Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers

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 

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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.

⚾ 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.

⚾ 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.

⚾ 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.

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.

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.

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.

🎧 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.

🏐 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.

✅ Program Building
 ✅ Leadership & Culture
 ✅ Developing All-Americans
 ✅ Team Standards & Accountability
 ✅ Sustainable Success
 ✅ College Athletics Leadership

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.

🏐🎧 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: 

 ✅ Why recruits should visit colleges multiple times
 ✅ The importance of meeting current players
 ✅ What college coaches look for beyond athletic ability
 ✅ How to write better emails to college coaches
 ✅ Club volleyball myths and realities
 ✅ Advice for parents navigating recruiting
 ✅ The role of high school coaches in recruiting
 ✅ Why culture fit matters 

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.