Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
Episode: "What I See as a College Softball Coach and the Dad of the #1 Prospect in Baseball"
Guest: Kevin Griffin
Date: December 17, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Matt Hannaford sits down with Kevin Griffin—head softball coach at Belhaven University and the father of Connor Griffin, the #1 prospect in minor league baseball. The conversation offers parents, coaches, and athletes a rare, candid look into youth and college sports from both the coaching and parenting perspectives. Key themes include the evolving landscape of college recruiting, fostering healthy development in young athletes, and the realities of navigating sports as both a coach and parent at the highest amateur levels.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Kevin Griffin’s Background and Coaching Philosophy
- From player to coach: Kevin details his journey from playing multiple sports and semi-pro baseball to a long, fulfilling coaching career in both basketball and softball.
- “You can do something that you love, be around the sport every single day and you can impact lives of young people.” (02:14)
- On connecting with athletes: Successful coaching requires patience and personalized leadership.
- “I really believe you can't treat everyone the same... Every player is different. Their clock ticks differently.” (03:40)
- As a parent-coach: Griffin reflects on the importance of not forcing children into a sport just because the parent loves it.
- “They can't feel like that the sport's being pushed down their throat... Just let it come naturally.” (05:25)
Encouragement for Multi-Sport Participation
- Both Matt and Kevin underline the dangers of early sports specialization and burnout.
- Coaches and scouts alike agree that playing multiple sports improves athlete development.
- “When you have somebody...they show up now and it's like, it's fresh...they haven't been doing the same exact thing for...year after year.” (08:54)
Evolution of Softball and College Recruiting
- Rise of travel ball and expanded opportunities in Mississippi, but local recruiting and junior college transfers remain critical at Belhaven.
- Myth-busting the scholarship process:
- Many parents believe Division III schools offer little financial support, but academic scholarships can be even more generous than athletic.
- “Just because it's Division 3 and it's non athletic scholarship, you're still able to get really good money...” (19:26)
- Advice on recruiting: Don't limit your options by division label—good and bad programs exist at all levels. (13:07)
The Impact of NIL and the Changing Business of College Sports
- Kevin laments how monetary incentives like NIL have changed athletes’ and coaches’ motivations, sometimes for the worse.
- “People are no longer going to schools because they love that school...they're going because of a school that can give them the most money.” (15:52)
- Matt and Kevin discuss the double standards faced by coaches and players when making career moves (e.g., Lane Kiffin’s transfer).
- “Coaches are supposed to be more mature...If you're in coaching for the kids, you know, be there for the kids.” (24:51)
True Athlete Development: Pacing and Priorities
- On youth progression: The best athletes are allowed to grow at their own pace, not rushed through the system or overexposed in showcases.
- “We didn’t chase the exposures...I refuse to spend money to go to those things for people to tell me what I already knew.” (33:57)
- Kevin’s guidance: Let kids be kids as long as possible. Only get serious about recruiting during 10th or 11th grade.
- “Let them be a kid as long as they can be a kid is my best advice.” (21:37, 23:16)
- On commitment age: The vast majority of players who commit at 13 aren’t still with their original school five years later. (24:18)
Lessons from Parenting the #1 Baseball Prospect
- The Griffin family prioritized slow progression, limited travel, and enjoyment.
- “We did everything on our timeline. We didn’t let college coaches dictate our timeline and force him into committing.” (35:10)
- Connor excelled by playing in his own age group longer, then gradually moving up.
- “We let him stay in his own age group...he played up with his brother...and not experience success. He may not even love the game.” (43:30)
- Key developmental leap acknowledged as late as junior year of high school.
- “At 10 years old we weren't thinking anything...His junior year when we started getting, you know, emails and calls from the scouting industry...” (38:54)
- Managing high-pressure recruiting windows: Reclassing (skipping a year) to relieve recruiting pressures and allow Connor to experience college visits sooner. (36:42)
- Navigating tough choices such as MLB draft vs. college, with LSU's Jay Johnson lauded for integrity and honest communication. (53:12)
Emphasis on Practice and True Development Over Showcase Hype
- Overexposure can backfire—development and practice should come first.
- “People practice not enough these days. They play too much. Like, you go play all these travel ball tournaments. You may play 70 games in a summer, you may practice five times.” (30:12)
- Exposure should follow—not precede—actual growth and preparedness.
- “You go to too many exposures and you get exposed.” (30:27)
Dealing with Failure, Criticism, and Social Media
- Failure is a crucial part of athletic development, especially at higher levels.
