The Coaching Life Podcast
Real honest conversations about topics related to youth sports: coaching, parenting, and player development. The hosts have lived in both worlds of parent and coach. Those two worlds have even intersected, as they have coached their own children. The main purpose of this podcast is to be useful to those who coach, parent, or play. Sometimes they have guests, and sometimes they just talk about things – often difficult – but always have fun and seek to grow and learn.
Episodes
221: What Makes a Big Game a Big Game?
A game can feel ordinary to a coach and enormous to a player. Coach Martin and Coach Stewart unpack what makes a game “big” and why the answer depends on who’s playing, coaching, or watching.A college homecoming game, a pro rivalry game, and a high school senior-night all reveal the same coaching challenge: the stakes aren’t identical for everyone. Coach Stewart shares the story of a pitcher who w
220: The Unofficial Coaching Life Awards
Pat and Chris have a lighthearted discussion about coaching experiences framed inside of 10 "Best of" questions. These include everything from creative excuses for missing practice, to the challenges of coaching phrases and equipment malfunctions. They share humorous anecdotes and insights from their coaching journeys.
219: More Than a Coach – Helping Athletes Carry What They Are Carrying
Athletes may be carrying emotional and mental health challenges that coaches cannot see. This episode is a conversation about how coaches can notice warning signs, listen without trying to fix everything, ask direct questions, and be proactive in creating a culture where athletes know they have a bigger purpose in life.In this episode:Seeing the person behind the performanceRecognizing meaningful
218: From an Interrupted Dream to Playing for a Higher Purpose (w/ Josh Waite, Ohio Football)
In this episode of the Coaching Life podcast, hosts Chris and Pat welcome Josh Waite, Ohio University football offensive lineman.Josh shares his journey from a small-town football player with dreams of playing at the collegiate level to facing significant challenges, including a life-altering injury. The conversation hits on themes of dedication, resilience, and the impact of faith in overcoming l
217: The Off-Season That Doesn’t Exist
Does the off-season even exist anymore?For many high school athletes, the answer is complicated. With kids playing two or even three sports, there may be little time when they’re truly “off.” So what does player development look like when baseball, basketball, football, school, family, and life are all competing for the same calendar?In this episode, we talk about why the off-season matters, how p
216: Winning Is a Byproduct of Doing Youth Sports Right (w/ guest Cody Bail)
Chris and Pat welcome Cody Bail, a longtime listener and co-director of Alexander Youth Baseball and Softball League. Cody shares what it takes to run a recreational league, why youth sports should prioritize character and enjoyment, and how rec ball, travel ball, and All-Stars can work together.
215: 10 Questions. No Prep. Just Honest Answers.
Using a rapid-fire Q&A format in this episode, Pat and Chris tackle many of the realities of coaching, from time demands and relationships to accountability and leadership style. In this episode, they compare great athletes versus great teammates, debate playing time, and discuss when accountability becomes too harsh. They also dig into one of the most personal themes of the episode: how coach
214: How Small Schools Win (Guest: Chaz Mohler)
Episode #214 of Coaching Life welcomes Coach Chaz Mohler, Trimble High School head baseball coach. The conversation covers building a tough, competitive culture (especially in a small school district), leaning into player strengths, handling limited numbers, managing multi-sport athletes, and the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with being a head coach.If you enjoyed this conversation,
213: The Emotional Toll of Coaching That Most People Never See
As a continuation of last week's episode, Pat and Chris explore the profound responsibilities behind coaching, diving into underlying themes of leadership, decision-making, and the importance of viewing coaching as a form of stewardship and emotional labor. Key Topics: The balancing act of making tough decisions, especially regarding player playing time and team chemistry.The importance of coa
212: The Hardest Part of Coaching Isn’t What You Think
"Coaching is about more than just practices and wins — it's one of the most complex roles in education."When people think about coaching, they think about practices, games, strategy, and winning. But ask anyone who’s coached for a while, and they’ll tell you those aren’t the hardest parts of the job. The hardest part has always been leading people and managing expectations, including
211: The Hidden Skill That Separates Good Players From Great Ones
In this episode of The Coaching Life, we discuss one of the most underrated traits in sports: game awareness. Why do some athletes always seem to be in the right place, make the right play, and help their teams win—even if they aren’t the most physically gifted players on the field? We explore the hidden skill that separates good players from great ones and share practical ways coaches can help de
210: When Sports Seasons Overlap
In the world of high school athletics, the overlap of sports seasons can create unique challenges for coaches and players alike. In this episode of the Coaching Life Podcast, hosts Pat Martin and Chris Stewart explore these complexities, particularly as they relate to baseball and basketball. With the start of baseball season coinciding with basketball tournaments, how do coaches ensure their athl
209: Athlete Mindset: An Underrated Difference Maker
In this episode, Chris and Pat highlight the importance of mental strength and the role of "mindset" in coaching and athlete development. They introduce a unique gift from a mutual friend, Coach Steve Miller, which consists of 52 Athlete Mindset cards designed to help athletes focus on their training and mental preparation.
