🥎 Inside a College Coach’s Playbook: Recruiting Secrets with Venus Taylor

North Central College Head Softball Coach and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Operations Coordinator, Venus Taylor, has recruited at every level of the game — from JUCO to Division I. In this episode of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, she shares what truly matters when coaches evaluate athletes, the right role for parents during the recruiting process, and why character, effort, and presence can outweigh stats.

We also dive into how social media impacts recruiting, the benefits of multi-sport participation, and the traits that separate athletes who thrive in college from those who struggle. Venus’ experience as a professional athlete, championship-winning coach, and mentor gives her a perspective every family needs to hear.

Whether you’re just starting your recruiting journey or you’re deep in the process, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you find the right fit and make the most of your opportunities.

📍 Learn more about recruiting resources, my book Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes, and The Softball Recruit’s Journal at coachmattrogers.com.

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Venus Taylor: From Pro Softball Star to Championship Coach & Mentor

From winning an NJCAA Division I National Championship in her very first year as a college coach to leading programs at the Division I level, Coach Venus Taylor’s coaching journey is as remarkable as her playing career. Now the head coach at North Central College, Venus continues to shape the game through her leadership, mentorship, and ongoing work with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League in partnership with Major League Baseball.

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Venus shares how her experiences as a professional athlete, a college coach, and a mom have molded her into the leader she is today. We discuss why JUCO, NCCAA, and D3 softball should never be overlooked, the non-negotiables in her program, and the lessons she passes on to every athlete she coaches.

If you want insight into building a winning culture, leading with purpose, and preparing athletes for life beyond the field, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Don’t forget: If you enjoy this episode, come back Monday for Part 2, where we’ll dive deep into the recruiting process and finding the right fit for your journey.

📍 Learn more about my coaching and recruiting resources, read my weekly blog, and subscribe to the newsletter 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.

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🛩 Recruiting at Cruising Altitude with Joslynn Gallop – Embry-Riddle Volleyball

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is world-famous for producing pilots and aerospace leaders — but it’s also home to one of the most competitive NCAA Division II volleyball programs in the country. In this Significant Recruiting episode, Head Coach Joslynn Gallop takes us inside the Sunshine State Conference — a league many consider the toughest in all of D2 volleyball.

For 20 years, Joslynn has built a program that thrives on fierce competition, tough love, and a little well-placed trash talk. A former Division I standout at San Jose State, she knows what elite talent looks like and isn’t afraid to challenge her players to reach new heights.

We talk recruiting strategy, what it takes to stand out in one of the most talent-rich conferences in the nation, and why Embry-Riddle is so much more than just a university for pilots and engineers.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter at coachmattrogers.com for more recruiting insights, my latest blogs, and future episodes.

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.