July 25, 2025 • 35 mins
From Player to Program Builder: Gina Oaks Garcia’s Journey Through Every Level of College Softball
In this episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers welcomes Gina Oaks Garcia, Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton. A two-time All-American and former professional athlete, Gina has coached at every level of college softball—NAIA, Division III, Division II, and now D1—bringing a unique and powerful perspective on leadership, team culture, and athlete development. Being back home has suited her as she was named The Big West Conference Coach of the Year in just Year One of her return to lead her alma mater!
Gina shares how her experiences shaped her approach to coaching, what it means to return home to Fullerton, and why D1 programs are increasingly looking to hire coaches from lower divisions. If you're a softball coach, player, or parent, this is a must-listen conversation full of insight and inspiration.
🎯 And if you're here for recruiting help—don’t miss two game-changing tools available at coachmattrogers.com/books:
- Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes – a practical guide to help student-athletes take ownership of their recruiting journey.
- The Softball Recruit’s Journal – the sport-specific tracker, planner, and weekly reflection tool every serious softball recruit needs.
You can also subscribe to the This Week in Significant Coaching newsletter, take the Significant Recruiting Launchpad virtual course, or schedule a 1-on-1 strategy session with Matt directly on the site.
📲 Like, subscribe, and share—this episode was made for the softball community.
Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
I think early on it was alwayslike, I need really high energy
(00:03):
People just like me, alwayssuper driven and this and that.
Then it's that's not life.
Not everybody is like that.
And you gotta be consistent withwho you are, authentic to who
you are.
Welcome back to The SignificantCoaching Podcast.
(00:24):
I'm your host, Matt Rogers.
This week's guest is someone whoembodies what this show is all
about, coaching with conviction,connection, and perspective.
My guest is Coach Gina OaksGarcia, the head softball coach
at Division one, Cal StateFullerton.
Gina is more than just a Titanlegend.
She's a two time all American.
(00:45):
Former Big West Player of theYear and a professional athlete
with the Arizona Heat, but it'swhat she's done since her
playing days that makes thisconversation so impactful.
Gina has coached across everylevel of college softball, NCAA
Division two and three NI.
And now back to where she grewup as a player at the NCAA
division one level, all whilebeing named the Big West
(01:08):
Conference Coach of the Year inher first year leading her alma
mater.
That journey has shaped her viewof leadership, athlete
development, and the recruitingprocess in a way few others can
match.
In today's episode, we dive intohow she builds trust and
standards with her team, what itmeans to return to coach at the
same school where she once worethe jersey.
(01:29):
And why?
More Division one programs arehiring coaches from the D three
ranks.
Whether you're a coach, parent,or just someone who loves
learning from strong leaders,you'll walk away with insights
from a coach who has earnedevery step of her path.
And before we dive in, a quickreminder to check out coach matt
rogers.com, where you'll findboth of my books, including
(01:51):
significant recruiting, thePlaybook for prospective college
athletes, and my newest book,the Softball Recruits Journal.
You can also enroll in thesignificant Recruiting
Launchpad, my self-paced courseto help families navigate the
college recruiting process.
And if you want personalizedguidance, you can schedule
one-on-one strategy sessionswith me right on the site.
Now let's get to it.
(02:12):
Here's my conversation with thefabulous coach, Gina Oaks
Garcia.
Coach G, thanks for being on theshow.
So great to see you and soexcited for this new adventure
for you.
Yeah, absolutely.
Thanks for having me.
I'm really excited to be on andhave a chat.
I, what I love about yourbackground is you've coached at
(02:32):
every level, D three, D two, Done, you've, you played at a
high level, you played overseas.
Which is so rare, for anybody,let alone a softball player.
So I really wanted to talk toyou about this great experience.
And we have that sharedexperience in the SC A as well.
Yes.
Awesome.
Yeah.
Crazy, right?
(02:53):
Yeah.
I just want you to know also NAIbefore That's right.
NAA turned to D two.
It was NAI.
Yeah, it's good.
I love coaches that have done itall.
Because you have such aperspective that not all coaches
have, a lot of coaches at the Done level were assistants or
played at the D one and they'vestayed there.
So you took the long road backto Fullerton.
You've played their coach there.
(03:15):
You're now leading the program.
What unfinished business broughtyou home?
I just I really.
Loved the coaching at all thedifferent levels, but I think
really, when this position cameabout and Coach Ford, wanted to
hire me as an assistant, earlieron actually.
(03:35):
For me I have three kids.
They were young at the time, itjust wasn't the right time.
But then, two years ago when sheI brought my daughter to a
softball camp at Cal StateFullerton, and next thing a
position was open and.
I showed a little glimmer ofhope to her and she sat her
chair right down beside me andwas like, what's it gonna take?
And, I just had missed I thinkjust being at that level and the
(03:57):
resources that we have and thefacilities and maintaining, and
although I loved the differentdivisions, it was, you wore a
lot of hat.
You did the field Maintenmaintenance did a lot of the
fundraising.
You maybe taught classes.
And as much as I loved that,because it was a HIIT class and
it kept me in shape, it wasjust, there was a lot going on.
And to get back into the D onerealm and also.
(04:17):
So to be back at my alma materwhere, you know, I just really
grew as a person.
I had just amazing mentors andcoaches, leading up to my
college experience, but alsojust Coach Gram Mackey coach
Ford actually was even one of mycoaches there.
And being recruited by JudyGarmin, but just being within
that space of those legendarycoaches and now being there
myself has just been just.
(04:39):
A, a dream come true.
It's a full circle moment.
All of this stuff that you wouldsay, it really is that, and it's
just, I'm just happy to be back.
That's so cool.
I went to college in Iowa and tomove my family back to Iowa I
think would ruin my marriage.
I think she would just, we'd,it'd be the divorce the next
day.
So I love when coaches get to gohome and you get to be a part of
(04:59):
your alma mater, even thoughthere's so many challenges that
I'm sure you're facing becauseyou're an alumni.
But being able to be home ispretty cool.
I wish I would've had thatopportunity as a coach, or I
wish my family would've beenokay with that opportunity.
So that's really cool.
Before we get into Fullton, Iwanna talk a little bit about
CMS Claremont, muds scripts.
(05:20):
'cause you had such a, you didsuch great work there and it's
such a hard place to recruit tobecause you don't have the huge
pool to recruit from and youdon't have any scholarships
there.
What.
What did that experience do toshape how you go about your
business now?
(05:40):
Do you feel like when you don'thave scholarships and you have
to recruit really elite academickids, did that change how you go
about your business and buildinga program?
I really enjoyed my time at CMS.
When people say, Hey, did youface some challenges?
I really didn't look at it likethat.
I looked at it as Hey listen,give me your recruiting sheets.
(06:00):
I need the four point ohs orhigher.
I need the kids that bring theirbooks to the games and I need to
know that they have some skill.
'cause I know that, whether itwas me and my staff, we can
coach them up.
So there was a definitely aspecific kid.
I think, the headfirst.
Company and camp that I alwayswent to.
I always found like a good coregroup of that.
And then really just, buildingrelationships with those kids
(06:22):
throughout the summer and justyou know that's really how you
gotta do it, right?
They gotta get to know you.
They gotta know obvious.
Claremont Mud Scripts, very highacademic as the facilities there
are really good for the D threelevel.
I happen to go, the year, a yearor two after the, or after they
built Roberts Pavilion, which isa$75 million building.
(06:44):
And so when you can bring arecruit on campus and this
diamond in the rough.
So to speak it to me, I feltlike it was very eye-opening to
a lot of people once I got themthere.
And you can't beat theeducation, obviously it's a
little bit costly to go there,but also the extensive networks
and alumni and the internshipsthat they would get in the
summertime, a lot of my athletesright out of.
(07:06):
High school or right out ofcollege, they were getting these
really awesome jobs because ofthe prior work they were doing
in the previous summers, so Ithought it was, it, it was
really cool to build there.
And obviously it was during theCOVID times, which was a little
challenging.
But we did a lot of really coolthings there and it was a very
special time and place for me.
And I still connect with some ofthe athletes, which has been
(07:27):
awesome.
I'm sure they miss you, sothat's great.
Yeah.
I miss them.
We're seeing a growing trend,and I love this by the way, of
presidents and athleticdirectors at the division one
level hiring D three coachesthat have had success.
Where do you think that comesfrom?
Why do you think that is?
