In this episode of Coaches Corner, Walter Beede sits down with Dave Serrano, one of the most respected coaching voices in college baseball and the current head coach at Johnson University. A former Division I head coach at Cal State Fullerton and Tennessee, USA Baseball coach, and longtime leader in the game, Serrano brings unmatched insight into what the modern college baseball landscape truly looks like — especially at the rapidly rising NAIA level.

Walter and Coach Serrano go deep into the realities of today’s college baseball environment: shrinking roster space, increasing physicality requirements, rising skill expectations, and why high school athletes are further behind than ever in instincts, field awareness, and baseball IQ. They discuss the misconceptions families have about the NAIA, the national scope of recruiting, and why the level of play is far higher and deeper than most parents realize.

Serrano also explains:

Why roster competition is now “daily, not seasonal”

How NAIA programs can develop players into higher-level prospects

Why physicality, speed, twitch, and flexibility are non-negotiable

The new December 1st roster decision date and how it will reshape college baseball

How Johnson built a winning culture through structure, accountability, and elite staff

Why recruits must be realistic about their current metrics and timelines

How on-campus workouts with NAIA teams allow coaches to evaluate players differently

This episode delivers straight truth for parents and athletes trying to understand the new recruiting environment — and what it actually takes to get between the lines and stay there.

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