In this episode, we sit down with AJ Gonzalez, a rising name in the world of college baseball coaching. AJ’s journey has taken him from standout player to player development leader, and now into key coaching roles at the collegiate level. Most recently, the Interim Head Coach at St. Peter’s University. AJ is now stepping into his next challenge as Assistant Coach at SUNY New Paltz.

We explore his standout playing career across programs like SUNY Ulster, Concordia, STAC, and SUNY Oneonta, and how those experiences built the foundation for his transition into coaching. From his early work with NY Silverbacks and Brewster Baseball Garage to running JV and Varsity development at Dominican University, AJ breaks down what it means to lead, to build a culture, and to help players succeed on and off the field.

AJ shares lessons from his time as a head coach, his approach to recruiting, and how he sees college baseball evolving. This episode is full of practical takeaways for young coaches, college hopefuls, and anyone who believes in the value of development over destination.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we dive into the value of fall ball — not just as a preseason warm-up, but as one of the most critical development windows of the entire year.

Whether you're a high school player trying to get recruited or a college athlete fighting for a spot in the lineup, this is the time to get uncomfortable, take risks, and build championship habits.

For high schoolers, especially 2026 grads, we talk about:

• Why fall reps matter more than you think

• How to find fall camps and local college programs still recruiting

• What you can do now to get on a school’s radar

For college guys, this is your time to:

• Show coaches you belong in the lineup, on the mound, or in the bullpen

• Build elite habits in the weight room, nutrition, and sleep

• Use the fall to fail forward — test your limits, dive for balls, make tough throws, steal bases, try back picks

And for coaches?
Fall is your chance to create an environment where players can push themselves without fear of failure — because if we don’t challenge them now, they won’t be ready when it matters in the spring.

Fall ball isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, I sit down with Anthony Williams, the head baseball coach at Frostburg State University, who has quietly built one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II baseball. Entering his seventh season at the helm, Coach Williams is coming off a historic 2024 campaign where he led the Bobcats to their first-ever NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional appearance, a 37–16 record, and a 24–4 mark in Mountain East Conference play, earning MEC Coach of the Year honors.

We dive deep into Coach Williams’ journey — from his playing days at Slippery Rock under legendary coach Jeff Messer, to his early coaching stops at Frostburg, UMBC, Pitt-Greensburg, and Clarion, where he became the winningest coach in program history. He also shares valuable insights from his time working in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ video advance scouting department and managing in the Coastal Plain League.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How Coach Williams built Frostburg State into a championship-level program

• Lessons from working in pro baseball and how they shaped his coaching style

• How he develops players to maximize their potential and builds a winning culture year after year

• His approach to recruiting, utilizing the transfer portal, and helping players thrive on and off the field

• What prospective student-athletes need to know about playing at Frostburg State

• His vision for the program’s future and advice for young coaches building programs of their own

Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, player development, and what it takes to build a winning program from the ground up.