Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar

Chris Razo- Head Baseball Coach, Heartland Community College (IL)

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
 
Bio
Chris is fresh on leading the Heartland Community College baseball team to a national title this past season. Chris Razo also was named the 2023 ABCA NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year.
Under Razo’s leadership, the Heartland baseball team has made two appearances in the NJCAA DII National Tournament, and won the tournament this past season.
Razo joined the Heartland staff in 2018, serving as pitching coach, and became Interim Head Coach in the winter of 2020.
As a player, Razo spent two years as a Heartland Hawk before moving to Illinois State University where he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 24th round in 2013. While at ISU, Razo was selected to the MVC All-Conference first team, and also won Pitcher of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference.
On the show we discuss the national championship run from last year, what it was like being named interim head coach at semester, and why the value winning first and development next. Here is Chris Razo!
 
Time Stamps
02:00 National Champs
04:00- Being named interim head coach at semester, and during COVID
08:30- Past summer agenda
11:30- Culture over Everything 
18:30 - Fall Development
27:30- Pre Season to In Season
41:00- Post Season
45:00- Quick Hitters
 
Contact
Chris.Razo@heartland.edu
 

Scott Steltz- Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director, Chatham Central HS (N.Y.)

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
Bio
Scott is coming off back to back state championships in class C in New York State . He is 3X ABCA Regional High School Coach of the Year, a 15+ year member ABCA Selects the ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) Region 1 High School All-Americans for the Northeastern states.
 
On the show we discuss how he turned the program from a .500 ball club to competing for state championships, we go over how he adjusts his practice and development for multi sport players and how they contribute to get better as the season goes on. This episode is so good with Scott Steltz!
 
 
Time stamps
02:30- state champs
08:00- offseason development
17:00- culture and standards
28:00- pre season structure
36:00- arm health with multiple sport and multiple position athletes
41:00- in season practices
52:00- quick hitters
 
Contact
Email- steltzs@chatham.k12.ny.us
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hangingcurve5
 

Tyler LaTorre- Head Baseball Coach, Westmont College (CA)

This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
Bio
Tyler, in his first year  leading his team, led them to the first NAIA National Championship in program history. The  Warriors went 48-9 last season, which culminated in a 7-6 victory over Lewis & Clark State in the 66th Avista NAIA World Series.
 
LaTorre  came to Westmont from Sacramento State where he served as pitching and catching coach. He also previously coached at San Jose State and San Francisco State. While at San Jose State, LaTorre was honored as both the 2018 San Jose Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2019 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year.
 
 
On the show we discuss last years national championship run, how they are attacking the transition from NAIA to division 2, and we go over lessons learned in his first season that set them up for success. You’re gonna love this episode with Tyler LaTorre.
 
Time stamps
01:00- national champs
07:00- fall development and the transition to d2
20:00- year 1 reflections
28:00- fear of failure
33:00- Pre season
42:00- in season / post season
50:00- quick hitters
Contact
EMAIL tlatorre@westmont.edu
PHONE 805-565-7092
Twitter-@tylerlatorre
 

Robert Valli- Head Baseball Coach, Rowan College at Gloucester County South Jersey (NJ)

Bio
Rob Valli has amassed 30 plus years of experience educating students and has worked at every level of baseball from youth to Major League Baseball.
Coach Valli is entering his 24th season of collegiate baseball with 20 years of experience as head coach That span includes an impressive 650+ wins, averaging 35 wins per season, 12 of 13 trips to the NJCAA World Series, and 1 NJCAA National Championship.
Regarded among the finest player development experts in college baseball; 28 of his players have been named All American, 72 advanced to professional baseball, including 7 major leaguers. The vast majority Gloucester players are receiving high value baseball scholarships at prominent universities. In 2019; 7 of alumni began professional baseball careers.
As a Major League Baseball Scout for 9 years; Valli served five with the Colorado Rockies and four with the Miami Marlins. Working primarily in the Northeast; his role was to identify and evaluate top high school and college prospects being considered for the amateur draft. Additional responsibilities included evaluating minor league players in opposing organizations and administering personality evaluations to top prospects.
Valli and his wife Sara have two children, Sophia and Alex.
Contact
Phone:
856 468 5000 Ext. 2213
Email:
rvalli@rcsj.edu

