Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, we welcome John Martin back to Emporia State as the program's new head baseball coach. Martin, an alumnus and former coach, discusses the excitement of returning to his alma mater, a move that brings him and his family closer to home. He reflects on his time away and the experiences that prepared him for this new role.

Coach Martin talks about the challenge of inheriting a roster and the fast-paced process of getting to know his new team and staff. He describes his coaching philosophy as an effort to take "a bunch of puzzle pieces" and fit them together, a process that happens through a lot of competition and adversity. He emphasizes that a strong culture is built on selflessness, where every player is committed to the team's shared goal.

Looking ahead, Martin is focused on building depth across the roster and recruiting players who are committed to working hard and competing every day. He expresses his excitement about the program's strong alumni network and its tradition of winning. He also highlights the importance of the team's facilities, including a full turf field, which allows them to practice consistently regardless of the weather. Above all, Martin wants his team to play a fun, hard-nosed style of baseball that will make the community proud.

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this early episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes series, Robert sits down with the fourth head coach in Missouri Western history, Michael Keeran, to discuss his background and his vision for the program. Keeran, who has a strong coaching history at the junior college and high school levels, explains what drew him to Missouri Western, citing the program's strong vision, good facilities, and the highly competitive MIAA conference.

Keeran talks about his "all-in" philosophy, which focuses on winning immediately and not wasting a year on a long-term plan. He discusses the challenges of recruiting an entirely new roster of 30 players in a single summer, relying on his staff's diverse connections and a "speed dating" approach to build a team quickly.

He also details his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes physicality, consistency, and "winning baseball" — a focus on fundamental skills like hitting behind the runner and laying down a drag bunt, which often get lost in today's game. He highlights the program's state-of-the-art facilities, including a turf field and indoor training area, as a key factor in player development. Finally, Keeran shares his commitment to community involvement and building lasting relationships with alumni, local youth, and school districts to ensure the program's long-term success.

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, J.D. Hulse talks about his quick transition from assistant to head coach at Valdosta State, a move he made after working with former head coach Jan Weisberg for years, first as a player, then as a coach at Birmingham-Southern and then at Valdosta State. Hulse discusses his journey and the difficult experience of coaching Birmingham-Southern during their school's final months, a perspective he plans to use to teach his players to be grateful for what they have.

Hulse is excited to take on the challenge of leading a program with a championship tradition and high expectations. He highlights the benefits of playing in the highly competitive Gulf South and South regions, where every game is a chance to build a strong resume for a potential tournament bid.

Hulse then explains his priorities for the team, including his offensive philosophy which is centered on hitting for doubles and implementing a more aggressive base running style. He also touches on the importance of having a coaching staff that is passionate, knowledgeable, and organized. Above all, Hulse wants his team to be "gritty" and "tough" and to play with a championship-level mindset, on and off the field.

Don't miss this episode with Valdosta State Head Coach J.D. Hulse!

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, Robert sits down with Thomas More Head Coach Cole Shaffer.

At just 27 years old, Cole Shaffer is ready to lead the Thomas More Saints into a new era of Division II baseball. In this episode, he discusses his journey to becoming a head coach and the unique advantage of working with an athletic administration that has deep ties to the program's successful past, including a former head baseball coach and athletic director.

Shaffer, who comes to Thomas More after a two-year stint at Ohio Dominican, talks about the offensive philosophy he plans to bring to the Saints, which is based on plate discipline and individualized approaches rather than a "cookie cutter" system. He details the challenges of inheriting a team in late July and his excitement for the 32 players who are committed to the program's new winning mindset.

The new coach also highlights the program's state-of-the-art facilities, including Thomas More Stadium, which offers a professional-quality locker room, indoor cages, and Trackman data for player development and recruiting. He emphasizes that his program is about more than just baseball; it's about providing an experience that will have a "profound impact on the next 40 years of their life". Finally, he discusses the high-energy, fast-paced culture he is building and how his players are embracing the challenge of being coached hard.

Don't miss this episode with Cole Shaffer, head coach at Thomas More!

