John Stamos Was 'Afraid' of Playing a Coach on Big Shot : 'It Was Easier to Be a Doctor on ER '

John Stamos isn't a jock, he just plays one on TV.

The Fuller House actor, 59, stopped by the the PEOPLE Every Day podcast to talk with host Janine Rubenstein about the second season of his comedy/drama series, Big Shot, in which he plays the coach of a girls' basketball team. During the interview, Stamos revealed it was surprisingly difficult to play Coach Marvyn Korn in the Disney Plus show.

"I was afraid of this role — and that's what you kind of look for," the actor explained of his philosophy when it comes to choosing roles. "You look for stuff that you haven't done. I'm just naturally a terrible athlete. I never was never into sports."

"It was a challenge," Stamos conitnued. "And I'm not even kidding when I say this: It was easier to be a doctor on ER than to be a coach. It's just not in my DNA."

RELATED: John Stamos Opens Up About How the Passing of Bob Saget Influenced Season 2 of 'Big Shot'

Christopher Willard/Disney John Stamos

Stamos went to great lengths to prepare for the role, he said: "I studied as much as I could, and I met Jerry West who was a famous basketball guy. I went down to visit and I said, 'Thank you for allowing me to come to the rehearsal today.' And he said, 'First of all, it's not rehearsal. It's called practice. Those aren't costumes.' And he kinda schooled me quickly, but I knew that I had to be a good coach to make this thing work."

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John Salangsang/Shutterstock John Stamos and his son, Billy Stamos

While speaking about the show, the General Hospital alum also said he appreciates that his character on the show is "not afraid to be vulnerable," and said that he has been accessing his own vulnerability as an actor and a dad.

RELATED: John Stamos Poses with Mini-Me Son Billy for First Day at School Photo: Trying 'Not to Cry'

He adds that it's not unusual for him to "cry all the time" in front of son Billy, 4, and that his relationship with Billy has allowed him to approach emotional family scenes (like Marvyn's with his daughter) with even more clarity.

"I want to — I like to — dive into those themes," he tells PEOPLE. "It's not about the big things anymore for me. It's about the moments, the micro-transaction."

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