(07:48):
I wanna say, I think it'sbecause, on our resume we can
put that, we've done a lot ofthe different things, right?
We were able to, fundraise,maybe we were able to help with
games management.
Maybe we were able to help withthe grounds and see, you need
fill a need if, if thatresonates.
I think that's a big deal.
And when you have somebody thatis passionate about the sport
(08:09):
and willing to do all of that,to me I have a page that I run
called Go-Getter, go-getter,softball.
And I just, I've always beenthat type of person that, I
want.
I wanna do good, I wanna make ithappen.
I have the plan a mindset.
There's no plan B, there's aplan A, and if that's what you
know, I'm shooting for, I'mgonna execute it and figure it
out.
So I think that, shows when,maybe D three coaches are being
(08:31):
interviewed.
I'm hoping that's what showed inmind.
'cause I got the job, yeah.
Yeah, that's my mindset withthat.
I love it.
'cause I've worked at everylevel, coached at most of the
levels and was in AD as well.
So I love when an institution atthe division one level
scholarship level, highintensity, great athletes, goes
(08:53):
after a D three coach.
'cause I think it speaks to whatwe want college sports to be.
We want it to be balancedbetween academics and athletics.
We want somebody that caresabout the kids beyond winning
championships.
And if you have to be thatperson at the division lit three
level, you're gonna go crazy.
Yeah.
100%.
(09:13):
Absolutely.
So I wanna roll into softballbecause you were a dominant
pitcher, this is a big thing forme with coaching.
'cause I wasn't a greatbasketball player in terms of
shooter.
I, you didn't want me shooting20 times a game as a basketball
player, but I was a lockdowndefender.
I was, I had a great work ethic.
I loved working, I lovedpreparing.
(09:33):
So when I got, when I startedcoaching at the high school and
then the college level.
I struggled a little bit becausenot all kids had the work ethic
I had.
Not all kids had the drive thatI had.
They had the talent.
Well, a lot of'em were moretalented than me, but they
didn't have the drive.
When we talk about you coachingpitchers how is that for you and
developing a pitcher, gettingthem comfortable in the circle
(09:56):
and being who they're supposedto be and maybe not maybe doing
it a little differently than youdo it.
Is that a challenge for you?
Yeah, I think, just coaching ingeneral is challenging, right?
It's getting to know yourathletes and knowing what makes
them, tick and thrive and go allout for that specific,
especially position, right?
We're the true leaders betweenthe pitcher and the catcher on
(10:18):
the field.
And so I think it starts with,again, getting to know'em,
building that.
To building that trust.
I think, it, it does help thatobviously I was able to play, at
Fullerton and play beyond andplay on our USA team and stuff
and have the accolades, if youwill.
But really it's not about me,it's about them and how, I could
help coach them to the best,that they can be.
(10:40):
And, designing the programs thatI think is best for that.
Specific athlete I think is hugeand just I do this really cool
thing that I've always wanted todo and I, I finally implemented
it.
It's just this sticker trackingand they have these buckets and
it just monitors, stuff that,you know, we.
The athletes have to buy into,right?
So what are we trying to do?
How are we gonna effectivelykeep our team in positions to
(11:03):
win?
And it's that's just, keepingour pitch count low.
We're trying to get out of aninning and 10 pitches or less.
If we get an out on a changeup,we're gonna earn a sticker.
And so each thing, they can earnthese.
Stickers.
And then after the weekend wehave this sticker party and we
put it on the buckets to see,where we're at.
And I just think it's just a funway, I like to think I'm a
(11:24):
player's coach and I want themto feel that there's more to it
than just the softball side.
But at the end of the day,that's the hardest position on
the field.
But let's make it as fun as wecan.
It would be a good.
Cool.
But also know how to push them,right?
Competing is fun.
Winning is fun.
And that's why I'm here at CalState Fullerton.
We're here to win championshipsand build them up to be able to
do that.
(11:44):
And the connection in thebullpen is fun.
We smile a lot.
We sometimes cry sometimes ifneed be.
And then we get back at it, soit's been a lot of fun out
there.
I love the achievement ladder,however you wanna frame it.
Because I think as an athlete,that's how most of us think is,
okay, I've done this.
What's next?
What's next?
And I love that approach withthe stickers, the bucket the
(12:06):
celebration of, Hey, we, we didthis.
We and I also love thesignificance of things like the
low pitch count, because now Ihave to think as a pitcher, I'm
not doing this by myself.
I have to have faith in, I haveto have faith in the seven women
behind me, so all of that isfantastic.
You need to write a book aboutthat at some point.
Yeah, that would be cool.
(12:27):
I'd be good because that is sucha cool, I, and you call me, I'll
help you with it.
But that is such a, that is sucha cool thing for coaches just to
think with that mentality.
You're keeping it fun, you'rekeeping it joyful.
You're keeping it aggressive, sothat's great.
Thank you.
Let's talk about, you've had agreat run.
You've had kids that have thrownno hitters, kids that have
(12:48):
thrown perfect games.
And I apologize to all yourplayers.
I'm calling you kids, or if Isay girls, you can throw
tomatoes at me.
I know you're women and I knowyou're professionals.
I know you're awesome.
So know that, hey, that could bea good team building day.
I'll bring you out.
No, I'm just yes.
I need all that.
I, I've got players now that arein their mid forties and have
children and, I still call'em mykids and my boys and my girls.
Yes.
Don't hold that against me.
(13:08):
You've had these greatperformances.
Is there a secret sauce inbuilding a confident pitcher, or
is it, or sometimes it's justgetting outta their way.
I think it's a little of both,right?
I've had pictures in the pastwhere I could just tell they're
already so internal themselves,so why would I want to go and
instill so many other things intheir mind that's already gonna
(13:30):
make them go whoa, like I'm justoverloaded.
Or I can tell when they'relooking at me like, coach,
please help me.
What's happening?
So again, it's just trackingtheir energy.
What are they giving me?
Are they ready to receiveinformation?
Are they not really looking atme?
So that's probably cute thatthey're like trying to figure it
out themselves.
There's a lot of little thingsthat I've learned over the years
that there's a way to and waynot to.
(13:52):
And so I'm not saying that Ihave it figured out, but I feel
like I know when they want mycoaching.
And sometimes it's Hey, just sitback there and maybe video and
say, Hey, if you want.
See it, here it is.
Or, I just I definitely wantthem to figure some things out
because look at, after this,they have to figure out life.
And it's not always wherethey're gonna have somebody on
their shoulder every step of theway.
Just as long as they have, feellike they have the guidance and
(14:14):
people they can go to.
That's really what I try to do.
But yeah, I think it's just,again knowing them that's all
you can do.
And just putting it out therewhen you feel like they need it.
What's changed?
Changed, when you first startedfrom when you were playing to
what you're seeing now and thesekids are, is there something
that, are you seeing littlethings that have changed?
C COVID changed so much for allthese young people.
(14:35):
And how they go about theirbusiness, how they communicate,
where their fears are.
Have you seen a difference inthe last 10 years and how you
coach and what all these youngathletes need?
Yeah, I definitely have seen thechange and just the evolvement
of everything.
And I think the biggest thing isthe coach the athletes now they
really want to know the whybehind things.
(14:56):
They want to know, why is thisrelating to what we're doing?
Or, so I like to give that, Ithink that's a good thing.
Back in the day it was.
Hey, we're doing this.
No ifs, ands, or buts about itand this is how it is.
And that is how it was duringthat time.
And I don't think there was awrong way or right way.
I felt like I really grew inthat way.
But I feel like, sometimes thereare athletes that.
(15:18):
Will come up to me and we'll saystuff like, Hey, tell me, like
it is, be direct.
And I have no problem doingthat.
And then, but I would say themajority of the athletes are
really just wanting to know thereasoning behind things, and
that's okay too.
So I just, coach predominantlythat way because I think the
understanding as we're, sittingthere in a group and I can see
(15:40):
there.
They're nodding their head,they're engaged and they
understand.
Then they're more bought intowhat it is that we're doing,
right?
So I feel like that's a bigthing that I've noticed over the
last 10 years and I'm here forit and I like it and I'm, one
that always wants to strive andbe better personally myself.
And so if I can engage and serveother people in a way that is
relating to them, then I feellike I'm doing my job if I am
(16:03):
connecting more that way.
I think that's the biggestchange for me is how important
empowerment is for these youngpeople we're coaching.
And there is that sense.