208: Feed Yourself, Coach – Bring the Energy!
Welcome to Season 13 of The Coaching Life Podcast! We are excited to keep rolling these episodes out. We hope you will join us and share us with others! Thank you to everyone who has been with us the past 6 years, and if you have joined us more recently, we are grateful for you as well! Let's grow together, and let's grow the coaching community!
207: The Coaching Life "12 Tips of Christmas"
In the final episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, hosts Pat Martin and Chris Stewart share some updates on the Bobcats football team and discuss the importance of team culture. The main emphasis of this episode is providing "12 Tips of Christmas" for coaches, players, and parents. They share an insight and then discuss each one for 2-to-3 minutes. We think you will enjoy this fast-paced
206: The Over-Coached Athlete
Chris and Pat discuss the implications of over-coaching. We'll explore how excessive instruction can hinder athletes' natural instincts and decision-making abilities, leading to confusion and robotic performance. The conversation also touches on the importance of simplifying coaching techniques and allowing athletes to develop their skills through play rather than constant correction.
205: Inside the Chaos of Coaching Changes, NIL, and What We Don’t Understand
In this episode of the Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat reconnect after a 2-week break, sharing personal updates and diving into recent sports topics. They discuss some controversies in the NFL and college football, the implications of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) in Ohio High School sports, and the impact of coaching changes on teams. The conversation also touches on the Ohio Bobcats football
204: Are Athletes Today Softer… or Are They Just More Honest?
In this episode of the Coaching Life podcast, Pat and Chris discuss the changing dynamics of athletes from different generations. They hit on themes of emotional intelligence, and the balance between accountability and sensitivity in coaching.The conversation also goes into some other directions, touching on the implications of NIL and transfer rules in high school sports, but overall, emphasizing
203: What Fans Don’t See – The Invisible Details That Define Outcomes
When Isiah Kiner-Falefa took that short lead off third base in Game 7 of the World Series, the baseball world exploded with opinions. Analysts, fans, and even players criticized what they saw — but few stopped to ask why.In this episode, we talk about the danger of making quick snap judgments while we're watching games. Whether it’s a base running decision in the World Series on national TV, o
202: Playing for an Audience of One – Ohio Volleyball Libero Kendall Hickey
In episode 202 of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat sit down with Kendall Hickey, libero and leader on the Ohio University volleyball team. Known for her relentless defense, leadership, and deep faith in Christ, Kendall shares how her identity is rooted in something far greater than the game.
BONUS: Eastern Volleyball Talk (Chris)
Eastern High School Volleyball Coach, Courtney Whittington invited Coach Stewart out to speak to the team on the week of preparation for their District Championship game. In this talk, Chris gives the team two reminders for how to be in control of the "butterflies" and emotions you feel in anticipation of big games.
201: They Should Already Know That… Shouldn’t They?
