Episode 42 Program Building At Each Stop: A Life in College Baseball with Coach Jim Chester

Episode 42 Program Building At Each Stop: A Life in College Baseball with Coach Jim Chester

What does it take to build winners everywhere you go? In this episode, Quinn McGrath sits down with Gardner-Webb Head Baseball Coach Jim Chester — a coach who has spent over two decades turning struggling programs into contenders at every level of college baseball. Coach Chester takes us through his full journey — from his first days as an assistant at Seton Hill University in 2003, to his first head coaching job at Mercyhurst North East, to building a dynasty at Penn State Greater Allegheny where he went 239-84-1, made six USCAA World Series appearances, and won the 2011 Chuck Tanner Collegiate Manager of the Year Award. We walk through the turnarounds — including Lock Haven, where he inherited a 13-28 program and turned it into a 32-18 team with a draft pick and five All-Conference selections — and Barton College, where he engineered what was recognized as the biggest Division II turnaround in the country in 2019, earning Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year honors in the process. Then we get into the jump to Division I — taking over Gardner-Webb, navigating COVID, and building the Runnin' Bulldogs into a Big South force. In 2023, Gardner-Webb knocked off Northwestern, Michigan State, No. 13 Campbell, and No. 16 Duke — the kind of wins that put a program on the national map. We also talk about Mason Miller, who Coach Chester discovered at Waynesburg University, and what his rise to the MLB means for the Gardner-Webb program. In this episode we cover:⚾ What it really takes to turn around a struggling program fast⚾ How to build a winning culture that sustains itself year after year⚾ Recruiting at the D2 and D1 levels — and how to win battles against bigger programs⚾ The jump from Division II to Division I and what surprised him most⚾ How his coaching philosophy has evolved over 20+ years⚾ Where Gardner-Webb baseball is headed and what a Big South championship run looks like Whether you're a coach, a player, a recruit, or a baseball family — this conversation is loaded with insight on what it takes to build something that lasts. 🎙️ Subscribe to Behind The Lineup on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube @BehindTheLineup

Episode 41: From College To The Pros: The Story of The Infield Factory ft. Troy Marrow

In this episode, we sit down with Troy Marrow, founder of The Infield Factory, a baseball training company focused on infield development, mental performance, and building complete athletes. Troy brings a unique background to the conversation, combining experience as a former high-level player, college coach, professional baseball staff member, and educator. As a player at North Carolina Central University, he was a three-time captain, All-Conference performer, and ABCA/Rawlings All-Atlantic Region selection. His journey later led him into coaching and baseball operations, with stops at George Washington University, NCCU, USA Baseball, the San Francisco Giants, and the Baltimore Orioles, where he served as a Fundamentals Coach. Throughout the episode, Troy shares lessons from his playing career, his time with elite baseball organizations, and his experience helping more than 20 players sign professional MLB contracts. The conversation dives into what separates great infielders, how mental performance fits into player development, and why leadership, maturity, and off-the-field growth matter just as much as skill work. Troy also discusses the vision behind The Infield Factory, his philosophy on developing infielders, and what players, parents, and coaches need to understand about the modern player development landscape. This episode is a valuable listen for infielders, coaches, parents, and anyone interested in the process of developing athletes physically, mentally, and personally. Looking to work with or get in touch with Troy? Follow him and DM him on Instagram @coach_troy06

Episode 40 From JUCO to D2: A New Chapter For Lackawanna Baseball Ft. Michael McCarry

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we are joined by Coach Mike McCarry, head baseball coach at Lackawanna College. Since taking over the Falcons in 2018, Coach McCarry has built one of the most consistent junior college baseball programs in the country. Under his leadership, Lackawanna has made four NJCAA Division II World Series appearances, won four Region 19 championships, captured four District titles, and produced numerous All-Americans, Players and Pitchers of the Year, four-year transfers, and professional baseball players. We dive into Coach McCarry’s coaching journey, beginning with his time at La Salle University and Stephen F. Austin, where he developed as a pitching coach, recruiter, and player development leader. From there, we discuss how he built sustained success at the JUCO level despite constant roster turnover, what recruiting looks like for junior college baseball, and the biggest misconceptions players and coaches have about the JUCO route. Coach McCarry also shares his thoughts on using social media in today’s recruiting landscape, how being active on X has helped him promote his program and players, and why visibility matters for JUCO athletes looking for four-year opportunities. We also look ahead to Lackawanna’s move to NCAA Division II and the PSAC East Division beginning in 2026. Coach McCarry breaks down what will change with recruiting, scholarships, roster construction, scheduling, and competition — and what will remain the same as the Falcons take the next step as a program. Finally, we close with what Coach McCarry looks for in future Lackawanna players and what recruits should do to get noticed by him and his staff. This is a great conversation for players, parents, and coaches who want to better understand junior college baseball, player development, recruiting, and what it takes to build a winning program. Follow Behind The Lineup for more conversations with coaches, players, and baseball minds from across the game.

Episode 39 The Curse of Mookie Betts: The Story of The Boston Red Sox From 2020 - 2026

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we take a deep dive into the Boston Red Sox from the aftermath of the 2018 World Series championship through the firing of Alex Cora in 2026. What started as one of baseball’s most successful 21st-century franchises quickly turned into a period defined by confusion, contradiction, and organizational dysfunction. We begin with the warning signs after 2018: the departure of Dave Dombrowski, the push to cut payroll, the hiring of Chaim Bloom, and the investigation surrounding the Red Sox sign-stealing scandal. From there, we break down the defining moment of this era: the Mookie Betts trade. That move set the tone for years of uncertainty in Boston. Season by season, we look at the highs and lows of the post-Mookie era: the disastrous 2020 pandemic season, the surprising 2021 ALCS run, back-to-back last-place finishes, major roster turnover, the Rafael Devers extension and eventual trade, the Craig Breslow era, the rise of young talent, the return to the postseason in 2025, and the disastrous 2026 offseason that ultimately ended with Alex Cora being fired. The central question of this episode is simple: what exactly is the Red Sox plan? From Mookie Betts to Rafael Devers to Alex Cora, Boston has repeatedly moved on from franchise-defining pieces without proving it had a better direction in place. This episode examines how one of baseball’s most iconic organizations went from championship standard to organizational uncertainty — and why the “Curse of Mookie Betts” may still be alive and well in Boston.

Episode 38: Player Representation, NIL, and Navigating the Draft ft. Spencer Sundahl

On this episode, I sit down with Spencer Sundahl — a former college baseball player, current MLBPA-certified agent with SSM, and law student — for a conversation packed with insight for players, parents, and coaches trying to better understand today’s baseball landscape. A San Diego native, Spencer shares his path from playing college baseball at Cal State Los Angeles to building a career in player representation. We talk about his journey through the game, what led him from player to agent, and how his experiences in baseball, business, and sports administration helped shape the work he does today. We also take a deep dive into what player representation actually means. Spencer breaks down the differences between an advisor, NIL representative, and professional agent, what representation really looks like at the high school, college, and professional levels, and when athletes truly need someone in their corner. He also shares valuable perspectives on draft decisions, pro ball vs. college, NIL opportunities, honest feedback, and what families should look for before signing with an agent. This episode offers a real look at the business side of baseball and the realities that come with pursuing the game at the next level. Follow SSM on Instagram! @ssmfirm