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Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers

Matt Rogers

🎙 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 Rogers—who has led multiple teams to the NCAA National Tournament and helped over 4,000 student-athletes achieve their dream of playing their sport in college—the 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 Recruit’s Journal Series for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.

This isn’t a highlight reel or a hot-take show -- It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how championship programs are built—and how strong, confident, and healthy athletes become strong, confident adults.

Every week:

Fridays – Coaching & Leadership Episodes
Program building, culture, staff development, and leading under pressure.
Mondays – Recruiting Episodes
Clear, practical conversations about today’s college recruiting process for athletes, families, and coaches.

🎥 You can now watch the video version of every episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

🌐 Learn more at coachmattrogers.com

📍 New episodes every Monday and Friday

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S4 · E201
Friday · 14 min
Episode #201: The Big Parent Question
Before your child’s next sports season begins, ask yourself one question: What would make you happy? In Episode 201 of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Coach Matt Rogers challenges parents to write down what they hope their child will experience—and how they expect their child’s coach to treat them—before playing time, wins, and losses stir up emotions. Drawing from his experiences as a coach and a dad, Matt explores ten ways to set thoughtful expectations, support your athlete, and recognize growth beyond the scoreboard. Topics include: Separating your expectations from your child’s goals. Defining honest communication, patient teaching, and respectful coaching. Understanding how accountability and care work together. Helping your child navigate disappointment and communicate with their coach. Examining how your own reactions affect your child’s experience. If your child finishes the season more confident, connected, resilient, and eager to grow, would that make you happy—even without a championship or a starting spot? Listen to past episodes, explore college recruiting resources, and find the Significant Recruiting Playbook and companion journals at https://coachmattrogers.com. Watch The Significant Coaching Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers Subscribe, rate, and review to help more coaches and families join the conversation. Control what you can control, be humble, and keep chasing significance. Send us Fan Mail Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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S4 · E200
Monday · 32 min
Episode #200: Casey Stanley on Recruiting
In Part 2 of my conversation with Casey Stanley, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division II Westminster University in Utah, we get deep into the realities of college basketball recruiting. Casey explains why playing and developing at the D2 level can sometimes be a better path than sitting on a Division I roster—and how the transfer portal has changed the value of that decision. We also talk about what Casey REALLY looks for when evaluating recruits: 🏀 Why defense absolutely matters on recruiting film 🏀 Why scoring alone won’t get you recruited 🏀 How playing time and confidence impact development 🏀 What NIL offers can tell you about where you actually stand on a D1 roster 🏀 Why D2 has become a legitimate pathway to Division I 🏀 Why a high GPA immediately gets Casey’s attention 🏀 How recruits should email and contact college coaches 🏀 What high school coaches can do to help their athletes get recruited Casey gives families and athletes a college coach’s perspective on something we talk about constantly on this show: don’t simply chase the highest level. Find the opportunity where you can develop, compete and succeed. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E199
October 2 · 46 min
Episode #199: Casey Stanley
Casey Stanley, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Westminster University in Utah, joins Matt Rogers for Episode 199 of the Significant Coaching Podcast. Westminster competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), and Stanley arrives there after a fascinating journey through nearly two decades of college and prep basketball. After 15 years at the Division I level—including stops at Louisville and Iona working for Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances at UNC Wilmington—Casey took a very different path: national prep basketball. In Part 1, Casey talks about what it’s really like working for Rick Pitino, the prep school basketball world, and what running the national prep program at Layton Christian Academy taught him about recruiting from the other side. It’s a unique look at the experiences that prepared Casey to finally lead a college program of his own. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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S4 · E198
September 28 · 24 min
Episode #198: Kate Barnosky on Recruiting
What does college recruiting really look like from the coach’s side of the conversation? In Part 2 of my conversation with Babson College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kate Barnosky, we turn our attention to recruiting—what coaches are looking for, how athletes can separate themselves, and why finding the right fit goes far beyond basketball. Kate brings the perspective of a former college athlete and a coach who has recruited at the Division III and Division I levels. We talk about evaluating recruits, competitiveness, communication, expectations, playing time, fit, and what she wants prospective student-athletes to understand about the process. If you’re a high school athlete, parent, coach or anyone trying to better understand college recruiting, this conversation is for you. 🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers — Episode 198 Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E197
September 25 · 47 min
Episode #197: Kate Barnosky
