18 - Scott Jennings "Philosophy, Game Management, & Good Players"

Bio

• Current Head Coach at Hagerstown Community College
• Over 600 wins at HCC averaging 32 wins a season in his 20 years
• 2008 made a World Series appearance at Grand Junction going 2-2, and finishing top 5 in the country
• Winningest baseball coach in HCC history
• Over 1000 wins in his career as a coach
• in 38+ years of coaching he has never had a losing season
• Hall of Fame member of the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches 

EPISODE NOTES

 

• Parental influence and delusion is a lot higher now 
• Never hand out guarantees, a lot can change, and what motivation is that going to give them
• Be true to yourself, don’t try to be someone else
• Be fair and have standards and hold guys accountable
• Each player accountable and coach needs to hold the best player to the standard to the weakest
• Believe in the baseball gods where if you take care and do the right thing, the game will reward you!
• Day to day do the right thing will reward you
• Some guys need longer rope, and some guys you need to be on. Need to understand the kid
• How they adjust to failure will dictate their successful 
• Learn how to channel the frustration of the failure into understanding of how to handle themselves and respect themselves and not draw negative attention
• You need to take something valuable away from them to get the point across
• The longer you coach you understand how other coaches manage - get on umpires, small bunt, big inning, etc
• Treat each game more special than the other, treat each game the same and on an even keel
• Press those buttons when it is necessary to get the team going.
• You can do everything you can do as a coach, but if the kid doesn’t perform, there is nothing we can do
• Trust your gut, and be willing to live with the consequences
• You play the odds, but you can’t be consumed by the odds (surprise factor)
• Baseball teaches life lessons
• Kids maturity not only shows up in athletics but in life or academics, and just handle themselves better
• Good players have allowed us me to be consistent
• You try to get good player, good kids, and academics, and hopefully we get 2 out of 3. 
• Success breads success - expect to win, teach players to win. NOT hoping to win
• Don’t fear your opponent, Respect your opponent!
• Have to have a formula (standards) and hold your guys accountable
• I have to be able to trust you (the player) to give you the ball
• If we know the result won’t happen, then it is dumb to go with the play
• Email sbjennings@hagerstowncc.edu 
• www.leaguelineup.com/hcchawks