowing coaches to coach their children and other valuable tips.

What You Will Learn

  1. [1:01] Coach Hart describes his background with basketball in Providence spanning over four decades.
  2. [4:56] How his college coach got him into coaching in the late 80s and his arrival at St. Andrew’s.
  3. [11:10] He describes St. Andrews as a blue color, diverse prep school that ensures students are rightly fitted and evaluated for success.
  4. [17:32] He describes his coaching style as having a lot of fun while working hard.
  5. [24:42] He talks about some of the best kids they’ve worked with at St. Andrew’s.
  6. [32:26] Coach Hart explains the need for trust between college coaches and prep school coaches, which is currently lacking.
  7. [36:51] The lack of trust between college and prep school coaches.
  8. [41:30] He describes the type of kids he enjoys training at St. Andrews- the under-the-radar kids.
  9. [44:44] He tells the story of kids who left after choosing a life away from basketball.
  10. [48:46] The three things that separate spectacular basketball players from the rest.
  11. [55:16] What Coach Hart enjoys doing away from work.

Connect with Coach Mike Hart:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/SASRIAthletics/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/CoachMikeHart

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqzY-58MW6ukmmvnNgWdFLQ

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007357967461

Website | https://www.standrews-ri.org/team-detail?fromId=219248&Team=183278&SeasonLabel=2020%20-%202021&siteId=1015

Connect with Cory:

Website | https://www.mwd-test3.com

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep_athletics/

Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics

Email | coryheitz@gmail.com

Phone | 859-317-1166

Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ

Stitcher | https://www.stitcher.com/show/prep-athletics-podcast

Google Podcasts | https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M2YwZTZkMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw

PODCASTS

Mike Foustoukos: Lawrence Academy Basketball HC on Reclassing, D1 Guards & NCAA Changes

Lawrence Academy Basketball coach Mike Foustoukos discusses reclassing, D1 guard development, college fit, and NCAA eligibility changes.

Bryce Daley: Coach of Salisbury on How to Get Recruited for Basketball and Post-Grad Years

Bryce Daley, coach at Salisbury School, shares how to get recruited for basketball, what families should know about a post grad year for basketball, and how prep school can help players prepare for college.

Bill Hanzlik: Former Nugget on What NBA Teams Look For & Choosing Prep School for His Son

https://youtu.be/Mwc-6r8lHv8 Audio Only Download Listen On Apple  Listen On Spotify Listen On Amazon ▶️ Show Notes What NBA teams look for goes beyond talent. Former Denver Nugget Bill Hanzlik joins PREP Athletics to talk about player potential, work ethic,...

Garvin McAlister: Millbrook’s Head Coach on Playing Multiple Sports & Athlete Development

Garvin shares his insights on student-athlete development tips, multi-sport training, and preparing high school athletes for success both on and off the court.

Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Director of Recruiting, featured on a PREP Athletics podcast thumbnail with a high school basketball gym background.

Paul Biancardi: ESPN Recruiting Director on What Coaches Really Want

ESPN’s Paul Biancardi joins the PREP Athletics Podcast to reveal what college coaches look for in recruits and how to stand out in the scouting process.

George White, founder of RecruitU and former D1 coach, discussing NCAA’s 5-and-5 rule on the PREP Athletics Podcast, with a basketball player in action and a crowd in the background.

George White: D1 Coach Breaks Down NCAA’s New Eligibility Rules

Former Harvard player & D1 coach George White breaks down the NCAA’s 5-and-5 rule and its impact on prep basketball.

Promotional thumbnail for Prep Athletics Podcast featuring John Carroll and Jason Smith with the Masters Academy International logo and a basketball gym background.

Jason Smith & John Carroll: How MAI is Redefining Basketball Development

Jason Smith & John Carroll reveal how MAI is revolutionizing prep basketball with elite training, academics, and college placement.

Avon Old Farms Head Coach Matt Mihalich and a player in action during a basketball game, featured on the PREP Athletics Podcast.

Matt Mihalich: Avon Old Farms Coach on Playing Time, Reclassifying, and College Placement

Get insider prep hoops tips from Avon Old Farms Coach Matt Mihalich on playing time, reclassifying & college placement—only on PREP Athletics.

