It’s that time of year on the ABCA Podcast when we spotlight our ABCA/ATEC Coaches of the Year, and this week we’re joined by Chris Roof, the 2025 ABCA/ATEC High School Division II Coach of the Year.

Roof has served as head coach at Governor Livingston High School (NJ) for the past 25 years and has built a powerhouse program in the Garden State. After capturing the New Jersey State Championship in 2024, his squad followed it up with a perfect 28-0 season in 2025, securing back-to-back state titles in dominant fashion.

In this episode, Roof shares the foundation of his program’s success, his leadership philosophy, and how he’s impacted baseball in New Jersey beyond just the field.

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

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Joining us this week on the ABCA Podcast is Zach Sorensen, Mental Performance Coach for the Cincinnati Reds.

A former three-time All-American at Wichita State and second-round MLB Draft pick by the Cleveland Guardians, Sorensen brings a unique perspective shaped by his own professional playing career and his deep passion for helping athletes master the mental game.

After 10 years as a pro player, Sorensen transitioned into medical sales before rediscovering his purpose in performance coaching. He’s since worked with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and now the Reds, helping athletes train their minds like they train their bodies.

Sorensen is also the host of The Hard 90 Podcast, where he shares strategies for maximizing mindset, and he's currently collaborating with Pison on a cutting-edge cognitive training app for athletes.

This episode dives into what it takes to perform mentally at the highest level and how coaches can better equip their players with the tools to succeed beyond mechanics.

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we sit down with Clint Hurdle, longtime MLB manager and current hitting and bench coach for the Colorado Rockies.

Hurdle has been part of professional baseball since 1977, serving the game as a player, coach, and manager over the past five decades. Hurdle spent 17 seasons as a Major League manager—leading both the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates, and totaling nearly 1,300 career wins.

This conversation flows into discussions on leadership, resilience, player connection, and the deeper lessons that come from a lifetime in baseball.

Hurdle also delivered a phenomenal presentation at the 2025 ABCA Convention, which you can go back and watch now in the Videos section of the app or online in the ABCA Video Library. It’s well worth your time and full of the same energy, perspective, and honesty he brings to this episode.

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we’re joined by Brad Neffendorf, head coach of LSU Shreveport, who just led his program to a historic and unprecedented season. Under Neffendorf’s leadership, the Pilots went a perfect 59-0, capturing the first national title in school history.

It marked the third NAIA World Series appearance for Shreveport during Neffendorf’s tenure and the fourth consecutive Red River Athletic Conference regular season title. As expected, the accolades followed: Neffendorf was named ABCA/ATEC NAIA National Coach of the Year, the College Baseball Foundation (Skip Bertman Award), Perfect Game, and NAIA Ball.

In this episode, Neffendorf breaks down the culture, preparation, and mindset behind the perfect run, and how he’s built a consistent NAIA powerhouse since taking over in 2019.

Also be sure to check out the July/August issue of Inside Pitch Magazine (mailing soon!)—Coach Neffendorf is on the cover with an even more in-depth interview on this once-in-a-lifetime season!

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

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We’re back to one-on-one interviews this week on the ABCA Podcast with a true coaching veteran—Dave Serrano, head coach at Johnson University and one of the most respected baseball minds in the game.

Serrano’s journey through college baseball spans over three decades and includes stops at some of the game’s premier programs: Tennessee, Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, West Virginia, and Cal State Northridge. He got his start in 1988 under George Horton at Cerritos College and went on to become the 2007 Baseball America National Coach of the Year after leading UC Irvine to the College World Series.

Now with over 600 career wins as a head coach, Serrano is in the midst of a remarkable turnaround at Johnson University. After taking over a 5-win program in 2023, he’s led the team to back-to-back record-breaking seasons in both single-season and conference wins.

In this episode, Serrano reflects on the mentors who shaped him, the lessons he’s carried from Omaha to his current rebuild, and what it takes to lead with both passion and purpose.

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we recorded in Cary, North Carolina at the NCAA Division II World Series. We sat down with all eight head coaches who led their teams to this year’s championship stage to discuss postseason preparation, team culture, and the experience of competing at the highest level in Division II baseball.

Featured in this episode: Brad Baldwin (Northwood University),  Brent Porche (UT Tyler),  Chris Langan (Felician University),  John Kochmansky (East Stroudsburg University),  Adam Skonieczki (Lenoir-Rhyne University),  Joe Schaeffer (Northwest Nazarene University),  Kyle Crookes (University of Central Missouri),  Joe Urso (University of Tampa).

