IRONHEAD MOMENTS with Jason Radomski and Grant Callison
As whistles sound to tipoff a new basketball season, VYPE Three Rivers editor Bill Huddleston shared a moment between practice sessions with Eufaula basketball coaches Jason Radomski and Grant Callison to discuss their approach to the game of basketball.
VYPE: Where did you graduate high school? College? Where and when did you begin your coaching career?
Radomski: I graduated from Bethel HS then continued on to Seminole State & UCO for college.
I started my coaching career at Washington HS as the boys’ assistant and our team appeared in the 2022 3A State tournament then moved to Seiling HS as the boys & girls assistant. the girls were 2023 & 2024 Class A State champs while the boys reached the 2023 & 2024 State Semi Finals.
Callison: Eufaula High School graduate, Northeastern State University graduate. I started my career in 2012 at Ketchum High School as an assistant for my dad, Larry Callison.
VYPE: Do you have a coaching mentor – someone that you look up to or call upon for advice?
Radomski: Coaching is a fraternity where we help each other. Two big influences for me are Brady Hamar (Seiling Girls head coach and Eric Norton, former Seiling Boys head coach and now is current Hobart Girls head coach.
Callison: My dad Larry is my mentor in coaching and life. He’s been through the good and bad while coaching. Justin Brown at Tahlequah Sequoyah and I coached together at Locust Grove and I was under him at Sequoyah for a couple of years. We hash out the details as often as possible. Both of those guys are world class and it’s a huge benefit to me to be able to lean on them for advice.
VYPE: Describe yourself as a coach. What is your coaching philosophy?
Radomski: I’m a very defensive minded coach. I always want to be the hardest playing & most physical team on the court every night. I want every team we play to come away feeling exhausted from playing us no matter what the outcome is on the scoreboard.
Callison: I feel like I’m very competitive. I hate losing as bad as anyone. I try to be very detailed oriented and demand effort at all times. We want to play fast and pressure defensively but I’ve had to play differently at times due to the kids I’ve coached. So my philosophy is to play hard all the time and do whatever way we need to, to put our kids in position to be successful.
VYPE: What’s your message to players under your guidance and leadership?
Radomski: We preach everyday that we are our own worst enemy. No matter what the score is to any scrimmage or game all we can do is find a way to come in the next day to get better. We are looking to see how good we can get as a team in practice together every day then the rest takes care of itself.
Callison: I want our kids to come out of our program better than they came in. I want them to understand discipline. I want them to understand what it takes to work hard. I want them to take what we teach and use it moving forward in life. No matter what successes or failures we experience, this is just the beginning.
VYPE: What are three words that define you as a person?
Radomski: Effort, Attitude, & Toughness #EAT
Callison: Unorganized, goofy, competitive.
VYPE: What are your thoughts on the possibilities of Oklahoma having a shot clock for high school basketball?
Radomski: I am excited about the shot clock & ready to see where it takes the game of basketball in Oklahoma.
Callison: I am neither for it nor against it. As long as everyone plays by the same rules, I’m good with it.
VYPE: Let’s have a little fun and check your list of favorites. What’s your favorite place to eat? What’s your “Champions Dinner” menu?
Radomski: Longhorn Steakhouse || Steak, Loaded Baked Potato, & some Mac & Cheese.
Callison: Pete’s Place McAlester… Ribeye Steak, loaded baked potatoes, cheese cake.
VYPE: Other than the Ironheads, what is your favorite sports team? (College or pro)
Radomski: Anything Oklahoma State related & OKC Thunder
Callison: I’ve been a Gonzaga fan since I was in high school.
VYPE: What is your all time favorite movie, Why?
Radomski: Friday Night Lights or Lincoln Lawyer
Callison: Tombstone, Doc Holiday!!!
VYPE: Favorite music artist? What was the first concert you attended?
Radomski: Zach Bryan || Luke Combs
Callison: Eric Church… Jamey Johnson at “Chaos in the Cove… Eufaula.
VYPE: You’re always on the move but, other than athletic duties with the Ironheads, what are your hobbies?
Radomski: Coaches have very little free time. When it’s available I like to go hunting, hanging out w/family & friends and attending OSU sporting events or OKC Thunder games.
Callison: I fish and golf as much as I can. My kids are playing sports now in elementary so I enjoy chasing them around as well.
