In this episode, we break down one of the most iconic franchises in NFL history — the Pittsburgh Steelers — and examine how a refusal to evolve their identity has kept them from true contention for over a decade.
We open with a look at the Steelers' proud legacy: six Super Bowl titles, only three head coaches in franchise history, and a long-standing identity built on defensive toughness and blue-collar grit. But since 2015, that identity has shown cracks — and the results speak for themselves.
We walk through each season from 2015 to 2025, highlighting missed opportunities, outdated strategies, and a deep-rooted organizational stubbornness. From aging quarterbacks to draft misfires, to an overinvestment in a defense that’s no longer elite, the Steelers have doubled down on an identity that no longer fits their roster — or the modern NFL.
We also draw connections to baseball: how identity drives team culture, why adapting to your personnel matters, and how refusing to evolve can leave even storied programs behind.
This one’s part analysis, part challenge to coaches and leaders at every level: adapt or die.
This week’s episode dives into a historic move in the baseball world: Tony Vitello has officially accepted the job as the next manager of the San Francisco Giants — making him the first college head coach hired directly into an MLB managerial role without any prior big-league experience. We walk through the timeline, the reporting, the emotional weight of the decision, and what it means for both Tennessee and San Francisco.
From there, we break down the latest MLB managerial hires and updates, including:
The Angels hiring Kurt Suzuki as their new manager
The Padres and Orioles showing interest in Albert Pujols
A deep dive into the Minnesota Twins’ ongoing manager search — and why Nick Punto might be the perfect fit
Finally, we wrap with a full World Series Preview: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers. I give you my pick (Blue Jays in 7), highlight the difference-makers, and explain why this series won’t be won with just analytics — it’ll come down to execution, hustle, and who plays winning baseball.
This week’s guest is someone who bridges the gap between the field and financial world — Dane Burkholder, a former college football player turned elite financial advisor. Dane began his playing career at the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to Millersville University, where he completed his degree in finance and wrapped up his collegiate football journey.
Today, Dane is the Managing Partner of Roseville Wealth Management Group and holds multiple elite credentials, including CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®, and APMA®. But he’s also the founder of the fast-growing social media platform Financial Athlete, where he’s helping the next generation of athletes understand money, investing, and the new realities of the NIL era.
In this interview, we cover:
The evolution of college athletics from the early 2000s to today
The rise of NIL, social media, and the business side of sports
The origin story of Financial Athlete and its mission
Why financial literacy is a must-have for today’s athletes
Good vs. bad money decisions athletes are making
How today’s athletes are investing differently
Short-term lifestyle spending vs. long-term planning
Why every athlete needs a plan — not just a paycheck
Lastly, we wrap the episode up with discussing Alex Bregman's opt out in Boston and Cody Bellinger's opt out in New York and what it means for the free agent market this winter. We take a look at managerial updates, including Albert Pujols and the Angels, Mike Shildt stepping down in San Diego, and an AJ Hinch extension in Detroit. We conclude the episode with an update on where the postseason sits and why Jorge Polanco holds a special place in my heart.
Whether you're a current athlete, coach, parent, or just interested in the intersection of sports and finance, this episode is packed with value. Dane brings a rare, grounded perspective that every listener can learn from.
The MLB Postseason is heating up, and so is the conversation.
In this week’s episode, we dive into everything happening across October baseball — starting with a full postseason update and my honest admission that, yeah… I was way off on most of my Wild Card predictions. We’ll break down who’s still alive in both leagues, what’s surprised me the most, and why some of these division series are turning into must‑watch battles.
From there, we’ll shift into the latest MLB managerial rumors and hires — including the Rangers’ promotion of Skip Schumaker, the Angels’ front‑runner Albert Pujols (with names like Kurt Suzuki and Torii Hunter in the mix), Twins speculation around Nelson Cruz, and the Giants’ search led by Nick Hundley and Suzuki. Plus, a quick look at other intriguing names still on the market, like Rocco Baldelli, Brandon Hyde, and David Ross.
