Then and Now with Coach Z
Then and Now with Coach Z is a conversation-driven podcast that bridges generations through stories, lessons, and experiences in sports, leadership, and life. Hosted by legendary coach and NCAA official Ron Zetcher, each episode pairs past reflections with present perspectives on values like teamwork, discipline, integrity, and perseverance. Through candid interviews with athletes, coaches, officials, broadcasters, and other notable guests, Coach Z uncovers the defining moments that shaped their journeys.
Episodes
Ep. 020 | Gus Otto & Johnny Roland | Then & Now
In Episode 20 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z welcomes two University of Missouri football legends, Gus Otto and Johnny Roland, for a conversation about their remarkable careers on the gridiron.Otto, a Mizzou All-Century selection, standout linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, and member of the Raiders' 1967 AFL Championship team, and Roland, a College Football Hall of Famer, Mizzou No.
Ep. 019 | Jay Blossom | Then & Now
Coach Z sits down with Jay Blossom, a Hall of Fame St. Louis high school basketball coach whose career helped shape generations of players and leave a lasting mark on the local basketball community.Jay reflects on his journey through the coaching ranks, the teams and players who defined his career, and the relationships built along the way. He and Coach Z swap stories from the sidelines, discuss h
Ep. 018 | Bob Bunton Sr. & Bob Bunton Jr. | Then & Now
Coach Z welcomes Bob Bunton Sr. and Bob Bunton Jr. for a father-son conversation rooted in decades of St. Louis sports.Bob Sr., founding president of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation, and Bob Jr., a St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Famer and longtime Parkway North baseball coach, reflect on their careers, the people and moments that shaped them, and a shared lifetime in
Ep. 017 | Kelvin Lee | Then & Now
Coach Z sits down with Kelvin Lee, a storied St. Louis high school basketball coach whose career has put him on the sidelines for some of the city’s greatest basketball talent.Kelvin looks back on his years coaching in St. Louis, sharing stories from the gym and reflecting on what it was like to coach future NBA stars David Lee, Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum before they became household names. He
Ep. 016 | Ron Zetcher | Then & Now
This week on Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Ron Zetcher takes the microphone solo to share personal stories, reflect on memorable moments from his years in sports, and revisit the people and experiences that shaped his journey.From lessons learned on and off the court to memories that have stayed with him through the years, Coach Z offers a personal look back at a lifetime in the game and the
Ep. 015 | Danny Nee | Then & Now
In Episode 15 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z sits down with former NCAA Division I men’s basketball coach Danny Nee.Danny reflects on a coaching career spanning more than four decades, including head coaching stops at Ohio, Nebraska, Robert Morris and Duquesne. He shares stories from his years on the sidelines, the players and coaches who left a lasting impact, and the experiences that sh
Ep. 014 | Emilie Brockman & Alex Rich | Then & Now
Coach Z welcomes his daughter, Emilie Brockman, and her colleague Alex Rich to Then & Now for a special conversation about the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games.Emilie, who led the St. Louis delegation, and Alex, who coached the St. Louis baseball team, recap their experience at the Games — from the competition and memorable moments to the friendships and sense of community that make Maccabi so special.