Huge congratulations to Joe Urso and the University of Tampa on capturing their second consecutive National Championship, winning seven games in eight days in an incredible postseason run!

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

Download & Subscribe to the Podcast:
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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we bring you a special episode recorded on location at the NJCAA Division III World Series in Auburn, New York.

We sat down with all eight head coaches competing for a national title to talk about their programs, postseason preparation, and what it means to be part of one of the most competitive events in junior college baseball.

Featured in this episode: Mark Tucker – Surry Community College (NC);  Johnny Johnson – Brookdale Community College (NJ);  Bill Fratto – Oakton Community College (IL);  Matt Clingersmith – SUNY Niagara; Jimmy Brenneman – Dallas College Richland (TX);  Jeff Mejia – Northern Essex Community College (MA);  Matt Erzar – Century College (MN); and Rob Valli – RCSJ-Gloucester (NJ). A special congrats to Valli and RCSJ-Gloucester on capturing their third straight NJCAA DIII National Championship!

Recruiting is time-consuming — but what if you could filter through the noise and find the right players in minutes for FREE? With ProLook, athletes create detailed profiles with verified stats, academics, and highlight videos, so you can search for exactly what you need and connect with top talent instantly. And it's FREE for college coaches. Download ProLook today to start searching for your next recruit among many other coaches features. Available for both Apple and Android devices. For more info visit www.ProLook.app.

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

Download & Subscribe to the Podcast:
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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we bring you an episode recorded on location during the NCAA Division II Regional hosted at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina.

We sat down with the four head coaches who were leading their programs through postseason play and captured their insights right in the heart of the action. Featured in this episode: Adam Skonieczki (Lenoir-Rhyne University),  Chris Anderson (Belmont Abbey College),  Tom Cantrell (University of North Georgia), and  Tom Griffin (Carson-Newman University).

These coaches share their thoughts on playoff preparation, in-season growth, player development, and what it means to compete on the national stage. It's a great inside look at high-level DII baseball from the dugouts of a regional battle.

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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Barry Davis, assistant coach at Princeton University and former longtime head coach at Rider University. Davis brings more than three decades of coaching experience to the conversation, with a track record of sustained success at every level of college baseball—NJCAA, NAIA, and NCAA Division I.

Over 20 seasons at Rider, Davis led the Broncs to four conference tournament championships, two regular season titles, and 12 conference tournament appearances. In 2023, his team tied a program record with 36 wins. Prior to his time at Rider, Davis also built winning programs at Georgia Southwestern State (NAIA) and Gloucester County College (NJCAA), amassing over 1,000 career wins across his head coaching stops.

Now coaching in the Ivy League at Princeton, Davis reflects on his coaching journey, leadership philosophy, and what it takes to build successful programs across different levels of the game.

Get the pro treatment and design your very own custom Rawlings glove just like your favorite big-league stars! Choose from countless patterns, web types, lace colors, and more to showcase your unique, personal style. Start with a pro design and change it up with your team colors or build yours completely from scratch with your name, number, and state flag! Visit Rawlings.com to design your custom glove today!

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.abca.org/podcast

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This week on the ABCA Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Luke Wilkins, a lecturer at La Trobe University and former sport scientist and lead skill acquisition specialist with the New York Yankees. Wilkins brings a unique perspective to player development, blending cutting-edge academic research with experience in professional baseball.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into his recent research paper, “A Framework for Using Virtual Reality to Enhance Psychological Performance in Baseball,” and explore how perceptual-cognitive training, gaze behavior, and VR tech can be used to elevate on-field performance.

Originally from the UK, Wilkins holds a PhD from The University of Birmingham and currently teaches in the Sport and Exercise Science department at La Trobe, focusing on motor behavior and talent development. He’s also involved in international research collaborations across baseball and cricket.

Want even more from Dr. Wilkins? Check out Episode 280 of the ABCA Podcast from January 17, 2022, where he breaks down the principles of skill acquisition in baseball.

Get the pro treatment and design your very own custom Rawlings glove just like your favorite big-league stars! Choose from countless patterns, web types, lace colors, and more to showcase your unique, personal style. Start with a pro design and change it up with your team colors or build yours completely from scratch with your name, number, and state flag! Visit Rawlings.com to design your custom glove today!

The ABCA Podcast is presented by Netting Pros. Netting Professionals are improving programs one facility at a time, specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for backstops, batting cages, dugouts, bp screens and ball carts. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches, dugout cubbies and more.

Download & Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.abca.org/podcast

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