Then we’ll wrap things up with one of my favorite off‑the‑field discussions — the odd and entertaining world of college baseball coach tweets. You’ve seen them: mascot GIFs, vague captions like “big call with an RHP” or “just added another MIF with high compete.” What’s really behind it? Recruiting tactic? Branding? Or just flexing online?
Tune in for postseason insights, coaching carousel chaos, and a fun look at the quirks of college baseball culture.
In this episode, I hand out my end-of-season awards for the 2025 MLB season. AL & NL Manager of the Year, Cy Young winners, and MVPs — breaking down why each of my picks deserves the hardware. From Stephen Vogt’s resilience narrative in Cleveland to Dan Wilson leading the Mariners to the AL West crown and Paul Skenes dominating the NL, I walk you through each race, the numbers, and the storylines that shaped the season.
Then we shift gears to October. I preview the 2025 MLB postseason, running through the Wild Card matchups, Divisional Series, and League Championship Series. I give my predictions for every round — from upset alerts to my World Series pick — and explain why I think the Mariners’ pitching depth could carry them all the way.
Finally, we take a quick look at some of the biggest managerial changes around baseball heading into 2026, from Bob Melvin to Rocco Baldelli, and what they mean for each franchise’s future.
Whether you’re here for the awards, the playoff breakdown, or want a peek at my bracket picks, this episode sets the stage for an incredible October of baseball.
The 2025 Cleveland Guardians have been through it all: trades of core players, losing two key bullpen arms to gambling investigations, and sitting below .500 at the All-Star break. Yet, here they are in late September, right in the thick of the playoff race.
In this episode, we break down the Guardians’ journey step by step:
A look back at Cleveland’s postseason DNA and their history of late-season runs.
The offseason moves that shook up the roster included trading Josh Naylor and Andrés Giménez and signing veterans like Carlos Santana and Paul Sewald.
A first half filled with inconsistency and setbacks, capped by the suspensions of Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase.
The bold decision to trade Shane Bieber and Paul Sewald at the deadline — moves that looked like subtraction, but fueled growth.
How Stephen Vogt’s steady leadership, daily focus, and the Guardians’ investment in mental performance coaching have kept this team locked in.
The Guardians’ story is a reminder that adversity is inevitable — in baseball and in life. What matters most is how you respond, how you show up every day, and how you lead through the chaos.
As Cleveland pushes toward October, they’ve proven that resilience beats panic, and that growth happens when you focus on the task in front of you.
Too often in sports, and in life, we stick to what we’ve always done, even when the results clearly aren’t working. In this week’s episode, we dive into the dangers of staying stuck in the same cycle, blaming others, and expecting different outcomes without ever changing our philosophy.
To bring that idea to life, we explore the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback decisions from 2010 to 2024. From short-term band-aids like Donovan McNabb, Sam Bradford, and Case Keenum… to veterans like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold… to finally drafting J.J. McCarthy in 2024 — this journey is a case study in what happens when you avoid making real adjustments.
Whether you’re a coach, a player, or just someone trying to get better, this episode is a reminder: if it’s not working, stop blaming — start changing.
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.
In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down one of the most fundamental — yet most misunderstood — aspects of baseball strategy: how to build a lineup. We explore how traditional lineup construction has evolved in today’s analytics-driven game, diving deep into the roles and expectations of each spot in the order.
We compare the old-school model to the modern approach — from what it used to mean to bat leadoff or cleanup, to why the two-hole has become a spot for your best hitter. With player comparisons like Derek Jeter vs. Jeremy Peña, Joe Mauer vs. Aaron Judge, and Prince Fielder vs. Seiya Suzuki, we illustrate how philosophies have shifted over time and what coaches and players need to be thinking about when they write a lineup card.
We also explore how the bottom of the order has transformed — from a dumping ground for weaker bats to a place of strategic opportunity.
To close the episode, I share my personal 1–9 lineup philosophy and how I would build a batting order based on modern concepts and intentional decision-making.
