Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers

By Matt RogersSports Health & Fitness Mental Health Parenting Kids & Family

Significant Coaching with Matt Rogers episodes

February 13 Episode #150: Bill Cleary
“Bet on You” – Building Confidence and Player Ownership with Bill Cleary (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Matt Rogers sits down with Bill Cleary, Assistant Athletic Director and Head Women’s Basketball Coach at St. Thomas Aquinas College, for a powerful and honest discussion about coaching women and developing true confidence in today’s athletes.
Bill shares what he’s learned over more than two decades of coaching about the growing challenge of self-worth, the impact of comparison and social media, and why many athletes struggle to recognize their own value. Together, Matt and Bill explore what it really means to build confidence that isn’t dependent on playing time, statistics, rankings, or outside validation.
You’ll hear why Bill tells his players to “bet on you,” how language shapes mindset, and how coaches can create player-led cultures where athletes learn to believe in themselves, embrace mistakes, and grow through adversity.
If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete who cares about leadership, mindset, and long-term development, this conversation will hit home.
Part 2 drops next, where Matt and Bill dive into the realities of college recruiting and what families need to understand about finding the right fit.
Resources for basketball families, including the book Significant Recruiting and the Basketball Recruit’s Journal, are available at CoachMattRogers.com.
Learn more about Coach Cleary: https://stac.edu/directory/cleary-william/
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.

52 min
February 09Episode #149: Emily Kohan on Recruiting
🏐 What Division I Volleyball Recruiting Really Looks Like | Emily Kohan
In Part 2 of this conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Emily Kohan, NCAA Division I Head Volleyball Coach at Colorado State University, to break down what the recruiting process actually looks like from a coach’s perspective.
Coach Kohan pulls back the curtain on how Division I programs evaluate athletes, how early the recruiting timeline really starts, and what families need to understand about visibility, communication, and realistic expectations in today’s volleyball landscape.
This episode provides practical insight for players, parents, and club or high school coaches who want to better understand the realities of Division I recruiting.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
When Division I volleyball coaches start identifying prospects
How video and online presence impact recruiting
How many athletes coaches actually evaluate vs. offer
What it means to be “recruitable” at the Division I level
Why going where you’re valued matters more than chasing a label
If your athlete has goals of playing college volleyball, this conversation will give you perspective, clarity, and a better understanding of how to approach the process with intention.
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.
31 min
February 06 Episode #148: Emily Kohan
🏐 Emily Kohan on Building a Sustainable Division I Volleyball Program at Colorado State
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Emily Kohan, head coach of Colorado State Volleyball, to break down what it really takes to build and sustain a successful NCAA Division I program in today’s college athletics landscape.
Four years into her tenure as head coach, Kohan shares how she leads with intention—developing systems, prioritizing communication, retaining players in the transfer portal era, and balancing elite performance with family life. The conversation covers program-building, staff leadership, player development, organizational habits, and what separates healthy, stable programs from ones constantly chasing the next fix.
This episode is a must-listen for coaches, aspiring head coaches, recruits, and families who want a clear look at modern Division I leadership—without shortcuts, noise, or gimmicks.
🔹 Topics include:
• Building a Division I program with clarity and consistency
• Player retention and development in the portal/NIL era
• Leadership habits that scale under pressure
• Balancing family life with the demands of college coaching
• What sustainable success actually looks like
🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations on coaching, leadership, and the journey to college athletics.
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.