Brook Cupps- Head Basketball Coach, Centerville HS (OH)

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
 
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
Bio
Brook Cupps is the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Centerville High School in Ohio.  Brook graduated from Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio near Springfield in 1995, and following a 4-year playing career at Capital University in Columbus, he returned to Graham.  He became the head coach in 2000 and spent 12 seasons at Graham.  In 2012, following his time with the Falcons, including a trip to the state semifinals, Coach Cupps left his alma mater to become the head coach at Centerville High School where he has earned several coach of the year honors while guiding the Elks to multiple sweet 16 and elite 8 appearances. His 2021 team recorded a school record 26 wins on the way to the Division I State Championship in Ohio, the first in school history.  His 2022 team was the state runner-up.
Brook is the author of the book “Surrender the Outcome”, teaches two leadership courses at Centerville and also writes a weekly blog on bluecollargrit.com
 
On the show we discuss installing culture, how to live out and establish core values, and we take a dive into application of roles and parent advice! You’re gonna love this episode with Brook Cupps!
 
Time stamps
01:00- intro
02:30- off season personal growth
10:30- installing culture
21:20- core values
43:00- application of roles
49:10- parent advice
53:00- Quick hitters
 
Contact
Twitter
Blog

Kevin Brooks- Head Baseball Coach, Angelo State University (TX)

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
 
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
Bio
Kevin Brooks has guided the Angelo State baseball program to six NCAA Division II College World Series appearances with six South Central Championships and has compiled an impressive 742-333 overall record since starting the ASU program in 2005. In 2023, the Rams claimed the Division II National Championship for the first time in program history.
 
The only coach in ASU baseball history, he has recorded 10 trips to the NCAA postseason. The Rams are the only Lone Star Conference team to ever make the College World Series and Brooks has taken them there six times in 19 seasons at the helm, including back-to-back appearances in 2015-2016 and three consecutive seasons in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Rams have also won the Lone Star Conference tournament championship six times, including sweep­ing the competition in 2015, 2021, 2022, and while also winning in 2007 and 2012. The Rams have never had a losing season under Brooks and have compiled 40-plus wins in 10 seasons. He has coached 125 All-Lone Star Conference selections, 55 All-Region picks and 28 All-American selections. Brooks has also prepared his players for the next level as 51 former Rams have played or are currently playing professional baseball.
 
On the show we discuss his messaging to his team after coming off of a National Championship, what they are doing this fall, and his advice on how to win in the post season. Here is Kevin Brooks!
 
Time Stamps
01:00- national champs
11:00- Fall Development
27:00- pre season
34:00- in season advice
45:00- developing coaches
48:00- Post Season Advice
52:00- Quick Hitters
 
Contact
EMAIL: kevin.brooks@angelo.edu
 

Rob Stacy- Head Baseball Coach, Clinton HS (TN)

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
BioRob is the head baseball coach and co-athletic director of Clinton High School (TN). Before Clinton Played college baseball 2 years at Brevard College, 2 years at the University of Pikeville and coached 2 years at the University of Pikeville. He then got into personal training Director of Personal training at Lifestyles Fitness Center And Part owner and founder of CrossFit East 10  for 9 year before getting back into coaching as an assistant coach Assistant Baseball at David Crockett High School
on the show we discuss his journey to being the head coach at Clinton, and Rob shares his plan for building better baseball player but more importantly better men.
Time stamps02:00- Journey to head coach11:00- fall development27:00- standard and rules35:00- player meetings and winter break48:00- pre season to season55:00- quick hitters
ContactFollow Rob on Twitter

Brad Stoll- Head Baseball Coach, Lawrence High School (KS)

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
 
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
 
Bio
Brad has been the Head Baseball Coach for Lawrence High School since 2005. In 2009 6A State Champions (Largest Class in Kansas) Team finished ranked #27 in Baseball America's final rankings. In that same year he was the Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, Region 6 National Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year Finalist. The Chesty Lions have 2 Alumni in the MLB:  Garret Cleavinger (Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay) and Bryce Montes de Oca (New York Mets) and in Brads tenure they have had 73 college baseball players.
 
