In Episode 56 of the FocalFlip Podcast, we sit down with Coach Jeff Stowers, the head coach of the 8th Region Champs, Simon Kenton Girls Basketball Program, whose story embodies resilience, family, and faith in the power of sports. Jeff opens up about growing up in the projects of Covington, Kentucky, one of 11 kids in a big, tight-knit family. He shares how the basketball courts on 10th Street and Lincoln Grant became his refuge and foundation — a place where he found friendship, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game. From humble beginnings to building a powerhouse basketball program, Jeff’s coaching journey began through his own kids — Brenden, Jordan, Evan, and Taylor — and evolved into something much larger: a mission to mentor and inspire the next generation.
We dive into Jeff’s coffee conversations with my father, moments filled with wisdom, laughter, and life lessons that shaped both of our paths. Jeff opens up about the tough decision to step back from coaching as his battle with diabetes took a toll on his health — only to be pulled back into the game when his son Brenden joined the NKU Women’s Basketball Program as an assistant coach.
We talk about his teams 26 - 5 Season last year and how they return EVERY starter this year. We chat coaching philosophy, his players, his methods to his madness AND we revisit one of the most iconic moments in Kentucky high school basketball history — the Simon Kenton girls’ victory over Sacred Heart, snapping their 92-game win streak and cementing Jeff’s program as one of the best in the state.
This episode is a heartfelt look at family, perseverance, purpose, and legacy — a reminder that sometimes life’s toughest challenges lead us right back to where we’re meant to be. ☕ Tune in and flip your focus with us as we honor the leadership of Coach Jeff Stowers.
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