Behind every championship team or star athlete stands the unmistakable influence of a great coach. They hold the power to transform teams, shatter expectations and shape the lives of the people they lead.
From diamond to dugout, Clay VanderLaan has always had baseball flowing through his veins. But what makes Houston Christian University’s Head Baseball Coach legendary is his ability to turn a last-place program into conference contenders, his contagious passion for the art of baseball and his rock-n-roll spirit that resonates far beyond the field.
VanderLaan’s baseball journey began with his father, a dedicated Detroit Tigers fan, who passed his love for the sport down to his son. While many young players dream of going pro, VanderLaan found his passion in the dugout.
“My biggest dream has always been to be a Division One Head Coach,” he shares proudly.
That dream has become a reality at HCU, where VanderLaan has orchestrated the most remarkable turnaround in program history.
Taking over a team that had finished last in the Southland Conference for three consecutive years, VanderLaan fully embraced the challenge, expectations and all.
He remembers thinking, “Let’s use this to our advantage. No one believes in us, no one thinks we can do it.”
That underdog mentality has fueled a truly incredible transformation with the Huskies now nearing the top of the Southland Conference.
VanderLaan’s approach to coaching has been shaped by some pretty unique experiences, from taking over a college program mid-season to building an entirely new program from the ground up. But most surprisingly, his coaching philosophy draws from his time as a collegiate football player at Graceland University following his collegiate baseball career at Michigan State University.
“Baseball has been one of the worst practice sports,” he observes. “Practice was so much easier than the game.”
Taking cues from football coaching, VanderLaan structures his practices with precision, timed segments, clear transitions and most importantly, game-level intensity.
In an effort to completely rebuild the HCU baseball program, VanderLaan’s coaching philosophy consists of three main points: Passion, Commitment and Balance.
“If you’re not passionate as a coach, if you’re not excited when you come to work every day and the guys don’t feel that, it’s never going to trickle down,” he says.
VanderLaan emphasizes the importance of building both the skill and, more importantly, the character of the men he coaches. His commitment to creating well-rounded players is evident in the team’s annual service project at Avondale House, a local community center for children and adults with disabilities.
VanderLaan’s passion for music is another defining aspect of his personality. A self-proclaimed “music nerd,” he plays guitar and bass and has an eclectic taste that includes bands like Taking Back Sunday, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster and his all-time favorite, the Beatles.
His love for music even extends into his coaching style.
“Once a week, I play the music for practice,” he laughs, “The boys hate it cause they never know a single song,” he admits. “But that one day is my favorite practice day of the week.”
Before his full-time commitment to baseball, VanderLaan even tried his hand in the music industry as a bassist in a band that once caught the attention of the famous rock band, Coldplay!
“I was in a band for a long time,” he recalls. “There was a time when I almost quit baseball to go into music!”
Though he ultimately followed his heart into the sport he loved, VanderLaan carries a magnetic, rock-star energy in everything he does.
Nothing has shaped VanderLaan more profoundly than fatherhood. With three children, two daughters Stella and Hattie, ages 5 and 3 and an 8-month-old son, his home life is just as vibrant as his dugout.
“The person I was at 29 versus the person I became at 30 is a completely different human being, and I thank God every day for giving me those kids,” he reflects.
A profound perspective shift came through personal tragedy when VanderLaan and his wife lost their first son, Ace.
“It was the worst experience of my whole life, but also the biggest learning experience ever,” he shares. “It put a lot into perspective… The things I stress about on a day-to-day basis are really not that big of a deal.”
The family later welcomed their rainbow baby boy, Britt, completing their household of five.
When asked about his legacy, VanderLaan looks beyond conference standings, hoping to be remembered not for wins and losses, but for the lasting impact he had on the lives he touched.
“I’ll judge my career off wedding invitations and baby announcements,” he says.
VanderLaan’s dedication and respect for baseball tradition will also be a part of the legacy he is building.
“I have a deep respect for the game of baseball, and there’s a lot of tradition that comes with it,” he emphasizes.
One of the ways VanderLaan combats modern baseball culture is by handwriting all his lineup and dugout cards in cursive.
“I actually studied calligraphy at home to make the cursive on our lineup cards as good as possible,” he reveals.
But he also believes HCU can become a long-standing powerhouse.
“We are in the best recruiting area in the country,” he explains, referring to the abundance of talent in Houston. “There is no reason why this place can’t be a consistent winner.”
As for his coaching future, being able to work close to home, where his parents can attend games and support him, is a dream come true.
“I’d love to stay here and retire here,” he says.
As VanderLaan continues to shape the future of HCU baseball, his philosophy of hard work and passion remains at the forefront.
Whether it’s on the field, in the dugout, or in his personal life, VanderLaan’s commitment to his family, faith and the game is unwavering. His dynamic character, deep love for baseball and his six-string heartbeat make him a coach unlike any other. Clay VanderLaan is truly a game changer!
