🎧 Significant Recruiting Podcast | Featuring Coach Chris Bunch, Webster University

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Matt Rogers sits down with Coach Chris Bunch, longtime Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Webster University, to break down what really matters in the recruiting process.

Coach Bunch shares:

• What catches his attention when evaluating a recruit
• Why character, communication, and toughness go further than talent alone
• Common mistakes athletes and families make when contacting D3 programs
• What makes Division III basketball unique—and often misunderstood

Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with insights from one of the most trusted and experienced voices in small college basketball.

📚 Looking for tools to guide your journey?
Visit CoachMattRogers.com to grab the book Significant Recruiting, explore The Softball Recruit’s Journal, sign up for the Significant Recruiting Launchpad course , or schedule a free recruiting strategy session with Coach Matt today.

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Brotherhood, Basketball & Building Men – A Coaching Conversation with Chris Bunch

Description:
In this episode of Significant Coaching, I sit down with one of my great friends in the world of college sports—Coach Chris Bunch, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Webster University. Chris and I started our college coaching journeys nearly 25 years ago in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, where our teams had epic battles and an instant respect was formed.

This conversation is personal. It’s real. And it’s packed with wisdom.

We talk about the evolution of coaching, the pressure and privilege of leading young men, and the legacy we hope to leave behind. Chris is one of the most loyal, generous, and thoughtful leaders I know—on and off the court. He also wrote the Coach’s Perspective for Chapter 8 of my book Significant Recruiting, and I’m incredibly thankful for his voice in this space.

Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode will remind you why relationships matter more than records—and why coaching with heart still wins.

🎧 Subscribe and listen now.
🔗 Learn more or grab your copy of Significant Recruiting at CoachMattRogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

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

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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What College Coaches Are Really Looking For – A Recruiting Talk with Paul Svagdis of Westmont College

In this week’s Significant Recruiting episode, Matt Rogers is joined by Westmont College Head Baseball Coach Paul Svagdis, a veteran leader with over 850 career wins and nearly 30 years of experience across NCAA Division III, NAIA, and now Division II.

Coach Svagdis breaks down exactly what he looks for in a recruit—from mindset and resilience to how a player responds to adversity. He shares why Stephen Vogt, now the manager of the Cleveland Guardians, stands as a prime example of the kind of athlete he wants in his program.

You’ll also hear advice on how to stand out in the recruiting process, how coaches evaluate character, and the importance of humility, consistency, and leadership potential.

🎯 Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with practical insight to help guide your recruiting journey.

📚 Ready to take control of your college recruitment?

Visit CoachMattRogers.com to get your copy of Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes and the new Recruit’s Journal—your week-by-week guide to staying organized, confident, and college-ready.

Send us a text

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

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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Building Championship Culture with Paul Svagdis – Westmont College Head Baseball Coach

In this episode of Significant Coaching, Matt Rogers sits down with legendary baseball coach Paul Svagdis, now leading the program at Westmont College. With over 850 career wins, 10 conference titles, and a proven track record at every collegiate level, Coach Svagdis shares the core principles that have shaped his success—on and off the field.

They discuss what it truly takes to build a winning culture, how to lead with consistency, and why Stephen Vogt, two-time MLB All-Star and current manager of the Cleveland Guardians, remains a lasting example of the kind of player and person Coach Svagdis develops.

Whether you're a coach building your program or a leader striving for lasting impact, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

🔗 Learn more and access free coaching and recruiting resources at CoachMattRogers.com

#SignificantCoaching #PaulSvagdis #WestmontBaseball #CoachingLeadership #StephenVogt #CollegeBaseball #AthleteDevelopment

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

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Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🎙️ Significant Recruiting Podcast – Featuring Paul Dill (MIT Volleyball)

In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Dill, Head Volleyball Coach at MIT, to talk about what recruiting looks like inside one of the most selective academic institutions in the country. With over 1,000 career wins and decades of experience, Coach Dill shares what it takes to identify, evaluate, and support student-athletes who thrive both on the court and in the classroom.