They wanna know the why.
I just, I don't wanna just doit.
I wanna understand why I'm doingit.
And I love that.
I wish I would've been coachedthat way because it was about
(16:23):
99% do as the way I tell you.
And 1% on a good day we'd have aconversation about it.
So I love that component.
Are you finding you're enjoyingcoaching more because of that?
I just, I love softball.
I love this sport.
I can't see myself doinganything else.
I've done it for so long.
It brings so much joy to mylife.
(16:45):
I'm just ecstatic that mydaughter seems like she likes
it.
And so what did I ask her theother day?
Oh, last night a friend was overand I was just like, oh, okay.
Do you wanna maybe docheerleading in, in high school?
'cause her and her littlegirlfriend were doing a dance
and stuff, and she goes.
Mom softball and my heart waslike, it was pitter pattering.
I just, that's so great.
I love it.
I just think our family is asports family.
(17:07):
That's how I was raised.
And I just love that, God knewthat I needed kids just like
that.
And so here we are.
And it just, it brings me a lotof joy to, to get to coach these
athletes.
I love it.
And it's there, there reallyisn't anything better.
I miss it so much.
I coach a little bit in highschool and I trained some kids,
but I, I miss that being mycalling every day.
(17:30):
So it's such a special thingwhen you get to be on that
field, day in and day out, evenwhen you're not on the field.
You've got those young womencoming into your office and want
to talk, want to ask thosequestions.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthat to the parents that are
listening.
I wanna start with the fact thatyou've coached at every level,
break down a little bit.
(17:51):
About how a parent should thinkabout college for their child,
about helping them find thatbest fit, no matter the division
level.
Yeah, it just comes down tohaving a clear conversation with
their child first and foremost.
Like what are they looking for?
What, obviously academically thesize of this.
School, the location of theschool.
(18:13):
'cause I'll be honest when I wasgoing through the process I
just, I can't really pitch inthe cold weather right now.
There's those heat warmers andall this stuff.
Yeah.
I think there's a lot of thingswhere, you know, doing the
camps, going to the actualfacility and ex.
Experiencing the weather and thehumidity or whatever.
And just having thoseconversations first and foremost
(18:34):
with your child.
And then from there, what kindof coach are you looking for?
Are you looking for mama bear,papa bear?
Are you looking for likestraight discipline?
Like my where that, like you,there's still coaches out there
like that.
So I think it's just figuringout what makes your kid thrive.
And finding those coaches andthose, schools academically that
(18:55):
fit that.
And I would say camps are a bigthing, right?
Every institution does camps.
I feel some people are like whywould I send my kid all these
camps?
I think it's, you get to meetthe coaches.
Close and personal.
They are, going through all thedrills, they're, coaching you up
how they would do an everydaypractice.
And that's big too.
Stepping foot on campus, walkingaround, like getting the vibe,
(19:18):
with other people there.
I just think there's a lot toit.
Although, this is not as muchanymore where you see people
stay at a school for four years.
It's definitely different thesedays.
But you're hoping that, you'rehoping that you have that
culture and that loyalty to aprogram that sometimes isn't
there in this day and age, but.
(19:39):
Why not?
Why?
Like, why can't we really try tostrive for that and get back to
that?
Because I feel like there's somuch growth when you can, really
build and when things get tough,like they're tough anywhere,
they're not gonna always begood.
The grass is not always greeneron the other side.
You hear that all the time.
And it's true because then youhave to build a relationship
(20:01):
with more and more people andinstead of just getting to work
like I'm a big advocate on.
If something is said to you andit really maybe bothers you,
maybe it, it really was for youand you just have to really dig
deep.
And those are the kind of kidsthat I want them to be able to
look at the whole scope ofthings to know okay, how can I.
(20:22):
Learn from that.
And if I have, need clarity fromthat, I wanna go to my coach and
I wanna feel like I have theopen door for them to feel that
they can come in.
And I have good snacks in myoffice, so that really does
help.
And then Jamie, my assistant,has a little baby and so they're
always coming up to see ourteam, baby Gemma.
But it just, all of the coachesdo a great job.
Tricia Senio, Georgia Raho withjust like having athletes come
(20:44):
in and out of our offices and Iwant them to feel like we are.
Approachable, they can come tous and not just with softball.
And and I feel like we do areally good job with that
because we constantly have'em upthere.
So we are doing stuff right inthat department.
And so I think that is all bigwhen you are looking at schools
and universities to just makesure that your kid is gonna
(21:04):
have, good structure.
'Cause after the four years.
There, there has to be growth,right?
There is going to be growth.
And I think that's the biggestcompliment as a coach you can
get is if they, you're theparents see you and they go,
wow.
Like I'm seeing a reallytransformative experiences with
my daughter, and it's reallycool to see.
Thank you for that.
And I've gotten not a ton ofthem, but I've definitely gotten
(21:26):
those and I'm just like, wow.
Because you're.
As much as you'd like to say,I'm gonna impact everybody that
I coach.
It's just, some people are gonnaconnect and some aren't.
And if you could be a small,just glimpse into somebody's
transformative years, like thatis so powerful and it just, why
keep doing it?
And, you get the thank you cardsor the texts or whatever and
it's just wow, I'm really in acool profession to be able to do
(21:48):
that.
Yeah.
It's there again.
There's nothing like it.
So I love your approach and howyou're thinking about it.
I wanna use kinda your daughteras a, an example let's say in
four years she's got offers toplay at the division one level,
but she may have to sit a yearor two and that maybe she learns
(22:11):
better in a smaller environment,needs a smaller campus.
What advice do you give a familythat has a kid that maybe needs
that 14 to 15 kids in aclassroom or that smaller
campus?
'cause they're a little shy,they're a little introverted,
but they've got a big arm or abig bat, and they can play at a
higher level, but maybe theiroverall person needs something
(22:32):
different.
How?
How do we advise families onthat?
I think it, for me personally,it's just probably connecting
more with the parents andtelling them and asking them
questions.
As far as, obviously you knowyour child the best, it looks as
though it seems like they mightbe a little overwhelmed or too
stimulated in this kind of asetting.
And I go back to actually, JennyTopping who was on staff last
(22:54):
year.
She's now just.
Got the position at Oregon Stateand she started out at
Washington and transferred toFullerton during the time I
played there.
So I was lucky enough to haveher as my catcher and Olympic
gold medalist and justphenomenal person.
But she literally will say, Ijust, I went to Washington and I
just.
Felt just so overwhelmed.
It wasn't for me.
(23:15):
There was too many people thereand I just wish I would've been
advised a little differentlythat there's other things out
there.
And I would definitely share,that story and just say, if this
seems like that would be yourdaughter, like you gotta do some
research on some other schoolsthat are out there, that can
still be a power.
Powerful softball school justlike we are, and we're mid-major
(23:35):
and have that, and you knowwhat, we are the primary sports
on our campus, right?
Between baseball and softballand I would say the soccer
school, teams and stuff likethat and other sports on campus.
But we are almost like ourfootball, right?
That's what we're looked at as.
And so I think, you can fall,find those smaller settings and
just be really happy, and justtalk to them more through that
(23:56):
process.
I love it.
I wanna talk a little bit aboutyour staff.
'cause it's such a, it's such anadvantage when you go from D
three to D one when you can takecare of people that work for
you.
Yes.
And there's so much more thatyou can get done and there's so
much more that you can save yourown sanity.
When you know that you've gotone or two, three people that
(24:19):
are with you full time that aredoing this with you, what role
do you want your staff to playwhen it comes to building
relationships with your womenand building that culture that
you want?
Yeah, I feel like we, we did agood, really good job this past
year, right?
To be able to win the Big Westregular season outright and just
have so many, athletes receiveaccolades through the Big West
(24:42):
was awesome.
Record breaking for Ava rc,actually surpassing Jenny
Topping, who I was just talkingabout.
But amazing.
So I really feel like I'm a bigenergy person, right?
And so to have somebody likeGeorgia Raho where we just.
Can connect and have, phenomenalconversations and the way he
treats his athletes that I'veseen, even prior to me being, on
(25:03):
staff with Coach Ford in theyears before, he just really
connects well.
And I think it's really cool tohave, both female and males on
staff because they just bringdifferent perspectives and
different balances in that.
To some of the coaches or thestudent athletes and, hopefully
this is not gonna ruffle hisfeathers, but we'll call him
papa, right?
Yeah.
