“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” -Bob Marley
When I started the Significant Coaching Podcast one year ago, I was motivated by a desire to learn from the best: I wanted to have meaningful conversations with coaches I respect. As a former head college coach, I miss many aspects of the job, but what I miss most are the relationships and the impromptu, daily conversations with coaching colleagues—those serendipitous moments when someone would walk into your office, or you’d stop by theirs. Looking back, I realize how much I undervalued those interactions. Each one was like having a seasoned professional provide a personalized master class on coaching—a resource I’d call invaluable today.
Fast forward a year and 50 episodes later, and I could never have imagined just how much I’d learn from these conversations. Each episode has made me a better coach and, I like to think, a better person.
Just recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristina McSweeney, the Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I South Dakota State University. Let me just say—she’s phenomenal. Like every coach I’ve had on the podcast, Kristina left me deeply impressed with her character, values, passion, and love for her work. But what stood out most was her gratitude—for life’s obstacles, for the people who’ve supported her along the way, and, most touchingly, for her parents.
At the end of every episode, I ask my guests to share one piece of significant advice for the audience. Kristina’s response was both personal and powerful. She shared a story about nearly giving up on her playing career and how a conversation with her parents changed the trajectory of her life. I won’t spoil the details (you’ll have to listen to the episode when it drops on January 10, 2025!), but her father’s words struck a chord with me: “This is going to be hard.”
Those words resonated because I’ve been there. Early in my college career, I faced a similar low point. It’s a topic I now find myself discussing frequently with recruits: the often-difficult transition from high school to college. I try to prepare them for the reality that Year 1 isn’t going to go exactly as they hope. It’s not all smooth sailing, and telling them otherwise would be setting them up for failure.
I wish I could tell new student-athletes that their biggest challenge will be staying coachable or focusing on academics and their sport. But the truth is, the first year is about something much deeper: learning who you are when mom and dad are no longer there to catch you. It’s about navigating failure—because it will happen—and realizing that a crack in the pavement isn’t a 100-foot drop.
Whether you’re a parent, coach, administrator, or student-athlete, it’s important to have an honest conversation about the challenges ahead. Yes, it’s going to be hard. But if it weren’t hard, everyone would do it. To help navigate those doubts, here are three keys I encourage every first-year student-athlete to embrace:
- Remember the Why
You chose to play in college because you love the game. Hold on to that love, no matter what the results say. The passion that brought you here is your foundation. - Believe in the 1%
Focus on getting just a little better each day. Small, incremental progress will take you much farther than trying to leap from recruit to All-American overnight. Trust the process. - Over-Communicate
You were recruited because your coaches believe in you. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles, ask questions, or ask for help from the people that chose you. Communication strengthens trust and shows your commitment to growth.
The journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Remember, cracks in the pavement don’t define your path—how you navigate them does. And if you ever need a reminder, tune into Significant Coaching. There’s always wisdom to be found in these conversations.
Interested in Coach Rogers’ book on college recruiting? https://coachmattrogers.com/book-significant-recruiting/
Want to schedule a free 30-minute college recruitment strategy session with Coach Rogers? https://coachmattrogers.com/contact/#