By Christy K. Truitt
Former Auburn University and professional baseball pitcher, Mark Fuller did not grow up longing to be a published author. In fact, the misguided identity in baseball is what led him to write his non-fiction work titled “Dad on the Clock.”
Fuller writes that during the off-season with the N.Y. Mets minor leagues, he was “broke and working odd jobs in Atlanta to stay afloat. I’ll never forget coming home one day to a voicemail from the Mets’ general manager…I’d been released.” The four-year letterman at Auburn University and pitcher for the SEC championship game, the member of the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Orleans Cardinals, one of the most reliable arms in the Mets farm system, was let go.
“Just like that, the career I had built my identity on was over.” Although Fuller attended the following spring training with the Colorado Rockies, reality hit hard when he realized he competed against 22 pitchers, and all but three had big league experience.
As a new Christian, Fuller had left the angry, empty and broken athlete behind. But he writes that after two releases in less than a year, he was in the middle of an identity crisis. “Despite my new faith, my sense of worth was still tied to success and failure in the game,” he writes. So began the journey to build a new life, one grounded in Christ. With the help of mentors and wife Lori, Fuller committed to building a home that pointed to Christ and to raising their two boys to follow Jesus.
And the clock was ticking. A book waited.
“The idea started in the weight room during a conversation with a friend who was talking about fishing with his sons and how valuable it is for dads to spend time with their kids. The next week, I was on an airplane flying to Houston in March 2025 to watch our son, Brady, play baseball for the University of Houston. God clearly spoke to me and told me to start writing what He’s put on my heart. By the end of the flight, I had written an outline of the book,” Fuller says.
“Dad on the Clock” is not a sermon. It’s a transparent collection of Fuller’s childhood memories in Florida, time with his own father, struggles as a college standout to make it to “the show.” The tone is conversational with each chapter ending with questions and scripture making it a great choice for men’s small groups. An urgent plea for fathers to make the most of their time with their families.
“My hope for the book is that it makes a positive impact on dads and their families,” says Fuller. “As a father, how you spend your time shapes the identity of your children. Time is our most valuable asset. Every moment we share with our kids is an opportunity to form their faith, shape their values and speak life into their hearts.”
Fuller and wife Lori, a real estate agent, live in Auburn and Lake Martin. They have been married 31 years after meeting in history class at Auburn University. Son Brooks, 26, lives in Auburn and is the founder and CEO of Room2Room Movers. Son Brady, 23, is also in Auburn and will soon begin a training program as a commercial insurance sales representative.
After many years coaching at the collegiate level and owning a local sports training facility, Fuller’s passion to help people find their purpose and value, to thrive in their lives, has led him to start a career as a life coach. He offers one-on-one and small group sessions. He is also a motivational speaker to corporations, teams and ministries. To engage with “Coach” Fuller, visit www.coachmarkfuller.com.
