The Arkansas Skipper opens up about heading into his 22nd season at Arkansas, why he still loves coaching, and soon becoming a granddad.

FAYETTEVILLE, AR (KNWA)- As the 22nd season is upon him, Arkansas Head Baseball Coach Dave Van Horn approaches it like he does every other start to the year.

“Probably more than anything. It’s just it’s new. It’s new season. It’s new team,” Says Van Horn, “There’s a lot of expectation We do have good talent. Obviously, we need to keep them fresh and healthy and, you know, in some cases happy. So it’s it’s always it’s always something. But it’s just kind of the way it is for me.”

College Baseball has changed a lot since he took over for Norm DeBriyn in 2002. Now, in the world of NIL and the Transfer Portal, it’s easily possible to let it all overwhelm you.

Van Horn gives himself time to get away from the game and still gets his hands dirty with the coaching side of things.

“I like to coach players. I like to coach baserunning and infield play and just the common sense of the game. It’s what I’m always talking to these guys about is have some feel, you got to be able to do things, you know, spontaneously because you know what you’re doing. You don’t have to ask what to do all the time,” adds Van Horn, “I do like to get out there, get with them, and I love working with the infielders.”

WATCH: Dave Van Horn previews 2024 Arkansas baseball season

It’s tough love, what Van Horn still jokes is the “old school” aspect of his coaching style, that has helped grow the young men and athletes who have come through the program.

He also has the support of his family. His wife Karen and two daughter Hollan and Mariel have been there every step of the way. That family is about to grow, by three, marking the start of “grandfather-hood” for the Arkansas Skipper.

Grandpa Van Horn has a surprising Monday at Arkansas’ Fall Baseball World Series

“We got the call. Hey, we’re going to come talk to you,” remembers Van Horn, “Hey, we’re pregnant. And that was on a Wednesday. But by the next Monday, that had turned to three. Triplets. All natural. Mind-blowing, honestly, life changing. So we have that coming down the road.”