And so it's cool to just havethat knowledge and experience
(25:26):
and wisdom is that he brings.
And you know what, Jamie JamieJuarez, right?
High level athlete, played atOhio.
State just has the accolades aswell, and is one of those kid
players that was just, didn'treally, she wasn't flashy, but
just always was able to get itdone and just has this cool,
calm and collective demeanor andthat relates to many of our
(25:50):
players.
And you have.
Tricia seo, who I was actually,I brought over from Whittier and
a side story there.
We were when I was coaching atCMS, I just remember one time
walking over there as I greetedher as before we played, and I
just said, Hey, would you everhave any interest if I were to
ever get back into the D oneworld to potentially assist with
me or coach with me?
(26:10):
And she was like, of course Iwould entertain it.
And so the fact that, when theposition opened and I, wanted
to.
See if it would be a fit for herin the fact that she took it.
I just, she is very much ago-getter.
She is very organized, way moreorganized than I am, so that is
very helpful.
And she just and you're gettingus in our mom era, right?
Jamie's a mom, especially as amom.
(26:31):
I'm a mom.
George is a father.
It's just, we have so manystories.
It's just a very cool vibe, Ifeel like, for our student
athletes.
And it's just been.
So fun.
Like I, I love going to work.
There's, they always say, if youfeel like you can go to lunch or
dinner after a long day of workand still have a good time that
is exactly how I feel with mystaff, and I just feel very
(26:51):
blessed to be alongside them.
That is so cool.
And it's so important for theteam to understand that, some
coaches don't like the phrasesurrogate parent.
But it's a family.
Yeah.
And they look at you as thatsurrogate parent, whether you
want it or not.
So it's it's so much fun whenyou're surrounded by people that
have that same approach and seethese young people with that
(27:14):
same mindset of love andcompassion and want to challenge
them to their potential.
And it's a great combination.
How important going back thoughto, to what you were saying as
well, I'd be remiss to not saythat We even have a director of
operations here with Pat Cortezand we have student managers
like this.
Everybody that loves to help CalState Fullerton, Titan softball
(27:37):
be around.
I couldn't do it without her aswell.
And sometimes when that questionis asked, as far as the coaching
staff, she is very much a partof it as well because she is.
Getting in the trenches withthem, getting all the
information in there.
So I wanted to make sure I giveher a shout out because
honestly, she is my right handgal.
Kat, that was for you, babe.
So important.
Yeah.
That, that, that DOO role is sovaluable in so many ways.
(28:03):
Absolutely.
It takes so much pressure off ofa head coach when you don't have
to worry about travel and thecommunication and when the bus
is coming and what plane we'regonna be on.
It's huge.
It's just you.
You can't put enough value onit.
Absolutely.
What would advice would you giveto a coach who's building a
coaching staff in terms ofhiring people different than
(28:26):
you?
Yeah, I would say the advice I'dgive is just understanding,
their upbringing, where theyplayed, their experiences that
they've had, how you felt, thatshaped them.
And just I think it's good tohave different perspectives,
right?
The more collaborative ideas youhave, the stronger, you can
connect with different people onyour team.
(28:47):
There's so many differentpersonalities, from 22 to, I
think our my, my first year withCoach Ford here still, we had up
to 30, players on the roster.
And although that's, changing,it's just there, it's good to
have different perspectives andit's not a bad thing.
You don't wanna necessarily,have.
Staff where you feel likethey're exactly the same and be
(29:08):
okay with that.
I think early on it was alwayslike, I need really high energy
People just like me, alwayssuper driven and this and that.
But then it's that's not life.
Not everybody is like that.
And you gotta be consistent withwho you are, authentic to who
you are.
And at the end of the day, yes,we all have to have the same
goals and visions for the team,but how we get there can be
(29:28):
other ways and that's.
That's very helpful, for studentathletes as well, because some
may be like coach coach G isjust a little too much for me.
I'm gonna go over to Coach JPlays is a little bit more calm,
little bit more cool.
And you need that, and I'm okaywith that.
That's it, right?
My kids know to come to mebecause I'm a sucker and say
yes, where dad is absolutelynot.
So that's all part of it.
(29:50):
Yeah.
Okay.
It's Parenting 1 0 1.
Yes.
In so many ways.
That's great.
Yeah.
Coach, this is awesome.
I wanna do a little rapid firewith you.
I wanna do some fun stuff withyou, your background and getting
to play at the levels that yougot to play.
I want, I wanna get somethoughts on it.
All right.
I know you're a pitcher, but ifyou're playing today, what's
your walkup song as a hitter?
(30:13):
Oh, my walkup song as a hitter.
Oh, goodness.
This would have to be, oh, Iwould say.
Oh, are you ready?
By, oh my gosh.
This is like literally mydaughter's one.
This summer by, why am Iblanking?
What was Hazel's walkup song?
Are you ready?
(30:33):
By who?
My husband just walked in.
Sorry.
I know what you're talking aboutand I can't think of the artist.
Is it Metallica?
Corn.
Corn.
Corn.
Corn.
Okay, corn, are you ready?
Yes.
Okay.
All right.
I love it.
Pitching or hitting.
What gave you the biggestadrenaline rush?
Pitching?
100%.
That's easy.
(30:53):
Absolutely.
I felt in control.
I was like, I'm gonna lead thisteam to a victory right here.
It's all about mindset, baby.
I love it.
One teammate from your playingdays you'd love to coach with?
Ooh, I would love to coach with,I would say my roommate in
college, Jody Cox.
(31:15):
Awesome.
Most intimidating hitter youever faced.
Oh goodness.
My most intimidating hitterwould probably be Jenny Topping
two pretty good answers rightthere.
Yeah.
Dream vacation spot after theseason ends, if you go anywhere.
(31:38):
Funny enough, we just booked alittle trip for our 13th wedding
anniversary to M Lawn, so I'llgo with that.
I love M Lawn.
Yeah.
Spent a week there a long timeago.
Good choice.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Best advice another coach evergave you or an ad?
It didn't have to be a coachper.
Yeah, I think the biggest advicethat I just still have to remind
(32:00):
myself that I've heard is just,you have this.
This massive to-do this to-dolist all the time, and sometimes
you just don't get to it.
And it's okay to put stuff down,have the balance, you have other
things.
You're not defined by this job.
You're not defined by the sport.
You are a good person.
You are a good human.
You treat other people the wayyou wanted to be treated and.
(32:21):
So I think I have to remindmyself honestly on a daily basis
to just be okay with sometimesyou're not gonna get it all done
and it's okay to just take abreath and know that you have
tomorrow and just take it day byday because it's just those
daily disciplines will add up,but sometimes they're not always
gonna be checked off, and that'sokay.
It's great advice.
(32:41):
I wish somebody would've gave itto me at 26 when I started
coaching.
Last one.
If your players described you inone word.
What do you hope they would say?
Oh man, I'd hope they'd say I'mgonna, they're gonna laugh at
this, but I have this it'sactually two words.
It's this acronym.
I just say one mode.
(33:02):
I have one mode.
And when I really, I when theythink of me, I want them to
know, like I'm just in it.
I'm like engaged.
I'm in it.
I'm consistent.
I want to be that person forthem whenever they need to text
or call.
I may not have all the advice orthe answers, but I'll be there
for them.
And I just have one mode andthat's just to, to be all in and
(33:24):
do it outta love and lead withlove and yeah, be the best
version of myself and help themdo the same for them.
The best advice I ever giveparents is to use the phrase, I
got your back.
And that's you got yourchildren's back, you got your
players back, you got yourcoaches' back, and it's just so
important that when families arelooking for schools you find
that person that can genuinelysay, I got your back.
(33:46):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
So I love that about you, coach,and I'm so thankful we got to
talk, so thankful.
We got to know each other.
We have mutual friends, so Ihope I, you don't mind if I call
you a friend?
Yeah, 100%.
For anybody that's listening,come back on Monday'cause we're
gonna talk recruiting with coachG.
Thanks, coach.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
(34:06):
That's a wrap on this week'sepisode.
I hope you enjoyed thisconversation with Coach Gina
Oaks Garcia.
As much as I did her journeythrough every level of college
softball and back to where itall began at Cal State
Fullerton, it's a happy reminderthat you can go home again.
And Coach G has proven in justone year that is exactly where
(34:27):
she's supposed to be.
If today's episode challenged orencouraged you, take a moment to
like, share and subscribe to theSignificant Coaching Podcast.
