🎙 “Which Kid Wants It More?" Recruiting Lessons with Brandon Elliott

🥎 Virginia Wesleyan University’s Brandon Elliott has built one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division III softball—3 national championships, 11 ODAC titles, nearly 700 wins, and back-to-back trips to the College World Series. But when it comes to recruiting, his message is simple: the athletes who show they truly want to be there are the ones who stand out.

In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Coach Elliott explains what coaches are really looking for when deciding between two equally talented players, how genuine investment and communication can set a recruit apart, and why “want-to” often outweighs raw ability. His insights give student-athletes and families a clear picture of what separates prospects who get recruited from those who get overlooked.

For families navigating this process, I’ve created tools to help you take ownership of your recruiting journey:

📚 Available now on Amazon:
 

• The Basketball Recruit’s Journal →  https://amzn.to/428PDQd 
  
  
• The Baseball Recruit’s Journal →  https://amzn.to/4lO9ivT 
  
  
• The Volleyball Recruit’s Journal →  https://amzn.to/45I3WOb 
  
  
• The Softball Recruit’s Journal →  https://amzn.to/4lSXY1E 
  
  
• Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes → https://amzn.to/4nXiTCO
  

🔑 You can also find all of these resources at https://coachmattrogers.com/.

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🥎🎙  Championship Lessons from Brandon Elliott

Brandon Elliott has built Virginia Wesleyan into one of the most dominant softball programs in NCAA Division III history. With three national championships, a national runner-up finish in 2025, 11 ODAC titles, and nearly 700 career wins, he’s the winningest coach in program history—and a leader whose impact stretches far beyond the scoreboard. 

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Brandon shares the blueprint for sustaining excellence year after year. We talk about how he’s cultivated a culture that drives buy-in without shortcuts, why speed and pressure have become the DNA of his program, and how he’s evolved as a leader over nearly two decades at the helm. He also reflects on the mentors who shaped his journey, the highs and lows of championship runs, and what it takes to lead a program with clarity and conviction. 

Whether you coach softball or any other sport, this conversation is packed with lessons on culture, consistency, and championship leadership. 

For more info, visit CoachMattRogers.com

New + Available on Amazon:

• The Softball Recruit's Journal:  https://amzn.to/4lSXY1E
• The Baseball Recruit's Journal:  https://amzn.to/4lO9ivT
• The Volleyball Recruit's Journal:  https://amzn.to/45I3WOb
• The Basketball Recruit's Journal:  https://amzn.to/428PDQd

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🏆  Baby = Culture: Sue Enquist on Team Ownership and Lessons from John Wooden 

On this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, I’m joined by legendary coach and consultant Sue Enquist for a powerful look at recruiting, leadership, and team culture. Sue shares one of her signature philosophies—“Culture is a baby, and the players are the babysitters”—and challenges recruits and parents to rethink how they approach building and protecting team culture. 

She also opens up about her mentor, the late Coach John Wooden, affectionately called “Papa”, and the timeless lessons she learned from one of the greatest minds in sport. 

Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or a coach, this episode is full of wisdom on standing out in the recruiting process and thriving within a team. 

For more recruiting tools, visit CoachMattRogers.com and check out my new book, The Volleyball Recruit’s Journal, available August 27 on Amazon. 

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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Episode 100 – Legendary Leadership with Sue Enquist

It’s a milestone moment on Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers—our 100th episode—and there’s no better guest to celebrate with than Sue Enquist.

One of the most respected coaches in college athletics, Sue helped lead UCLA to 5 NCAA Division I National Championships and another 6 as a player and assistant coach. Today, she’s a sought-after consultant and speaker whose influence reaches far beyond softball. Most recently, she worked with the USA Women’s Volleyball team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, helping them capture the silver medal by focusing on culture, values, intentional leadership...and FUN!

In this powerful conversation, Sue shares timeless lessons on building championship teams, creating human-centered cultures, and helping athletes and coaches thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally. Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or a leader in any field, this episode will inspire you to raise your standard.

And don’t miss Part 2 of our conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast, where Sue talks directly to families navigating the recruiting journey.

For more resources, visit CoachMattRogers.com, and check out my new book, The Volleyball Recruit’s Journal, now available on Amazon.

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🏐 Owning the Journey: Olivia Foley on Recruiting, Resilience, and Real Advice

 Olivia Foley’s story is one that many athletes and families can relate to. Before she became the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year and a three-time National Champion setter at Juniata College, she was just another high school athlete trying to figure out where she belonged.

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Coach Matt and Olivia take a different look at recruiting than we have in past episodes.  They discussed the realities of on-campus visits and the importance of recruits bringing their A-game to a visit with a heavy dose humility, as well as the importance for recruits to talk, listen and ask lots of questions...and much, much more.  

But Olivia doesn’t stop there. Her wisdom extends to parents, high school and club coaches, and even college coaches — offering honest insights from the athlete’s perspective on what truly matters in recruiting.

If you’re a recruit, a parent, or a coach, this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful reminders of how to keep the journey grounded in purpose and growth.

