19: The Recruiting Conversations You Never Get to Hear (Part 1)
What do college coaches really talk about when they’re evaluating athletes? What frustrates them? What impresses them? And what actually makes a recruit stand out?
In Part 1 of this rare, behind-the-scenes conversation, Susan brings together Kevin, Todd, and Jessie — three experienced college coaches with insight from both the women’s and men’s volleyball world.
They share the honest, unfiltered truths most families never hear: why communication matters more than talent, why athletes often misunderstand visibility, what coaches actually notice first, and how confidence or doubt shows up long before an athlete steps on the court.
If your athlete is preparing for June 15, navigating club season, or trying to get on a coach’s radar, this episode will give you clarity you can’t get anywhere else.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome back + intro to Part 1
01:30 – Meet Kevin, Todd, and Jessie
04:00 – How each coach ended up in college volleyball
06:30 – Men’s vs women’s recruiting: what’s actually different
08:00 – What coaches notice first in a recruit (and it’s not stats)
10:30 – Are athletes really “overlooked"? Coaches tell the truth
13:00 – Why athletes wait for validation — and why that hurts recruiting
15:30 – Club volleyball changes that impact recruiting
18:00 – What coaches wish every family understood
20:45 – Confidence, identity, and how athletes hold themselves back
23:30 – Social media: helpful tool or misguided distraction?
26:00 – Early red flags coaches pick up on
29:00 – Closing thoughts + preview of Part 2
Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank
Quick shoutout to our podcast sponsor University Athlete. The only volleyball-exclusive recruiting platform used by 95% of college coaches. It’s where athletes get seen, get evaluated, and get recruited. Plus it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to activate your profile.
Click the link below to claim your free profile.
If you decide you want to upgrade to the All-Access pass be sure to use the code ‘NXTVB30’ to save 30% on your yearly membership.
Subscription boxes are all the rave (we get it, they are FUN!) and we’ve developed one for the recruiting process that comes with 1:1 support in our new Set for Success Membership!
Every Month as Member You Get to Choose from One of the Following for Support:
🖥️ 1:1 ADVISING CALL with either Sonja, Jessie or Susan from the NXTVB team.
🎥 HIGHLIGHT FILM professionally produced and done for you.
🗣️ OUR TARGETED TAKE with detailed feedback on one specific part of your process, so it's worth your time and effort!
😎 PLUS SEASONAL OFFER...
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