And don't forget to subscribe toour weekly
newsletter@coachmattrogers.com.
It's packed with insights forcoaches, athletes, and parents
who are looking for direction,motivation, and a practical
approach to their goals.
(34:48):
While you're there, you can graba copy of significant Recruiting
and the Softball RecruitsJournal.
Enroll in the significantRecruiting Launchpad classes, or
schedule a one-on-one strategysession with me.
Hey, thanks for listening, andmake sure to come back next
week.
We've got another great guestlined up and more real
conversations to help you leadwith clarity, courage, and
(35:09):
significance.
We'll see you next time.
I think early on it was alwayslike, I need really high energy
(00:03):
People just like me, alwayssuper driven and this and that.
Then it's that's not life.
Not everybody is like that.
And you gotta be consistent withwho you are, authentic to who
you are.
Welcome back to The SignificantCoaching Podcast.
(00:24):
I'm your host, Matt Rogers.
This week's guest is someone whoembodies what this show is all
about, coaching with conviction,connection, and perspective.
My guest is Coach Gina OaksGarcia, the head softball coach
at Division one, Cal StateFullerton.
Gina is more than just a Titanlegend.
She's a two time all American.
(00:45):
Former Big West Player of theYear and a professional athlete
with the Arizona Heat, but it'swhat she's done since her
playing days that makes thisconversation so impactful.
Gina has coached across everylevel of college softball, NCAA
Division two and three NI.
And now back to where she grewup as a player at the NCAA
division one level, all whilebeing named the Big West
(01:08):
Conference Coach of the Year inher first year leading her alma
mater.
That journey has shaped her viewof leadership, athlete
development, and the recruitingprocess in a way few others can
match.
In today's episode, we dive intohow she builds trust and
standards with her team, what itmeans to return to coach at the
same school where she once worethe jersey.
(01:29):
And why?
More Division one programs arehiring coaches from the D three
ranks.
Whether you're a coach, parent,or just someone who loves
learning from strong leaders,you'll walk away with insights
from a coach who has earnedevery step of her path.
And before we dive in, a quickreminder to check out coach matt
rogers.com, where you'll findboth of my books, including
(01:51):
significant recruiting, thePlaybook for prospective college
athletes, and my newest book,the Softball Recruits Journal.
You can also enroll in thesignificant Recruiting
Launchpad, my self-paced courseto help families navigate the
college recruiting process.
And if you want personalizedguidance, you can schedule
one-on-one strategy sessionswith me right on the site.
Now let's get to it.
(02:12):
Here's my conversation with thefabulous coach, Gina Oaks
Garcia.
Coach G, thanks for being on theshow.
So great to see you and soexcited for this new adventure
for you.
Yeah, absolutely.
Thanks for having me.
I'm really excited to be on andhave a chat.
I, what I love about yourbackground is you've coached at
(02:32):
every level, D three, D two, Done, you've, you played at a
high level, you played overseas.
Which is so rare, for anybody,let alone a softball player.
So I really wanted to talk toyou about this great experience.
And we have that sharedexperience in the SC A as well.
Yes.
Awesome.
Yeah.
Crazy, right?
(02:53):
Yeah.
I just want you to know also NAIbefore That's right.
NAA turned to D two.
It was NAI.
Yeah, it's good.
I love coaches that have done itall.
Because you have such aperspective that not all coaches
have, a lot of coaches at the Done level were assistants or
played at the D one and they'vestayed there.
So you took the long road backto Fullerton.
You've played their coach there.
(03:15):
You're now leading the program.
What unfinished business broughtyou home?
I just I really.
Loved the coaching at all thedifferent levels, but I think
really, when this position cameabout and Coach Ford, wanted to
hire me as an assistant, earlieron actually.
(03:35):
For me I have three kids.
They were young at the time, itjust wasn't the right time.
But then, two years ago when sheI brought my daughter to a
softball camp at Cal StateFullerton, and next thing a
position was open and.
I showed a little glimmer ofhope to her and she sat her
chair right down beside me andwas like, what's it gonna take?
And, I just had missed I thinkjust being at that level and the
(03:57):
resources that we have and thefacilities and maintaining, and
although I loved the differentdivisions, it was, you wore a
lot of hat.
You did the field Maintenmaintenance did a lot of the
fundraising.
You maybe taught classes.
And as much as I loved that,because it was a HIIT class and
it kept me in shape, it wasjust, there was a lot going on.
And to get back into the D onerealm and also.
(04:17):
So to be back at my alma materwhere, you know, I just really
grew as a person.
I had just amazing mentors andcoaches, leading up to my
college experience, but alsojust Coach Gram Mackey coach
Ford actually was even one of mycoaches there.
And being recruited by JudyGarmin, but just being within
that space of those legendarycoaches and now being there
myself has just been just.
(04:39):
A, a dream come true.
It's a full circle moment.
All of this stuff that you wouldsay, it really is that, and it's
just, I'm just happy to be back.
That's so cool.
I went to college in Iowa and tomove my family back to Iowa I
think would ruin my marriage.
I think she would just, we'd,it'd be the divorce the next
day.
So I love when coaches get to gohome and you get to be a part of
(04:59):
your alma mater, even thoughthere's so many challenges that
I'm sure you're facing becauseyou're an alumni.
But being able to be home ispretty cool.
I wish I would've had thatopportunity as a coach, or I
wish my family would've beenokay with that opportunity.
So that's really cool.
Before we get into Fullton, Iwanna talk a little bit about
CMS Claremont, muds scripts.
(05:20):
'cause you had such a, you didsuch great work there and it's
such a hard place to recruit tobecause you don't have the huge
pool to recruit from and youdon't have any scholarships
there.
What.
What did that experience do toshape how you go about your
business now?
(05:40):
Do you feel like when you don'thave scholarships and you have
to recruit really elite academickids, did that change how you go
about your business and buildinga program?
I really enjoyed my time at CMS.
When people say, Hey, did youface some challenges?
I really didn't look at it likethat.
I looked at it as Hey listen,give me your recruiting sheets.
(06:00):
I need the four point ohs orhigher.
I need the kids that bring theirbooks to the games and I need to
know that they have some skill.
'cause I know that, whether itwas me and my staff, we can
coach them up.
So there was a definitely aspecific kid.
I think, the headfirst.
Company and camp that I alwayswent to.
I always found like a good coregroup of that.
And then really just, buildingrelationships with those kids
(06:22):
throughout the summer and justyou know that's really how you
gotta do it, right?
They gotta get to know you.
They gotta know obvious.
Claremont Mud Scripts, very highacademic as the facilities there
are really good for the D threelevel.
I happen to go, the year, a yearor two after the, or after they
built Roberts Pavilion, which isa$75 million building.
(06:44):
And so when you can bring arecruit on campus and this
diamond in the rough.
So to speak it to me, I feltlike it was very eye-opening to
a lot of people once I got themthere.
And you can't beat theeducation, obviously it's a
little bit costly to go there,but also the extensive networks
and alumni and the internshipsthat they would get in the
summertime, a lot of my athletesright out of.
(07:06):
High school or right out ofcollege, they were getting these
really awesome jobs because ofthe prior work they were doing
in the previous summers, so Ithought it was, it, it was
really cool to build there.
And obviously it was during theCOVID times, which was a little
challenging.
But we did a lot of really coolthings there and it was a very
special time and place for me.
And I still connect with some ofthe athletes, which has been
(07:27):
awesome.
I'm sure they miss you, sothat's great.
Yeah.
I miss them.
We're seeing a growing trend,and I love this by the way, of
presidents and athleticdirectors at the division one
level hiring D three coachesthat have had success.
Where do you think that comesfrom?
Why do you think that is?
(07:48):
I wanna say, I think it'sbecause, on our resume we can
put that, we've done a lot ofthe different things, right?
We were able to, fundraise,maybe we were able to help with
games management.
Maybe we were able to help withthe grounds and see, you need
fill a need if, if thatresonates.
I think that's a big deal.
And when you have somebody thatis passionate about the sport
(08:09):
and willing to do all of that,to me I have a page that I run
called Go-Getter, go-getter,softball.
And I just, I've always beenthat type of person that, I
want.
I wanna do good, I wanna make ithappen.
I have the plan a mindset.
There's no plan B, there's aplan A, and if that's what you
know, I'm shooting for, I'mgonna execute it and figure it
out.