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, we talk about the little things coaches often assume players already know — but too often don’t take time to teach. These “should already know” moments can be the difference between a win and a mistake that costs you a game. Who is responsible when they make those mistakes? HINT: it is always us, coaches. In this episode, we discuss how to intentionall
200: Life After Sports – Guest Brennan Meadows
NOTE: we had some technical difficulties with the audio in this episode. The volume varies depending on who is speaking and the audio is not the same quality as our other episodes. However, the content is without a doubt some of the best quality we have ever had on the podcast!ABOUT THE EPISODE: For most athletes, the game has been part of their life as long as they can remember — and one day, it
199: Staying Ready! The Resilient Journey of Delaney Crawford
Every athlete’s path looks different — and sometimes the biggest growth happens when the spotlight isn’t on you.In this episode, Chris and Pat sit down with Delaney Crawford, wide receiver for the Ohio University Bobcats, whose journey from high school quarterback and track standout in California to college wideout in the MAC is a story of resilience, adaptability, and faith.Originally recruited t
198: Discipline, Standards, and Second Chances
Discipline, standards, accountability, behavior — all are words that can make or break a team. In this episode of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat dive into the tough conversations around holding athletes accountable.When a player shows up late, displays bad body language, or challenges team standards, how should a coach respond? Is it about punishment, or is it about teaching life lessons that ex
197: Coaching With AI – Can AI Be Helpful For Coaches, Athletes, and Parents
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat talk about artificial intelligence in youth and high school sports. From breaking down swing mechanics and optimizing practice plans to helping parents understand their child’s development, AI is becoming a tool that coaches, players, and families can use to enhance everyone's experience of the game. Whether you’re a coach, player, or
196: Coaching the "Middle-Bottom" Players
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat dive into how coaches can invest in the "middle-bottom" players of your roster (forgive us for that label, it's tough to describe). But, how do we keep them motivated, and how do we help them understand their value. We’ll talk about:Why and how the middle-bottom players often set the tone for team cultureHow to define succes
195: Little Things – In-Between Moments That Impact Teams
Coaching isn’t just about practices, games, and strategies — it’s about the little things in between. In this episode, Chris and Pat talk about the subtle but powerful moments that shape a team’s culture: conversations on the bus, greetings at practice, building connection, being intentional about gratitude.These “in-between” moments often go unnoticed, but they build trust, connection, and buy-in
194: Rethinking Practice – Are We Doing It Right?
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat dive into one of the most important—and sometimes, most underprepared—aspects of youth and high school sports: practice.Are we practicing the right way or the wrong way? Do drills actually build transferable skills, or are they just busy work? How much of our time should be spent on fundamentals versus competition?We tackle questions like
193: Season 12 – New Conversations in The Coaching Life
After a summer break, Chris and Pat are back to kick off Season 12 of The Coaching Life Podcast! In this episode, we share an overview of some of the conversations we’ll be having this season, including:Are we practicing the right—or wrong—way?Coaching the “middle” and “bottom” kids on a team.The impact of bus rides, team meals, and other “little things” that shape a season.…and much, much, more!J
192: LOVE The Game, LOVE Your Team
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat dive into a conversation about loving the sport you play. We chat about the deeper connection athletes can have with their game, their team, and the entire experience of being part of something bigger than themselves.We discuss:✅ Why passion for the game matters sometimes as much as talent for the game✅ The impact of loving your team—thro
191: Game Week! Marauders vs. Eagles
The anticipation is mounting as Opening Day for High School baseball is just days away. The first game Pat and Chris's teams will play this season will be against each other! This is the topic of today's episode, because we can't think of much else right now! LOL
190: Behind the Scenes – First Week of Baseball
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat dive into the unique challenges and strategies that come with being a head baseball coach during the crucial first week of the new season. They discuss how to set the tone for the year, establish team expectations, and build momentum both on and off the field.Key topics covered include:⚾ Evaluating Your Roster — Balancing early-season pla
189: Comparing Yourself To Others Isn't Always Bad
Our friend, Justin Roush, joins us for a great conversation about developing expectations for yourself. Justin is starting an LLC and podcast of his own, titled "Walk-On Academy."We chat with him about his plans and vision, as he shares from his own experiences of walking onto the Ohio University football team 25 years ago.
