From Big Leagues to Big Impact: Rich Austin

In this episode of Coach & Counselors, we sit down with Richard Austin a former Minnesota State Mankato standout, 13-year professional baseball player, Team USA representative, and Frontier League Hall of Fame inductee.

Rich takes us through his journey from collegiate athlete to the professional ranks, including signing with the Kansas City Royals and competing at the highest levels of the game. But this conversation goes far beyond baseball.

We dive into the mindset required to sustain a long career, the lessons learned through pressure and perseverance, and what happens when the spotlight fades. Now stepping into his role at Dawson High School, Rich shares why his greatest impact may not be in the big leagues but in the lives of the young athletes he mentors today.

This episode is about leadership, legacy, and using your platform to build something bigger than yourself.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/l5urdGXLcww?si=kimUX3mYjT9RV6Ej

Inside the Modern Baseball Machine: Travel Ball, Tech & Truth

Todd Friedman has lived nearly every chapter of the game: All-State shortstop, Cape Cod League competitor, state championship coach, financial services professional, and now Head of Sales at WIN Reality in the sports technology space.
In this episode, we go inside the modern baseball machine, the world of travel ball, recruiting pressure, data-driven training, and the reality that families don’t always hear. Todd shares what’s changed in player development, how technology is reshaping the game, and why honest feedback is the most valuable (and rare) asset in youth sports today.
This conversation is about more than baseball. It’s about navigating a system that’s louder, faster, and more competitive than ever and how to help young athletes find the right fit, the right path, and long-term success.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/azF6Dn6iFdE?si=dkiBmLrH1bfzQLaJ

No Quit Culture: Determination, Development, and Dominance

For Coach Aaron Graves, winning starts long before the scoreboard.

A 12-year coaching veteran across travel, college, and high school baseball, including a remarkable 97–5 stretch at Riverdale Baptist High School, Aaron has built a reputation for developing not just talent, but toughness.
But his perspective on resilience didn’t start in the dugout.

As a young athlete, Aaron battled cancer — a fight that shaped his mindset long before he ever led a team. That experience forged the determination and mental strength that now define his coaching philosophy.

Since 2018, he has continued to impact the DMV baseball community through Full Count Baseball while running his own recruiting and placement business, helping athletes reach the next level. Through Coach Graves Guys and Coach Graves Girls, his influence extends beyond wins and losses, focusing on character, discipline, and perseverance.

In this episode, we dive into the mindset behind sustained success. How do you keep athletes focused when things feel overwhelming? How do you push through the valleys? And what separates programs that fade from those that endure?
This conversation is about grit, perspective, and building a culture where quitting simply isn’t an option.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/4bY4gXxYmF4?si=svzaOzw4haq4oqJn

The Player Pathway: Recruiting, Growth, and the Reality of the Game | Will Craig

What does the real player pathway actually look like? from high school potential to college opportunity to professional baseball?

This week, we’re joined by Will Craig, former first-round MLB Draft pick and current Duke Baseball recruiting coordinator, for a wide-ranging conversation on recruiting, development, and the realities of the game at the highest levels.

Will shares insight from every stage of his journey — competing in elite college baseball, experiencing professional baseball firsthand, and now evaluating and mentoring the next generation of athletes in one of the most competitive environments in college sports.

We break down what coaches are truly looking for, how players can separate themselves, and why growth, preparation, and consistency matter far more than talent alone.

Whether you’re an athlete chasing the next level, a parent navigating the recruiting process, or a coach focused on long-term development, this episode offers perspective that applies far beyond baseball.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/0D9TgoGUdqI?si=mnxHaxdpeyL6-Nk9

Why Coaching Still Matters More Than Ever


Coaching has always been about more than wins and losses; it’s about influence, development, and the impact we have on people long after the game is over.
In this episode of the Coach & Counselor Podcast, Phil O’Grady joins us for a meaningful conversation on leadership, mentorship, and player development in today’s baseball landscape. We explore what great coaching looks like right now, how strong relationships and intentional leadership shape team culture, and why coaches continue to play a powerful role in helping athletes grow both on and off the field.
This episode celebrates the value of coaching, the responsibility that comes with it, and the opportunity coaches have every day to shape confident players, connected teams, and future leaders.
Why coaching still matters more than ever.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/krTQxxYOdI4?si=54V-dzaKKZlHcPe1

