Half Moon Bay AD Mike Barragan on Small-Town Athletics, Multi-Sport Development, and Building Sportsmanship

About this episode

Mike Barragan discusses his journey in athletics and coaching, emphasizing multi-sport participation and sportsmanship.

On the Contacts Coaching Podcast, Half Moon Bay athletic director Mike Barragan shares his path from being an undersized multi-sport athlete to coaching Little League, high school baseball (including at South San Francisco High), and eventually becoming AD in his hometown. He discusses lessons from varied sports and jobs (restaurants, construction, special education), the value of sociology for empathy and reading people, and why he strongly promotes multi-sport participation—especially at small schools where rosters and program health depend on it. Barragan describes navigating relationships with alumni coaches and parents, balancing what’s best for individual athletes versus the program, and using team culture practices like bonding meals. He also explains recent focus on improving sportsmanship amid growing trash talk and social media-driven behavior at games. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:45 Mike’s Sports Roots 04:43 Tony Gwynn Moment 05:15 First Coaching Break 06:57 Hometown Coaching Drama 08:48 Carlmont Reality Check 10:51 Teaching and Varsity Leap 14:38 Back to Half Moon Bay 15:00 Becoming Athletic Director 16:59 San Diego Detour 20:49 Life Skills and Empathy 23:08 Multi Sport…

People in this episode

Host: Justin Clymo

Guest: Mike Barragan

Topics covered

• small-town athletics
• multi-sport development
• sportsmanship
• coaching
• athletic director
• team culture

Keywords

• athletics
• coaching
• sportsmanship
• multi-sport
• team culture
• empathy
• small schools

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Half Moon Bay, South San Francisco High, Little League, Carlmont, San Diego

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