Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers
đ Leadership. Coaching. The Work That Actually Matters. Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers is a weekly podcast focused on the craft of coaching, the responsibility of leadership, and the decisions that shape programs, people, and cultures in sport. Hosted by former Head College Coach and Athletic Director, Matt Rogersâwho has led multiple teams to the NCAA National Tournament and helped over 4,000 student-athletes achieve their dream of playing their sport in collegeâthe show features honest conversations with coaches, athletic leaders, and professionals building teams and coaching individuals the right way. Matt is a national motivational speaker and also consults with small colleges across the country, creating significant recruiting, retention, and growth strategies for athletic departments navigating a rapidly changing landscape. He is also the author of Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes and the companion Recruitâs Journal Series for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball. This isnât a highlight reel or a hot-take show -- Itâs a behind-the-scenes look at how championship programs are builtâand how strong, confident, and healthy athletes become strong, confident adults. Every week: Fridays â Coaching & Leadership Episodes Program building, culture, staff development, and leading under pressure. Mondays â Recruiting Episodes Clear, practical conversations about todayâs college recruiting process for athletes, families, and coaches. đ„ You can now watch the video version of every episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers đ Learn more at coachmattrogers.com đ New episodes every Monday and Friday
Episodes
đ§ There Is a Place for You | Jordan Willis on Recruiting, Fit & Communication
đ Florida Tech Head Volleyball Coach Jordan Willis returns for Part II of his conversation with Matt Rogers, and this time the focus shifts to recruiting.
But this isn't a conversation about rankings, stars, or chasing the biggest name on the front of a jersey.
Instead, Jordan shares his thoughts on character, authenticity, communication, fit, self-awa...
đ Building Winners Without Losing Yourself | Jordan Willis, Florida Tech Volleyball
Jordan Willis, Head Volleyball Coach at NCAA Division II Florida Tech, joins Matt Rogers for one of the most enjoyable and insightful conversations of the year.
After leading the Panthers from a 9-win season in 2023 to a 20-win campaign and one of the best conference records in program history in 2024, Willis shares the leadership principles, c...
đđ§ Why Recruits Should Visit Colleges More Than Once | April Elsbernd
How many college visits should a recruit take before making a commitment?
According to Coe College Head Volleyball Coach April Elsbernd, probably more than one.
In Part II of our conversation, Coach Elsbernd shares her recruiting philosophy and explains why finding the right college fit requires more than a quick visit and a fast decision. We dis...
đ Returning Home: April Elsbernd on Leading Coe College VB
In Part I of this conversation, Matt Rogers sits down with Coe College Head Volleyball Coach April Elsbernd to discuss her journey from growing up in small-town Iowa to becoming one of the most respected coaches in NCAA Division III volleyball. The two fellow Coe College alumni explore the unique impact of a liberal arts education, the importance of diversity and perspectiv...
đ Kevin Clifford’s 6 Rules of Recruiting | Significant Recruiting Ep. 179
On Part II of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers is joined by Kevin Clifford to break down the realities of college basketball recruiting, NCAA Division II athletics, scholarships, player development, and what recruits and families truly need to understand during the recruiting process.
Coach Clifford shares honest insight from years o...
đ From Coaching Ron Artest to the NCAA Sweet 16 | Kevin Clifford
On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Kevin Clifford, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Roberts Wesleyan University for a fun and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, recruiting, mental health, and the realities of coaching college basketball today.
Coach Clifford shares stories from his journey rebuilding progra...
“Auntie Dani” on Recruiting, Relationships & Finding the Right Fit | Part II
Danlynn Silva, the new Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Cameron University, joins the Significant Recruiting Podcast for a powerful conversation on recruiting, relationships, communication, and helping student-athletes find the right college fit.
Drawing from her experiences as a player, longtime club director, parent, and now NCA...
Danlynn Silva on Ohana & Building Cameron Volleyball | Significant Coaching
Danlynn Silva, the new Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Cameron University, joins the Significant Coaching Podcast to discuss leadership, culture, family, and the Hawaiian concept of ohana.
