“You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.” – John Wooden
A few days ago, I reposted something I had written months ago: The Top 10 Mistakes Recruits Make.
With everything I’d been seeing in Facebook recruiting groups—parents feeling overwhelmed, bad advice flying everywhere—it felt like the perfect time to re-share something grounded and practical. These are mistakes I’ve seen for decades from thousands of families navigating the college recruiting process.
Shortly after posting, a father commented:
“Who cares.”
No question mark. Just a period. No context.
And I laughed out loud.
Not sarcastically. Not bitterly. Just… honestly. I laughed because it was such a perfect reminder of how far I’ve come. I even said out loud to no one in particular:
“I wonder if he knows how healthy of a comment that is—and how healthy I feel that I found it funny and didn’t take it personally.”
That moment stuck with me. Because it was a small comment, but a big victory.
We Don’t Coach for Applause—We Coach for Impact
If you’re raising kids, mentoring athletes, leading a team, or simply putting your heart into helping people, you will be criticized. Sometimes by strangers, sometimes by people who don’t know you, and occasionally by those who should.
The key is learning to stay grounded in your purpose, not your praise.
Everyone gets a microphone these days. But not everyone earns your attention.
When someone drops a quick “who cares” on something you think is valid and helpful, you have two choices:
- Take it personally, let it eat at you, and question your value.
- Laugh, shake it off, and get back to doing meaningful work.
I’m thankful I chose the second one.
The Example We Set Is More Important Than the Words We Say
Our athletes, our students, our kids—they’re watching. Always. They’re learning how to handle frustration, conflict, and noise by watching how we do it.
So when we stay calm… when we refuse to be rattled… when we keep showing up with joy and conviction… we’re teaching them how to do the same.
And let’s be honest: there are far more people out there who are helped by your effort than harmed by someone’s snarky comment.
Keep leading. Keep serving. Keep giving your best.
Let your impact speak louder than someone else’s apathy.
Closing Thought:
You don’t have to be everyone’s favorite. And you definitely don’t need everyone’s approval. Just stay focused on the kids who need your guidance and the mission that lights you up. When someone says, “Who cares,” take it as a reminder: you do. And that’s more than enough.
Need help navigating your athlete’s college recruiting journey—or growing as a coach and leader?
Visit CoachMattRogers.com to explore resources, including:
- My book: Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
- The new Softball Recruit’s Journal (other sport specific journals coming soon)
- 1-on-1 strategy sessions for families
- Leadership & recruiting workshops for schools and organizations