Cory Heitz of PREP Athletics in a grey suit against a cinematic high school basketball gym background with "Recruitment Insider Tips"

Cory Heitz: Prep School Recruiting & NCAA Rule Changes Explained

Cory Heitz updates on the Final Four showcase, the new MAI program, and advice on navigating prep school second teams and NCAA eligibility rule changes.

Robert Icart on the PREP Athletics Podcast discussing AAU basketball truths, featuring a high school basketball player in a BTI jersey driving to the hoop in a crowded gym.

Robert Icart: 25+ Years of AAU Wisdom—How to Pick the Right Team & Prep School

Robert Icart shares 25+ years of AAU wisdom on picking the right team, the benefits of prep school post-grad years, and building life skills after basketball.

ARTICLES

Inside MAI: A New Model for Prep Basketball

Inside MAI’s new prep basketball model, built around player development, academics, recovery, college placement, and the full student-athlete experience.

The NCAA’s New Rule: What Players and Parents Need to Know

Learn how the NCAA’s proposed 5-and-5 rule could impact recruiting, NIL, transfers, post-grad years, and college athlete eligibility.

What Prep Schools Really Look for in Basketball Recruits in 2026

Discover what prep school basketball coaches really look for in recruits in 2026. St. George’s coach Dwayne Pina shares insights on player development, Ivy League recruiting, AA prep basketball, the transfer portal, and what separates Division I athletes.

How Prep School Can Change a Player’s Recruiting Path

How one prep school year transformed Antonio Anderson’s recruiting path, and why the right environment can change everything for overlooked players.

Prep school basketball guard handling the ball in a packed gym with text explaining what it takes to become a Division I guard in 2026.

What It Takes to Be a D1 Guard in 2026

A D1 coach details the skills, habits, and mindset college staffs demand from point guards, from pick-and-roll IQ to defense, film study, and leadership.

Prep school basketball player in game action with bold text reading “Coach’s Model: Wait or Commit,” highlighting a recruiting decision framework.

Post-Grads: Commit or Wait? A Coach’s Model

Former D1, NBA, and Ivy League coach breaks down modern recruiting, NIL realities, early commitments, best-fit schools, and smart paths families miss.

High school basketball player shooting in game action with bold text reading “High School Recruiting: Post-Grad vs JUCO,” highlighting a recruiting pathway comparison.

Post-Grad vs JUCO vs High School Recruiting

Compare post-grad prep, JUCO, and high school through a coach’s lens, and learn how age, habits, and readiness shape recruiting speed in the portal era.

High school basketball player in game action with bold text reading “NEPSAC AA vs AAA vs A: Which Level Fits Your Path?” highlighting prep school league differences.

NEPSAC AA vs AAA vs A: Which Level Fits Your Path?

Understand the real differences between NEPSAC A, AA, and AAA, how playing time and competition impact development, and which level fits your recruiting path.

High school basketball player in game action with bold text highlighting “Post-Grad Year Full Student,” representing academic and athletic expectations in prep school programs.

Prep School Post-Grad Year Requirements and Academics: What Families Must Know

Learn how prep schools treat post-grads as full-time students, how academic placement works, and why coursework still matters during a post-grad hoops year.

Prep school basketball player in game action with message emphasizing that development wins over star rankings in the prep school process.

Basketball Rankings vs Reality: Why Development Wins Over Stars

Learn how basketball rankings are created, why chasing them backfires, and where players should invest their energy to actually get discovered and recruited.

FIND YOUR FIT

Find Your Fit

Get Your Free Personalized Prep School Assessment

Finding the right prep school basketball opportunity starts with understanding your complete situation. Our free assessment collects key information about your athletic abilities, academic standing, and financial considerations to provide targeted guidance specific to your circumstances. This approach allows us to cut through the recruitment noise and give you honest, practical feedback about your options. Most families find that this comprehensive evaluation saves them time and helps avoid mismatched programs that waste valuable development years.

Get Your Free Personalized Prep School Assessment

Finding the right prep school basketball opportunity starts with understanding your complete situation. Our free assessment collects key information about your athletic abilities, academic standing, and financial considerations to provide targeted guidance specific to your circumstances. This approach allows us to cut through the recruitment noise and give you honest, practical feedback about your options. Most families find that this comprehensive evaluation saves them time and helps avoid mismatched programs that waste valuable development years.

QUESTIONS?

Questions?

Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours, or feel free to reach out via email to cory@prepathletics.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours, or feel free to reach out via email to cory@prepathletics.com. We look forward to hearing from you!