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes series, Robert sits down with North Georgia's newest head baseball coach, Nolan Belcher, to discuss his background and vision for the program. Belcher, a Georgia native, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days at the University of South Carolina and his coaching stints at USC Aiken, the College of Charleston, and Georgia College.

Belcher reflects on his recent success at Georgia College, including a conference tournament championship and a super regional appearance in 2024, and explains how that experience will help him at North Georgia. He also talks about taking over a program with a "strong foundation" built by former coach Tom Cantrell and the challenges of rebuilding a roster in the age of the transfer portal.

He outlines his core principles, which include recruiting tough, high-character players who are also committed to their academics and will hold each other accountable. He also expresses his excitement about the team's top-notch facilities, including a turf field and indoor facility, which he sees as a major advantage for player development. Belcher concludes by sharing his gratitude for his staff and the people who have impacted his life, emphasizing that success comes from relationships and being surrounded by good people.

Don't miss this episode with North Georgia Head Coach Nolan Belcher!

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, Robert sits down with New Mexico Highlands Head Coach Steve Jones.

After leading the program for 17 years, Steve Jones has returned as the head baseball coach for New Mexico Highlands University. A familiar face in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Jones discusses his reasons for coming back, citing a new administration and his strong connection to the community, the mountains, and the university.

In this conversation, Coach Jones reflects on his time away, including his experience as an assistant at LSU Shreveport, where the team went an incredible 59-0. He talks about the adjustments he's made to his coaching style over the years, from adapting to new technology to communicating with modern players. He also shares insights from his time at NMHU, including the memorable 2010 season where they hosted a regional—the first New Mexico collegiate team to do so.

Looking ahead, Jones outlines his main priorities for the program, which include rebuilding the culture and focusing on a fast-paced style of play. He emphasizes the importance of community involvement, with the team already participating in local events, like a homecoming parade and helping with a homeless shelter. He also discusses plans for an upcoming alumni game to reconnect with players who helped build the program's tradition. While he won't put a number on wins, Jones guarantees that the team will "play better baseball" and continue to make progress.

Don't miss this exclusive episode with New Mexico Highlands Head Coach Steve Jones!

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, Robert talks with USC Aiken's head baseball coach, Keith Gorman, about his new role and the future of the program.

Coach Gorman discusses his hiring process and the impact of working with an athletic department that has a strong baseball background. He shares his experience with recruiting and retaining players in the era of the transfer portal, and the challenges of building a competitive roster quickly.

Coach Gorman also outlines his holistic coaching approach, emphasizing player development both on and off the field, with a focus on academic success and community service. He talks about the team's practice philosophy, which prioritizes toughness and a game-like mindset.

Finally, he expresses his excitement about calling Roberto Hernandez Stadium home and shares what fans can expect from the Pacers this season—an "ultra-competitive tough team" that will play hard and challenge opponents to beat them.

Don't miss this in-depth conversation with USC Aiken Head Coach Keith Gorman!

Want to be a part of a vibrant and growing community of baseball fans? Consider joining the D2 Baseball Patreon! patreon.com/diviibaseball

In this episode of the 2025 Coaching Changes Series, Robert sits down with Shaine Carpenter, the new head baseball coach at Lake Erie College, to discuss his background and vision for the program. Carpenter, a former Division II player and coach, shares his passion for the DII level, which he believes is the "best division that college athletics has to offer".

Carpenter dives into the challenges of building a roster from the ground up after his hire on June 17th. He talks about the grind and creativity required to work with the team's current facilities. Coach Carpenter also explains his recruiting philosophy, emphasizing his search for players who "love ball" and are excited by the process of development and hard work.

He also highlights the importance of his new associate head coach, Brent McNeil, calling him an "invaluable" addition with a wealth of knowledge. Carpenter details his coaching style, which focuses on individual player development and is anchored in a process-based approach rather than a result-based one. He wants fans to expect a team that "will go out there and compete [and] give everything they have".

Don't miss this episode with Shaine Carpenter!