Top Coach Podcast

TC56: Rick Vanderhook, Cal State Fullerton

July 14, 2014 07:20 - 38 minutes - 18.6 MB

Talk about an impressive list of names on a resume, take a look at some of the coaches that Cal State Fullerton’s Rick Vanderhook has work with over the years — Augie Garrido, John Savage, [...]

TC55: Chan Brown, Parkview (GA) HS

July 10, 2014 07:17 - 41 minutes - 21 MB

“Something in the water!” is the way coach Chan Brown explains it when asked about Parkview High School’s boat load of state championships, five of which have come in baseball alone. This Georgia Class 6A [...]

TC54: Billy Dubois, Lexington Snipes

July 07, 2014 07:49 - 34 minutes - 18.6 MB

Road trip! Make that Mother Road trip! We took the short drive up Old Route 66 to Lexington, Illinois to visit with the general manager of the Lexington Snipes, Billy Dubois. Billy is one of [...]

Top Coach Update: Liam Carroll

July 03, 2014 07:12 - 7 minutes - 4.11 MB

In episode 9, we got an update on all things baseball in Great Britain from then development director for BaseballSoftballUK and coach of the GB Lions, Liam Carroll. Liam has since moved on and is [...]

TC53: Dennis Winn, Davidson Academy

June 30, 2014 07:34 - 26 minutes - 13.6 MB

We’re headed back to high school in this episode of Top Coach. Our guest in the head coach at Davidson Academy, Dennis Winn. Davidson Academy is a small private school in Nashville, Tennessee. Coach Winn [...]

TC52: Chase Jones, Vs Cancer Foundation

June 26, 2014 07:03 - 30 minutes - 16.4 MB

Today we’re talking to Chase Jones of the Vs. Cancer Foundation, an organization that Chase founded after he successfully battled brain cancer while a student and baseball player at the University of North Carolina. The [...]

TC51: Kevin Wilson, Kevin Wilson Baseball

June 23, 2014 07:31 - 42 minutes - 21.8 MB

Yeah, you bet we’re talking hitting today! And we’re talking to one of the premier hitting coaches in the U.S., Kevin Wilson. One of the best indicators that he knows what he’s doing is when [...]

TC50: Steve Friend, Chabot College

June 16, 2014 08:00 - 37 minutes - 18.8 MB

Steve Friend is an alumnus of Chabot College in Heyward, California and has been their head coach since 1989. Chabot is a junior college with an enrollment of over 15,000. As Coach Friend says it, Chabot [...]

Top Coach Update: Mike Rooney, ESPN

June 11, 2014 15:41 - 14 minutes - 7.61 MB

Who needs detailed statistical analysis to pick the favorites for the upcoming College World Series when you can do it based on uniforms?! Yes, we’ve brought back our favorite ESPN analyst and uniform guru, Mike [...]

Top Coach 49: Steve Smith, Baylor

June 09, 2014 07:39 - 42 minutes - 20.8 MB

There have been 18 head coaches in the history of Baylor baseball, but only two in the last 41 seasons. Steve Smith took over 21 years ago for the legendary Mickey Sullivan and has made [...]

TC48: Rick Jones, Tulane

June 02, 2014 07:12 - 33 minutes - 17.4 MB

This is not our usual coach interview, as this one comes on the heels of the announcement that Tulane coach Rick Jones is retiring…and far too early. Seems that the stresses of the coaching game, [...]

TC47: Mike Rooney, ESPN

May 26, 2014 07:17 - 33 minutes - 17 MB

In episode 47, Top Coach welcomes back a favorite that we hope becomes a regular. ESPN college baseball analyst Mike Rooney is getting very busy right now, but not to busy to come and talk [...]

Top Coach Update: Dan McDonnell, Louisville

May 22, 2014 08:54 - 7 minutes - 3.7 MB

Several of the coaches we’ve talked to in the last year have discussed recruiting northern players. Our guests in episodes, 20, 44, and 45, Kevin McMullan and Brian O’Connor have done quite well for the [...]

TC46: Tim Esmay, Arizona State

May 19, 2014 07:30 - 42 minutes - 21.5 MB

Tim Esmay grew up in the shadow of the Arizona State campus, dreaming of donning the legendary Sun Devil uniform one day. His dream came true first as a player, then twice as an assistant, [...]

TC45: Brian O’Connor, Virginia (part 2)

May 15, 2014 07:41 - 28 minutes - 14.7 MB

In part two of our conversation with the University of Virginia’s Brian O’Connor, we get into some of the more philosophical areas of coaching and then park a while in the area of staffing. The [...]

TC44: Brian O’Connor, Virginia (part 1)

May 12, 2014 07:46 - 37 minutes - 19.1 MB

I’ve been absolutely amazed at how gracious and accommodating all of the coaches we’ve spoken to have been. The University of Virginia’s Brian O’Connor is no exception. When Coach O’Connor found out we were going [...]

