About Us
ZACK MATTHEWS
With more than 20 years of experience in hitting and fielding instruction and 20 years as a head coach, Zack Matthews brings a proven, athlete-first approach to player development. He works with athletes of all ages and skill levels, helping each player build strong fundamentals, confidence, and the tools to take their game to the next level.
Throughout his career, Zack has trained and mentored athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels, including more than 200 high school hitters who advanced to college baseball and 15 players who were drafted out of high school or college. His approach is built on a combination of technical instruction, real-world playing experience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to develop as a complete hitter and athlete.
Zack has also had the opportunity to train alongside and learn from respected leaders throughout the game, including Mike Brumley, Scott Coolbaugh, Robbie Wine, John Farrell, Tom Holliday, Scott Malone, and Mike Bard. He brings that knowledge into every training session, tailoring instruction to the individual athlete and focusing on sustainable development rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
A former collegiate athlete, Zack played at Oklahoma State University, Howard Junior College, and The University of Texas at Arlington before being selected in the 49th round of the MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels.
A four-sport high school athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track, Zack earned All-Region honors as a free safety, was named a Texas All-State outfielder, and qualified twice for the State Mile Relay.
Today, Zack is passionate about helping athletes discover what they are capable of and giving them the skills, confidence, and competitive mindset to reach their goals both on and off the field.
JON LIEBER
Jon Lieber brings high-level playing experience, sports science education, and a passion for developing confident, complete hitters to The Athlete DFW. A two-time New York Yankees draftee, Jon earned All-District honors in high school and All-American recognition at Navarro College before continuing his collegiate career at the University of South Carolina and Texas State University.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science and firsthand experience competing at a high level, Jon understands that great hitting is about more than just mechanics. He works with athletes to develop a fundamentally sound swing while building consistency, confidence, timing, plate discipline, and the mental approach needed to succeed at the plate.
Jon’s goal is to help each athlete understand their swing, identify opportunities for improvement, and build the skills and confidence to perform when it matters most. Through individualized hitting instruction and a player-focused approach, he helps athletes maximize their potential and take their game to the next level, both on and off the field.
CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
Christian brings eight years of experience as both a player and instructor, with a strong background in competitive baseball and athlete development. A four-year letterman at South Grand Prairie High School, he earned Dallas Morning News / SportsDayHS Baseball Player of the Week honors as a senior and competed nationally with the Dallas Tigers (Perfect Game National Champions, 2015) and Academy Select Sun Devils.
Christian played Division I baseball at the University of the Incarnate Word, contributing at multiple positions across the infield, outfield, and designated hitter. During his sophomore season, he was part of one of the most successful Division I seasons in program history, competing against several Power 5 programs.
As an instructor, Christian specializes in developing confident, aggressive athletes, emphasizing late eye contact, quick and efficient movement, and strong defensive instincts. He has trained alongside and been mentored by respected leaders in the game, including Zack Matthews, James Vilade, Mike Brumley, Logan Brumley, and Patrick Hallmark.
A Grand Prairie, Texas native, Christian holds a General Business degree from the University of North Texas. He currently serves as a Learning Lab Teacher and Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy, where he is the hitting and infielders coach. Entering his fifth season, the program has compiled a 103–16–3 record and won the TAPPS Division I State Championship in 2022.
Christian is committed to developing complete baseball players—on and off the field—while continuing to coach at a high level.
CLARK SPRINGS
Clark Springs is a collegiate baseball player at The University of Texas at Arlington, competing at the NCAA Division I level. A highly accomplished catcher and versatile offensive player, Clark brings firsthand experience competing at a high level and a strong understanding of the preparation, discipline, and mindset required to succeed on the field.
Before continuing his collegiate career at UTA, Clark was a two-time First Team All-District catcher and a two-time State Champion. He was named State Championship MVP and holds the record for most hits in a single State playoff game. He also earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a designated hitter at the junior college level.
As an instructor, Clark focuses on helping athletes develop both behind the plate and in the batter’s box. His catching instruction emphasizes receiving, blocking, throwing, footwork, transfer mechanics, and game awareness, while his hitting instruction focuses on swing mechanics, approach, consistency, and confidence at the plate. Clark tailors each lesson to the athlete’s age, skill level, and goals, emphasizing strong fundamentals and helping players understand the purpose behind each adjustment.
Clark takes an encouraging and competitive approach to instruction and enjoys helping young athletes become more confident, disciplined, and complete baseball players.