Babson College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kate Barnosky joins Matt Rogers for a conversation about connecting with today’s athletes without lowering expectations. Kate shares how she balances empathy and accountability, why coaches need to understand the individual they’re leading, and how Babson’s three core values—Connect. Communicate. Compete.—shape everything from relationships and recruiting to practices and player development. They also talk about adapting how we teach, building trust, creating competitive practices, learning from great mentors, and pushing athletes toward their potential while still coaching the whole person. It’s a conversation about what significant coaching looks like with today’s student-athletes. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E196
September 21 · 37 min
Episode #196: Mike Klinzing on Recruiting
What happens when a coach becomes the parent of a college recruit? Mike Klinzing, Co-Host of the Hoop Heads Podcast, returns for Part II of The Significant Coaching Podcast to talk about navigating college recruiting with his own son—and how different the process looks when it’s your own kid. Mike and Matt discuss realistically evaluating an athlete’s ability, identifying the right level, separating the role of coach from the role of parent, communicating with college coaches, and keeping the student-athlete at the center of the decision. Having experienced college athletics as a Division I player, coach, and now recruiting parent, Mike offers a unique perspective on what families can learn from the process—and why finding the right fit matters more than chasing a particular level. 🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast | Episode 196 Listen at CoachMattRogers.com/podcast. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E195
September 18 · 1 hr 3 min
Episode #195: Mike Klinzing
Do we have to coach this generation differently? In Episode 195 of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Mike Klinzing, co-host of the Hoop Heads Podcast, founder of Head Start Basketball, and former Division I basketball player at Kent State. Mike has spent a lifetime playing, coaching, teaching, and talking with coaches at every level of the game. In Part I of this conversation, Matt and Mike dig into how coaching has changed, what today’s athletes need from their coaches, and what the best coaches continue to get right regardless of generation. They also explore the balance between adapting to today’s athletes and still holding them accountable, what Mike has learned from more than 1,000 podcast conversations, and the lessons from previous generations of coaches that are still worth holding onto. It’s a conversation about growth, relationships, accountability, and what significant coaching really looks like. 🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast | Episode 195 Learn more and listen at CoachMattRogers.com/podcast. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Also, check out the companion workbooks The Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Recruit's Journals at coachmattrogers.com or amazon.com. Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E194
September 14 · 19 min
Episode #194: Be Where Your Feet Are
“Be where your feet are.” Five simple words that led me somewhere I didn’t expect. In Episode 194 of The Significant Coaching Podcast, I explore four different ways to think about this simple mantra: be where you are, own where you are, be with the people who are there, and understand where their feet are. For athletes, recruits, parents, coaches and leaders, being present is important—but presence is only part of it. Sometimes we need enough humility to step outside our own experiences and understand what the world looks like from where someone else is standing. Because being true to yourself is conviction. But believing everyone should see the world the way you do? Sometimes that’s ego. 🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast | Episode 194 🌐 CoachMattRogers.com Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E193
September 11 · 12 min
Episode #193: Why Them and Not Me?
Why did they get the offer and I didn’t? It’s one of the most common questions in college recruiting—and one of the least productive comparisons a student-athlete can make. In this solo episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers breaks down why another athlete’s offers, commitments and recruiting timeline have very little to do with your own. Every recruit brings different abilities, priorities, values, academic goals, financial needs and expectations to the process. Matt also discusses what “fit” really means, why getting an offer doesn’t necessarily mean another athlete is ahead, and why recruiting timelines can extend much later than families realize. Don’t fall in love with being wanted. Fall in love with where you’re going. Their journey is theirs. Go build yours. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E192
September 7 · 30 min
Episode #192: Keirsten Sires on Recruiting
Episode #192 — Keirsten Sires, Part 2 Getting recruited is one thing. Choosing the right college, coach, and program is something entirely different. In Part 2 of my conversation with Keirsten Sires, Founder and CEO of 2aDays, we dig into the research every prospective college athlete and family should be doing before making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. We talk about looking beyond the recruiting pitch—researching coaches, understanding roster dynamics, evaluating academics and career opportunities, and learning from the experiences of former student-athletes. Keirsten also shares how 2aDays is helping families gain greater transparency into college programs and make more informed recruiting decisions. “Leave your ego at the door. Blinders on. Focus on you.” That may be one of the most important reminders in the entire recruiting process. This decision isn’t about where your teammates are committing, what looks best on social media, or impressing everyone else. It’s about finding the right fit for you. 🎧 The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers Learn more at CoachMattRogers.com Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E190
September 4 · 40 min
Episode #191: Keirsten Sires