💻 Learn more about host Matt Rogers and find tools to guide your recruiting journey at coachmattrogers.com.
📖 Be on the lookout for his new book, The Volleyball Recruit’s Journal, coming to Amazon before the end of August.

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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🏐 Three Rings, One Mindset: Olivia Foley’s Path to Greatness at Juniata College

 She’s the setter who led Juniata College Women’s Volleyball to not one… not two… but three straight NCAA Division III National Championships. After her senior year, she was crowned National Player of the Year and celebrated on national TV alongside some of the biggest names in college sports.

In this episode of Significant Coaching, Olivia Foley takes us inside the mental and physical grind it took to stay at the top, the role her coaches, teammates, and her mom and older sister played in shaping her into the leader she is today, and the lessons she’ll carry far beyond the court. Mature, honest, and passionate — this is a conversation that will inspire athletes, coaches, and anyone chasing excellence.

💻 Learn more about host Matt Rogers’ work with athletes, families, and coaches at coachmattrogers.com.
📖 Be on the lookout for his upcoming book, The Volleyball Recruit’s Journal, arriving on Amazon in just a few weeks to help volleyball players take control of their recruiting journey.

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Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🥎 Inside a College Coach’s Playbook: Recruiting Secrets with Venus Taylor 

North Central College Head Softball Coach and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Operations Coordinator, Venus Taylor, has recruited at every level of the game — from JUCO to Division I. In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, she shares what truly matters when coaches evaluate athletes, the right role for parents during the recruiting process, and why character, effort, and presence can outweigh stats.

We also dive into how social media impacts recruiting, the benefits of multi-sport participation, and the traits that separate athletes who thrive in college from those who struggle. Venus’ experience as a professional athlete, championship-winning coach, and mentor gives her a perspective every family needs to hear.

Whether you’re just starting your recruiting journey or you’re deep in the process, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you find the right fit and make the most of your opportunities.

📍 Learn more about recruiting resources, my book Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes, and The Softball Recruit’s Journal at coachmattrogers.com.

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Venus Taylor: From Pro Softball Star to Championship Coach & Mentor

From winning an NJCAA Division I National Championship in her very first year as a college coach to leading programs at the Division I level, Coach Venus Taylor’s coaching journey is as remarkable as her playing career. Now the head coach at North Central College, Venus continues to shape the game through her leadership, mentorship, and ongoing work with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League in partnership with Major League Baseball.

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Venus shares how her experiences as a professional athlete, a college coach, and a mom have molded her into the leader she is today. We discuss why JUCO, NCCAA, and D3 softball should never be overlooked, the non-negotiables in her program, and the lessons she passes on to every athlete she coaches.

If you want insight into building a winning culture, leading with purpose, and preparing athletes for life beyond the field, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget: If you enjoy this episode, come back Monday for Part 2, where we’ll dive deep into the recruiting process and finding the right fit for your journey.

📍 Learn more about my coaching and recruiting resources, read my weekly blog, and subscribe to the newsletter at coachmattrogers.com

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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🛩 Recruiting at Cruising Altitude with Joslynn Gallop – Embry-Riddle Volleyball 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is world-famous for producing pilots and aerospace leaders — but it’s also home to one of the most competitive NCAA Division II volleyball programs in the country. In this Significant Recruiting episode, Head Coach Joslynn Gallop takes us inside the Sunshine State Conference — a league many consider the toughest in all of D2 volleyball.

For 20 years, Joslynn has built a program that thrives on fierce competition, tough love, and a little well-placed trash talk. A former Division I standout at San Jose State, she knows what elite talent looks like and isn’t afraid to challenge her players to reach new heights.

We talk recruiting strategy, what it takes to stand out in one of the most talent-rich conferences in the nation, and why Embry-Riddle is so much more than just a university for pilots and engineers.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter at coachmattrogers.com for more recruiting insights, my latest blogs, and future episodes.

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🛩 Flying High: Joslynn Gallop’s 20 Years of Building Significant Volleyball at Embry-Riddle 

In this episode of Significant Coaching, Matt Rogers sits down with Joslynn Gallop, Head Volleyball Coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, for a conversation that’s as direct and energetic as her coaching style.

A former Division I standout at San Jose State, Gallop knows exactly what the best of the best looks like — and she challenges her athletes to get there. She’s built a program over her 20 years at Embry-Riddle that’s defined by a unique mix of fun, competitiveness, and tough love. From embracing a little good-natured trash talk to ensuring her players love the game as much as they push themselves, Gallop has created a culture that thrives on intensity with heart.

You’ll also discover why Embry-Riddle is much more than just a university for pilots and engineers, offering a wide range of academic programs alongside high-level athletics.

This episode is about what it really takes to compete fiercely, lead with love, and build a program that stands the test of time.

🎙️ Don’t miss Part 2 of this conversation on Significant Recruiting this Monday, where Coach Gallop shares her insights on the recruiting process, the traits she values most in athletes, and how recruits can stand out.

To learn more about Matt, his books, and how he supports athletes and families through the recruiting process, visit coachmattrogers.com. While you’re there, subscribe to the weekly newsletter for coaching insights, recruiting tips, and stories to help you lead and compete with significance.

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

Listen 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.