TC43: Jerry Weinstein, Colorado Rockies

May 05, 2014 07:39 - 32 minutes - 17.1 MB

Coach Jerry Weinstein is known by a lot of folks as THE GUY for catching. But he’s so much more than that. Penn State’s Rob Cooper considers Coach Weinstein the guy most responsible for giving [...]

Top Coach Update: Doug Schreiber, Purdue

April 30, 2014 15:34 - 5 minutes - 3.28 MB

Way back in episode 4, we got a chance to talk to Purdue University head coach Doug Schreiber. One of the topics for which Coach Schreiber has become a spokesman is what many see as [...]

TC42: Dusty Rhodes

April 28, 2014 07:47 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MB

In the old days they used to call folks like this “the genuine article” or “the real deal”. That’s what you get when you meet ABCA Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. He is one of [...]

Top Coach Update: Matt Magers, Minnesota State

April 24, 2014 17:58 - 7 minutes - 3.52 MB

Matt Magers, head coach at Minnesota State-Mankato, was our guest in episode 7. Today he’s back to talk about the weather. Yes, who doesn’t like talking about the weather? Well, baseball coaches, for one. Coach [...]

TC41: Frank Leoni, Marymount

April 21, 2014 08:20 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MB

Frank Leoni has had quite a journey — from his head coaching position at his alma mater, Rhode Island, to his last D1 head coaching position at William & Mary to his current position at [...]

TC40: Brian McRae, Park University

April 14, 2014 07:52 - 27 minutes - 12.4 MB

Brian McRae had a real solid 10 year Major League career with the Royals, Mets, Cubs, Rockies, and Blue Jays — 16 years total in pro ball. His post-playing career found him working in various [...]

TC39: Ron Polk, UAB

April 07, 2014 08:22 - 22 minutes - 10.3 MB

Where do we begin with our next guest? Ron Polk has the most wins in SEC history — in any sport. He left his fingerprints all over the Mississippi State program. He’s done about everything [...]

TC38: Erik Bakich, Michigan

March 31, 2014 08:33 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MB

The Jack Leggett coaching tree is big and strong, but almost as amazing is the legacy left by the late Keith LeClair (Western Carolina, East Carolina). Erick Bakich is a product of both. Bakich started [...]

TC37: Blake Beemer, Penn State

March 24, 2014 08:05 - 26 minutes - 12.3 MB

Volunteer coaches abound in baseball, but the volunteer coaches at the NCAA D1 level are a bit different. There are a good percentage of these guys who are retired coaches and still have a lot [...]

TC36: Jim Morris, Miami

March 17, 2014 08:26 - 28 minutes - 12.9 MB

Over 1,500 wins as a head coach about says it all. Jim Morris’ accomplishments are plenty and his name has become synonymous with the College World Series. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he [...]

Top Coach 35: Darren Fenster, Greenville (Red Sox MiLB)

March 10, 2014 07:12 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MB

Darren Fenster took a route to where he is today not unlike most of our previous coaches. He grew up in the Northeast, playing multiple sports and went on to star at Rutgers, taking home [...]

TC34: Scott Brosius, Linfield College

March 03, 2014 07:38 - 28 minutes - 12.9 MB

Some would say that Scott Brosius has lived a charmed life. He calls it a blessed life. From playing on the same field as Ruth, Gerig, Dimaggio, and Mantle to winning three World Series rings [...]

TC33: Mike Rooney, ESPN College Baseball

February 24, 2014 08:59 - 39 minutes - 18 MB

Mike Rooney, like many previous guests, hails from the Northeast. But he’s now living the good life out in Arizona (at least until May hits and the only good place to watch a game is [...]

TC32: Derek Johnson, Chicago Cubs

February 17, 2014 08:37 - 43 minutes - 19.9 MB

With hires like this one, it can’t be long until the Chicago Cubs are playing in October. Okay, some wishful HOPING on this Cub fan’s part, but there’s no doubt that the Cubs’ front office [...]

TC31: Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt

February 10, 2014 08:12 - 38 minutes - 17.6 MB

More than two decades of coaching and currently leading one of the top programs in the country and he’s returning my text messages at 5:00 in the morning. That should tell you a lot of [...]

TC30: Ed Blankmeyer, St. John’s

February 03, 2014 07:43 - 38 minutes - 17.4 MB

There are people you speak to where passion seems to ooze out of every pore. Ed Blankmeyer is one of those guys. His legacy appears to be set in cement, but that hasn’t left him [...]

TC29: Brian Cain, Peak Performance

February 01, 2014 08:20 - 36 minutes - 16.7 MB

Ole Miss baseball coach Cliff Godwin sings his praises and just the mention of his name on Twitter brings a flood of responses, so I just had to talk to him. I first chatted with [...]

