The Truth About Division II Recruiting: Fit, Growth, and Learning Through Failure 🏀🎯

In Part 2 of this conversation, Matt Rogers sits down with Bill Cleary, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division II St. Thomas Aquinas College, to talk about the reality of college recruiting and athlete development.

This episode focuses on two critical truths families need to understand:

🏀 NCAA Division II is not a step down from Division I — it’s about opportunity, development, and the right fit.
📈 Too many athletes arrive at college without ever being pushed, challenged, or allowed to fail — and growth requires all three.

Matt and Bill discuss why honest feedback, higher standards, and strong support systems from coaches, parents, and mentors are essential for long-term success.

If you’re a recruit, parent, or coach navigating the college journey, this conversation will help you shift your focus from chasing level to building real readiness.

Find recruiting resources, including Significant Recruiting and the Basketball Recruit’s Journal, at CoachMattRogers.com

Learn more about Coach Bill Cleary at St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Basketball

Send a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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

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“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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

🏐 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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

🏐 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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

🏀 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:

Send us a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...

🎙️ 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 a text

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here: https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

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 resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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 y...