Mark Ralston is a seasoned baseball scout with nearly 30 years of experience in Major League Baseball. He spent time with the Braves, Mets, Phillies and Orioles. In this episode we discuss Mark's journey into scouting, the importance of building relationships, the intricacies of evaluating players, and the evolving landscape of baseball scouting. Mark shares insights on mentorship, the scouting process, and the challenges of identifying talent in a competitive environment.

"You have to rely on a gut feel."

Topics:

00:00 Introduction to Baseball Scouting

02:45 Mark Ralston's Journey into Scouting

05:50 The Evolution of Scouting Techniques

08:36 Building Relationships in Scouting

11:17 Transitioning Between Teams

14:23 Evaluating Players: Hitting, Pitching, and Fielding

17:00 Understanding the Draft Process

19:57 The Role of Cross-Checkers

22:31 Experiences with the Orioles

25:45 The Scouting Community and Relationships

28:56 Navigating Scouting Challenges

34:25 Transitioning from the Orioles

37:10 Rejoining the Mets: A New Opportunity

40:14 The Evolution of Scouting in the Digital Age

46:30 Evaluating Talent: The Importance of Mental Makeup

53:36 Memorable Prospects: A Look Back at Legends

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Fired Coaches Podcast will give you perspective of what it is like to lose a coaching position at the college level. Episodes will contain the trials and tribulations that coaches went through and give insight on what matters most.

Neil Stratton discusses his background in NFL scouting and writing, including his newsletter "Inside the League" and various football-related publications including his books (Moving the Chains, Scout Speak and Value Picks). The conversation then explored the evolution, focusing on the challenges and successes of transitioning from traditional print media to online subscription models, with particular attention to the newsletter's growth and development over the years. The discussion concluded with insights into Neil's experience writing about football scouting, scouting combine, the changing nature of player representation and evaluation in the industry, and recent developments in college football.

"You can't get a certificate for scouting."

Topics:

Football Insights and Personal Stories

Lone Star Football's 

Digital Evolution 

Newsletter Business Growth Challenges 

Inside the League's 

Business Evolution 

Hula Bowl Experience 

Combine Awards

Networking Football Scouting Insights

"Excellence never has an off button." - Terri Mitchell

In this episode, Coach Terri Mitchell shares her extensive experience in women's basketball, discussing the impact of NIL on the sport, her personal journey from player to coach, and the importance of mentorship and community service. She reflects on her time at Marquette, the challenges of recruiting, and her defensive coaching philosophy. Coach Mitchell emphasizes the significance of maintaining a separation between players and coaches and the lessons learned throughout her career. As she looks ahead, she expresses her desire to continue contributing to the sport and helping the next generation of coaches and players.

00:00

Introduction to Coach Mitchell

02:44

The Impact of NIL on Women's Basketball

06:00

Personal Journey: From Player to Coach

08:42

Transitioning from Player to Coach

11:32

Recruiting Strategies and Lessons Learned

14:48

Navigating Conference Changes

17:33

The Importance of Local Talent

20:17

Understanding Player Commitment and Heart

23:32

Defensive Philosophy in Coaching

26:39

Defensive Strategies and Adaptability

30:26

Reflections on Coaching Career and Transition

35:37

Personal Growth Through Caregiving

41:43

Learning from Experience as an Assistant Coach

44:24

The Importance of Service and Mentorship

48:03

Finding the Right Fit in Coaching Opportunities

In this episode, Coach Tim Brewster shares his extensive journey through the world of football coaching, from his early days as a player to his experiences in the NFL and college football. He discusses the importance of passion, hard work, and building trust with players, as well as the lessons learned from coaching legends like Bear Bryant. Brewster reflects on his time coaching at various levels, including his pivotal role in discovering talent like Antonio Gates, and emphasizes the significance of family support in a coaching career. He also shares insights on recruiting and the connection between basketball and football, ultimately expressing his desire to continue giving back to the game he loves.

