Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers
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
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-athl...
Jun 19
32 min
Episode #182: Jordan Willis
🏐 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 ...
Jun 5
59 min
Episode #181: April Elsbernd on Recruiting
🏐🎧 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, communicati...
Jun 1
28 min
Episode #180: April Elsbernd
🏐 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 perspective, international travel experiences with student-athletes, and...
May 29
54 min
Episode #179:  Kevin Clifford on Recruiting
🏀 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 of coaching and rebuilding collegiate programs, including leading Ro...
May 24
37 min
Episode #178:  Kevin Clifford
🏀 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 programs at multiple collegiate stops, leading Roberts Wesleyan Uni...
May 22
42 min
Episode #177:  Danlynn Silva on Recruiting
“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 NCAA Division II head coach, Danlynn shares honest insight into what college coac...
May 18
32 min
Episode #176: Danlynn Silva
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 conversation, she explains why authentic relationships, long-term...
May 15
55 min
Episode #175: Erik Kudronowicz on Recruiting
🎙 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: 🏀 Student-athletes 🏀 Parents 🏀 High school coaches 🏀 College...
May 11
23 min
Episode #174: Erik Kudronowicz
🏀 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 students. Over the last seven years, Scales Mound has gone 167-57 with a State ...
May 8
33 min
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