188: Lifelong Learners and Used To Be NFL Fans
The title sums up the conversation in #188. We talk a little bit about trending issues in the NFL, but that's not the important part.
In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat gear up for the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) Clinic happening this week in Columbus, Ohio! We dive into the details of this must-attend event for high school baseball coaches,
187: Fire Ryan Day!!! (Okay, um... maybe not.)
In this episode of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat talk about the Ohio State Buckeyes’ National Championship and uncover a critical aspect of sports that often goes unnoticed: the disconnect between fans’ perceptions of the player-coach relationship and the reality behind the scenes.
From social media memes, viral locker room moments, to sideline interactions, they discuss why fans may romantici
186: New Year. New Season. New Growth.
Welcome to Season 11 of The Coaching Life Podcast! Chris and Pat kick off the new year with energy, excitement, and a renewed commitment to exploring the fun and sometimes crazy world of youth and high school sports.
Join us as we set the tone for an all new season filled with impactful conversations, fresh perspectives, and actionable advice to help you navigate the challenges and joys of coachi
185: Parker Navarro, QB of the MAC Champion Ohio Bobcats
We walk through the historic season for Ohio University football, and Parker Navarro's role in helping the Bobcats win the first Mid American Conference Championship since 1968.
184: Home-Grown Coaching! Special Guest, Coach Billy Roper
We had the honor to chat with Coach Billy Roper from Adairsville, Georgia about the benefits of training the overall athlete for all the various sports they may play.
Billy has much experience and wisdom, having worked for 29 years as a baseball coach and 28 years as a football coach.
183: Beware of Groupthink
A handful of years ago Chris wrote a book titled "Building Champions," and the last chapter discussed a common issue in our culture, which is pervasive in youth sports culture. Groupthink is a very real problem, and we need to do our best to recognize when we are participating in it.
182: Keep A Ball In The Pocket
We've had a lot of fun chatting with Brooks McKeller and so we invited him to join our conversation again today on a variety of topics, from golf to baseball to football chapel services. You'll have to listen all the way to the end to understand the title of this episode!
181: Are They Really Cheering For Injury??
Today we take some time to devote an entire episode to Pat's beloved Cleveland Browns. But, the conversation isn't a glorious one. We talk about some of the drama surrounding the fan base and players in context of Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury.
180: Let's Talk About Pete Rose (1941-2024)
"My all-time favorite baseball player was Pete Rose. It's not because he was the greatest player in the game, although he holds some of the game's greatest records that will likely never be broken. It's not because he was the most upstanding citizen; he had a hard, stubborn, ego and everyone knew it. What I loved about Pete Rose was the way he played the game of baseball when he was between the ba
179: Guest Brooks McKeller, Ohio Bobcats Golf – A Deeper Purpose In Sports
We might have found a third host for The Coaching Life Podcast. Brooks McKeller is a senior on the Ohio University Golf team, and he is our guest in this episode.
This conversation is SO good. We encourage you to take the time to listen to it in it's entirety.
178: Creating A Winning Mindset
When you are on a team, or coaching a team, that is used to losing, how do you change that? We all know of those teams that just seem to have a culture of winning, and we also know the ones that just seem to have a culture of losing.
What makes them so different? Of course, there are many factors, and we didn't have time to go over them all. Do a search and you will find hundreds of books writ
177: Student-Led Teams Are The Best Teams
We are seeing a generation of young people who are leading in many different ways. That's today's conversation.
176: Remembering the Tragedy and the Faithfulness (9/11)
We began today's conversation and were reminded that it was September 11. So we decided to just talk about it for an episode.
This is different from a lot of our conversations on the Coaching Life Podcast, but we believe it is important.
Never forget.
175: Communication – The Most Important Skill
The single greatest factor in any problem, conflict, misunderstanding, or mistake is communication – lack of, not enough, poor – communication is always at the center.
Today we bring into our conversation the issue of communication as it relates to coaches and coaching. What you say... How you say it... Why you say it... When you say it...
COMMUNICATION is the number one skill we need to constan
174: Body Language, Discipline, Sportsmanship
This conversation kind of went in several directions, but all with similar themes.