46 min
February 01Episode #147: John Payan on Recruiting
John Payan on the Recruiting Fit Truth About Division III Basketball | (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this Significant Coaching conversation, Matt Rogers continues his discussion with John Payan, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Coe College, with a deep dive into what college basketball recruiting actually looks like from the coach’s seat.
Payan breaks down how he builds his roster—starting with fit as a student and person before anything basketball-related—why winning your “backyard” matters, and how geography, culture, and family support all factor into long-term success. He explains why seeing recruits in person still matters, what body language and behavior reveal during evaluations, and why some traits simply can’t be taught.
This episode covers:
How coaches truly evaluate recruits beyond film and stats
Why body language, respect, and response matter more than highlight plays
The reality of JV development and why playing time is never promised
What families often misunderstand about Division III basketball
Honest advice for recruits, parents, and high school coaches navigating the process
This is a truth-filled recruiting conversation—direct, practical, and grounded in long-term development and fit, not shortcuts.
🎧 Missed Part 1? Go back and listen for a coaching-focused conversation on culture, standards, and program building.
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.
29 min
January 30Episode #146: John Payan
🏀 John Payan on Mindset, Accountability, and Building a Program That Holds Under Pressure | Significant Coaching Podcast
In Part 1 of this Significant Coaching conversation, Matt Rogers sits down with John Payan, head men’s basketball coach at Coe College, for a deep, honest discussion about what it really takes to build a program that lasts.
Payan shares lessons from his rise through the coaching ranks—from grinding as a graduate assistant to helping lead back-to-back NCAA Tournament teams, and now carrying the responsibility of the head chair. He breaks down why mindset, effort, and energy are daily expectations, not motivational slogans, and explains how fundamentals, physicality, and habits show up when games tighten and seasons get hard.
This episode dives into:
Teaching accountability without crushing confidence
Why rebounding and ball security are mindset issues first
How young head coaches learn to adjust without ego
Practice planning that mirrors real game situations
Developing players for basketball and life beyond the game
This is a pure coaching episode—practical, grounded, and built for coaches who care about standards, development, and doing the job the right way.
🎧 Part 2 of this conversation shifts to Significant Recruiting, where Coach Payan shares insight for student-athletes, parents, and high school coaches navigating the recruiting process.
📚 Books & Journals by Matt Rogers
Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

The Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions)
Soccer Recruit’s Journal: https://amzn.to/3M4PFDX

Volleyball Recruit’s Journal: https://amzn.to/4qMLr2S

Basketball Recruit’s Journal: https://amzn.to/4bxljEJ

Baseball Recruit’s Journal: https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ

Softball Recruit’s Journal: https://amzn.to/4qd4PFp
(All Available on Amazon and at coachmattrogers.com)
🚀 Significant Recruiting Launchpad
Online courses and guided resources for families navigating the recruiting process:
👉 https://coachmattrogers.com/launchpad
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.
41 min
January 26Episode #145: Dr. Bob Dranoff on Recruiting
The Commissioner's Take on Recruiting: Fit, Expectations, and the Division II Reality | Bob Dranoff (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers is joined by Dr. Bob Dranoff—long-time athletic director at Molloy University, former administrator at St. John’s University, and recently retired commissioner of the NCAA Division II East Coast Conference—for a realistic look at college recruiting.
This episode focuses on what coaches, families, and recruits often misunderstand about opportunity, scholarships, and fit—particularly at the Division II level. Drawing on decades of experience, Dranoff explains how recruiting decisions are shaped by enrollment needs, institutional priorities, finances, and leadership philosophy, and why assumptions don’t always align with how rosters are actually built.
They also discuss changing family expectations, the pressures facing coaches, and why transparency and honest conversations matter more than ever in today’s recruiting environment. While Division II may not be the right athletic fit for every student, it can be an excellent academic fit for many—and understanding that distinction is critical.
This episode is especially valuable for:
Student-athletes navigating recruiting decisions
Parents trying to understand the process realistically
Coaches building rosters and managing expectations
🎧 Audio: https://coachmattrogers.com/podcast/

📺 Video: https://youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

For more recruiting resources:
📘 Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
https://amzn.to/3LMRRjk

📓 The Recruit’s Journal (sport-specific editions)
https://coachmattrogers.com/journals
Send us Fan Mail
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.
19 min
January 23Episode #144: Dr. Bob Dranoff
🎙️ From the Commissioner’s Chair: What NCAA Division II Leadership Really Looks Like | Bob Dranoff
What does it actually mean to lead an NCAA conference?
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Bob Dranoff, former Commissioner of the East Coast Conference, for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at leadership from the highest level of Division II athletics.
Bob shares what most coaches and athletic directors never get to see—the reality of conference leadership. From balancing presidents, athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes, to running championships, managing membership, and navigating limited resources, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the complexity of the commissioner’s role.
They dive deep into what makes Division II special, why empathy matters more than ever in leadership, how athletic directors can better support coaches, and the growing challenges facing college athletics—from professionalization to burnout to changing family expectations.
This episode is packed with perspective for:
College coaches
Athletic directors
Administrators and aspiring leaders
Anyone seeking a clearer, more grounded view of leadership in college athletics
📘 Resources Mentioned & Recommended:
Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3LMRRjk