In this episode, Marcus Wiegert interviews Cole Schreiner, who shares his extensive journey in coaching basketball at various levels. Cole discusses the challenges and rewards of coaching, including his transition from men's to women's basketball. He reflects on the differences in recruiting and coaching styles, the importance of building relationships with players, and the logistics of coaching while starting a family. In this conversation, Cole Schreiner discusses his journey as a coach, the challenges he faced when taking over a team just days before the season, and the importance of building relationships within the coaching community. He reflects on the financial struggles of small colleges and the impact of potential closures on staff and students. Cole emphasizes the need for effective communication with his team during uncertain times and shares his commitment to personal growth and continuous learning through various resources and self-reflection.

00:00 - Introduction to Coaching Journey

02:47 - Transitioning into Coaching

05:57 - Experiences in Illinois Coaching

09:02 - Returning to the WIAC

11:56 - Head Coach at Gogebic (women's basketball)

15:04 - Returning to Northland College

20:25 - Facing Challenges as a New Coach

22:22 - The Financial Struggles of Small Colleges

24:10 - The Uncertainty of College Closures

27:10 - Communicating with the Team During Crisis

29:24 - Personal Growth and Continuous Learning

• He initially thought he was done with basketball after college.
• Coaching at Spooner was a pivotal moment in his career.
• Illinois coaching experiences were vastly different from Wisconsin.
• Recruiting in Illinois presented new challenges and opportunities.
• Returning to the WIAC as a coach was a significant transition.
• Building a women's basketball program at Gogebic was challenging but rewarding.

• Logistical considerations played a role in his career decisions.
• Cole's passion for coaching continues to evolve. Logistical decisions can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Building relationships is crucial in coaching.
• Being available can open doors in your career.
• Facing challenges head-on is part of coaching.
• Financial struggles are common in small colleges.
• Communication is key during crises.
• Focus on the present and support your team.
• Continuous learning is essential for growth.
• Self-reflection helps improve coaching practices.
• Connecting with others enhances personal and professional development.

In this episode, Marcus Wiegert interviews Kyle Brown, a former college basketball coach turned sports card enthusiast. They discuss Kyle's journey into the sports card world, the impact of COVID-19 on the market, and the current dynamics of card collecting. Kyle shares insights on how to navigate the market, the importance of grading, and the thrill of discovering valuable cards. The conversation also touches on Kyle's extensive travels for card shows and the unique experiences he's had along the way.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Sports Card World

10:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Card Collecting

20:43 Understanding the Card Market Dynamics

31:50 The Future of Card Collecting and Traveling Experiences

WE are back!

Episode 50 features Rodrik David. Rodrik played Division III football, coached a few years of Division III football along with being a defensive line intern at Ohio State, had an internship with the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons scouting departments before making his way into a Scouting Assistant position with the Falcons. From there he moved up to Pro Scout and Midwest Area Scout. You won't believe what happened next.

Rodrik is the founder of RightStepAdvising (rsafootball.com) and has a podcast with Neil Stratton called "Scouting the League."

We sit down with Kip Ioane! Coach Ioane most recently spent time was named the head men's basketball coach at South Salem HS in Salem, Oregon. Prior to that he spent four years as a player, eight years as an assistant and 14 seasons as the head men's basketball coach all at Willamette University. He is a next level learner! Over ten years ago he created Teams of Men. He and his brother run the Kas Ioane Foundation in honor of their father. He also just launched a book in the past week. Take a listen!

Book - Mirror Training

We sit down with Brian Miller! Coach Miller most recently spent time as the athletic director and head men's basketball coach at MSOE. He was the head men's basketball coach at MSOE for 19 seasons. Prior to that he was also the head coach at Concordia Chicago and Lakeland. He had a very unique path into college coaching and shares his experience recruiting, coaching and running an athletic department. Take a listen!

We sit down with Coach Matt Airy! Coach Airy most recently spent three seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Aurora University. Prior to that he spent eleven years at his alma mater Whitman College. As an associate head coach he helped lead Whitman to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Sweet Sixteen (2016), Final Four (2017), and Elite Eight (2018)! He also spent time as an assistant coach at Bellevue Community College after his playing career at Whitman.

Take a listen! @firedcoachespod