Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar

Bio

Rich Hofman - Legendary High School Baseball Coach

Rich Hoffman is celebrated as one of the most accomplished high school baseball coaches in history, renowned for his unparalleled success and ability to develop future professional athletes. Across his storied career, Hoffman amassed 1,020 wins, 10 state championships, and two national titles, leaving an indelible mark on high school baseball.

During his tenure at Westminster Christian in Miami, Hoffman built a powerhouse program that achieved three consecutive state championships in the 1990s, including a national titles in 1992 and 1996 as recognized by Baseball America. His teams also achieved an extraordinary 60-game winning streak, showcasing their dominance. His 1993 squad was particularly remarkable, producing four future Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez and World Series champion Doug Mientkiewicz.

After transitioning to Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Hoffman continued his winning ways, adding two more state titles and completing an unprecedented streak of five consecutive championships between the two schools.

Hoffman’s influence extended far beyond wins and titles. Known for his emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and skill development, Hoffman created a legacy that resonates throughout the baseball community.

On the show, we discuss:

The moments of change from losing to winning. The legendary 1993 team with four future big leaguers, including Alex Rodriguez. Conversations around building and maintaining a winning culture.

Part 1

Bio

Heath Autrey is the head baseball coach at Corsicana High School in Texas, where his leadership has propelled the Tigers to consistent success. With over 400 career victories, Coach Autrey emphasizes building "overachievers," instilling discipline, and fostering a winning mentality both on and off the field. Known for his strategic approach and player development skills, he has become a respected figure in Texas high school baseball.

In addition to his on-field success, Coach Autrey actively engages with the baseball community through clinics and podcasts, sharing his insights on the game and coaching philosophies.

In this episode, Coach Autrey dives deep into the structure of the offseason. Phase 1, focusing on foundational work. shares his insights on how Phases 2 and 3 evolve to build readiness. The episode concludes with a meaningful discussion at the 25-minute mark about his philosophy of “building overachievers” and the importance of valuing Standards > Feelings.

Part 1

Bio: Joe Sato - Head Coach, Bingham High School (UT)

Joe Sato is the head coach of the Bingham High School baseball team, where he has been instrumental in developing a winning culture for over several decades. He is not only an alum of Bingham but has been coaching there since 1975. Under his leadership, the team has secured three state championships and consistently ranked among the top teams in the state.

Known for his innovative coaching techniques, Joe emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive both on and off the field. His dedication to the sport has earned him several accolades, including multiple "Coach of the Year" awards in Utah. He has has been inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Joe actively engages in community service initiatives, promoting the importance of giving back and supporting local youth programs. His dedication to the sport and his players makes him a respected leader in the local sports community.

Contact Information:

Bio

Chris Turco is the Head Baseball Coach at Pope High School, where he has led the Greyhounds to the state championship in each of his three years at the helm, winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runner-up in 2023 and 2024. Under his leadership, Pope has continued its legacy of excellence, competing for the state championship 7 of the last 8 full seasons and advancing to the Final 4 for 9 consecutive years.

Turco’s success extends beyond baseball, having led his teams to state championships for the past 6 consecutive seasons, including three straight titles in softball (2018, 2019, 2020) before shifting his focus to baseball. Known for his dedication to player development and building a culture of winning, Coach Turco is committed to preparing athletes for success on the field and in life.

Part 1

Contact Info

Bio: Robbie Britt- Head Baseball Coach, Eastern Michigan

Robbie joined Eastern Michigan University as head baseball coach in 2023, bringing a legacy of success from his tenure at the University of Charleston. With a career winning percentage of .722, Britt is known for transforming teams into competitive powerhouses, both athletically and academically. At Charleston, his teams clinched multiple conference championships, three NCAA appearances, and a historic 43-12 record in 2023. His commitment to excellence extends off the field; under Britt's leadership, his players achieved eight consecutive semesters with a GPA above 3.0 and dedicated over 4,000 hours to community service.

Now at EMU, We talk through how Robbie continues to foster a competitive and supportive culture while preparing his players for success both on and off the field. Here is Robbie Britt!

For further information about Coach Britt's career and his accomplishments, visit EMU Athletic

Time Stamps

03:00- Wide view of year 1 and changes from year 2

11:00- Constants and changes from Charleston to EMU.

21:00- “Championship Behaviors” and challenging players to uphold high standards

36:00- Challenging Leadership Moments

Contact Information:

Contact Todd:

Todd Fitz-Gerald is the head baseball coach at Stoneman Douglas High School, where he has led the Eagles to multiple Florida state championships, including titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Under his leadership, the program has become a national powerhouse, known for producing top-tier talent, with several players advancing to college baseball and the MLB draft. Fitz-Gerald has over 20 years of coaching experience, previously guiding American Heritage to a state title before joining Stoneman Douglas. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, teamwork, and developing players both on and off the field. In addition to his on-field success, Fitz-Gerald’s resilience and leadership were critical in guiding the team through the aftermath of the tragic events of 2018, uniting the community through the sport of baseball.

