Podcast
Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers
Hosted by Matt Rogers Ā· EN
š 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 Rogersāwho has led multiple teams to the NCAA National Tournament and helped over 4,000 student-athletes achieve their dream of playing their sport in collegeāthe 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 Recruitās Journal Series for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
This isnāt a highlight reel or a hot-take show -- Itās a behind-the-scenes look at how championship programs are builtāand how strong, confident, and healthy athletes become strong, confident adults.
Every week:
- Fridays ā Coaching & Leadership Episodes
Program building, culture, staff development, and leading under pressure. - Mondays ā Recruiting Episodes
Clear, practical conversations about todayās college recruiting process for athletes, families, and coaches.
š„ You can now watch the video version of every episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers
š Learn more at coachmattrogers.com
Ā š New episodes every Monday and Friday
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Matt Rogers on the Hoop Heads Podcast
1w ago01:27:05Tap to summarizeI 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.š§ Listen now and let me know your biggest takeaway. Matt Rogers on the Hoop Heads PodcastSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #184: Coaching the Coaches
2w ago00:35:16Tap to summarizeFor 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 childāand themselvesāfor 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 MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #183: Jordan Willis on Recruiting
Jun 1900:32:51Tap to summarizeš§ There Is a Place for You | Jordan Willis on Recruiting, Fit & Communicationš 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:ā Finding the Right College Fitā What College Coaches Look For Beyond Talentā Character, Culture & Recruitingā Why Recruits Should Never Ghost Coachesā Communication During the Recruiting Processā Self-Awareness & Decision Makingā Transfer Portal & Modern Recruitingā There Is a Place for Youš§ Listen to all episodes at coachmattrogers.com/podcastšŗ Watch at YouTube.com/@CoachMattRogersSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #182: Jordan Willis
Jun 500:59:31Tap to summarizeš 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, culture-building strategies, and people-first philosophy that are helping transform Florida Tech Volleyball into one of the Sunshine State Conference's rising programs.In Part I, Coach Willis discusses rebuilding programs, developing All-Americans, creating sustainable success, navigating adversity, and why authentic leadership matters more than ever in college athletics.Whether you're a coach, athletic director, teacher, parent, or leader in any profession, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on building teams and developing people.ā Program Building ā Leadership & Culture ā Developing All-Americans ā Team Standards & Accountability ā Sustainable Success ā College Athletics LeadershipSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #181: April Elsbernd on Recruiting
Jun 100:28:53Tap to summarizešš§ 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 discuss culture fit, evaluating potential teammates, communicating with college coaches, the realities of club volleyball, and the important role parents and high school coaches play throughout the recruiting process. Coach Elsbernd also provides practical advice for recruits on how to stand out in their communication with college coaches and why authenticity matters far more than mass-produced recruiting emails. Topics Discussed: ā Why recruits should visit colleges multiple times ā The importance of meeting current players ā What college coaches look for beyond athletic ability ā How to write better emails to college coaches ā Club volleyball myths and realities ā Advice for parents navigating recruiting ā The role of high school coaches in recruiting ā Why culture fit matters Send us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #180: April Elsbernd
May 2900:54:46Tap to summarizeš Returning Home: April Elsbernd on Leading Coe College VBIn 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 perspective, international travel experiences with student-athletes, and why coaching is ultimately about helping young people become the best versions of themselves.Coach Elsbernd also shares her path from the University of Dubuque to Augsburg University and ultimately back home to Coe College, where she now leads the Kohawk volleyball program.š In this episode: ā Returning home to Coe College ā Why coaching is a calling ā Building culture through relationships ā The impact of international travel on student-athletes ā Leadership lessons learned over 15+ years as a head coach ā Helping athletes grow beyond the gameš§ Listen to the Significant Coaching Podcast: https://coachmattrogers.com/podcastš Subscribe for full access to weekly blogs, newsletters, recruiting resources, coaching tools, and leadership content: https://coachmattrogers.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #179: Kevin Clifford on Recruiting
May 2400:37:34Tap to summarizeš Kevin Cliffordās 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 of coaching and rebuilding collegiate programs, including leading Roberts Wesleyan University to its first NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet 16 appearance.Topics include: What college coaches really evaluate NCAA Division II vs Division I vs Division III Scholarship realities Leadership and culture Mental health and player support What recruits misunderstand about recruiting The importance of fit over labels How families should approach the recruiting process Player development in todayās game If youāre a recruit, parent, coach, or athletic director, this episode provides outstanding perspective on navigating modern college athletics.š§ Listen to the podcast: coachmattrogers.com/podcastā¶ļø Watch more episodes: Coach Matt Rogers YouTube ChannelSuggested Chapters00:00 Introduction 01:45 What Coaches Really Look For in Recruits 06:20 NCAA D1 vs D2 vs D3 Basketball 11:15 Scholarship Realities Explained 16:10 Recruiting Mistakes Families Make 21:30 Player Development in College Basketball 26:00 Mental Health & Athlete Support 31:40 Why Fit Matters More Than Labels 36:10 Leadership & Team Culture 41:00 Final Recruiting AdviceSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #178: Kevin Clifford
May 2200:42:39Tap to summarizeš From Coaching Ron Artest to the NCAA Sweet 16 | Kevin CliffordOn 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 programs at multiple collegiate stops, leading Roberts Wesleyan University to its first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance and Sweet 16 run, and even coaching former NBA great Metta Sandiford-Artest as a 15-year-old coach.The conversation also dives into: Building belief inside a program Mental Health Mondays Relationships in coaching NCAA Division II basketball Recruiting realities Leadership growth Old-school hip-hop and DJ life The changing landscape of college athletics Find more coaching and recruiting resources at coachmattrogers.com.Send us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #177: Danlynn Silva on Recruiting
May 1800:32:44Tap to summarizeāAuntie Daniā on Recruiting, Relationships & Finding the Right Fit | Part IIDanlynn Silva, the new Head Womenās 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 NCAA Division II head coach, Danlynn shares honest insight into what college coaches are really looking for during the recruiting process. She discusses the importance of body language, communication, effort, trust, and why families need to stop focusing only on Division I labels and start focusing on fit, growth, and long-term happiness.This episode also explores the Hawaiian concept of relationships and family culture, including why Danlynn prefers her athletes call her āAuntieā instead of āCoach.āTopics include: š What college coaches notice immediately š§ How recruits should communicate with coaches š What stands out during evaluations šŗ Hawaii culture and relationship-building š Why fit matters more than division šØāš©āš§ Advice for parents, club coaches, and recruitsš§ Listen at: coachmattrogers.com/podcastšŗ Watch at: youtube.com/@CoachMattRogersSend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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Episode #176: Danlynn Silva
May 1500:55:31Tap to summarizeDanlynn Silva on Ohana & Building Cameron Volleyball | Significant CoachingDanlynn Silva, the new Head Womenās 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 conversation, she explains why authentic relationships, long-term development, and family-centered culture remain at the core of how she leads.This episode explores: š Hawaii volleyball culture šŗ Building a program around āohanaā š Athlete development and leadership šØāš©āš§āš¦ Coaching alongside family šÆ Creating sustainable program culture š¬ Why her non-traditional path prepared her for this opportunitySend us Fan MailSupport the showš All resources also available at coachmattrogers.comListen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.Did you like what you heard and want more?New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!š To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogersš Books & Recruitās Journals by Matt RogersSignificant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes š https://amzn.to/3NbWP9SRecruitās Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):ā½ Soccer Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3M4PFDXš Volleyball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4qMLr2Sš Basketball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/4bxljEJā¾ Baseball Recruitās Journal š https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ...
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