🎙️ Mike Candrea on Evaluating Talent, Building Championship Rosters, and the Future of Recruiting

In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt sits down with one of the most respected leaders in the history of college athletics—Mike Candrea, Hall of Fame coach, eight-time NCAA National Champion at the University of Arizona, former USA Olympic Head Coach, and one of the sharpest minds in the world of athlete evaluation.

Coach Candrea breaks down what truly matters in the recruiting process: character, competitiveness, consistency, and the ability to fit into a championship culture. He shares how his approach to scouting evolved over 34 years, what he believes separates great recruits from good ones, how NIL and the transfer portal are reshaping college sports, and why self-awareness and maturity matter now more than ever.

Whether you’re a parent, a high school athlete, or a coach trying to help young people find the right college home, this conversation delivers clarity, wisdom, and a blueprint for navigating today’s recruiting landscape.

Learn more about Coach Candrea here:
 https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/mike-candrea/5249

Explore more recruiting tools and resources—including Significant Recruiting and the brand-new Softball Recruit’s Journal—at CoachMattRogers.com.

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📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
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Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
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🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
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🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
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⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
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🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
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📍 All resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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