The D2 Baseball Podcast

In this episode of the D2 Baseball Podcast, host Robert Frey sits down with Eddie Medina, the new head coach of the College of Staten Island baseball program. Coach Medina discusses taking over his hometown program, navigating the unique challenges of a late August hiring, building out his roster, and leveraging modern college baseball opportunities. He also shares details about his experienced coaching staff, CSI's brand-new turf facilities, and the influential mentors who shaped his career.Chapters:02:05 - Overcoming the Challenges of a Late August Hire04:00 - Expanding and Roster Building from the Ground Up07:08 - Honoring CSI's Legacy & Navigating the Transfer Portal11:18 - Recruiting Strategy in Staten Island and New York City14:05 - Assembling an Experienced Coaching Staff20:13 - Upgraded Facilities: Brand-New Turf Field & Renovations24:12 - Setting Program Expectations for Year One27:08 - Coaching Mentors, Career Influences & Closing Remarks

In this episode, Robert Frey sits down with former Claflin standout and current Head Coach, Rod Dobbs.

Coach Dobbs shares his journey from setting records as an HBCU Small School Player of the Year to leading the Claflin University baseball program. He breaks down his coaching philosophy, the five pillars of his program, how his experience as a deputy sheriff shaped his approach to accountability, and his vision for connecting Claflin baseball with the local community.

CHAPTERS:

00:35 - Returning to Claflin & Living the Student-Athlete Experience

02:00 - Learning Under Former Coaches & Mentors

03:17 - Lessons from Pro Ball & the Sledgehammer Mindset

04:08 - How Deputy Sheriff Experience Builds Accountability & "IGY6"

05:06 - Roster Depth & Competing in the Peach Belt Conference

07:37 - The 5 Pillars of Claflin Baseball & Recruiting Priorities

08:45 - Coaching the Person & Community Engagement in Orangeburg

09:53 - Process over Results & Year 1 Expectations

10:44 - Mentors & Final Words

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by special guest Ryan Iliff, who was appointed as the head baseball coach at Jamestown University on June 29th.

Coach Iliff breaks down his journey from playing and coaching at Jamestown since 2008 to taking over the helm of the program. He discusses transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II, navigating the competitive NSIC conference, building out his coaching staff, utilizing top-tier indoor training facilities, and setting expectations for his first season as head coach!

Episode Chapters:

00:18 – Transitioning to Head Coach & Guidance from Tom Hager

02:44 – Jamestown’s Transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II & The NSIC

04:08 – Recapping Fall Ball & Establishing Team Culture

05:26 – Assembling the New Coaching Staff

07:05 – Coach Iliff's Coaching Approach & Hands-On Involvement

08:23 – Player Development & Fall Evaluations

09:11 – The 4 Pillars of Jamestown Baseball

10:20 – Building the 2027 Schedule & Travel Advantage

11:50 – Preparing for the NSIC Conference Gauntlet & Roster Depth

13:40 – Jamestown's Elite Indoor Facilities & Weight Room Upgrades

14:23 – What to Expect from Jamestown Baseball in Year 1

14:46 – Coaching Mentors & Key Influences

In this episode, Robert Frey sits down with Eli Nabholz, who was officially named the interim head coach for the Millersville University Marauders on July 31st.Coach Nabholz breaks down his sudden transition into the top leadership role, balancing pitching and offensive coaching responsibilities, and how his experience as a former Marauder player shapes his coaching style today. He also dives into team values, the competitive landscape of the PSAC, and the mentors who guided his career.CHAPTERS00:18 - Transitioning to Interim Head Coach00:41 - Expanding Responsibilities & Diving into Offense01:13 - Maintaining High Standards & Program Culture03:50 - Player-to-Coach Perspective & Young Leadership05:19 - Community Support & Alumni Connection06:17 - Core Values: Selfless and Relentless07:18 - Blending Personal Style with Program Tradition08:18 - Coaching Staff Dynamics & Local Experience09:35 - Managing Pitching Staff Duties as Head Coach11:23 - Competing in the PSAC Conference12:47 - Experience in Pro Ball & Player Development13:51 - Success On and Off the Field15:18 - What to Expect from the Marauders This Season16:20 - Mentors and Key Influences

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by the newly appointed Head Coach of the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) baseball program, Ryan Van Amburg.Coach Van Amburg breaks down his journey to landing the head coaching job in Odessa, Texas, the whirlwind process of building out the 2026–2027 roster, assemble his new coaching staff, and his coaching philosophy. He also dives into his recruiting strategy in Texas, the importance of defensive play, and what fans and the Lone Star Conference can expect from UTPB baseball in year one!Episode Chapters00:16 – Getting the Call: Joining UTPB & Reaching the Head Coach Goal01:42 – Why UTPB? Administration Support & Vision for Growth02:43 – Roster Construction & Building the 40-Man Team03:36 – Assembling the Coaching Staff & Positional Development06:08 – Recruiting Strategy: Blending Texas Talent with National Experience07:37 – Transitioning to Head Coach & Empowering Assistant Coaches09:31 – Defensive Philosophy & Pride in Playing Clean Baseball11:04 – Hitting & Play Style: Ultra-Aggressive with High Baseball IQ13:16 – Competing in the Competitive Lone Star Conference14:19 – Year One Expectations: Gritty, Hard-Nosed Baseball14:47 – Mentors, Coaching Influences, and Final Thoughts

