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.