How does your body language affect your teammates?
173: The "Perfect" Sport, and the Winner Is...
What is the perfect sport? What criteria would you consider to determine what makes the perfect sport?
Pat and Chris share their (admittedly not unbiased) opinions on what makes the perfect sport, giving credence to several different sports in this episode.
172: Savannah Bananas – Is It Baseball?
Our conversation topic today was provided by a listener: What do we think about the Savannah Bananas?
171: How Are Cockiness, Confidence, Swagger, and Class Related? Can Teams Have Them All?
We open Season 10 with a conversation about being cocky... or is it confidence? Is swagger the same thing? As always, we hope to spark some interesting and useful thought to help us all get better in how we relate to our players and coach our teams.
We hope you will subscribe, follow, share, and participate with us for a new season of The Coaching Life!
170: Creating New Opportunities
We go back and revisit our original mission for starting the podcast and compare it to where we are today and some of the new things we are currently involved with. We are excited to help create (or revive) a new opportunity for young people in our community to play summer ball. In this episode, we talk about how it is coming to fruition.
169: Back To Basics (Team Fundamentals)
We are discussing a topic that was requested by a listener of the podcast, which is one of our favorite ways to get content. Let us know what you want us to have a conversation about in a future episode!
168: The Experience of a Lifetime
It's time to get caught up and back into the flow of podcasting. Consider this episode a warmup for Season 10.
167: Post-Season Check-In
We just want to let you know that we are still here and still podcasting! We have a lot to talk about from this past spring and a lot to look forward to in the next season of The Coaching Life Podcast.
166: Genuine Joy For the Successes of Others
We are over a week into the High School baseball season and we reflect on our experiences and lessons learned so far this season.
165: The Greatest Pleasure In Life (ft. Lukas Moore)
Our old friend Lukas Moore joins us from his new homefront in Wrigleyville, Chicago. This is a very rich conversation about coaching, motivating people, and the value of being part of a team working together to accomplish a goal.
164: Yes, Do Play Multiple Sports!
Today we revisit a question that comes up a lot. It's a topic that is always relevant because of the tension that is always felt by players, parents, and coaches. Should you play multiple sports or should you specialize? Should we always answer it the same way for every athlete? Is age a factor in the answer?
Pat and Chris definitely have strong opinions on the matter, but they also will prov
163: Change is Not a Four-Letter Word
Today's episode discusses the difference between PRINCIPLES and METHODS, and challenges coaches to consider ways in which they might need to change when it comes to their coaching. Do you have "20 years experience," or do you have "1 year's experience of the same thing 20 times in a row?"
162: Creating a Memorable Experience for All
Nothing can stop The Coaching Life Podcast from being recorded! Pat is in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a Carnival cruise. Still, there are lessons learned from the experience to bring home and apply to our athletic programs.
161: Coaching Life Culture – The Post Interview
Today the podcasters become the interviewees! Cami Seymore, a freshman Journalism student at Ohio University, interviews us for her column in The Post newspaper's Culture and Human Interest section. One of the biggest takeaways from the episode is our WHY – why do we continue recording The Coaching Life Podcast.
160: Coaches Learning from Coaches (OHSBCA Clinic Preview)
This week is one of our favorite times of the year. For high school baseball coaches in Ohio, it's the annual Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association clinic.
We take some time to reflect on the value of coaches learning from one another and developing relationships with one another, and talk about some of the upcoming OHSBCA clinic session topics.
159: New Year, New Season!
The Coaching Life Podcast has gone through several changes and updates over our 9 seasons of recording, but the core of what we are about remains. We desire to be a useful resource for coaches, parents, and athletes. To have conversations about the values, challenges, and lessons we are provided by the world of youth, high school, college, and professional sports.
Season 9 begins in the newly ren
158: Flush It and Control Your Response
It was surprising to see the behavior and response of the NFL's most elite and successful quarterbacks this past weekend. But, that event provides a big lesson for all of us.