- Connor struggled with failure (injury, poor event performance), but rebounded by trusting his process—making him more resilient.
- “He experienced that failure and then it just made him better...he had to bite his lip.” (44:50–48:50)
- On digital negativity: Social media can both promote and undermine, and young athletes must develop mental fortitude to ignore the noise. (49:38–50:24)
Wrap-Up Advice: Relationships & Communication
- Foundational advice: Let kids enjoy their path; they care more about pleasing their parents than anyone else.
- “Your kid is trying to please you more than any other person ...you’ll have a better relationship with your kid because of how you'll respond to their success and their failure.” (62:06)
- Matt reinforces the need for open conversations rather than one-sided expectations. (63:03)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Coaching Philosophy
- “Do things for a cause, not for applause.” — Kevin Griffin (27:28)
- “I'm not coaching to win that big game and get a pat on the back. I coach for a cause.” (28:39)
On Parenting & Athlete Development
- “Don't force it down their throat. That's when they'll just run away from the game.” — Griffin (05:32)
- “Let them be a kid as long as they can be a kid is my best advice.” (23:37)
- “If your sole focus is exposure, you're going to go to an event and you are going to get overexposed.” — Hannaford echoing industry consensus (32:14)
On College Sports, NIL, and Business Shifts
- “People are no longer going to schools because they love that school...they're going because of a school that can give them the most money.” — Griffin (15:52)
- “Coaches are supposed to be more mature...the kid is not supposed to be the most mature person.” — Griffin on coaching exits (24:51)
On Failure and Growth
- “He experienced that failure, and then it just made him better because from that point forward, I don't know that he really experienced any failure the remainder of the minor league season...So he had to experience that failure to finally experience success.” — Griffin on Connor’s shoulder injury and the adversity it sparked (44:50–48:50)
On Youth Sports Culture
- “Walk up music at travel ball tournaments. There's no need.” — Griffin’s pick for what to outlaw in youth sports (60:03)
Rapid-Fire Q&A Highlights (57:46–61:55)
Q: One thing parents should stop doing at games?
- “Stop coaching your kids from the stands and...stop comparing to other kids. Just let them be a kid.” (57:55)
Q: Red flag in a recruit?
- “Fast body language, how they respond to situations, if they let it show on their face or not.” (58:20)
Q: Harder to coach: talent or attitude?
- “Attitude for sure. Especially if it's a bad attitude...You might as well just cut them loose.” (58:34)
Q: Biggest coaching pet peeve?
- “A player that just walks onto the field and doesn't sprint to their position.” (58:54)
Q: Best trait for a teammate?
- “Players that lead from within by example, you're going to have better teams because of that.” (59:32)
Q: Outlaw a youth sports trend?
- “Walk up music at travel ball tournaments.” (60:03)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Kevin’s bio and path to coaching: 00:12–01:54
- Essential coaching traits & personalized leadership: 02:13–04:26
- Advice for sport parent-coaches: 04:43–06:56
- On multi-sport participation and burnout: 06:56–09:38
- Softball recruiting and travel scene: 11:49–14:50
- NIL and the changing business of college sports: 15:52–18:25
- Divisions and scholarships myth-busting: 19:26–21:08
- Recommendations for kids 10–16: 21:32–36:26
- Parenting the #1 prospect — development journey: 36:26–41:42
- Dealing with failure, injury, and criticism: 44:50–48:50
- In-home MLB draft visit logistics: 51:03–52:18
- Final advice on relationships and expectations: 62:06–66:09
Further Resources Mentioned
- Clint Hurdle’s new book, "Hurdle-isms" (66:59)
- Walter Beatty's podcast, BD Baseball
- Matt Antonelli’s YouTube channel
Final Takeaways
- Let your child’s love for the sport drive their journey—not your ambition or the lure of exposure.
- The best athletes, and future professionals, often develop on their own timelines, supported by parents and coaches who emphasize health, patience, and fun.
- College athletics is more complex and business-driven than ever, but prioritizing good relationships, deliberate practice, and open communication lays the groundwork for lifelong success on and off the field.
Contact for Coach Griffin:
- Email: KGriffin@belhaven.edu (one L in Belhaven)
Summary prepared for listeners seeking the full scope, depth, and actionable insights from one of youth sports’ most candid conversations on talent development, college recruiting, and the real experience of raising and coaching an elite player.