TC28, Cliff Godwin, Ole Miss

January 27, 2014 09:05 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MB

Cliff Godwin is another one of those assistants who’s getting a lot of attention. Coach Godwin is known for his enthusiasm — and that’s on top of all the other things that makes for a [...]

TC27: Steve Owens, Bryant University

January 20, 2014 01:43 - 36 minutes - 16.6 MB

Another episode and another Northeast guy. Bryant University’s Steve Owens is Northeast through and through, having spent his entire life in the Northeast, with the exception of a short stint in West Virginia, courtesy of [...]

TC26: Dan McDonnell, University of Louisville

January 14, 2014 20:20 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MB

Whether it’s delivering the latest clinic session on baserunning or giving a post-game press conference in Omaha, Dan McDonnell has become one of the most recognizable faces in college baseball. Since 2006, he and his [...]

TC25: Jerry Rashid, Chillicothe (IL) IVC HS

January 02, 2014 00:42 - 43 minutes - 19.8 MB

Jerry Rashid‘s 729 wins ranks him #7 all time in the state of Illinois. His Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central team won the state championship in 2006, with current Cleveland Indians pitcher Zach McAllister, and was [...]

TC24: Wayne Meyer, LeRoy (IL) HS

December 30, 2013 10:55 - 32 minutes - 19.8 MB

Given that a significant portion of our Top Coach community is made up of high school coaches, I really intended to get a high school coach on here sooner. For our first guest I didn’t [...]

TC23: Ed Flaherty, University of Southern Maine

December 23, 2013 09:32 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MB

Ed Flaherty wouldn’t change a thing. In his 29th season with NCAA DIII University of Southern Maine, Flaherty has amassed quite a resume. Seven trips to the DIII World Series, two rings, and many Coach [...]

TC22: Ryan Garko, Stanford University

December 16, 2013 08:24 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MB

Another couple of firsts for us here at Top Coach. The first coach we’ve talked to who’s made it to the big leagues and also the first coach who’s not coached in his first game. [...]

TC21: Jim Schlossnagle, TCU

December 09, 2013 09:30 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

There are at least a couple of firsts with this week’s guest. Texas Christian University’s Jim Schlossnagle graduated magna cum laude from Elon College and he’s listed among the notable residents of his hometown (Hagerstown, [...]

TC20: Kevin McMullan, University of Virginia

December 02, 2013 09:24 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MB

Kevin McMullan is a hard-nosed former football player and wrestler from New Jersey who has parlayed his love for the thinking side of baseball into a great coaching career. Widely regarded as the top assistant [...]

TC19: Tom Gillespie, Play Global!

November 25, 2013 09:17 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MB

What started out as a college exchange trip for Tom Gillespie has turned into a globe trotting baseball adventure. Doing some work with Major League Baseball and the Pittsburgh Pirates filled most of his time [...]

TC18: Rob Cooper, Penn State

November 18, 2013 09:17 - 38 minutes - 35 MB

Rob Cooper’s baseball has taken him all over the United States…and the world. Growing up in California and playing in Florida only marked the beginning. He’s been all over the country as an assistant coach and [...]

TC17: John Savage, UCLA

November 11, 2013 09:21 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MB

John Savage has a reputation as a super-organized and a relentless recruiter. And while UCLA has long been able to bring in the best recruits in Southern California, Savage has been able to get the [...]

TC16: Nate Metzger, Heartland Community College

November 04, 2013 09:47 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

The Heartland Community College baseball program was nothing more than a dream just seven years ago. In 2013, the Hawks participated in the NJCAA D2 World Series for the third straight year. In six seasons, [...]

TC15: Scott Stricklin, University of Georgia

October 28, 2013 09:35 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MB

Scott Stricklin parlayed a very nice run at Kent State into what most coaches consider to be a dream job — a coaching spot in college baseball’s best conference. Stricklin hopes to bring to the [...]

TC14: Dave Keilitz, ABCA

October 21, 2013 09:24 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MB

50 years in baseball is a satisfying way to spend your life. Dave Keilitz has spent the last 20 as Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association and will oversee his last coaches’ convention [...]

TC13: Aaron Fitt, Baseball America

October 13, 2013 23:45 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MB

Aaron Fitt talks to more college baseball coaches than most anyone else. He’s one of those rare media guys that handles delicate situations in a balanced way instead of looking at it as a sensationalist opportunity. [...]

TC12: Paul Mainieri, LSU

October 07, 2013 08:52 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MB

Paul Mainieri runs one of the most respected and robust college baseball programs in the country. LSU is one of a handful of programs in the NCAA that pays for itself. Mainieri has a long [...]

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