Episode 60: Matt Kuhn and Frank Schonig on Ted Lasso and What It Means To Be A Goldfish

What does it truly mean to coach youth sports in today's hyper-competitive world? In this candid conversation, host Michael "Coach Powers" Howard sits down with Little League coaches Matt Kuhn and Frank Schonig to unpack the beautiful mess that is youth baseball in Santa Cruz County.

The trio begins by sharing their uniquely Santa Cruz upbringings – from Frank's "mountain boy" childhood with dirt bike tracks and paintball courses on 10 acres of redwoods to Matt's journey from Ben Lomond to Live Oak. Their stories capture a freedom and independence that shaped their coaching philosophies years later. Neither planned to become baseball coaches, but as Frank puts it, they were "the last assholes standing" when volunteers were needed. What started as a way to spend time with their sons evolved into something much deeper.

At the heart of their coaching approach is a revolutionary idea: winning matters, but it's not everything. "Culture is the behavior that is acceptable for the team," Matt explains as they discuss building environments where kids feel safe to fail. Frank, drawing from his firefighter background, teaches players to focus on "controllables" – attitude and effort – while developing the "goldfish mentality" to quickly move past mistakes. Together with their coaching pod, they've created a space where practices feel like birthday parties, complete with sing-alongs and dancing, yet still produce championship teams.

The coaches don't shy away from tough topics, confronting the ego that drives all coaches while acknowledging that success can be measured in different ways – not just by wins and losses, but by whether kids return the following season and leave games happy regardless of the score. Their mission extends beyond developing athletes to raising "good humans" who will strengthen their community.

For parents considering coaching, their message is clear: don't be intimidated by lack of experience. Everyone brings different strengths, and coaching doesn't have to be done alone. The rewards – seeing young people develop determination, grit, and meaningful connections – far outweigh the challenges.

Ready to rethink your approach to youth sports? Listen now and discover how three ordinary guys created extraordinary experiences for kids through baseball.