🎙 Katelyn Smith on Leadership, Culture, and Why Division II Works (Part 1)

What does real leadership look like at the NCAA Division II level?

In Part 1 of this Significant Coaching conversation, Adams State University Athletic Director Katelyn Smith shares her journey from assistant coach to AD—and the mindset that has helped her build a culture where more than 500 student-athletes and their coaches can thrive.

Katelyn brings a refreshing honesty and energy to her role. She talks about what it really takes to lead a small-college athletic department, why hiring for fit matters more than a résumé, and how Adams State has created sustained success by focusing on hard work, relationships, and doing more with what you have.

You’ll also hear why she believes small campuses and rural communities create powerful opportunities for growth, accountability, and connection—and why Division II may be the best-kept secret in college athletics.

In this episode:

• Leadership lessons from the AD chair
• Building culture that supports coaches and student-athletes
• Hiring strategies and what ADs really look for
• The reality of small-school athletics
• Why Division II offers a unique and meaningful experience

Part 2 will dive into Division II recruiting, the transfer portal, and NIL.

Learn more about Katelyn Smith at https://asugrizzlies.com/staff-directory/katelyn-smith/1231

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...

🎙️ The JUCO Reset: How Junior College Helps You Rebuild and Move Forward

Sometimes the recruiting journey doesn’t go the way you planned.

The good news? Junior college can be the reset that changes everything.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dawson Dickson, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Great Bay Community College (NH), we talk about how the JUCO pathway gives student-athletes the opportunity to grow, develop, and reposition themselves for the right four-year opportunity.

In this episode, we discuss:
🎯 Who the junior college path is right for
📹 What coaches look for when evaluating JUCO recruits
📈 How athletes can improve their value at the next level
🚀 Why JUCO is a chance to rebuild confidence, maturity, and momentum

For many athletes, junior college isn’t a backup plan—it’s a reset and a second opportunity to move their career forward.

If you’re a recruit, parent, or coach trying to find the best path after setbacks, missed opportunities, or a late start, this conversation will give you a new perspective.

🎧 Listen now: CoachMattRogers.com/podcast
▶️ Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and share this episode with a family navigating the recruiting journey.

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...

🎙️ Building Culture Fast: Why Dawson Dickson Is a Rising Star in College Basketball Coaching

What does it take to build a winning culture when your roster changes every year?

This week, I sit down with Dawson Dickson, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Great Bay Community College (NH), to talk about leadership at the junior college level and why he’s quickly becoming one of the rising young coaches to watch.

In this conversation, Dawson shares:
🏀 How to build culture and accountability quickly
📈 Why progress matters more than the scoreboard
💬 How high expectations and daily energy drive player growth
👥 What it really means to mentor and motivate today’s student-athletes

If you’re a coach, athletic director, or leader who wants to build a program that develops people—not just players—this episode is for you.

And be sure to come back Monday for Part 2, where we shift the conversation to the junior college recruiting pathway and how athletes can use JUCO to advance to the four-year level.

🎧 Listen here: CoachMattRogers.com/podcast
▶️ Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

#SignificantCoaching #CoachLeadership #NJCAA #JuniorCollegeAthletics #CoachDevelopment #BuildTheCulture #CoachMattRogers

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...

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.

Did you like what you heard and want more?
New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get y...

“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...