So I think that, shows when,maybe D three coaches are being
(08:31):
interviewed.
I'm hoping that's what showed inmind.
'cause I got the job, yeah.
Yeah, that's my mindset withthat.
I love it.
'cause I've worked at everylevel, coached at most of the
levels and was in AD as well.
So I love when an institution atthe division one level
scholarship level, highintensity, great athletes, goes
(08:53):
after a D three coach.
'cause I think it speaks to whatwe want college sports to be.
We want it to be balancedbetween academics and athletics.
We want somebody that caresabout the kids beyond winning
championships.
And if you have to be thatperson at the division lit three
level, you're gonna go crazy.
Yeah.
100%.
(09:13):
Absolutely.
So I wanna roll into softballbecause you were a dominant
pitcher, this is a big thing forme with coaching.
'cause I wasn't a greatbasketball player in terms of
shooter.
I, you didn't want me shooting20 times a game as a basketball
player, but I was a lockdowndefender.
I was, I had a great work ethic.
I loved working, I lovedpreparing.
(09:33):
So when I got, when I startedcoaching at the high school and
then the college level.
I struggled a little bit becausenot all kids had the work ethic
I had.
Not all kids had the drive thatI had.
They had the talent.
Well, a lot of'em were moretalented than me, but they
didn't have the drive.
When we talk about you coachingpitchers how is that for you and
developing a pitcher, gettingthem comfortable in the circle
(09:56):
and being who they're supposedto be and maybe not maybe doing
it a little differently than youdo it.
Is that a challenge for you?
Yeah, I think, just coaching ingeneral is challenging, right?
It's getting to know yourathletes and knowing what makes
them, tick and thrive and go allout for that specific,
especially position, right?
We're the true leaders betweenthe pitcher and the catcher on
(10:18):
the field.
And so I think it starts with,again, getting to know'em,
building that.
To building that trust.
I think, it, it does help thatobviously I was able to play, at
Fullerton and play beyond andplay on our USA team and stuff
and have the accolades, if youwill.
But really it's not about me,it's about them and how, I could
help coach them to the best,that they can be.
(10:40):
And, designing the programs thatI think is best for that.
Specific athlete I think is hugeand just I do this really cool
thing that I've always wanted todo and I, I finally implemented
it.
It's just this sticker trackingand they have these buckets and
it just monitors, stuff that,you know, we.
The athletes have to buy into,right?
So what are we trying to do?
How are we gonna effectivelykeep our team in positions to
(11:03):
win?
And it's that's just, keepingour pitch count low.
We're trying to get out of aninning and 10 pitches or less.
If we get an out on a changeup,we're gonna earn a sticker.
And so each thing, they can earnthese.
Stickers.
And then after the weekend wehave this sticker party and we
put it on the buckets to see,where we're at.
And I just think it's just a funway, I like to think I'm a
(11:24):
player's coach and I want themto feel that there's more to it
than just the softball side.
But at the end of the day,that's the hardest position on
the field.
But let's make it as fun as wecan.
It would be a good.
Cool.
But also know how to push them,right?
Competing is fun.
Winning is fun.
And that's why I'm here at CalState Fullerton.
We're here to win championshipsand build them up to be able to
do that.
(11:44):
And the connection in thebullpen is fun.
We smile a lot.
We sometimes cry sometimes ifneed be.
And then we get back at it, soit's been a lot of fun out
there.
I love the achievement ladder,however you wanna frame it.
Because I think as an athlete,that's how most of us think is,
okay, I've done this.
What's next?
What's next?
And I love that approach withthe stickers, the bucket the
(12:06):
celebration of, Hey, we, we didthis.
We and I also love thesignificance of things like the
low pitch count, because now Ihave to think as a pitcher, I'm
not doing this by myself.
I have to have faith in, I haveto have faith in the seven women
behind me, so all of that isfantastic.
You need to write a book aboutthat at some point.
Yeah, that would be cool.
(12:27):
I'd be good because that is sucha cool, I, and you call me, I'll
help you with it.
But that is such a, that is sucha cool thing for coaches just to
think with that mentality.
You're keeping it fun, you'rekeeping it joyful.
You're keeping it aggressive, sothat's great.
Thank you.
Let's talk about, you've had agreat run.
You've had kids that have thrownno hitters, kids that have
(12:48):
thrown perfect games.
And I apologize to all yourplayers.
I'm calling you kids, or if Isay girls, you can throw
tomatoes at me.
I know you're women and I knowyou're professionals.
I know you're awesome.
So know that, hey, that could bea good team building day.
I'll bring you out.
No, I'm just yes.
I need all that.
I, I've got players now that arein their mid forties and have
children and, I still call'em mykids and my boys and my girls.
Yes.
Don't hold that against me.
(13:08):
You've had these greatperformances.
Is there a secret sauce inbuilding a confident pitcher, or
is it, or sometimes it's justgetting outta their way.
I think it's a little of both,right?
I've had pictures in the pastwhere I could just tell they're
already so internal themselves,so why would I want to go and
instill so many other things intheir mind that's already gonna
(13:30):
make them go whoa, like I'm justoverloaded.
Or I can tell when they'relooking at me like, coach,
please help me.
What's happening?
So again, it's just trackingtheir energy.
What are they giving me?
Are they ready to receiveinformation?
Are they not really looking atme?
So that's probably cute thatthey're like trying to figure it
out themselves.
There's a lot of little thingsthat I've learned over the years
that there's a way to and waynot to.
(13:52):
And so I'm not saying that Ihave it figured out, but I feel
like I know when they want mycoaching.
And sometimes it's Hey, just sitback there and maybe video and
say, Hey, if you want.
See it, here it is.
Or, I just I definitely wantthem to figure some things out
because look at, after this,they have to figure out life.
And it's not always wherethey're gonna have somebody on
their shoulder every step of theway.
Just as long as they have, feellike they have the guidance and
(14:14):
people they can go to.
That's really what I try to do.
But yeah, I think it's just,again knowing them that's all
you can do.
And just putting it out therewhen you feel like they need it.
What's changed?
Changed, when you first startedfrom when you were playing to
what you're seeing now and thesekids are, is there something
that, are you seeing littlethings that have changed?
C COVID changed so much for allthese young people.
(14:35):
And how they go about theirbusiness, how they communicate,
where their fears are.
Have you seen a difference inthe last 10 years and how you
coach and what all these youngathletes need?
Yeah, I definitely have seen thechange and just the evolvement
of everything.
And I think the biggest thing isthe coach the athletes now they
really want to know the whybehind things.
(14:56):
They want to know, why is thisrelating to what we're doing?
Or, so I like to give that, Ithink that's a good thing.
Back in the day it was.
Hey, we're doing this.
No ifs, ands, or buts about itand this is how it is.
And that is how it was duringthat time.
And I don't think there was awrong way or right way.
I felt like I really grew inthat way.
But I feel like, sometimes thereare athletes that.
(15:18):
Will come up to me and we'll saystuff like, Hey, tell me, like
it is, be direct.
And I have no problem doingthat.
And then, but I would say themajority of the athletes are
really just wanting to know thereasoning behind things, and
that's okay too.
So I just, coach predominantlythat way because I think the
understanding as we're, sittingthere in a group and I can see
(15:40):
there.
They're nodding their head,they're engaged and they
understand.
Then they're more bought intowhat it is that we're doing,
right?
So I feel like that's a bigthing that I've noticed over the
last 10 years and I'm here forit and I like it and I'm, one
that always wants to strive andbe better personally myself.
And so if I can engage and serveother people in a way that is
relating to them, then I feellike I'm doing my job if I am
(16:03):
connecting more that way.
I think that's the biggestchange for me is how important
empowerment is for these youngpeople we're coaching.
And there is that sense.
They wanna know the why.
I just, I don't wanna just doit.
I wanna understand why I'm doingit.
And I love that.
I wish I would've been coachedthat way because it was about
(16:23):
99% do as the way I tell you.
And 1% on a good day we'd have aconversation about it.
So I love that component.
Are you finding you're enjoyingcoaching more because of that?
I just, I love softball.
I love this sport.
I can't see myself doinganything else.
I've done it for so long.
It brings so much joy to mylife.
(16:45):
I'm just ecstatic that mydaughter seems like she likes
it.
And so what did I ask her theother day?
Oh, last night a friend was overand I was just like, oh, okay.
Do you wanna maybe docheerleading in, in high school?
