🎙️ 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

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://coachmattrogers.com/

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🎙️ 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

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Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎙️ 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 a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎓 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 a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎙️ Built in a Small Town, Built to Last 🏐

Coach Sue Amendt on Coaching, Community & Raising Athletes the Right Way

What does it look like to build a championship program—and a meaningful life—in a town of just 2,000 people?

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, host Matt Rogers sits down with longtime friend and Hall of Fame volleyball coach Sue Amendt, the legendary leader of the Lena-Winslow Panthers. Growing up together in Lena, Illinois, Matt and Sue reflect on how small-town values, deep relationships, and community accountability shaped them as athletes, coaches, parents, and leaders.

With nearly 700 career wins, multiple conference and regional championships, and a State Final Four appearance, Sue shares lessons from her 26-year coaching journey—along with powerful insight into youth sports development, player growth, and what it means to coach kids you truly know.

🎥 NEW for Season 3: You can now watch every episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast on YouTube!
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

🎧 Listen. Watch. Learn. Reflect.

• Full episodes and past conversations with coaches and leaders from across the U.S.
• Coaching, leadership, and recruiting tools for athletes, parents, and coaches

👉 Visit https://coachmattrogers.com
for podcasts, books, resources, and more.

📖 Learn more about Coach Sue Amendt and her incredible career here:
👉 https://le-win.net/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=742719&id=0

🎙️ Don’t miss Part 2, where Sue dives into her own recruiting journey and shares what she’s learned guiding her children through the process.

Until next time—stay focused on what you can control, stay humble, and keep chasing significance.

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎙️ Division I Recruiting, Unfiltered with Coach Grant Leonard

🏀 In this Significant Recruiting Podcast episode, Matt Rogers is joined by Grant Leonard, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Queens University of Charlotte, for Part 2 of their conversation—focused entirely on Division I college recruiting.

Coach Leonard breaks down how recruiting has changed, what coaches are really watching when they evaluate recruits, and why so many families misunderstand how Division I decisions are made.

This episode is a must-listen for recruits, parents, and coaches who want clarity instead of guesswork.

Learn more about Grant Leonard here: Grant Leonard - Queens Head Men's Basketball Coach

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 1: Coaching, Culture & Leadership with Coach Grant Leonard 🏀

To open Season 3 of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Grant Leonard, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at NCAA D1 Queens University of Charlotte.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation and is focused entirely on coaching and leadership. Coach Leonard shares what it really takes to build and sustain a Division I program—culture, roster construction, practice habits, staff alignment, and the daily standards that separate good teams from great ones.

Direct. Honest. No sugarcoating.

🔗 Coach Grant Leonard bio:
https://queensathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/grant-leonard/2136

🎯 Part 2 will dive deeply into Division I college recruiting and how the landscape has changed.

📘 Recruiting resources, including the Basketball Recruit’s Journal, available at:

Coach Rogers: https://coachmattrogers.com

Amazon: https://a.co/d/1Q0uuU6

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!

🎙️ The Significant Coaching Podcast Season 3

Significant Coaching and Recruiting Podcast returns for Season 3 with deeper conversations about coaching, leadership, and college recruiting.

Hosted by former head college coach, athletic director, and national scout Matt Rogers, the show features honest interviews with athletes, coaches, and leaders making a real impact at the high school, college, and professional levels. With experience helping over 4,000 student-athletes reach college athletics, Matt asks the hard questions—so listeners get the answers they need to make confident, informed decisions for their future.

🎯 Fridays: Coaching & Leadership
🎓 Mondays: College Recruiting

New episodes every Monday and Friday. Full video episodes available on YouTube.

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://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 your podcasts. Don't forget to leave a comment or recommend your favorite athlete, coach or leader to be on the show!