Episode #191: Keirsten Sires of 2aDays — Giving Student-Athletes a Voice What if giving student-athletes a voice could actually make college coaches and athletic programs better? In Part One of my conversation with Keirsten Sires, Founder and CEO of 2aDays, we explore the idea behind a platform that allows student-athletes to review coaches while giving recruits and families a window into the programs they’re considering. I’ll admit—I came into this conversation skeptical. But Keirsten challenged the way I looked at coach ratings, transparency, accountability, and the opportunity for great coaches and programs to tell their stories. We discuss what student-athletes are saying about their coaches, what separates positive experiences from negative ones, how colleges can better evaluate and support coaches, and why transparency doesn’t have to be something coaches fear. If you’re a college coach, athletic administrator, student-athlete, or parent navigating college athletics, Episode #191 is a conversation worth hearing. 🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S5 · E190
August 30 · 22 min
Episode #190: Your Kid Is Not Special
Your kid is not special. At least, not because they throw harder, jump higher, score more points, earn straight A’s, or have more college coaches watching them...and definitely not because a parent says and thinks that to be the case. They may be incredibly special to you—but what characteristics are they developing that will make coaches, teachers, professors, teammates, and eventually employers want to invest in them? In this solo episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers challenges parents to stop removing every obstacle from their child’s path and start helping them develop the character, accountability, resilience, communication skills, and independence they’ll need long after their playing days are over. Matt discusses the difference between advocating and rescuing, why parents need to allow coaches and teachers to coach and teach, and why failure, disappointment, criticism, and hearing “no” are important parts of growing up. The ultimate goal isn’t simply raising a great athlete. It’s developing a recruitable athlete, a resilient college student, and a healthy adult. The question isn’t whether your kid is special to you. Of course they are. The question is: are we helping them develop special characteristics? 🎙️ Season 4 | Episode 190 The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E188
August 23 · 37 min
Episode #189: Ryan Brownlee on Recruiting
Are college baseball recruits chasing the right things? Ryan Brownlee, Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), returns for Part II of our conversation—and this one is all about recruiting. Ryan and I talk about how college baseball recruiting has changed, NIL, the transfer portal, realistic player evaluation, the role of parents and coaches, and why finding the right fit still matters. Ryan makes a great point: a recruit needs to find a school that works socially, academically and athletically. We also talk about why NIL money doesn't guarantee playing time, why college coaches are looking for reasons to cross players off their lists, and why recruits need honest people around them throughout this process. If you're a high school baseball player or the parent of one who wants to play in college, this is a conversation worth hearing. Episode 189 | The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E188
August 22 · 43 min
Episode #188: Ryan Brownlee
⚾ Ryan Brownlee | Tough Love, Trust & the Art of Coaching In Episode 188 of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Ryan Brownlee, Assistant Executive Director of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), former Division I head coach and recruiting coordinator, and host of the ABCA Podcast. Ryan brings more than two decades of Division I coaching experience to a wide-ranging conversation about what coaching looks like today—and where it needs to go next. Matt and Ryan discuss mental health and performance, authenticity, tough love, connecting with today's athletes, rest and recovery, evaluating and developing coaches, the relationship between athletic directors and head coaches, and why there is no single blueprint for building a successful program. They also dive into the changing landscape of college baseball, including NIL, the transfer portal, analytics, resources and why the best coaches still find ways to maximize the people in their locker room. Ryan also explains why one characteristic continues to matter regardless of how much sports change: Do you genuinely care about the people you coach? A conversation about baseball—but even more about coaching, leadership, relationships and the responsibility that comes with putting yourself in front of young people. Episode 188 | The Significant Coaching Podcast with Matt Rogers Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E187
August 17 · 43 min
Episode #187: Andrew Kachel on Recruiting
⚾ The New Reality of College Recruiting | Andrew Kachel Part II College recruiting is changing—and the junior college route may be more valuable than ever. In Part II of my conversation with Northeastern Junior College Head Baseball Coach Andrew Kachel, we break down the realities of recruiting at the two-year college level, the new 5-for-5 rule, the transfer portal, and why families need to rethink how they evaluate college opportunities. Coach Kachel explains why JUCO can provide athletes more opportunities to play, develop, mature academically, and potentially make themselves more recruitable and affordable to four-year programs. We also discuss what families should look for when evaluating junior colleges, why placement and fit matter more than simply saying you went Division I, and how recruits can get a coach's attention without spending thousands of dollars chasing exposure. If you're a student-athlete, parent, high school coach, or anyone trying to understand the changing college recruiting landscape, this conversation provides a valuable look at the opportunities available at the two-year level. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
- Transcript
S4 · E186
August 15 · 42 min
Episode #186: Andrew Kachel
⚾ Building a Program a Community Believes In with Andrew Kachel Winning games is one thing. Building a program that an entire community believes in is something much bigger. On this episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Andrew Kachel, Head Baseball Coach at Northeastern Junior College, to talk about how he has built far more than a successful college baseball program in Sterling, Colorado. Coach Kachel shares how his players become part of the community through weekly service at local schools, preschools, nursing homes, and youth organizations—and how that community has embraced his players right back. His program averages nearly 2,000 hours of community service while also producing Academic All-American teams and winning at a high level. The conversation also explores family, relationships, coaching young men through adversity, holding players accountable, and why the most meaningful moments in coaching often have nothing to do with the scoreboard. This is a conversation about baseball, leadership, service, family, and building something that matters long after the final out. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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S4 · E185