The Recruit’s Journal (sport-specific editions)
👉 https://coachmattrogers.com/journals
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.
49 min
January 18 Episode #143: Candace Moats on Recruiting
🎙️ 3-Peat Perspective: How Candace Moats Recruits for Championships That Last
How do you win a three-peat—and keep doing it without burning out your culture, your players, or yourself?
On Part 2 of this two-part series on the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers continues the conversation with Candace Moats, Head Volleyball Coach at Indiana Wesleyan University, AVCA Coach of the Year, and leader of a program that has captured three consecutive NAIA National Championships.
This episode zeroes in on recruiting—and why sustained excellence starts long before a recruit ever steps on campus.
Coach Moats breaks down how her recruiting philosophy has evolved from chasing talent to prioritizing fit, joy, work ethic, and alignment. She shares why she refuses to manipulate recruits into saying yes, how she talks honestly about faith-based schools, what she listens for in conversations, and why the best recruiting decisions are the ones athletes make for themselves.
This is a must-listen for recruits, parents, and coaches who want clarity, honesty, and a recruiting process built on trust—not pressure.
🔗 Candace Moats Bio: https://iwuwildcats.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/candace-moats/777

🎧 Listen: CoachMattRogers.com
📺 Watch: https://www.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.

29 min
January 16 Episode #142: Candace Moats
🎙️ 3x National Champions: How Candace Moats Builds Programs That Last
What does it really take to build a championship program—and sustain it year after year?
On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Candace Moats, Head Volleyball Coach at Indiana Wesleyan University, AVCA Coach of the Year, and leader of a program that has now won three consecutive NAIA National Championships.
But this conversation goes far beyond banners and rings.
Candace shares powerful insight on protecting team culture, coaching with conviction, rebuilding when necessary, and what it truly means to “finish the race well.” She speaks openly about faith, leadership, accountability, and why sustained excellence is built through clarity, relationships, and standards—not shortcuts.
This episode is a must-listen for coaches, athletic leaders, and anyone committed to building programs that last—on and off the court.
🔗 Candace Moats Bio: https://iwuwildcats.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/candace-moats/777

🎧 Listen: CoachMattRogers.com
📺 Watch: 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

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.

41 min
January 12Episode #141: Sue Amendt on Recruiting
🎓 Small Town Roots, Smart Recruiting Decisions
Coach Sue Amendt on Fit, Perspective & Guiding the College Journey
In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, the Significant Recruiting Podcast shifts the focus to college recruiting with Hall of Fame volleyball coach Sue Amendt—bringing together the rare and valuable perspective of a former college athlete, a longtime high school coach, and a parent of two college athletes.
Growing up in Lena, Illinois, and coaching for more than 26 years in a small-town community, Sue shares what families really need to understand about the recruiting process—especially when exposure is limited and expectations can feel overwhelming.
In this episode, we discuss:
Fit vs. level and why it matters more than ever
What college coaches actually look for beyond talent
How small-town athletes can navigate recruiting with confidence
The role parents should (and shouldn’t) play in the process
Lessons Sue learned guiding her own children through recruiting
This conversation is honest, grounded, and practical—designed to help recruits and families slow the process down, make better decisions, and choose environments where they can thrive as students, athletes, and people.
🎧 Listen to this episode and past conversations at coachmattrogers.com
🎥 Watch full Season 3 episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

If you missed Part 1 – Significant Coaching, go back and listen for a powerful discussion on youth sports development, small-town values, and building programs the right way.
Until next time—stay focused on what you can control, stay humble, and keep chasing significanc
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.
25 min