On this episode of Tablesetters, we’re joined by Campbell University Head Baseball Coach Chris Marx for an in-depth look at his first season at the helm of the Fightin’ Camels. With a strong start to the 2025 campaign—including statement wins over East Carolina and a thrilling victory against Duke—Coach Marx breaks down what he’s seen from his team so far, the adjustments they’re making, and what lies ahead for Campbell this season.

Coach Marx’s journey to this role has taken him through various stops in college baseball, including stints as a pitching coach, hitting coach, and recruiting coordinator. We discuss his return to Campbell, where he previously served as an assistant, and how his time away prepared him for this opportunity. He also reflects on his long-standing relationship with former Campbell coach Justin Haire, now leading Ohio State, and how their connection has shaped his coaching philosophy.

The Fightin’ Camels kicked off 2025 with a challenging road series against top-25 UC Santa Barbara before settling into their home schedule, highlighted by their recent upset of Duke. Coach Marx details how his team executed against the Blue Devils, what aspects of their game have been most promising, and where they need to improve to reach their full potential. With Campbell now competing in the CAA after years of dominance in the Big South, he discusses the biggest differences in competition and what it will take to thrive in their new conference.

Campbell has embraced the "Nobodies from Nowhere" mentality, proving year after year that they can compete with the best despite not being a traditional baseball powerhouse. Recruiting is always a battle, and Campbell finds itself in a talent-rich but highly competitive region. We dive into what sets the program apart, how they’ve expanded their recruiting footprint across the country, and the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on mid-major programs. Plus, we get Coach Marx’s thoughts on the ongoing evolution of college baseball, including potential rule changes and the recent controversy in the Stetson vs. Florida game involving the first base safety bag.

Campbell made history in 2024 with five former players appearing in MLB games—Cedric Mullins, Zach Neto, Ryan Thompson, Allan Winans, and Seth Johnson. Coach Marx shares his insights on what that MLB presence means for recruiting and which current Fightin’ Camels have the potential to follow in their footsteps. We take a closer look at Dalen Thompson, a dynamic talent with power and speed who has already impressed early this season.

As a former pitching coach, Coach Marx also weighs in on the alarming rise in elbow injuries across the sport, discussing the balance between player development and arm health. We wrap up the conversation with a fun debate on the best team names in college sports (besides the Fightin’ Camels, of course) before Coach Marx gives his picks for the Mount Rushmore of Campbell University Athletics.

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Welcome to Episode 64 of Tablesetters! We’ve got a special one today as Cole Wright, studio host for Marquee Sports Network, joins us to break down the Cubs’ 2025 season, the state of the NL Central, and a long-overdue moment in franchise history.

We kick things off with a deep dive into the Cubs’ season opener in Tokyo against the Dodgers—a global spectacle featuring Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki’s return to Japan. Cole shares his thoughts on the significance of this international showdown and how it could set the tone for the Cubs’ season.

From there, we analyze what needs to go right for the Cubs to push into playoff contention after falling just short last season. We discuss the impact of Kyle Tucker’s one-year deal, Cody Bellinger’s departure, and how their stacked farm system—headlined by Matt Shaw, Cade Horton, and Owen Caissie—fits into the team’s long-term plans.

We also get into some of the biggest question marks for 2025, including the Cubs’ ongoing third base situation, Justin Turner’s veteran presence, and how close they really were to landing Alex Bregman. Plus, we break down the pitching staff, the closer role, and what Pete Crow-Armstrong needs to do in his first full MLB season. And with Craig Counsell at the helm, how will his leadership shape the team’s identity moving forward?

Of course, we can’t talk Cubs history without touching on one of its most talked about figures—Sammy Sosa. After years of uncertainty, the franchise is finally embracing one of its all-time greats. We reflect on what this moment means for Cubs fans, Sosa’s legacy, and how Cole sees his place in the team’s history.

Join us for an insightful and lively conversation, and be sure to follow Tablesetters on Instagram and X @TableSettersPod for more exclusive content. Enjoy the episode!

Welcome to Episode 63 of Tablesetters! University of Delaware Head Baseball Coach Greg Mamula joins us for an in-depth conversation about the state of college baseball and the evolution of UD’s program. Now in his third season leading the Fightin’ Blue Hens, Coach Mamula reflects on his coaching journey, Delaware’s recent success, and the transition from the CAA to Conference USA.

Coach Mamula is just the fourth head coach in Fightin’ Blue Hens baseball history. We discuss his path to the position, his previous stops, and what it means to lead this program. Delaware posted its best record since 2017 last season, finishing 31-26 overall and 15-9 in the CAA while making a deep run in the conference tournament. He shares what led to last year’s success and how they plan to build on it.

The Fightin’ Blue Hens opened this season with a tough series at FAU, followed by a postponed matchup with Maryland. With another Florida series ahead against FIU, Coach Mamula explains how he’s keeping his team focused and what excites him most about this year’s roster.

Delaware is set to leave the CAA at the end of the season and transition to Conference USA. Coach Mamula details how the move came about, what changes it will bring, and how it affects recruiting, scheduling, and competition. Recruiting is always a challenge, especially for a northern school competing against powerhouse programs in the South. We ask what Delaware’s biggest selling points are for attracting top talent and how they navigate those challenges.

Delaware has long been known for its offensive firepower, but Coach Mamula has emphasized pitching development since taking over. He shares his approach to building a more complete team on both sides of the ball. We also get his thoughts on the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, how those factors have reshaped college baseball, and whether mid-majors are at a growing disadvantage.

If given the power to change anything about college baseball, what would he tweak? Whether it’s rules, scheduling, recruiting, or the presentation of the game, we get his take on the sport’s evolution. As a former pitching coach, he also weighs in on the rising number of arm injuries and how programs can better balance player development with long-term health.

With MLB prospects making the jump to the big leagues faster than ever, does college baseball deserve more credit for preparing them? We discuss how the college game has influenced professional development and what trends could continue.

We also take a look at the University of Delaware’s deep connections to pro baseball. Blue Jays manager John Schneider is a former UD catcher, and alumni like Chad Kuhl, Ron Marinaccio, Brandon Walter, and James Meeker have made their mark in the pros. Coach Mamula shares his relationships with UD’s MLB connections and his experience coaching future major leaguers like Ian Happ, Nolan Schanuel, and Joey Wendle.

Finally, we wrap up with a Mount Rushmore of University of Delaware Athletics, where Coach Mamula gives his picks for the most influential figures in UD sports history.

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