Finally, we wrap with this week’s book recommendation — The Why Is Everything by Michael Silver — and connect its core message to today’s topic: if you’re not asking “why,” you’re probably not building it right.
In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we sit down with Marquay Mayo, Assistant Coach for infielders and outfielders at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a D1 program in the America East Conference. A New Jersey native with experience across high school, collegiate, and professional sports, Coach Mayo has built a career around player development and winning cultures.
We start with his playing days at Centenary University and hear about his recruiting process, lessons learned, and the experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy. From there, Coach Mayo walks us through his path from high school coaching to the college ranks, sharing the challenges, adjustments, and opportunities along the way.
We dive into his current role at NJIT, where he works daily with infielders and outfielders to sharpen their defensive skills, and reflect on the Highlanders’ record-tying 27-win 2025 season. Coach Mayo offers insight into what fueled that success, the culture within the program, and what NJIT looks for when recruiting players—plus how the transfer portal fits into their long-term plan.
To close, he shares valuable advice for high school players looking to play at the college level, giving a candid look at what it truly takes to compete and succeed in today’s game.
Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right now.
This week on Behind The Lineup, we’re diving into one of the most impactful leadership books ever written for building strong, cohesive teams – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.
In this episode, we break down each of the five dysfunctions that hold teams back:
Absence of Trust
Fear of Conflict
Lack of Commitment
Avoidance of Accountability
Inattention to Results
We’ll not only explain what each dysfunction means, but also connect it directly to baseball. From clubhouse culture to on-field execution, we discuss how these dysfunctions can tear a team apart – and how great coaches and players overcome them.
Whether you’re a coach building a winning culture or a player striving to be a great teammate, this episode gives you actionable lessons to take back to your team today.
Plus, this week’s Book Recommendation spotlights The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, showing why it’s a must-read for anyone serious about leadership and long-term success in sports.
In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Coach Joey Noro, the newly named Head Baseball Coach at California University of Pennsylvania, as he enters his 10th season with the program and first at the helm. A Pittsburgh native and former standout pitcher, Noro shares his journey from Western PA to Alabama, his transition from player to coach, and the lessons he picked up during his early years away from home.
Coach Noro offers a deep dive into:
His path to playing college baseball in Alabama
The turning point that led him into coaching
His experiences developing All-PSAC arms and future MLB draft picks
The recruiting process for high school players—what metrics matter, how to reach out, and what college coaches are really looking for
How he built one of the top pitching staffs in the PSAC
His vision for the Vulcans as he takes over as head coach
We wrap the episode with a book recommendation: Mindset by Carol Dweck. We explore the power of a growth mindset for coaches and players, and why avoiding a fixed mindset is essential to long-term success on and off the field.
📲 Follow us on Instagram @behindthelineup and subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon to never miss an episode.
In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we break down the full 2025 MLB Draft—rounds 1 through 20—with a deep dive into the trends, numbers, and key takeaways for players, parents, and coaches.
We’ll cover:
📊 Total players drafted and where they came from (college vs. high school)
💪 Why pitchers dominate the board—especially RHP
📈 The most drafted positions across all levels
🧠 Key differences in how college and high school players are valued
🕵️ When teams are most likely to draft high school talent
Whether you're chasing the draft or developing the next wave of prospects, this episode is packed with insight you can’t afford to miss.
Welcome to Behind the Lineup. Everyone loves the highlight reel—but what actually wins games?
In this episode, we break down the real game-changers in baseball and why consistency always beats flash in the long run.
We start by talking about why players, parents, and even coaches can get caught up in metrics like exit velocity, showcase home runs, radar gun readings, and social media hype. These are just tools—not outcomes. “Consistency beats flash every time.”
Next, we dig into pitch execution. Velocity is important, but location, movement, and plan execution are what get outs. Great pitchers don’t just throw hard—they hit spots, change speeds, and attack hitters with purpose.
We also explore plate discipline as the ultimate separator. The best hitters swing at the right pitches, extend at-bats, and help the whole lineup by getting into bullpens and raising pitch counts.