157: How Sports Change Your Life
This conversation topic was suggested to us by one of our young listeners of The Coaching Life Podcast. Thanks, Gavin for helping us with the conversation about sports and life.
156: Top 10 Attributes of a Great Coach
Great coaches have some common qualities and attributes. Today we break out a Top 10 list of those things.
155: Who's Going to Fill the Gap? (A Tribute to Dave Boyd)
As we approach the season of gratitude and Thanksgiving, we take a moment to honor a man who selflessly gave more than 20 years of his life to make sure families, children, and even adults had a place to fulfill their dreams of playing baseball.
Upon hearing of a local Recreational League Director's passing, Dave Boyd of Middleport, Ohio, The Coaching Life Podcast has decided to honor Dave in
154: Development = "The Process of Winning"
As a coach, which focus do you have? A development-first focus, or a winning-first focus? How can the two approaches work together? Or is it always "development VS. winning?"
This conversation is a bit lengthy, but it is a pretty hot topic that you will undoubtedly agree with some and disagree with some. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
153: Winning a Mental Game with Guest Morgan Rodgers, Ohio University Golf
We chat with Morgan Rodgers, freshman on the Ohio University Bobcats Women's Golf Team.
This fall, Morgan has made an immediate impact preparing for her first regular season of golf this spring. Her success begins with understanding the mental game, and incorporating strategies to stay focused on what is most important – what is within her control.
This is a useful conversation and Morgan gi
152: Is Pressure a Figment of Your Imagination?
Some experts say that pressure doesn't really exist. Rather, it is something that our minds create. If so, then why does it feel so real? And what does it mean when someone says they "perform best under pressure?"
151: Coaching Means Doing Stuff You Might Not Realize You Had To Do
We have another listener topic request. This conversation came from a coach who asked us about the extra time we spend maintaining our facility and playing field. Enjoy!
150: Parent/Coach Collaboration Because We Have a Common Goal – the Player's Success
150 EPISODES!!!! Thanks for being part of our ongoing conversation! Whether you have listened since 2019 and all 150 episodes or you just found us, we APPRECIATE YOU. Thank you to everyone who sends comments, encouragement, and ideas for our show.
In honor of our listening audience for 150 episodes, this one is a recent conversation brought to us directly by a listener. It's an issue that is
149: Guest Parker Navarro, OHIO University QB – Lead From Whatever Role You're In
Today we have a conversation with OHIO University grad student quarterback Parker Navarro.
Parker talks about the lessons he has learned through facing the adversity of a series of injuries, transferring, and finding himself in a backup role on a championship team. He provides invaluable advice and insight into how he has found strength and joy despite these setbacks and frustrations.
148: Guest Jon Hanlon and the Officials Shortage in High School Sports
It's happening in every state; schools are having difficulty scheduling games for Varsity sports because it seems there are not enough officials to go around. What happened to them? How can we get them back?
147: Response to Poor Performance
Bad performances are a regular part of sports. If you play, coach, or have children who play, there will be bad days on the field and court. How we respond to these bad moments, bad games, and even sometimes bad seasons, can make or break future success. It's crucial that we understand the mindset strategies that we can adopt to be the best we can at responding to bad days.
146: Boys To Men
We would like to present a challenge to all young people – AVOID ADOLESCENSE. Of course, we'll explain what we mean.
145: What You Say Matters
The relationship of mutual respect and trust between coach and player is directly related to performance and success. Our relationship with our players is driven by our communication. The culture of our program is built on our communication and the behaviors that follow. As coaches, we need to be mindful of this, take ownership of this reality, and strategize how we will improve.
144: Youth Sports vs Church
Here's a topic we have never before discussed on The Coaching Life Podcast, but it's an extremely relevant conversation for just about every youth sports team. On most teams, there will be at least one family, and perhaps many, who struggle whenever there conflict between the ball schedule and their church attendance.
As always, Chris and Pat take on the conversation head-on, discussing m
143: Don't Go Broke! (and more Do's and Don'ts)
We continue our conversation for sports parents on some "do's and don'ts" that we recommend to help you and your kids have the best experience possible.
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