New Ebook is Here: "The Championship Blueprint"- How Master Coaches Build Elite Teams and Cultures

I am so excited to be presenting my new ebook

Championship programs aren’t built by accident — they’re built by design.

In The Championship Blueprint, veteran coach Kevin Furtado pulls back the curtain on the habits, systems, and culture frameworks that elite basketball coaches use to win consistently — on the court and beyond. Drawing insights from eight master coaches who have built powerhouse programs, this book is both a playbook for winning and a roadmap for leadership.

Through candid interviews, proven practice systems, and behind-the-scenes stories, you’ll discover how to:

• Build a championship culture that attracts players and unites parents, staff, and community.
• Design efficient, competitive practices that push athletes to their limits while keeping joy alive.
• Teach Smart Shots & No Paint Defense and other high-impact tactical systems that work even with less talent.
• Lead with vision and mentor young coaches while sustaining your passion for the game.

Whether you’re a high school coach, club coach, or athletic leader looking to elevate your program, this blueprint gives you the tools and inspiration to turn ordinary teams into champions year after year.

Every winning season starts long before the first tip-off. The Championship Blueprint is a coaching masterclass built from decades of experience and conversations with some of the most successful high school and college coaches in the game.

Veteran coach Kevin Furtado shares actionable strategies on culture-building, practice design, player development, and program leadership. The book blends big-picture vision with day-to-day systems so you can create a program that lasts — regardless of talent level, budget, or school size.

Here are a few excerpts from the book

Gene Durden — The Grind Formula: Relentless Development and Discipline

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The Gym Before Sunrise

The lights in Buford High School’s gym flicker on long before dawn. The squeak of sneakers

hasn’t started yet; the baskets sit quietly in the dark. But Gene Durden is already there,

clipboard tucked under his arm, making notes for the day’s practice. He isn’t obsessed with

winning trophies — at least not directly. His obsession is standards.

Durden has spent decades turning the Buford Lady Wolves into one of the most disciplined and

successful girls’ basketball programs in Georgia. His teams have played in ten of the past

sixteen state championship games and have captured multiple titles. Yet when you talk to him,

you quickly realize the banners aren’t the point. They’re a byproduct of something bigger: a

culture of accountability, relentless skill work, and personal growth.

“If a kid comes out of our program in four years and I only taught her a jump shot, I

failed,” Durden says. “My vision isn’t state championships. It’s preparing kids for the

real game — and the real game is life.”

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Learning the Value of Hard Work

Durden’s own story begins far from bright lights and college scouts. Growing up in rural Georgia,

the son of a demanding farmer, he learned early that hard work wasn’t optional. Long days in

the fields taught him grit and resilience — lessons he would carry into every practice and

huddle.

“I was blessed to grow up where expectations were high,” he recalls. “Commitment, doing things

the right way, and grinding through long days — that translates to coaching better than any clinic

I ever went to.”

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Check out the Book here

$12.99 The Championship Blueprint: Eight Masters Coaches on Building Elite Teams Basketball is far more than a game. It is a relentless pursuit of excellence — a craft that demands curiosity, humility,... Read more Get it now!

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Thanks,

Coach Kevin Furtado