On the Sports Clock Tyler Onstott

Coach Bill Rowe, no stranger to Southwest Missouri joins me on my latest episode. Coach Rowe is a Missouri Sports Hall of Famer and served as Head Baseball Coach at SMS/MSU from 1962-1982 and then as their Director of Athletics from 1982-2009. We talk about job duties as an athletic director, hiring coaches like Steve Alford and Barry Hinson, the 2003 College Baseball World Series run, his tenure as both a Coach and AD and remanence about my time at MSU and how much of an influence him and his family have been on me. 

For our first episode of 2023 and my first episode coming to you from the suburbs of New York City in Carteret, New Jersey, I am pleased to be joined by SMU Assistant Basketball coach Chris Kreider. Chris and I got to know each other from his time at George Mason when I would work basketball camps at GMU every Summer during college. We talk about that, his other coaching stops, the current season at SMU, and his time working under legendary college basketball coach Paul Hewitt at both Georgia Tech and George Mason. 

Here is Chris's full bio (Courtesy of SMU Athletics Department):

Chris Kreider was named an assistant coach by Head Coach Rob Lanier in April of 2022. Kreider brings 20 years of coaching experience to the Hilltop, including the past three seasons as an assistant coach for Lanier at Georgia State.

In his three seasons at Georgia State, the Panthers went 53-30, winning the Sun Belt Tournament in 2022 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers also made the Sun Belt Tournament final in 2021. Additionally, he led GSU to a victory over Georgia Tech, the program’s first win over an ACC opponent. The Panthers also claimed the 2019-20 2K Empire Classic Riverside Regional.

He was previously at Rice from 2017-19, where he helped recruit classes ranked fourth (2018) and third (2019) in C-USA according to 247 Sports. Guard Chris Mullins was named to the 2018-19 C-USA All-Freshman Team by both the league’s head coaches and media. Additionally, eight Owls were named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in each of his two seasons on staff. Guard Connor Cashaw capped his junior campaign in 2017-18 earning a spot on the C-USA All-Academic Team. 

Prior to his tenure at Rice, Kreider spent two seasons (2015-17) at Virginia Military Institute, serving as the recruiting coordinator and post coach. Kreider’s career also includes four seasons at George Mason (2011-15), where he helped the Patriots to a pair of 20-plus win seasons and a run to the CBI championship series in 2012 before the program transitioned to the Atlantic 10 in 2012-13. The 2011 incoming class was ranked the No. 10 mid-major class by ESPN.com before the Patriots inked one of the top recruiting classes in the A-10 in 2014.

Kreider also held the role of recruiting coordinator during his two-year stay at Georgia Southern from 2009-11. Prior to his stop in Statesboro, Kreider served at Georgia Tech from 2007-09. While with the Yellow Jackets, he held positions as an administrative assistant and volunteer assistant coach.

From 2006-07, Kreider was an assistant coach at USC Aiken after working three years at St. Francis High School where he held head coaching positions for the men and women’s basketball teams (2003-04 assistant; 2004-05 women’s coach; 2005-06 men’s coach). He got his start in coaching as an assistant coach at the University of Great Falls in 2002-03.

A collegiate letterwinner, Kreider started as a small forward at three colleges, playing one year at Mansfield University before transferring to Grove City College (Pa.). In his junior season, Kreider led the Wolverines in scoring (12.3 ppg) and steals (52). He finished his playing and academic career at Lebanon Valley College, earning a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish in 2003.

Kreider is married to the former Heather Akers of Atlanta, Ga. The couple have a daughter, Livia.

“Simply put, he is one of the best in the business. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some very good coaches and Chris is one of the absolute best. He checks every box. He’s a great recruiter, an excellent teacher and he is committed to the development of young people. He is a true professional and deserves to be a head coach someday.” - Head Coach Rob Lanier

In our first episode of 2022, I am joined by former head men's basketball coach Barry Hinson. Coach Hinson was the head coach at Oral Roberts University, Missouri State University, and Southern Illinois University. He has also spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas, working under Bill Self. Currently, he is a basketball analyst for Oklahoma State University. We talk everything from his career path, his time at SMS/MSU very extensively, and of course BBQ. 

I am joined today by Willard, Missouri Baseball Coach Scott McGee. Coach McGee led Willard Baseball to its first ever state title and first ever state title in school history in boys sports this year. We talk about the state title run, how the program has grown over the years, reflect back on stories from my time managing under him, and of course end with "Tyler's 5". 

What an awesome episode! Former New York Mets and Chicago Cubs Pitcher Ed Lynch, who also went on to be the GM for the Cubs, joins me with former Cubs Director of Media Relations, Sharon Pannozzo. We talk everything from their background working in sports, Wrigley Field, the 1998 Home Run Chase and Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game, what they are doing now, and they give advice to those looking to get into sports. 

Chip Caray joins me on my podcast. Chip is the former Orlando Magic and Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer. He is the grandson of Harry Caray and currently is the Atlanta Braves play-by-play broadcaster. 

Chip talks about growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, his time studying at the University of Georgia, his play-by-play stints and gives us a preview of the Braves baseball season. As always, we end with "Tyler's 5"-you won't want to miss that part either!