August 8 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode #185: Dr. Tracy Davenport
Season 4 of the Significant Coaching Podcast begins with Dr. Tracy Davenport, performance expert, executive coach, and author of The Sustainable Assistant Coach: Preventing Burnout and Building a Lasting Career in College Sports. Tracy and Matt tackle a belief that has been passed down through generations of coaches: to be successful, coaching has to be a grind. They discuss why so many talented assistant coaches burn out, the difference between working harder and working smarter, the critical role sleep and recovery play in performance, and why coaches must stop treating their own health, relationships, and lives outside of athletics as optional. Tracy also challenges head coaches and athletic leaders to take greater responsibility for developing and supporting their assistants—not just as coaches, but as people. From better communication and mentorship to creating healthier boundaries and expectations, this conversation asks an important question: Can we build great programs without burning out the people who make them great? Season 4 starts with a challenge to coaches everywhere: success and significance shouldn't require sacrificing yourself along the way. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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July 28 · 1 hr 27 min
Matt Rogers on the Hoop Heads Podcast
I recently had the opportunity to join Mike Klinzing on the Hoop Heads Podcast for a conversation that goes far beyond X's and O's. We discuss the realities of today's college recruiting landscape, the emotional challenges student-athletes face during the transition from high school to college, and why choosing the right fit matters far more than chasing the biggest name. We also explore the important roles parents and coaches play in helping young athletes navigate adversity, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their recruiting journey. If you're a coach, parent, or student-athlete looking for practical advice and an honest conversation about what it really takes to thrive in college athletics, I think you'll enjoy this episode. A huge thank you to Mike Klinzing and the Hoop Heads Podcast for the invitation and for the opportunity to share my journey and passion for helping athletes and coaches pursue significance. 🎧 Listen now and let me know your biggest takeaway. Matt Rogers on the Hoop Heads Podcast Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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S3 · E184
July 21 · 36 min
Episode #184: Coaching the Coaches
For the past two months, I've had the opportunity to work closely with college coaches, helping them build healthier team cultures, stronger communication, and better learning environments. Throughout that process, one thing became clear: parents play a bigger role than they often realize. In this solo episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, I share practical ways parents can prepare their child—and themselves—for a more positive coaching experience before the season even begins. You'll learn how to partner with coaches, encourage growth, and help your athlete get the most from every practice, every conversation, and every opportunity. If we want better coaching experiences, we all have a role to play. Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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S3 · E183
June 19 · 33 min
Episode #183: Jordan Willis on Recruiting
🎧 There Is a Place for You | Jordan Willis on Recruiting, Fit & Communication 🏐 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-awareness, and why there truly is a place for every student-athlete who wants to continue playing at the next level. Throughout the episode, Coach Willis discusses what he looks for beyond talent, why culture matters in recruiting, how coaches identify red flags, why recruits should never ghost college coaches, and how honest communication can open doors rather than close them. The conversation also explores one of the biggest challenges facing recruits today: understanding who they are, what they want, and finding the college experience that truly fits their academic, athletic, social, and financial goals. Whether you're a recruit, parent, club coach, high school coach, or college coach, this episode offers practical advice and valuable perspective on navigating the recruiting process. Topics Include: ✅ Finding the Right College Fit ✅ What College Coaches Look For Beyond Talent ✅ Character, Culture & Recruiting ✅ Why Recruits Should Never Ghost Coaches ✅ Communication During the Recruiting Process ✅ Self-Awareness & Decision Making ✅ Transfer Portal & Modern Recruiting ✅ There Is a Place for You 🎧 Listen to all episodes at coachmattrogers.com/podcast 📺 Watch at YouTube.com/@CoachMattRogers Send us Fan Mail Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes Don't rely on mere chance. Be significant with your future. The easy 12-step book to owning your college recruitment. Get your copy here at Amazon.com Support the show 📰 Join my Recruiting and Coaching Community and get my FREE Weekly Newsletter at coachmattrogers.com 📆 Need help with your children's college recruiting needs? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss working together: Schedule FREE Recruiting Session 🎤 Does your school or organization need help with Recruiting Realities and College Athletics Education? Schedule your FREE Discovery Call to discuss bringing Coach Matt to speak: Schedule FREE Speaker Discovery Call 📚 Do you want to handle your college recruiting on your own but would like a plan to follow? Click HERE to get your copy of the Significant Recruiting Playbook and your Sport Specific Recruit's Journal for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. 📺 Do you wish their was an inexpensive, simple step-by-step recruiting class series you could follow? Click HERE to get full access to the Significant Recruiting Launchpad.
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