The Coaches Group Chat

The Coaches Group Chat

By Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad GordonComedySportsVolleyball
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The Coaches Group Chat episodes

  • S2E10: Long Beach v. Irvine, Peeps, and Adolescence

    We dive into men's collegiate volleyball rankings and break down the implications of Long Beach State's split with UC Irvine in what was a high-level volleyball showcase with sold-out crowds.

    • Clear separation exists between the "top five" teams and everyone else in men's volleyball
    • Long Beach maintains #1 ranking despite their loss to UC Irvine in a sold-out match
    • Debate over Loyola Chicago's #6 ranking after being "called out of rotation"
    • Discussion of whether Long Beach's loss will ultimately benefit them by relieving pressure
    • High school volleyball rankings from cousin Greg
    • Netflix's "Adolescence" recommended as essential viewing for anyone working with young men
    • Each episode of "Adolescence" filmed in a continuous 50-minute single shot
    • Comprehensive taste test of nine different Peep varieties
    • Classic yellow Peep crowned champion over specialty flavors like Dr. Pepper and Blue Raspberry
    • Cotton Candy Peeps universally condemned and "should be banned by the FDA"


    41 min
  • S2E9: We're back baby, Traitors Poll, Replay Systems, Collegiate Drama

    We make our triumphant return for Season 3 (it's actually season 2 episode 9 but it's been forever since our last episode), putting to rest any rumors about internal fighting while offering sincere apologies for the technical difficulties that prevented the release of our previous recordings.

    • Debating the latest Traitor's Poll rankings with special focus on CSUN vs Loyola placement
    • Criticizing current replay systems in college volleyball and proposing either professional-grade systems or faster decision processes
    • Analyzing CSUN's challenging Chicago road trip against Lewis and Loyola
    • Discussing the remarkable service runs that led Grand Canyon to dominate BYU
    • Examining attendance figures across men's volleyball with Hawaii leading at 6,400 fans per game
    • Highlighting Hawaii's impressive volleyball program where men's volleyball ranks second only to football in donations

    32 min
  • S2E8: MVB Beer Olympics, Boycott the AVCA Rankings, Matt's NSFW Social Media

    Our latest episode dives into the humorous and competitive world of Fantasy MVB Beer Olympics! We discuss team selection, strategies, and what it means to build a cohesive unit ready to take on the challenge. 

    • Introduction of our Beer Olympics draft 
    • Boycotting the AVCA rankings
    • Matt's NSFW social media
    • Capitol Hill Classic recap
    • Women's volleyball roundup

    38 min
  • S2E7: All-American Dream Teams, High School Rule Shake-Ups, and Summer Schedule

    We are putting the AMERICA into our All-American team while discussing the scarcity of top-tier American rosters in college volleyball today. We highlighted key American players, examined high school volleyball rule changes, and ultimately celebrated the importance of recognizing homegrown talent in the sport. 


    • Crafting an all-American team of volleyball players 
    • The significance of celebrating American players in international-dominated NCAA 
    • Recent high school volleyball rule adjustments 
    • Excitement surrounding local competitions and events 
    • Plans for an upcoming All-Star game to honor local talent

    26 min
  • S2E6: Rankings Debate, UCLA vs. Long Beach Recap, and College Volleyball's "Wild West" Era

    Our latest episode dives into the fluctuating AVCA rankings, addressing issues surrounding team standings and the perceived favoritism affecting teams like Hawaii and UCLA. The discussion includes insights on weekend matches, reflections on coaching changes, and the evolving dynamics of college volleyball. 

    • Critique of current AVCA rankings and their formulation 
    • Arguments on Hawaii's ranking despite a recent loss 
    • Recap of Long Beach vs. UCLA: a disappointing outcome 
    • Stanford's bounce-back performance against Hawaii 
    • Examination of Mary Wise's retirement and potential candidates for her position 
    • Reflection on how players influence coaching hires and college athletics

    38 min
  • S2E5: Babies on Benches, Spring Tryouts, Moni Nikolov vs. Harper Murray

    A transformative week in volleyball sees the introduction of the Baby on Benches Rule, allowing coaches to bring their babies onto benches during matches. We discuss the impact of this change, alongside John Cook's retirement, spring tryouts excitement, finishing with a discussion on volleyball superstars: Moni Nikolov vs. Harper Murray.

    • Discussion of the Baby Bench Rule and its implications 
    • Insights on John Cook's retirement and coaching changes 
    • Recap of the experiences from recent spring tryouts 
    • Preview of key volleyball matches on the horizon

    31 min
  • S2E4: New NCAA Rules, Foreigner Limit, NIL & Transfer Portal

    This episode dives into the complexities of NCAA volleyball rankings, exploring their quirks, controversies, and significant impacts on team dynamics. We discuss player transfers, upcoming matches, and potential rule changes:

    • Insights on coaches' polling and its biases 
    • Discussion on the world of NIL in college sports
    • Preview of key upcoming matches between top teams 
    • Proposed rule changes (foreigner limit, remove open hand tips, service error foul out)
    • The future of NCAA volleyball amid rising financial stakes

    48 min
  • S2E3: SoCal Cup Roundup, AVCA Rankings, and NCAA Champ Picks

    In this episode, we explore:
    • SoCal Cup roundup
    • Game results and reflections on tournament performances 
    • Insights into coaching strategies and player growth 
    • Discussion on AVCA rankings and predictions for upcoming matches 
    • Anecdotes from tournament chaos and life in volleyball 
    • National Champion predictions

    38 min
  • S2E2: Men's Volleyball Week 2, LOVB vs. PVF, and Marry-Bang-Kill AVCA Top-20

    S2E2 provides an in-depth analysis of recent men’s volleyball matches, focusing on team dynamics and standout players. We then move into the emerging rivalry between the PVF and LOVB leagues. We then finish off with AVCA ranking evaluations, performance observations, and predictions for future matchups. 
    • Analyzing the matchup between Ball State and Stanford
    • Evaluating team performances and player statistics
    • Highlighting significant league matchups, including Ohio State vs. BYU
    • Discussing the branding rivalry between PVF and LOVB
    • Evaluating early season rankings and future implications
    • Anticipating upcoming matches and viewer engagement

    28 min
  • S2E1: National Team Announcement, 2025 Predictions, and Gender Disparities in the Sport

    Our latest episode is packed with predictions about the upcoming college volleyball season, covering everything from champion favorites to potential up-and-coming teams. With discussions on coaching changes, player developments, and the overall shifting landscape of the sport, we eagerly lay out our thoughts and invite listeners to join in on the excitement.

    • Discussion on Erik Sullivan's new role as head coach of the women's national team
    • Predictions for the MPSF Championship focusing on UCLA
    • Analyzing the competitive nature of the Big West Conference
    • Delving into MIVA Championship predictions with emphasis on Ball State 
    • Insights on the most improved teams and players to watch 
    • Conversations about the impact of coaches switching from men's to women's volleyball 
    • Light-hearted discussion on teams embodying grit and spirit this season
    36 min

About The Coaches Group Chat

From the publisher's feed

Grab a drink and a seat at the table with hosts Matt Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan and Chad Gordon as we chat about the world of volleyball, coaching, business, and whatever else Arielle feels…