Our friend, Justin Roush, joins us for a great conversation about developing expectations for yourself. Justin is starting an LLC and podcast of his own, titled "Walk-On Academy."

We chat with him about his plans and vision, as he shares from his own experiences of walking onto the Ohio University football team 25 years ago.

The title sums up the conversation in #188. We talk a little bit about trending issues in the NFL, but that's not the important part.

In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat gear up for the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) Clinic happening this week in Columbus, Ohio! We dive into the details of this must-attend event for high school baseball coaches, sharing why it’s more than just another conference—it’s an opportunity to grow, connect, and be inspired.

Whether you’ve been coaching for decades or are just getting started, the clinic is packed with sessions that can elevate your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and deepen your impact on the athletes you lead.

We explore the vital importance of being lifelong learners in the coaching world, challenging ourselves and our listeners to stay curious, adapt to new ideas, and constantly improve—both for our athletes and for ourselves.

Episode Highlights:

If you’re a high school coach in Ohio or any other state, let this episode be your nudge to commit to getting better and investing in yourself. The game is always evolving—are you?

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Coaching Life Podcast so you never miss an episode. Let’s keep learning and growing together!

Join the conversation: What’s one thing you’re hoping to learn or improve as a coach this year? Let us know by tagging us or commenting on our latest post!

In this episode of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat talk about the Ohio State Buckeyes’ National Championship and uncover a critical aspect of sports that often goes unnoticed: the disconnect between fans’ perceptions of the player-coach relationship and the reality behind the scenes.

From social media memes, viral locker room moments, to sideline interactions, they discuss why fans may romanticize or misinterpret these relationships and how the media and "FANaticism" shapes our understanding of why a coach is or isn't successful.

Whether you’re a Buckeyes fan or just someone fascinated by the nuance of sports, this episode offers a perspective on the complexities of coaching and the importance of building authentic connections with players.

Conversation:

Share your thoughts and stories with us on the Spotify comments section or on X @TheCoachingLife.

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Welcome to Season 11 of The Coaching Life Podcast! Chris and Pat kick off the new year with energy, excitement, and a renewed commitment to exploring the fun and sometimes crazy world of youth and high school sports.

Join us as we set the tone for an all new season filled with impactful conversations, fresh perspectives, and actionable advice to help you navigate the challenges and joys of coaching and parenting in sports.

We walk through the historic season for Ohio University football, and Parker Navarro's role in helping the Bobcats win the first Mid American Conference Championship since 1968.

We had the honor to chat with Coach Billy Roper from Adairsville, Georgia about the benefits of training the overall athlete for all the various sports they may play.

Billy has much experience and wisdom, having worked for 29 years as a baseball coach and 28 years as a football coach.

A handful of years ago Chris wrote a book titled "Building Champions," and the last chapter discussed a common issue in our culture, which is pervasive in youth sports culture. Groupthink is a very real problem, and we need to do our best to recognize when we are participating in it.

We've had a lot of fun chatting with Brooks McKeller and so we invited him to join our conversation again today on a variety of topics, from golf to baseball to football chapel services. You'll have to listen all the way to the end to understand the title of this episode!

Today we take some time to devote an entire episode to Pat's beloved Cleveland Browns. But, the conversation isn't a glorious one. We talk about some of the drama surrounding the fan base and players in context of Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury.

"My all-time favorite baseball player was Pete Rose. It's not because he was the greatest player in the game, although he holds some of the game's greatest records that will likely never be broken. It's not because he was the most upstanding citizen; he had a hard, stubborn, ego and everyone knew it. What I loved about Pete Rose was the way he played the game of baseball when he was between the baselines. He was the essence of "blue collar" baseball. What I loved about Pete Rose was the fact that he made every little boy believe that they, too, could one day play professional baseball. You might be able to say a lot of things about Pete Rose, but it could never be said that he did not play to win. Whether it was Game 7 of the World Series, an All-Star Game, or a church picnic game, he played to win." – Chris Stewart