🏀 Can You Love Your Team? Lessons from Paula Krueger at Northern State

What does it really mean to love your team as a coach?

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Paula Krueger, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Northern State University, for a real and reflective conversation on coaching, growth, and perspective.

A question Paula was once asked in an interview—“Can you love your team?”—has stayed with her throughout her career and continues to shape how she leads today.

This conversation dives into:

• How that question became a foundation of her coaching philosophy
• Why coaches can’t build their identity solely around the game
• The importance of seeing a coach’s full body of work, not just one season
• Lessons learned from stepping away—and coming back better
• How she approaches player development through staff, detail, and trust
• The role of mental performance and simple tools to help athletes reset during games

Paula also shares powerful moments from her journey—like the advice that helped her leave a team she loved: “Don’t ever take or stay for a roster.”

This is a conversation about more than basketball. It’s about identity, relationships, and becoming a better coach by becoming a more complete person.

👉 Learn more about Paula Krueger: https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/paula-krueger/1598

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Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
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⛳ A 39-Year Masterclass in College Fit and Recruiting

In Episode #161 of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers continues his conversation with Scott Fjelstul, Director of Golf at Luther College and a 39-year head coach with a remarkably decorated career.

This is a 39-year masterclass in how to think about recruiting the right way.

Too many athletes and families make decisions based on offers, rankings, and coaches.

But what happens if the coach leaves?
What happens if the sport is taken away?

This episode challenges you to think differently—and focus on what truly lasts.

Coach Fjelstul shares insight on:

• Why the school has to feel like home
• What college coaches actually look for in recruits
• Why character, work ethic, and passion matter most
• How to evaluate fit beyond rankings and stats
• The importance of academics and time management

If you’re a student-athlete, parent, or coach, this conversation will help you make a decision that holds up long after the game is over.

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🔗 Learn more about Scott Fjelstul: https://luthernorse.com/staff-directory/scott-fjelstul/143

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📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
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Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
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🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
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🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
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⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
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🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
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⛳ Scott Fjelstul: Building People, Not Just Golfers

What does it take to lead a program for nearly four decades—and do it with consistency, humility, and purpose?

On this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Scott Fjelstul, the longtime Head Men’s Golf Coach at Luther College and Director of Golf, to explore what it really means to build a program that lasts.

For 39 years, Coach Fjelstul has developed not just elite golfers, but high-level people—earning 13 Conference Coach of the Year awards, leading his teams to 12 conference championships and 8 NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances, while coaching All-Americans and Academic All-Americans along the way.

But this conversation goes far beyond wins and accolades.

It’s about:

• Understanding what athletes need—and when they need it
• Building trust in an individual sport like golf
• Creating a culture of consistency and accountability
• Leading with humility and longevity in mind
• Why Division III athletics offers a powerful developmental experience

This episode is a masterclass in coaching, leadership, and building teams that stand the test of time.

🔗 Learn more about Coach Fjelstul: https://luthernorse.com/staff-directory/scott-fjelstul/143

🌐 Explore more resources, books, and speaking opportunities: coachmattrogers.com

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📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
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Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
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🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
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🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
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⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
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🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
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🏀 Competitiveness, Fit, and the Truth About Recruiting | John Baines | Part II

In Part II of Episode 159 of the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers continues his conversation with John Baines, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Elmhurst University, diving deep into the realities of the college basketball recruiting process.

Coach Baines shares what he truly looks for in recruits after decades in the profession — and it’s not just talent. He explains why competitiveness, resilience, communication, and culture fit often matter more than stats or highlight reels.

In this episode, Coach Baines discusses:

• What competitiveness really looks like when watching recruits in the gym
• Why body language and resilience are critical evaluation tools
• How parents and coaches often see recruiting from very different perspectives
• Why recruits must understand their “why” when reaching out to a college program
• The importance of relationships and campus visits in making the right decision
• Why the best recruiting decisions are about fit, not just opportunity

Coach Baines also shares advice for parents navigating the recruiting process and explains how he evaluates whether a player is truly the right fit for the culture he has built at Elmhurst.

If you’re a recruit, parent, or coach trying to understand how college recruiting really works, this episode offers a candid and insightful look from one of Division III basketball’s most respected coaches.

Learn more about John Baines, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Elmhurst University:
https://elmhurstbluejays.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/john-baines/1092

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Subscribers receive free access to every podcast episode, the weekly recruiting blog, the Recruit, Coach and Parent Tips of the Week, and the Significant Question of the Week.