Ep. 013 | Art Shamsky | Then & Now
Coach Z sits down with his childhood friend Art Shamsky, the greatest University City Lion power hitter of all time and a member of the legendary 1969 “Miracle Mets.”Art looks back on growing up with Coach in University City, his journey from U City baseball standout to the Major Leagues, and a career that took him from the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Mets. He shares stories from his years in
Ep. 012 | Pete Woods | Then & Now
Coach Z sits down with Missouri Sports Hall of Famer Pete Woods to look back on a remarkable athletic career that began at University City High School and continued at the University of Missouri.A three-sport standout at U City, Woods went on to compete in both football and baseball at Mizzou, playing quarterback for the Tigers while also taking the mound for Missouri baseball. Pete and Coach Z re
Ep. 011 | Steve Stipanovich | Then & Now
Coach Z sits down with Steve Stipanovich, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft and a 2001 inductee into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.Stipanovich reflects on his basketball journey from De Smet Jesuit and the University of Missouri to the NBA, where he spent five seasons with the Indiana Pacers before injuries cut his career short. He and Coach Z revisit the people, moments and lessons
Ep. 010 | Rich Hantak & Bob Hantak | Then & Now
This week on Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Ron Zetcher welcomes two brothers whose impact on sports has been felt from the local diamonds of St. Louis to the biggest stage in professional football.Rich Hantak, former NFL official and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee, shares stories from decades officiating the game's biggest moments, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the pressure, pre
Ep. 009 | Dr. Ed Hightower | Then & Now
In Episode 9 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z sits down with longtime friend and former officiating colleague Dr. Ed Hightower — one of the most accomplished figures in both basketball officiating and education.During a decorated career on the court, Hightower officiated at the highest levels of college basketball, including 12 NCAA Division I Final Fours. Off the court, he built an equally
Ep. 008 | Tamar Sher | Then & Now
In Episode 8 of Then & Now with Coach Z, 2025 Missouri Sportscaster of the Year Tamar Sher of KMOV Sports on 4 joins Coach Z to talk about her career in sports media and covering some of the biggest stories across the St. Louis sports landscape.Tamar shares her journey into broadcasting and experiences covering the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis CITY SC and University of Missouri football, alo
Ep. 007 | Vahe Gregorian | Then & Now
In Episode 7 of Then & Now with Coach Z, award-winning sports columnist Vahe Gregorian joins Coach Z for a conversation spanning decades of sports journalism—from his years covering St. Louis sports at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to his current role as one of the leading voices at The Kansas City Star.Vahe reflects on the stories, athletes, and moments that have defined his career while discus
Ep. 006 | Greg Vitello | Then & Now
In Episode 6 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee and longtime De Smet Jesuit baseball coach Greg Vitello joins Coach Z for a conversation celebrating 46 years of coaching, leadership, and the lasting impact of high school athletics.Greg reflects on building one of Missouri's premier baseball programs, the values that guided his decades in the dugout, memorable
Ep. 005 | Gene Gieselmann | Then & Now
In Episode 5 of Then & Now with Coach Z, legendary St. Louis Cardinals Head Athletic Trainer Gene Gieselmann joins Coach Z in the studio for an unforgettable conversation spanning nearly three decades inside one of baseball's most iconic clubhouses.Gene reflects on his journey to the Cardinals, the evolution of athletic training, caring for Hall of Fame players, and the relationships that
Ep. 004 | Bob Hardcastle, Rich Rogers, Sandy Pomerantz | Then & Now
In Episode 4 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z is joined by three lifelong pillars of the St. Louis sports community—Bob Hardcastle, Rich Rogers, and Sandy Pomerantz—for a conversation that celebrates the people, moments, and memories that shaped generations of local athletics.From unforgettable games and legendary coaches to the evolution of sports in St. Louis, the group shares personal st
Ep. 003 | Tom Dore | Then & Now
On the third episode of Then and Now with Coach Z, Ron sits down with Tom Dore, the longtime television voice of the Chicago Bulls during one of the most iconic eras in sports.From his days as a 7'2" standout at the University of Missouri to calling Bulls basketball alongside legends like Johnny “Red” Kerr and Stacey King, Dore shares stories from a front-row seat to the Michael Jordan ch
Ep. 002 | Bill Westbrooks & Todd Burchyett | Then & Now
In Episode 2 of Then & Now with Coach Z, Coach Z is joined by Bill Westbrooks and Todd Burchyett for a conversation shaped by decades of experience in college officiating. From Bill’s years spent in a referee uniform to Todd’s work in today’s replay-driven game, they reflect on the paths, people, and pivotal moments that have defined their careers.Along the way, they discuss how officiating ha
Ep. 001 | Ron Zetcher | Then & Now
In the debut episode of Then & Now with Coach Z, Ron Zetcher shares the remarkable journey that shaped his life in sports, leadership, and service. From his early years and coaching career to decades as an NCAA official and mentor, Coach Z reflects on the experiences, relationships, and lessons that have defined his path.Along the way, he discusses how sports have evolved over the years, the v
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