In episode 202 of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat sit down with Kendall Hickey, libero and leader on the Ohio University volleyball team. Known for her relentless defense, leadership, and deep faith in Christ, Kendall shares how her identity is rooted in something far greater than the game.

Eastern High School Volleyball Coach, Courtney Whittington invited Coach Stewart out to speak to the team on the week of preparation for their District Championship game.

In this talk, Chris gives the team two reminders for how to be in control of the "butterflies" and emotions you feel in anticipation of big games.

In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, we talk about the little things coaches often assume players already know — but too often don’t take time to teach. These “should already know” moments can be the difference between a win and a mistake that costs you a game.

Who is responsible when they make those mistakes? HINT: it is always us, coaches.

In this episode, we discuss how to intentionally build these habits into practice, create awareness by letting them figure some things out on their own and develop a high IQ for the sport.

Whether you coach baseball or any sport, this episode is a reminder that the fundamentals aren’t always as obvious as we think.

NOTE: we had some technical difficulties with the audio in this episode. The volume varies depending on who is speaking and the audio is not the same quality as our other episodes. However, the content is without a doubt some of the best quality we have ever had on the podcast!

ABOUT THE EPISODE: For most athletes, the game has been part of their life as long as they can remember — and one day, it ends. What happens next can be one of the biggest transitions they’ll ever face.

In this episode, we sit down with Brennan Meadows, former offensive lineman for the Ohio University Bobcats, who opens up about his journey from playing at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove, OH to competing at the college level — and then, stepping away from the sport after his freshman year.

Brennan shares what that process was like emotionally, physically, and spiritually, how he’s rediscovered purpose beyond football, and how his time as an athlete still shapes the way he approaches his new path in media and communications through Ohio University’s Scripps College.

Every athlete’s path looks different — and sometimes the biggest growth happens when the spotlight isn’t on you.

In this episode, Chris and Pat sit down with Delaney Crawford, wide receiver for the Ohio University Bobcats, whose journey from high school quarterback and track standout in California to college wideout in the MAC is a story of resilience, adaptability, and faith.

Originally recruited to play quarterback at Virginia, Delaney has learned what it means to embrace change, stay patient, and keep working even when the plan shifts. He shares what it’s like to transition positions, transfer programs, and continue developing in every aspect of his life, while trusting the process and the people around him.

Discipline, standards, accountability, behavior — all are words that can make or break a team. In this episode of The Coaching Life, Chris and Pat dive into the tough conversations around holding athletes accountable.

When a player shows up late, displays bad body language, or challenges team standards, how should a coach respond? Is it about punishment, or is it about teaching life lessons that extend far beyond the field?

Through real-life case studies, we explore:

• ​Why consistency in discipline matters
• ​The tension between talent and team culture.
• ​Creative ways to make discipline a positive part of player development.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this conversation will challenge how you think about consequences, standards, and the role of sports in shaping character.

In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat talk about artificial intelligence in youth and high school sports.

From breaking down swing mechanics and optimizing practice plans to helping parents understand their child’s development, AI is becoming a tool that coaches, players, and families can use to enhance everyone's experience of the game.

Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this conversation is about how AI can be a helpful teammate in the ever-changing world of technology and sports.

In this episode of The Coaching Life Podcast, Chris and Pat dive into how coaches can invest in the "middle-bottom" players of your roster (forgive us for that label, it's tough to describe). But, how do we keep them motivated, and how do we help them understand their value.

We’ll talk about:

• Why and how the middle-bottom players often set the tone for team culture

• How to define success beyond playing time

• Practical ways to keep these players engaged and motivated

• How to use practice to build their confidence and skill

• The bigger picture: coaching every player is a "big picture" skill for coaches

Whether you coach youth sports or a high school sport, this conversation is about making sure every kid on your team is seen, valued, and developed. Because at the end of the day, it’s the whole roster that builds a team’s culture.