Situational IQ is another game-changer. Winning players know the score, the outs, and how to move runners. They anticipate plays, make good decisions, and earn the trust of coaches who don’t have to tell them twice.
Finally, we talk about why coaches value consistency over everything else. Reliable players compete every pitch, don’t take plays off, and make routine plays routine. Consistency builds trust—and trust earns opportunities.
If you want to truly change games, focus on executing, developing discipline at the plate, understanding the game, and working on the mental side.
Thanks for listening to Behind the Lineup. Follow us on Instagram @behindthelineup and TikTok @behindthelineup Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon for more episodes that dig into the real side of baseball.
In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Dr. Justin DiSanti, a sport psychology professor and mental performance consultant, to explore the critical role the mind plays in athletic development.
We start by digging into Dr. DiSanti’s own journey into psychology: what sparked his interest, how he found his path into sport psychology, and the academic stops that shaped his career. He shares insights from his hands-on work with both teams and individual athletes during graduate and doctoral training, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how those experiences shaped his approach.
We also dive into his research on sport specialization and talent development, unpacking what his findings reveal about modern youth sports and the pathways to elite performance.
Dr. DiSanti explains his current work as a mental performance consultant with Keystone Performance Excellence, where he supports athletes across a range of ages and sports. He also discusses his role as a professor in Duquesne University’s Health Sciences program, the courses he teaches, and whether he works with the university’s athletes in a performance psychology capacity.
Finally, he shares his observations about the common mental hurdles athletes face today and offers his perspective on where the field of mental performance is headed — both for high school and college athletes, and for programs like Duquesne.
It’s a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation for players, coaches, and parents who want to understand the mental side of sports and how to better prepare for success on and off the field.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon, and follow @behindthelineup on Instagram for more conversations that go deeper than the box score.
In this solo episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down the facts and future implications of the NCAA’s House Settlement and what it means for college baseball. The settlement will distribute $2.8 billion in back pay to former Division I athletes over the next decade, and beginning in 2025, schools will be permitted to directly share up to $20.5 million annually in revenue with their athletes. This cap only applies to school-funded compensation; athletes can still pursue external NIL deals through brand partnerships, camps, endorsements, and other ventures. The NCAA will also establish a new NIL Clearinghouse—also referred to as the College Sports Commission—to manage NIL deal tracking, enforcement, and compliance.
We then dive into how these changes could reshape college baseball. Power 4 programs, such as those in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12, are expected to prioritize football, men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball, meaning baseball may struggle for internal funding unless it is a flagship sport at a given school. Mid-major Division I programs face uncertainty, with some likely to cut back support for baseball altogether. Meanwhile, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and JUCO programs will remain largely unaffected by the settlement and may become even more appealing to athletes seeking a clear path to development, playing time, and affordability.
To close, I offer my personal perspective on what athletes, coaches, and parents should be thinking about in this new landscape. The "D1 or bust" mentality needs to shift. Athletes should prioritize development, fit, and long-term value over chasing labels. Coaches must communicate honestly with players about what’s best for their future, and parents need to be wary of outside voices who don’t have their child’s best interests in mind. This settlement may signal a shift in priorities at the institutional level—but that doesn’t mean baseball can’t remain your priority.
Subscribe and follow Behind the Lineup for future episodes focused on recruiting, player development, and the mental side of the game.
In this episode of Behind The Lineup, I sit down with Hadara Katarski — a coach, professor, and student-athlete wellness advocate with experience at both the Division I and Division III levels.
We dive into what it really means to coach the whole athlete: not just developing physical performance, but supporting mental health, mindset, and the daily habits that drive success on and off the field.
From building trust to promoting well-being and creating sustainable performance, Hadara shares practical insights for coaches, players, and parents alike.
Whether you’re a coach looking to better serve your team or an athlete working to balance the mental and physical grind, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right away.
Superstition or routine — which one do you rely on? In this episode, we unpack the difference between rituals that depend on luck and routines that build confidence through preparation. Learn how controlling the controllables and establishing a repeatable process leads to more consistent performance, especially when results aren’t going your way.