So on the show we talk through they use the in season for development, his 6 ways to steal an out, and how Tshirt designs have made an impact in their program. This episode is so good with Brad Stoll!
 
Show Notes
02:00- intro
06:00- fall leadership development
19:00- ABCA presentation highlights and drills
45:30- post season advice
55:00- last things
 
Contact
@coachstoll
@lionbaseball
 

Dr. Barry Davis- Head Baseball Coach, Rider University (NJ)

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
Bio
Head Coach Barry Davis begins his 20th season at Rider University in 2024. During his tenure, Davis has transformed the program into a consistent contender in the Metro-Atlantic Conference (MAAC), winning four conference tournament championships, two regular-season championships, and qualifying for twelve conference tournaments. The 2023 season was one of unprecedented success. Rider Broncs tied a school record with 36 wins, highlighted by regular season wins on the road over 2022 national runner-up Oklahoma and nationally ranked Duke. The Broncs won their second Liberty Bell Championship and captured its second conference tournament championship in three years. Davis also picked up his 1000th win this past season.
 
In his first 11 years, he led Gloucester County College (Rowan College of South Jersey) to unmatched success, followed by four years at NAIA (now Division II) Georgia Southwestern State University. He was named Rider's eighth head coach in July 2004 and has been only Rider's s third head coach since 1960.
 
On the show. we discuss his PhD over coaches and great teams in regards to leadership and leadership development, we go through their
 
Show Notes
02:00- PHD Research in Sports Leadership
08:00- leadership development
18:00- fall development phase
27:00- new head coaches
33:00- January schedule
43:00- team cohesion
50:00- in season development
59:00- quick hitters
 
Contact
https://twitter.com/BarryDavis42
http://www.drbarrydavis.com/
 

JP Nerbun- Leadership Coach & Consultant, Author of The Culture System, Host of Coaching Culture Podcast

Referral link: https://www.neweracap.com/aotc
 
This episode of Ahead of the Curve is brought to you by New Era. New Era is the official headwear provider of the MLB, NFL, and NBA. If you love to rock New Era Caps as much as I do, then you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear what the players wear AND get 15% off when you go to NEW ERA CAP DOT COM/AOTC and use code aotc at checkout. That's 15% off your order using promo code aotc.
 
Bio
J.P. Nerbun is a world-renowned leadership coach, sports consultant, and the visionary founder of TOC, a leading global sports-consulting and coaching business. With an accomplished career as a professional basketball coach spanning over a decade, J.P. has solidified his expertise in team culture, drawing from his extensive background and knowledge.
 J.P. is also the founder and co-host of the highly acclaimed sports leadership podcast, Coaching Culture. In 2019, J.P. published his debut book, Calling Up: Discovering Your Journey to Transformational Leadership.   In 2022, he followed up with The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture, launched The Culture System Online Training Platform in 2023, providing leaders with leadership training that equips them with practical skills and tools to enhance their team's culture.
on the show we discuss coaching coaches, including assistants and head coaches. We go through his ideas on how to build systems within our programs, and we go over leadership councils, competitive cauldrons and more. here is JP Nerbun!
Show Notes
02:00- Background Info
08:50- First few months on the job/first 100 days
22:00- Leadership / Captains Council
33:00- Competitive Cauldrons
44:00- Parents
68:00- Quick Hitters
Contact
Twitter
Website
email