🏀 Do You Have What It Takes to Play D2? | Paula Krueger

In Part II of this conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Paula Krueger, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division II Northern State University, to break down what college recruiting really looks like from the coach’s perspective.

This episode dives into how recruiting lists actually work, the reality of the transfer portal, why opportunity is more than just playing time, and how recruits should communicate with college coaches the right way.

A must-listen for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the recruiting journey.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:30 What It Takes to Play D2
02:00 How Recruiting Lists Actually Work
05:00 Why Coaches Already Have Their Lists
07:30 What Coaches Watch at AAU Events
10:00 Defense, Rebounding & Effort
12:30 Stats vs Real Evaluation
15:00 The Reality of the Transfer Portal
18:30 Why Players Transfer
21:00 Opportunity Beyond Playing Time
24:00 Competing Within Your Own Team
27:00 Communicating with College Coaches
30:00 Common Mistakes Recruits Make
33:00 Final Advice for Recruits
36:00 Closing Thoughts

🎧 Listen at coachmattrogers.com/podcast
📺 Watch at youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

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Support the show

📆 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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🏀 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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📆 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 your podca...

⛳ 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.

🎧 Listen: coachmattrogers.com/podcast
📺 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📆 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 your podca...