On this episode of the D2 Baseball Podcast, host Robert Frey welcomes Julio Godinez, the newly appointed 6th head coach in Lewis University baseball history.Coach Godinez breaks down his coaching journey, from his successful seven-year stint at Lake Land College leading them to a 2025 World Series appearance, to his experience at Eastern Illinois. He discusses rebuilding the Flyers' roster, leveraging JUCO recruiting networks, instilling a D1 experience for Division II players, and his philosophy on pitching development, high standards, and learning through failure.Episode Chapters:00:23 – Coming Home: Taking the Lewis University Head Coaching Job00:35 – Lessons & Success from the 2025 World Series Run at Lake Land01:35 – Transitioning to D2 & Roster Overhaul Challenges05:00 – Building a Roster: Utilizing JUCO Networks & Playing D1 Fall Competition06:51 – Maintaining Player Relationships in the Transfer Portal Era07:51 – Delivering a Division I Experience at the D2 Level08:31 – Pitching Philosophy: Attacking the Zone & Throwing Strikes10:16 – Player Development & Establishing Pitching Routines12:40 – Learning Through Failure & Facing Tough Competition13:50 – What to Expect from the Lewis Flyers Baseball Team14:45 – Mentors, Influences, and Expressing Gratitude18:02 – Closing Remarks

In this episode, host Robert Frey sits down with UT Tyler Head Baseball Coach Taylor White. Coach White shares his journey from spending eight years as the program's associate head coach to taking the helm as head coach. He discusses his relationship with former head coach Brent Porche, his approach to recruiting through the transfer portal and junior colleges, expanding his leadership role to the pitching staff, and his overall vision for the program's future.Episode Chapters00:52 – Transitioning from Associate to Head Coach01:58 – The Impact of Coach Brent Porche03:25 – Maintaining High Expectations and Program Culture05:18 – Recruiting Strategy: Portal, JUCO, and High School Talent08:30 – Building the Coaching Staff10:07 – Shifting Roles: From Offense to Full-Program Oversight11:12 – Player Versatility and Position Flexibility12:54 – Building Relationships and Character Off the Field14:22 – What to Expect from UT Tyler Baseball Under Coach White17:15 – Key Mentors and Influences in Coach White's Career

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by Alec DeMaria, the new Head Baseball Coach at the University of Mary (UMary). Coach DeMaria, a former pitcher for the Marauders, discusses returning to his alma mater, blending UMary's mission with competitive baseball, lessons learned from building a winning program at Valley City State, navigating the competitive NSIC, and what fans can expect in year one!Video Chapters00:00 - Introduction & Welcome00:50 - Returning to UMary & Family Lineage04:08 - Blending Institutional Mission with Competitive Baseball06:05 - Building Momentum at Valley City State & Patience in Coaching09:44 - Rebuilding the Roster & Setting Program Culture13:50 - Navigating the Competitive NSIC Schedule15:54 - Pitching the UMary Student-Athlete Experience & Campus Life19:00 - Expectations & Goals for Year One21:18 - Mentors & Coaching Journey23:33 - Closing Remarks

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by Mitch Holland, the new head coach of Vanguard University Baseball. Coach Holland sits down to discuss his journey, coaching philosophy, building out his roster and staff, and the upcoming season in the PacWest Conference.Episode Chapters:00:30 - Transitioning to First Head Coaching Role at Vanguard01:58 - Returning to Orange County Roots & Local Recruiting03:22 - Roster Evaluation and Blending 2027 Team05:08 - Lessons from the 2025 San Diego Turnaround08:55 - Learning Under Hall-of-Famers and Championship Programs13:01 - Assembling the Vanguard Coaching Staff & Delegating15:59 - Integrating Faith, Family, and Character into Player Development18:55 - Competing in the PacWest & Managing Road Trips21:28 - Setting Program Pillars and Culture for Year One23:35 - Coaching Mentors and Impactful Player Relationships

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by Scott Eul, the newly appointed head baseball coach at Tusculum University!Coach Eul discusses his transition to Greeneville, Tennessee after leading Missouri-St. Louis to its first regional appearance since 2003. He dives deep into what attracted him to Tusculum, the world-class facilities at Pioneer Park, his aggressive style of play, and his vision for competing in the powerhouse South Atlantic Conference (SAC).Like and subscribe for future content on ALL things D2 Baseball! You won't get it anywhere else!📌 TIMESTAMPS:00:25 – Transition from Missouri–St. Louis to Tusculum01:36 – Family support, Pioneer Park facilities, and the rich tradition of Pioneer baseball02:32 – Becoming only the third head coach in program history04:02 – Tour of Pioneer Park: World-class D2 baseball facilities07:11 – Recruiting philosophy: Finding high-energy, competitive players11:43 – Pitching philosophy: Why striking batters out eliminates variables14:11 – Aggressive baserunning & putting pressure on opposing defenses15:01 – Building a deep, dedicated coaching staff21:05 – Excitement for competing in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC)22:11 – What fans and alumni can expect from Tusculum Baseball this spring23:42 – Mentors, family support, and closing thoughts