Bio: Mark "Pudge" Gjormand has been the head coach of the James Madison High School baseball team since 1995, he is starting his his 30th season in 2024 and marking his 38th year in high school coaching. Under his leadership, the Warhawks have become a dominant force, winning 14 Liberty Conference titles, 2 Concorde Conference titles, 4 regional championships, and 3 Virginia state titles. His success and dedication to the game earned him a spot in the BCA Hall of Fame in 2021, the first Virginia high school coach to receive this honor.

Gjormand has also served on the executive committee of the BCA, becoming president in 2010-2011. He continues to be an influential figure in high school baseball, contributing to the national rankings committee and will be speaking at the ABCA in January.

On the show about his incredible 30-year journey as a head coach. We’ll explore the positive changes he’s made in youth baseball through his travel teams, the importance of offseason player development and drills, and some of the most challenging leadership moments he’s faced throughout his career, along with his advice for fellow coaches."

Time Stamps – Part 1:

Brian Kitamura has led the Whitman College Baseball program through one of its most successful eras in school history. Entering his 10th season as head coach and 15th year with the program, he has turned Whitman into a perennial contender. In 2024, Kitamura guided Whitman to its first Northwest Conference regular-season title since 1952, earning a 26-17 overall record and 16-8 in conference play. His leadership was recognized with the 2024 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year award.

Since taking over, Kitamura has led Whitman to the Northwest Conference Tournament four times in five seasons i n 2019, the team won its first-ever NWC Tournament and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, facing top-ranked Chapman University in a thrilling series.

Under his leadership, the program has also made strides off the field. Kitamura helped secure major upgrades to Borleske Stadium, including a new clubhouse and indoor training facility. His commitment to player development has seen many athletes continue their careers at the NCAA Division I level while excelling academically, with Whitman teams consistently maintaining a GPA above 3.0.

Part 1 Intro:

"On this episode, we sit down with Brian Kitamura, head coach of Whitman College baseball, as he shares insights from his journey leading the program through a historic era of success. We’ll dive into his experiences starting his 10th season as head coach, his thoughts on building strong teams through offseason player development, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned during challenging leadership moments."

Podcast Intro: Today, we’re joined by Michael Barta, the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa. Michael Barta is the head baseball coach at Johnston High School in Iowa, where he has built one of the premier baseball programs in the state. Known for his commitment to developing not only skilled athletes but also well-rounded individuals, Coach Barta's leadership has helped guide countless players to success both on the field and in their futures. With a focus on discipline, teamwork, and a passion for the game, he continues to shape the next generation of baseball talent With a proven track record of building winning teams and mentoring young athletes Coach Barta is a true leader on and off the field.

Part 1 Key Discussion Points:

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Bio

Career record of 927-549-6 over 29 seasons Four FCSAA state championships (1997, 1998, 2022, 2023) One NJCAA National Championship - 2023 Four-time FCSAA Coach of the Year Eight-time Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year

Head coach Marty Smith enters his 30th year for the Patriots and second year as the Manager of Athletics for the College of Central Florida. In 2023 Smith became one of only two active coaches in the state to reach 900 wins in the FCSAA.

Smith led the Patriots to the 2023 NJCAA Division 1 National Championship with a school record 56-7 mark in 2023, with the Pats shattering many records including wins and home runs in a season (119). Smith led the program to its second consecutive Mid-Florida Conference Championship and second consecutive FCSAA State and South-Atlantic District Championship.

Smith's 2023 squad garnered four 1st Team All-State selections and Two 2nd Team All-State selections. The 2023 Patriot team produced One 1st Team All-American (John Marant), One 2nd Team All-American selection (Edwin Toribio) and one Honorable Mention All-American (Cam Schuelke). The 2023 Patriot National Championship Team saw all 10 graduating Patriots move on to NCAA Division 1 In 2017, Smith had the highest draft pick come out of his program to-date in RHP Nate Pearson, who was selected 28th overall (Rd. 1) by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft. Pearson, Rawlings JUCO National Pitcher of the Year, and a Golden Spikes Award finalist, was the second highest JUCO player drafted in 2017.

On part 1 we go over their plan for individual player development, which is a staple in their program. We talk through coaching development which has led to 7 assistants get jobs in professional baseball and he talks through some challenges with this past season after winning a national title in 2023. Marty is one of the best, so you’re gonna love this episode with Coach Marty Smith!

Time Stamps

02:30- Fall development

10:00- coaching development

17:00- changes from this past year

20:00- Standards

29:00- leadership challenges

Email: [email protected]