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Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
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Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/3M4PFDX

🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
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🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
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⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
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🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
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This week I’m joined by John Baines, head men’s basketball coach at Elmhurst University, one of the premier Division III basketball programs in the country.

During his time leading the Bluejays, Coach Baines has built a nationally respected program in the CCIW, leading Elmhurst to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, conference championships, and a run to the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship game after a historic Final Four season.

But what stands out most about Coach Baines is not just the winning.

It’s the way he builds people.

In this conversation we discuss:

• Developing toughness and resilience in players
• Building leadership inside a team
• Practice design and daily standards
• Managing emotional momentum during games
• Teaching accountability and responsibility
• Why telling players the truth matters

This episode is packed with insight for coaches, athletic directors, and leaders who care about building strong cultures and developing young people through sport.

To learn more about Coach Baines and his career at Elmhurst, visit:
https://elmhurstbluejays.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/john-baines/1092

For blogs, books, recruiting resources, and speaking opportunities visit:
coachmattrogers.com

And make sure to come back Monday for Part II of this conversation, where Coach Baines and I tackle the world of college basketball recruiting.

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📆 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
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In Part II of my conversation with Traci Murphy, Vice President for Athletics at NCAA Division II Daemen University, we dive deep into the college recruiting process and how athletic departments evaluate prospective student-athletes.

Understanding the college recruiting process can be difficult for families navigating it for the first time. Parents and athletes often focus on scholarships, playing time, and offers, but the recruiting process is much more complex than that. Athletic directors and coaches are evaluating character, academic preparation, leadership ability, and how a recruit fits within the culture of a program.

Traci Murphy brings a unique perspective to this discussion because she has worked in nearly every corner of college athletics. Her career includes experience in athletic training, compliance, student-athlete support services, and athletics administration, and she now serves as the President of the Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) within NACDA.

Because of that experience, Traci understands the college recruiting process from the perspective of both coaches and administrators. In this conversation we discuss how athletic departments define championship culture, how coaches identify the right recruits for their programs, and what families should be observing during campus visits.

We also discuss several questions parents and student-athletes should ask during the recruiting process, including how to evaluate team culture, academic support systems, and the overall student-athlete experience.

If you are a high school athlete, parent, coach, or athletic administrator, this conversation will give you a clearer understanding of how the college recruiting process actually works inside an athletic department.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of the Significant Coaching Podcast
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🎤 Schools and organizations can schedule Matt Rogers to speak about navigating the college recruiting process

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📆 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

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🎙 Learning Leadership the Right Way with Traci Murphy

What does it take to lead a thriving college athletics department?

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Traci Murphy, Vice President for Athletics at NCAA Division II Daemen University and the current President of the Division II Athletic Directors Association within NACDA.

With more than three decades of experience in intercollegiate athletics, Murphy has built a career rooted in service, mentorship, and developing environments where student-athletes, coaches, and administrators can thrive.

Matt and Traci discuss the many paths to leadership in college athletics, the value of learning from seasoned mentors, and the lessons that come from building a career step by step. Murphy also shares insights on leading a rising Division II athletics program, building culture across an entire department, and preparing the next generation of leaders in college sports.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that great leadership isn’t built overnight—it’s developed through experience, humility, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

You can listen to more episodes, read the Blog of Significance, explore recruiting resources, and learn how to schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school, conference, or organization at CoachMattRogers.com.

Learn more about Traci Murphy at Daemen University AD Traci Murphy

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📆 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

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Division II Recruiting Reality | Katelyn Smith | Part II

In Part 2 of this Significant Recruiting conversation, Adams State University Athletic Director Katelyn Smith breaks down the realities of recruiting at the NCAA Division II level.

This episode covers:

• How the transfer portal is changing roster opportunities
• Why high school athletes are now competing with college transfers
• What NIL actually looks like at the Division II level
• How partial scholarships and financial planning work
• What Division II coaches are truly looking for in recruits
• Why fit, development, and retention matter more than chasing a level

If you’re a student-athlete, parent, or coach trying to understand where the real opportunities exist in today’s recruiting environment, this episode provides honest insight from the athletic director’s perspective.

For more about Katelyn Smith: Adams State University AD | Katelyn Smith Bio

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📆 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...