Danlynn shares her unique journey from high-level player to successful club director, business owner, parent, and now NCAA Division II head coach. Throughout the...
đ Why Small-Town Kids Are Built Different | Erik Kudronowicz Interview
In Part II of this conversation, Matt Rogers sits down with Erik Kudronowicz, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Scales Mound High School in Illinois, to discuss recruiting, multi-sport athletes, work ethic, and why small-town kids are often overlooked in today’s recruiting landscape.
Coach Kudronowicz shares outstanding perspective for:
đ...
đ David vs. Goliath: How a Tiny Illinois School Built a Basketball Powerhouse
What does it take to build a winning basketball program at one of the smallest schools in America?
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Erik Kudronowicz, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Scales Mound High School in Illinois — a town of roughly 400 people with a school enrollment of around 75 studen...
đ Ep. 173: Recruiting for Grinnell’s System Basketball | David Arseneault Jr.
David Arseneault Jr., Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Grinnell College, returns for Part II of this conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast.
In this episode, we focus on recruiting for speed in Grinnell’s System basketball—what it takes to play in a program built on pace, constant movement, and decision-making under ...
đ David Arseneault Jr. — The Art, Discipline, & Evolution of System Basketball
David Arseneault Jr., Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Grinnell College, joins Episode 172 of the Significant Coaching Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most unique systems in the game.
In Part 1, we go beyond the surface of “organized chaos” and get into the reality of coaching System basketball—how it’s ...
đ Division II Recruiting: The “Sweet Spot” | Dr. Michael McFarland
In Episode #171 of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers continues the conversation with Dr. Michael McFarland, Athletic Director at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, to break down what today’s recruiting landscape really looks like for student-athletes and families.
Dr. McFarland shares why NCAA Division II is the “sweet spot&rdqu...
đïž Building a Significant Athletic Department | Dr. Michael McFarland
On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Dr. Michael McFarland, Athletic Director at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build a thriving athletic department.
Dr. McFarland shares the philosophy that drives Bloomsburg’s success—R...
The Mental Side of Greatness with Val Whiting | Ep. 168
On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers is joined by Val Whiting, former Stanford All-American, WNBA player, two-time NCAA National Champion, and mental performance coach for female athletes.
Val shares her journey from winning championships at Stanford Cardinal women's basketball and playing professionally in the ABL and WNBA to helping athl...
đ§ The Mental Side of Greatness with Val Whiting | Ep. 168
On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers is joined by Val Whiting, former Stanford All-American, WNBA player, two-time NCAA National Champion, and mental performance coach for female athletes.
Val shares her journey from winning championships at Stanford Cardinal women's basketball and playing professionally in the ABL and WNBA to hel...
đïž The Reality of How Softball Coaches Evaluate | Larry Yoder | Ep. 167
In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers continues his conversation with Larry Yoder, Head Softball Coach at Mount Mercy University, to break down what really matters in the recruiting process.
This is a real, honest conversation about what coaches are actually looking for, how athletes can separate themselves, and why finding the right...
đïžBuilding a Program That Lasts | Larry Yoder | Significant Coaching Ep. 166
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Larry Yoder, Head Softball Coach at Mount Mercy University, to break down what it takes to build—and sustain—a successful college program over time.
This is a real, honest conversation about how programs are actually built, what coaches go through in...
đ Coleman Lee: What College Coaches Really Want | Ep. 165
In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Central Methodist Head Volleyball Coach Coleman Lee to break down what really matters in the recruiting process.
From communication and evaluations to visits and long-term fit, Coleman shares what separates recruits who get opportunities from those who get overlooked.
They also ...
đïž Coleman Lee: Doing It Your Way and Building a Winner | Ep. 164
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Central Methodist University Head Volleyball Coach Coleman Lee, who has led the Eagles to six straight NAIA National Tournament appearances.
Coleman shares how his program is built through high-level training, long-term player development, and a commitment to doing the work—esp...
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