'cause her and her littlegirlfriend were doing a dance
and stuff, and she goes.
Mom softball and my heart waslike, it was pitter pattering.
I just, that's so great.
I love it.
I just think our family is asports family.
(17:07):
That's how I was raised.
And I just love that, God knewthat I needed kids just like
that.
And so here we are.
And it just, it brings me a lotof joy to, to get to coach these
athletes.
I love it.
And it's there, there reallyisn't anything better.
I miss it so much.
I coach a little bit in highschool and I trained some kids,
but I, I miss that being mycalling every day.
(17:30):
So it's such a special thingwhen you get to be on that
field, day in and day out, evenwhen you're not on the field.
You've got those young womencoming into your office and want
to talk, want to ask thosequestions.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthat to the parents that are
listening.
I wanna start with the fact thatyou've coached at every level,
break down a little bit.
(17:51):
About how a parent should thinkabout college for their child,
about helping them find thatbest fit, no matter the division
level.
Yeah, it just comes down tohaving a clear conversation with
their child first and foremost.
Like what are they looking for?
What, obviously academically thesize of this.
School, the location of theschool.
(18:13):
'cause I'll be honest when I wasgoing through the process I
just, I can't really pitch inthe cold weather right now.
There's those heat warmers andall this stuff.
Yeah.
I think there's a lot of thingswhere, you know, doing the
camps, going to the actualfacility and ex.
Experiencing the weather and thehumidity or whatever.
And just having thoseconversations first and foremost
(18:34):
with your child.
And then from there, what kindof coach are you looking for?
Are you looking for mama bear,papa bear?
Are you looking for likestraight discipline?
Like my where that, like you,there's still coaches out there
like that.
So I think it's just figuringout what makes your kid thrive.
And finding those coaches andthose, schools academically that
(18:55):
fit that.
And I would say camps are a bigthing, right?
Every institution does camps.
I feel some people are like whywould I send my kid all these
camps?
I think it's, you get to meetthe coaches.
Close and personal.
They are, going through all thedrills, they're, coaching you up
how they would do an everydaypractice.
And that's big too.
Stepping foot on campus, walkingaround, like getting the vibe,
(19:18):
with other people there.
I just think there's a lot toit.
Although, this is not as muchanymore where you see people
stay at a school for four years.
It's definitely different thesedays.
But you're hoping that, you'rehoping that you have that
culture and that loyalty to aprogram that sometimes isn't
there in this day and age, but.
(19:39):
Why not?
Why?
Like, why can't we really try tostrive for that and get back to
that?
Because I feel like there's somuch growth when you can, really
build and when things get tough,like they're tough anywhere,
they're not gonna always begood.
The grass is not always greeneron the other side.
You hear that all the time.
And it's true because then youhave to build a relationship
(20:01):
with more and more people andinstead of just getting to work
like I'm a big advocate on.
If something is said to you andit really maybe bothers you,
maybe it, it really was for youand you just have to really dig
deep.
And those are the kind of kidsthat I want them to be able to
look at the whole scope ofthings to know okay, how can I.
(20:22):
Learn from that.
And if I have, need clarity fromthat, I wanna go to my coach and
I wanna feel like I have theopen door for them to feel that
they can come in.
And I have good snacks in myoffice, so that really does
help.
And then Jamie, my assistant,has a little baby and so they're
always coming up to see ourteam, baby Gemma.
But it just, all of the coachesdo a great job.
Tricia Senio, Georgia Raho withjust like having athletes come
(20:44):
in and out of our offices and Iwant them to feel like we are.
Approachable, they can come tous and not just with softball.
And and I feel like we do areally good job with that
because we constantly have'em upthere.
So we are doing stuff right inthat department.
And so I think that is all bigwhen you are looking at schools
and universities to just makesure that your kid is gonna
(21:04):
have, good structure.
'Cause after the four years.
There, there has to be growth,right?
There is going to be growth.
And I think that's the biggestcompliment as a coach you can
get is if they, you're theparents see you and they go,
wow.
Like I'm seeing a reallytransformative experiences with
my daughter, and it's reallycool to see.
Thank you for that.
And I've gotten not a ton ofthem, but I've definitely gotten
(21:26):
those and I'm just like, wow.
Because you're.
As much as you'd like to say,I'm gonna impact everybody that
I coach.
It's just, some people are gonnaconnect and some aren't.
And if you could be a small,just glimpse into somebody's
transformative years, like thatis so powerful and it just, why
keep doing it?
And, you get the thank you cardsor the texts or whatever and
it's just wow, I'm really in acool profession to be able to do
(21:48):
that.
Yeah.
It's there again.
There's nothing like it.
So I love your approach and howyou're thinking about it.
I wanna use kinda your daughteras a, an example let's say in
four years she's got offers toplay at the division one level,
but she may have to sit a yearor two and that maybe she learns
(22:11):
better in a smaller environment,needs a smaller campus.
What advice do you give a familythat has a kid that maybe needs
that 14 to 15 kids in aclassroom or that smaller
campus?
'cause they're a little shy,they're a little introverted,
but they've got a big arm or abig bat, and they can play at a
higher level, but maybe theiroverall person needs something
(22:32):
different.
How?
How do we advise families onthat?
I think it, for me personally,it's just probably connecting
more with the parents andtelling them and asking them
questions.
As far as, obviously you knowyour child the best, it looks as
though it seems like they mightbe a little overwhelmed or too
stimulated in this kind of asetting.
And I go back to actually, JennyTopping who was on staff last
(22:54):
year.
She's now just.
Got the position at Oregon Stateand she started out at
Washington and transferred toFullerton during the time I
played there.
So I was lucky enough to haveher as my catcher and Olympic
gold medalist and justphenomenal person.
But she literally will say, Ijust, I went to Washington and I
just.
Felt just so overwhelmed.
It wasn't for me.
(23:15):
There was too many people thereand I just wish I would've been
advised a little differentlythat there's other things out
there.
And I would definitely share,that story and just say, if this
seems like that would be yourdaughter, like you gotta do some
research on some other schoolsthat are out there, that can
still be a power.
Powerful softball school justlike we are, and we're mid-major
(23:35):
and have that, and you knowwhat, we are the primary sports
on our campus, right?
Between baseball and softballand I would say the soccer
school, teams and stuff likethat and other sports on campus.
But we are almost like ourfootball, right?
That's what we're looked at as.
And so I think, you can fall,find those smaller settings and
just be really happy, and justtalk to them more through that
(23:56):
process.
I love it.
I wanna talk a little bit aboutyour staff.
'cause it's such a, it's such anadvantage when you go from D
three to D one when you can takecare of people that work for
you.
Yes.
And there's so much more thatyou can get done and there's so
much more that you can save yourown sanity.
When you know that you've gotone or two, three people that
(24:19):
are with you full time that aredoing this with you, what role
do you want your staff to playwhen it comes to building
relationships with your womenand building that culture that
you want?
Yeah, I feel like we, we did agood, really good job this past
year, right?
To be able to win the Big Westregular season outright and just
have so many, athletes receiveaccolades through the Big West
(24:42):
was awesome.
Record breaking for Ava rc,actually surpassing Jenny
Topping, who I was just talkingabout.
But amazing.
So I really feel like I'm a bigenergy person, right?
And so to have somebody likeGeorgia Raho where we just.
Can connect and have, phenomenalconversations and the way he
treats his athletes that I'veseen, even prior to me being, on
(25:03):
staff with Coach Ford in theyears before, he just really
connects well.
And I think it's really cool tohave, both female and males on
staff because they just bringdifferent perspectives and
different balances in that.
To some of the coaches or thestudent athletes and, hopefully
this is not gonna ruffle hisfeathers, but we'll call him
papa, right?
Yeah.
And so it's cool to just havethat knowledge and experience
(25:26):
and wisdom is that he brings.
And you know what, Jamie JamieJuarez, right?
High level athlete, played atOhio.
State just has the accolades aswell, and is one of those kid
players that was just, didn'treally, she wasn't flashy, but
just always was able to get itdone and just has this cool,
calm and collective demeanor andthat relates to many of our
(25:50):
players.
And you have.
Tricia seo, who I was actually,I brought over from Whittier and
a side story there.
We were when I was coaching atCMS, I just remember one time
walking over there as I greetedher as before we played, and I
just said, Hey, would you everhave any interest if I were to
ever get back into the D oneworld to potentially assist with
me or coach with me?