We discuss:

• How recruiting changes when your pool is limited to 4.0 GPA/1450+ SAT athletes
• What Coach Dill looks for beyond talent
• The importance of curiosity, communication, and character
• Why being recruitable is about more than your stats

This conversation is full of perspective for any family navigating the recruiting process—especially those considering high-academic colleges and D3 programs.

📘 The Softball Recruit’s Journal is now the #1 New Release on Amazon in three categories!
👉 Get the Journal on Amazon

🌐 For more tools, podcast episodes, and free recruiting strategy sessions, visit coachmattrogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

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

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

Did you like what you heard and want more?
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🎙️ Significant Coaching Podcast – Featuring Paul Dill

This week’s episode begins with a heartfelt tribute to legendary high school basketball coach Jerry Petitgoue, who passed away this week. Coach Petitgoue was more than a Hall of Famer—to Matt, he was a mentor, a friend, and someone who shaped the way he coached, led, and lived. Matt didn't get the pleasure of playing for Coach, but he'll always be Matt's coach.

After the tribute, Matt is joined by Paul Dill, Head Volleyball Coach at MIT and one of the most consistently successful coaches in NCAA Division III history. With over 1,000 career wins coaching both men and women and a .772 winning percentage, Coach Dill has built a powerhouse program while working with one of the smallest recruiting pools in the country.

We dive into:

✅ How he recruits top-tier student-athletes who meet MIT’s elite academic standards
✅ Why he uses the Socratic method to develop smarter, more self-aware athletes
✅ What it takes to sustain excellence over nearly three decades
✅ Lessons every coach can apply about leadership, teaching, and culture-building

If you're a coach, athlete, or parent trying to understand what real coaching looks like, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

📘 Now available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/409yeWG
The Softball Recruit’s Journal – Your step-by-step guide to owning the recruiting journey with tools for communication, visits, decision-making, and more.

🌐 Learn more, listen to past episodes, and schedule a free recruiting or coaching session at: coachmattrogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

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

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.

🎙️ Significant Recruiting Podcast – Featuring Dan Mickle

In this episode, I’m joined by Dan Mickle, Head Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania and a certified mental performance consultant. We dive deep into what it really takes for volleyball players to stand out in today’s recruiting landscape—and it goes far beyond stats and highlight reels.

Dan shares:

• How mental performance plays a critical role in recruiting
• What coaches are looking for beyond talent
• How parents can recognize when their child is struggling mentally
• Tips for helping athletes play with joy, confidence, and purpose

Whether your daughter is navigating high school, club, or starting the recruiting process, this episode is packed with perspective every volleyball family should hear.

📘 Now available on Amazon:
The Softball Recruit’s Journal – Your step-by-step guide to owning the recruiting journey with tools for communication, visits, decision-making, and more. Volleyball edition coming soon!

🌐 Learn more, listen to past episodes, and schedule a free recruiting or coaching session at: coachmattrogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

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

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.

🎙️ The Mind Behind the Athlete: Coaching Commitment with Dan Mickle

In this powerful episode of Significant Coaching, Matt sits down with Dan Mickle—Head Volleyball Coach at York College of Pennsylvania and a nationally recognized performance psychology expert—for a conversation that goes far beyond the court.

Together, they explore how being part of a college athletic program prepares student-athletes for life after sports—jobs, relationships, and the kind of long-term commitments that truly matter. They dive deep into the mental side of athlete development, why mental toughness is more than a buzzword, and how coaches can shape character just as much as skill.

They also get honest about the good—and the not-so-good—of the club volleyball scene and how it’s shaping athletes before they ever arrive on campus.

Coach Mickle’s dual expertise as both a collegiate coach and performance consultant makes this a can’t-miss conversation for anyone serious about coaching with impact.

📘 Be sure to check out Matt’s newest resource for softball families—The Softball Recruit’s Journal. It’s the ultimate step-by-step guide to navigating college recruiting, now available with two awesome covers to choose from.

Visit coachmattrogers.com for books, free resources, podcast episodes, and to schedule your free coaching or recruiting strategy session today.

Send us a text

Support the show

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

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.