The Dad Coach

How to Lead Kids to Succeed On and Off the Baseball Field

By: Mike Matheny, Jerry B. Jenkins

Narrated by: Mike Matheny

The New York Times bestselling author of The Matheny Manifesto offers the definitive guide to coaching youth baseball and instilling positive values on and off the field.

Long before he became manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, Mike Matheny grasped the core values of what really mattered when it came to playing baseball. It wasn’t attention from fans or the trophy at the end of a season that guided his morals, but the hard-won discipline, labor, and humility that he incorporated into every game he played. Now, in The Dad Coach, Matheny puts his philosophy into action and provides a step-by-step template for coaches and parents to develop solid fundamentals and a strong sense of character in their players, including:

• Age-specific drills and exercises to develop skills, along with practice plans to help young ballplayers improve
• Game preparation and evaluation techniques to help coaches stay on track and keep kids engaged
• Advice on making coaching a meaningful experience and investment of time
• More than seventy QR codes leading to instructional videos featuring Matheny and other Dad Coach advocates

Drawing on Matheny’s playing and coaching expertise at every level of the game, The Dad Coach is an engaging and essential resource for anyone, regardless of experience, who wants to coach their players to success in baseball and life.


* This audiobook edition including a downloadable PDF of links to instructional videos, tips and resources to help you be the best coach you can be!

Critic reviews

“I wish every coach, at every level of the game, would read The Dad Coach. Mike Matheny sees life and the game pretty much the same way, and applying this book will definitely improve you and your players on and off the field. It has helped me solidify my coaching style.”—Willie McGee, four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series champion, assistant coach, St. Louis Cardinals

“There are few men who care more about the game of baseball and how it’s played than Mike Matheny. The Dad Coach is a valuable resource for players, parents, and coaches, and it’s packed with great advice from some of the game’s most respected names. A page-turner for anyone who strives to play the game the right way—with passion and respect.”—Jim Thome, five-time Major League Baseball All-Star

“I would endorse anything Mike Matheny writes because he’s been such an incredible mentor. He’s not only a great man but also a brilliant teacher of baseball with the mindset to go along with the skill. My time with Mike benefited both my faith and my baseball career. I’d like to invite you into a similar experience.”—Matt Holliday, seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series Champion

“I have witnessed, firsthand, Mike’s respect for and commitment to those entrusted to his care in baseball and in life. You will see that same passion in this book. In typical Mike fashion, The Dad Coach is as much about character building as it is about skill building. It is a great read for those dads leaning in to help with young players.”—John Mabry, retired baseball outfielder and analyst

“Mike Matheny is a born leader, and if you’re not blessed to have him as a coach and mentor, then The Dad Coach is the next best thing. His first book, The Matheny Manifesto, was a tremendous guide for all to follow in baseball and in life. The Dad Coach is an amazing read and illustrates what it takes to be the ultimate competitor. The lessons and the stories can help any player approach how the game should be played. Mike does everything with passion and class, and that’s the perfect reflection of who he is.”—John Boggs, baseball agent

The title says it

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for putting together such a complete guide to coaching. Creating better coaches will create better baseball players and then men. Well done.

Best coaching book I’ve found

I got roped in to help coaching my daughter’s 10u softball team this spring. I’ve read everything and watched about 1000 YouTube videos trying to learn how to be a good coach. This is the best resource I’ve found. Great info on drills, the mental approach, how to set up practice, how to deal with parents, how to read your kids, how to talk to the kids, how to set up your team lineup, and how to keep your cool. Tons of videos showing you how to actually do it. This book put a lot of stuff in perspective about what’s actually important when coaching kids from 6-12 years old.

The Ultimate Playbook for Parents: Leadership, Character, and Coaching with Mike Matheny

After reading both The Matheny Manifesto and The Dad Coach, I had incredibly high expectations for this audiobook—and Mike Matheny absolutely exceeded them. His insights on leadership, parenthood, and coaching are more than just advice; they’re a blueprint for shaping young athletes into strong, resilient, and principled individuals.

Hearing Matheny’s words in the audiobook format made the experience even more impactful. His passion, integrity, and wisdom come through in a way that feels personal and inspiring. He doesn’t just focus on winning games—he emphasizes building character, instilling values, and leading with purpose.

What sets The Dad Coach apart is how it challenges and motivates you, whether you’re a parent, a coach, or a mentor. Matheny’s no-nonsense yet deeply compassionate approach is exactly what youth sports—and today’s young athletes—need. This audiobook reinforced and expanded on everything I loved about his first book, and I found myself taking notes and reflecting on how I can apply his principles in my own life.

If you want to be a better parent, coach, or leader, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen. Mike Matheny has once again delivered a powerful, transformative message. Highly, highly recommended!

GREAT BOOK

I think every parent of a young athlete should read this book, even if they are not coaching.