🎙️ Built for the Modern Game: Will Chavis on NIL, the Portal, and the Future of Recruiting 🏀

In this episode of The Significant Recruiting Podcast, host Matt Rogers sits down with Will Chavis, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Drexel University, for a powerful and practical look at today’s ever-changing recruiting world.

From being Bobby Knight’s first recruit at Texas Tech to playing professionally across Europe and now mentoring Division I athletes, Coach Chavis has lived every corner of the basketball journey. What makes his story remarkable is not just his experience — it’s his perspective.

In this conversation, Will breaks down the realities of NIL and the transfer portal in a way few coaches can. He explains how both can serve athletes when handled with purpose and honesty — and why the best programs are the ones willing to adapt with integrity.

Whether you’re a recruit, a parent, or a coach, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand what it really takes to thrive in the modern era of college athletics.

🔗 Learn more about Coach Will Chavis: drexeldragons.com/staff-directory/will-chavis/553

💡 Explore recruiting tools, books, and resources for families and coaches: CoachMattRogers.com

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Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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🎙️ From Bobby Knight to Drexel: The Humble Leadership of Will Chavis 🏀

In this episode of The Significant Coaching Podcast, host Matt Rogers sits down with Will Chavis, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Drexel University — and one of the most grounded, inspiring voices in college basketball today.

From being Bobby Knight’s first recruit at Texas Tech to a decade-long professional career in Europe, to developing NBA players and leading young men at every level — Coach Chavis’s journey is a masterclass in humility, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

He opens up about what he learned from playing for legends, how his international experience shaped his coaching style, and why he believes the chaos of modern college athletics (NIL, transfer portal, player movement) is actually an opportunity to lead differently — with empathy, honesty, and hope.

If you love real conversations about coaching, culture, and character, this episode will hit home.

🔗 Learn more about Coach Will Chavis: drexeldragons.com/staff-directory/will-chavis/553

💡 Explore tools and resources for coaches, athletes, and parents at CoachMattRogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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 podcasts.

In Part 2, Coach Vinny Barber—Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at the University of Lynchburg—gets practical about recruiting for high school athletes, parents, and coaches. Drawing from concrete examples in the conversation, Vinny shows what actually earns attention, builds trust, and moves you up a coach’s list—without the fluff.

You’ll hear:

• Communication that counts — how to reach out with purpose, follow up, and keep it concise
• Film that helps — what to include, what to skip, and the right length
• Social media that builds trust — what coaches notice (and what raises red flags)
• Academics as a separator — transcripts, test plans, and reliability over talk
• Reading “fit” — culture cues on visits, body language in the room, honest self-assessment
• Timelines & first-roster realities — how Lynchburg is building toward ODAC 2026–27 and what that means for recruits and families

Learn more about Coach Barber: https://lynchburgsports.com/staff-directory/vinny-barber/363

Connect with all things Significant Coaching & Recruiting—podcasts, weekly blogs, Significant Recruiting books, Launchpad classes, and speaking: coachmattrogers.com

Send us a text

Support the show

Learn more and connect with Matt Rogers here: https://linktr.ee/coachmattrogers

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 podcasts.