(26:10):
And she was like, of course Iwould entertain it.
And so the fact that, when theposition opened and I, wanted
to.
See if it would be a fit for herin the fact that she took it.
I just, she is very much ago-getter.
She is very organized, way moreorganized than I am, so that is
very helpful.
And she just and you're gettingus in our mom era, right?
Jamie's a mom, especially as amom.
(26:31):
I'm a mom.
George is a father.
It's just, we have so manystories.
It's just a very cool vibe, Ifeel like, for our student
athletes.
And it's just been.
So fun.
Like I, I love going to work.
There's, they always say, if youfeel like you can go to lunch or
dinner after a long day of workand still have a good time that
is exactly how I feel with mystaff, and I just feel very
(26:51):
blessed to be alongside them.
That is so cool.
And it's so important for theteam to understand that, some
coaches don't like the phrasesurrogate parent.
But it's a family.
Yeah.
And they look at you as thatsurrogate parent, whether you
want it or not.
So it's it's so much fun whenyou're surrounded by people that
have that same approach and seethese young people with that
(27:14):
same mindset of love andcompassion and want to challenge
them to their potential.
And it's a great combination.
How important going back thoughto, to what you were saying as
well, I'd be remiss to not saythat We even have a director of
operations here with Pat Cortezand we have student managers
like this.
Everybody that loves to help CalState Fullerton, Titan softball
(27:37):
be around.
I couldn't do it without her aswell.
And sometimes when that questionis asked, as far as the coaching
staff, she is very much a partof it as well because she is.
Getting in the trenches withthem, getting all the
information in there.
So I wanted to make sure I giveher a shout out because
honestly, she is my right handgal.
Kat, that was for you, babe.
So important.
Yeah.
That, that, that DOO role is sovaluable in so many ways.
(28:03):
Absolutely.
It takes so much pressure off ofa head coach when you don't have
to worry about travel and thecommunication and when the bus
is coming and what plane we'regonna be on.
It's huge.
It's just you.
You can't put enough value onit.
Absolutely.
What would advice would you giveto a coach who's building a
coaching staff in terms ofhiring people different than
(28:26):
you?
Yeah, I would say the advice I'dgive is just understanding,
their upbringing, where theyplayed, their experiences that
they've had, how you felt, thatshaped them.
And just I think it's good tohave different perspectives,
right?
The more collaborative ideas youhave, the stronger, you can
connect with different people onyour team.
(28:47):
There's so many differentpersonalities, from 22 to, I
think our my, my first year withCoach Ford here still, we had up
to 30, players on the roster.
And although that's, changing,it's just there, it's good to
have different perspectives andit's not a bad thing.
You don't wanna necessarily,have.
Staff where you feel likethey're exactly the same and be
(29:08):
okay with that.
I think early on it was alwayslike, I need really high energy
People just like me, alwayssuper driven and this and that.
But then it's that's not life.
Not everybody is like that.
And you gotta be consistent withwho you are, authentic to who
you are.
And at the end of the day, yes,we all have to have the same
goals and visions for the team,but how we get there can be
(29:28):
other ways and that's.
That's very helpful, for studentathletes as well, because some
may be like coach coach G isjust a little too much for me.
I'm gonna go over to Coach JPlays is a little bit more calm,
little bit more cool.
And you need that, and I'm okaywith that.
That's it, right?
My kids know to come to mebecause I'm a sucker and say
yes, where dad is absolutelynot.
So that's all part of it.
(29:50):
Yeah.
Okay.
It's Parenting 1 0 1.
Yes.
In so many ways.
That's great.
Yeah.
Coach, this is awesome.
I wanna do a little rapid firewith you.
I wanna do some fun stuff withyou, your background and getting
to play at the levels that yougot to play.
I want, I wanna get somethoughts on it.
All right.
I know you're a pitcher, but ifyou're playing today, what's
your walkup song as a hitter?
(30:13):
Oh, my walkup song as a hitter.
Oh, goodness.
This would have to be, oh, Iwould say.
Oh, are you ready?
By, oh my gosh.
This is like literally mydaughter's one.
This summer by, why am Iblanking?
What was Hazel's walkup song?
Are you ready?
(30:33):
By who?
My husband just walked in.
Sorry.
I know what you're talking aboutand I can't think of the artist.
Is it Metallica?
Corn.
Corn.
Corn.
Corn.
Okay, corn, are you ready?
Yes.
Okay.
All right.
I love it.
Pitching or hitting.
What gave you the biggestadrenaline rush?
Pitching?
100%.
That's easy.
(30:53):
Absolutely.
I felt in control.
I was like, I'm gonna lead thisteam to a victory right here.
It's all about mindset, baby.
I love it.
One teammate from your playingdays you'd love to coach with?
Ooh, I would love to coach with,I would say my roommate in
college, Jody Cox.
(31:15):
Awesome.
Most intimidating hitter youever faced.
Oh goodness.
My most intimidating hitterwould probably be Jenny Topping
two pretty good answers rightthere.
Yeah.
Dream vacation spot after theseason ends, if you go anywhere.
(31:38):
Funny enough, we just booked alittle trip for our 13th wedding
anniversary to M Lawn, so I'llgo with that.
I love M Lawn.
Yeah.
Spent a week there a long timeago.
Good choice.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Best advice another coach evergave you or an ad?
It didn't have to be a coachper.
Yeah, I think the biggest advicethat I just still have to remind
(32:00):
myself that I've heard is just,you have this.
This massive to-do this to-dolist all the time, and sometimes
you just don't get to it.
And it's okay to put stuff down,have the balance, you have other
things.
You're not defined by this job.
You're not defined by the sport.
You are a good person.
You are a good human.
You treat other people the wayyou wanted to be treated and.
(32:21):
So I think I have to remindmyself honestly on a daily basis
to just be okay with sometimesyou're not gonna get it all done
and it's okay to just take abreath and know that you have
tomorrow and just take it day byday because it's just those
daily disciplines will add up,but sometimes they're not always
gonna be checked off, and that'sokay.
It's great advice.
(32:41):
I wish somebody would've gave itto me at 26 when I started
coaching.
Last one.
If your players described you inone word.
What do you hope they would say?
Oh man, I'd hope they'd say I'mgonna, they're gonna laugh at
this, but I have this it'sactually two words.
It's this acronym.
I just say one mode.
(33:02):
I have one mode.
And when I really, I when theythink of me, I want them to
know, like I'm just in it.
I'm like engaged.
I'm in it.
I'm consistent.
I want to be that person forthem whenever they need to text
or call.
I may not have all the advice orthe answers, but I'll be there
for them.
And I just have one mode andthat's just to, to be all in and
(33:24):
do it outta love and lead withlove and yeah, be the best
version of myself and help themdo the same for them.
The best advice I ever giveparents is to use the phrase, I
got your back.
And that's you got yourchildren's back, you got your
players back, you got yourcoaches' back, and it's just so
important that when families arelooking for schools you find
that person that can genuinelysay, I got your back.
(33:46):
Yeah.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
So I love that about you, coach,and I'm so thankful we got to
talk, so thankful.
We got to know each other.
We have mutual friends, so Ihope I, you don't mind if I call
you a friend?
Yeah, 100%.
For anybody that's listening,come back on Monday'cause we're
gonna talk recruiting with coachG.
Thanks, coach.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
(34:06):
That's a wrap on this week'sepisode.
I hope you enjoyed thisconversation with Coach Gina
Oaks Garcia.
As much as I did her journeythrough every level of college
softball and back to where itall began at Cal State
Fullerton, it's a happy reminderthat you can go home again.
And Coach G has proven in justone year that is exactly where
(34:27):
she's supposed to be.
If today's episode challenged orencouraged you, take a moment to
like, share and subscribe to theSignificant Coaching Podcast.
And don't forget to subscribe toour weekly
newsletter@coachmattrogers.com.
It's packed with insights forcoaches, athletes, and parents
who are looking for direction,motivation, and a practical
approach to their goals.
(34:48):
While you're there, you can graba copy of significant Recruiting
and the Softball RecruitsJournal.
Enroll in the significantRecruiting Launchpad classes, or
schedule a one-on-one strategysession with me.
Hey, thanks for listening, andmake sure to come back next
week.
We've got another great guestlined up and more real
conversations to help you leadwith clarity, courage, and
(35:09):
significance.
We'll see you next time.
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