Built by the Game: Playing, Coaching & the Pro Grind | Greg Golson

In this episode, former professional baseball player and coach Greg Golson shares what it truly takes to succeed in baseball — from navigating the pro baseball grind to developing players at the youth and high school levels. Greg offers honest insight into baseball coaching, player development, and the mindset needed to grow athletes both on and off the field.
This conversation is especially valuable for youth players, high school athletes, parents, and high school baseball coaches looking to better understand long-term development, leadership, accountability, and preparation for the next level. Greg breaks down what coaches should prioritize, how players can stand out the right way, and how families can support development without burning out.
Whether you’re coaching high school baseball, raising a young athlete, or chasing college or professional baseball, this episode delivers real-world perspective from someone who’s lived every side of the game.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/YQbrKbklpNo?si=i0sSk9hQzSvuojyc

The Long Game: Youth Sports, Baseball & Perspective- Jeff Quillin

In this episode of Coach & Counselor, we’re joined by Jeff Quillin to talk about the long game of youth sports — especially baseball — and the lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard. Jeff shares his perspective on athlete development, pressure in youth sports, and the role parents and coaches play in shaping confidence, resilience, and enjoyment of the game. We discuss how recruiting fits into the youth sports journey without letting it define it, why “fit” matters more than hype, and how families can stay grounded when plans change due to injuries or shifting paths. This episode is for parents, coaches, and athletes looking for clarity, balance, and perspective in today’s youth sports environment — where development and well-being matter just as much as performance. #baseballszn #texas #texasbaseball #youthempowerment #mentalhealth #coaching #nextgen

Watch HERE: https://youtu.be/a8aZyFZ5o3Y?si=-HplRALSjXw2HgBX

The Person Sports Are Quietly Building-Gary Russo

Sports are always teaching — even when we don’t realize it. In this episode of Coach & Counselor, we’re joined by Gary Russo, a former Miami (OH) baseball standout who now works in athlete development, contract negotiation, and marketing at the Bledsoe Agency. Gary reflects on the quiet lessons sports instill over time — shaping identity, resilience, leadership, and perspective long after the final game is played. This conversation explores: ⚾ How sports influence who we become, not just how we perform 🧠 Identity beyond results, roles, and recognition 🤝 The importance of relationships, mentorship, and trust 🔥 Carrying lessons from competition into life and career Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or leader, this episode offers perspective on the person being built through the process — not just the outcome. 📩 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, growth, and the lifelong impact of sports 💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/gNSMZFNQUWg?si=PqkneYCEY61VnwHT

One Foot Forward: Coaching Mindset & Resilience with Sam Bauer

Sam Bauer, Assistant Linebackers Coach at Madonna University and Co-Defensive/Special Teams Coordinator for their JV program, joins us to break down the coaching mindsets and modern football techniques shaping today’s athletes. In this episode, we dive into player development, safe tackling fundamentals, athlete confidence, and how coaches can build resilient teams in a changing game. A former multi-sport athlete with a teaching-first approach, Sam shares practical strategies for improving football safety, reducing concussion risk, and developing young athletes with character, discipline, and daily habits that translate on and off the field. If you’re a football coach, parent, athlete, or anyone interested in the future of the sport, this conversation offers insights you can use right away.

Watcher Here: https://youtu.be/JNthhEeaj5U?si=IXDQfB6IH_Tk2gyC

Inside a Coach’s Locker Room: Greg Branch

Step inside the locker room with Coach Greg Branch — a 300-win baseball coach, veteran educator, author, and one of the most influential mindset voices in youth sports today. Recorded right from the space where his team prepares and grows, this episode takes you behind the scenes of what truly shapes athletes. Coach Branch breaks down the standards, discipline, and belief systems that guide his players, sharing how to build confidence, develop emotional mastery, and stop letting the past define your future. With over two decades in education and leadership, he offers real, actionable insight on creating a culture where athletes feel supported, accountable, and ready to rise. Whether you’re a coach wanting to lead with purpose, a parent raising a competitive athlete, or a player chasing resilience and consistency — this conversation delivers the tools and mindset shifts that make a lasting impact. These are the lessons athletes don’t always hear on the field.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/YR9EJYEqeEI?si=89upWzD90C8VGkC0