The Coaching Life Podcast

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 develop this awareness in their athletes. If you’ve ever heard a coach say, “That kid just gets it,” this episode explains what that really means.

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 athletes are prepared and safe?

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.

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!

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 episode to conclude the season.

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.

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 team and the complexities of the MAC Championship tiebreakers. Throughout the episode, they reflect on the importance of focusing on what can be controlled in sports and in life.

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 the need for coaches to adapt their strategies to meet the needs of modern athletes while fostering a sense of community and personal growth.

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, or a lineup choice on a high school team, there’s almost always more going on than what’s visible from the outside. We discuss how coaches can communicate context, how players can trust their preparation, and how fans and parents can develop a healthier perspective on the game. What we see isn’t always what it seems — and the best teams thrive on understanding the why behind every decision.

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.

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.

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 intentionally build these habits into practice, create awareness by letting them figure some things out on their own and develop a high IQ for the sport. Whether you coach baseball or any sport, this episode is a reminder that the fundamentals aren’t always as obvious as we think.

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 ends. What happens next can be one of the biggest transitions they’ll ever face. In this episode, we sit down with Brennan Meadows, former offensive lineman for the Ohio University Bobcats, who opens up about his journey from playing at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove, OH to competing at the college level — and then, stepping away from the sport after his freshman year. Brennan shares what that process was like emotionally, physically, and spiritually, how he’s rediscovered purpose beyond football, and how his time as an athlete still shapes the way he approaches his new path in media and communications through Ohio University’s Scripps College.

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 to play quarterback at Virginia, Delaney has learned what it means to embrace change, stay patient, and keep working even when the plan shifts. He shares what it’s like to transition positions, transfer programs, and continue developing in every aspect of his life, while trusting the process and the people around him.

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 to play quarterback at Virginia, Delaney has learned what it means to embrace change, stay patient, and keep working even when the plan shifts. He shares what it’s like to transition positions, transfer programs, and continue developing in every aspect of his life, while trusting the process and the people around him.

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 extend far beyond the field? Through real-life case studies, we explore: Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this conversation will challenge how you think about consequences, standards, and the role of sports in shaping character.

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 parent, this conversation is about how AI can be a helpful teammate in the ever-changing world of technology and sports.

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 culture How to define success beyond playing time Practical ways to keep these players engaged and motivated How to use practice to build their confidence and skill The bigger picture: coaching every player is a "big picture" skill for coaches Whether you coach youth sports or a high school sport, this conversation is about making sure every kid on your team is seen, valued, and developed. Because at the end of the day, it’s the whole roster that builds a team’s culture.

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 over time. Whether you coach at the youth, high school, or college level, the little things you do outside of the game can leave the deepest impact.

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: Are our practices preparing players for real game situations? How can we design drills that force decision-making instead of mindless repetition? What’s the right balance between technical, skills work and competitive reps? We also challenge coaches and parents to rethink the purpose of practice and to ask tough questions about their own routines and to even discuss with your players, "What did you learn today?"