The Coaches Group Chat

We come back from the NCAA men’s volleyball national championship trip fired up about the crowd, the chaos, and how good the event felt in person. We also get honest about what still holds the sport back on TV, plus the portal and replay issues that keep stealing oxygen from the volleyball.  • getting media passes and roaming the arena like it’s normal  • why the building sounded full but the broa...

The NCAA men’s volleyball tournament delivers a chaos filled quarterfinal weekend where matches swing on stoppages, challenges, and pure nerve. We break down the biggest replay controversies, talk about how momentum collapses after an overturned finish, then lock in our completely split Final Four champion picks.  • Tournament expansion paying off with high drama matchups  • Penn State vs Irvine f...

We lock in our NCAA men’s volleyball tournament predictions and argue where the real upset windows are hiding, especially around UC Irvine’s ability to turn a match with serving pressure. Then we zoom out to the sport itself, from Big West entertainment value and rivalry heat to what “Milan Mania” teaches about training, leadership, and letting athletes put on a show.  • bracket pick’em challenge...

We run the full men’s volleyball playoff gauntlet, from the NEC and EIVA through the MIVA, MPSF, and Big West, then put real picks on the table for who wins and who sweats the bubble. Along the way we get into bracket expansion math, Pacific Gives fundraising chaos, and why behind-the-scenes ops work is the secret weapon of great programs.  • Stanford season ends at BYU and the playoff mood shifts...

We react to the Jordan Lucas broadcast clip that set off a viral storm in men’s volleyball and use it to talk about how inclusion actually shows up in sports culture. We also pivot to UC Merced’s packed gym, LOVB’s golden set playoff format, and a quick wedding update that somehow turns into bachelor party planning.  • our apology for a lost recording and the chaos that follows  • the UC Irvine vs...

Volleyball Day in the Bay becomes less about a single match and more about building a real Bay Area volleyball tradition around Stanford men’s volleyball. We unpack what worked, what fell flat, and how coaching intensity changes when trust and emotional intelligence lead the way. • tailgate energy and cross-club volleyball community showing up • beach volleyball at Stanford and why the venue feels...

We argue about men’s volleyball “antagonists” and end up in a real debate about what turns casual fans on or off, from missed serves to confusing calls and commentary. Then we shift into mid-season player picks, youth club culture, and the hardest part of sports, being a parent or teammate who can let people fail and still feel supported.  • Hawaii volleyball fans as the internet antagonist  • Dav...

We swap our favorite heckling stories, then shift to a thoughtful case for reinstating Hawaii’s vacated 2002 title before rallying the Bay Area for a massive volleyball day push. Humor, history, and a concrete plan to pack the stands drive the hour. • mid-season energy and a new competitive drill • whiteboard wit and the line between sharp and mean • Big West heckling culture and nostalgia • Stanf...

We kick off with a viral chair-etiquette debate, then push into real fixes: retire work teams with smarter tech, clarify NCAA rule changes, and make the case to let setters dunk with two hands. Along the way we argue for consistent officiating, cleaner gyms, and better fan behavior. • chair etiquette and common-sense seating • parents’ role in sideline tension • removing work teams with AI-assiste...

Super Bowl week turned San Francisco into a branded maze and sparked a bigger talk about how events shape cities and attention. We celebrate Puerto Rican volleyball legends, question why volleyball hasn’t captured LGBTQ fandom like hockey has, and debate whether modern lineups make traditional middles expendable. • citywide Super Bowl activations and event fatigue • Benito Bowl reactions and why r...

We argue whether the surge of European players lifts the NCAA at the expense of USA Volleyball, then turn to how culture and community create lasting power. Devin Young’s hire at Pacific sparks a blueprint for rebuilding fast with Europe, the portal, club stars, NIL, and storytelling. • tradeoffs between international recruiting and USA athlete development • whether the NCAA should test internatio...

Matt shares a short-term leap onto the Stanford bench, how it reshapes his voice and time, and why serving the team takes priority over hot takes. We also unpack the canceled Honda Center NIL event, question rankings logic, and preview Stanford vs UC Irvine with deep club ties. • a three‑month Stanford coaching role and its constraints • honoring family coaching legacy and purpose • social media b...

We trade life updates for bold calls, then break down who wins men’s college volleyball and why. Awards, freshmen to watch, coaching philosophies, officiating shifts, and the growth of the sport all get a clear, candid look. • Title picks for UCLA, USC and Stanford with reasons • Player of the year cases for Andrew Rowan, Dillon Klein and Jaylen Phillips • Freshman standouts including UCI’s French...

The headline is big, but the backstory is bigger: Pacific is bringing back men’s volleyball, and we walk through how it actually happened—step by step, meeting by meeting, and milestone by milestone. From the first conversations with President Callahan to the detailed planning with Athletic Director Adam, we saw how patient leadership, alumni persistence, and the right partners turned a long shot...

We recap a whirlwind women’s volleyball weekend, break down Stanford vs Louisville with real tactical detail, and lay out a case for mandatory mid-major conference tournaments. We also explain how Bay to Bay chartered flights to save families money and why “grow the game” needs to retire. • Stanford vs Louisville as a gritty benchmark for the 4–10 tier • Louisville setter as the match’s key differ...

We return with a pop-up episode to track the surge in women’s volleyball—national TV windows, marquee kickoff events, and a top tier led by Nebraska and Texas—while naming sleepers that no one wants in a Sweet 16 draw. We also break down Milan’s move to UCLA and grade USA men’s first season of a youth-forward reset. • AVCA First Serve impact, ESPN and Fox spotlight • Nebraska and Texas separating,...

Long Beach State secures another national championship with a commanding sweep over UCLA, showcasing their unparalleled team culture and championship mentality. Their "blue collar" approach and ride-or-die brotherhood has created a volleyball program where bench energy is so intense it earned yellow cards during their championship celebration. • Long Beach's first set domination, hi...

Grand Canyon University has abruptly cut their men's volleyball program, effective immediately, with no advance warning to coaches or players, sending shockwaves through the volleyball community. We explore what this means for the future of men's volleyball and share insights from our personal experiences with program cuts at Stanford and University of Pacific. • Blueprint for fighting p...

Arielle, Chad, and Matt dive into a lively discussion of recent collegiate men's volleyball action and debate the future of the game. • Hawaii splits with Long Beach State • USC battles significant injuries to key players, creating strategic challenges for upcoming matches • Conference tournament predictions across MIVA, EIVA, Big West, and MPSF • Data reveals NCAA men's volleyball is 16...

The NCAA's back-to-back scheduling format deflates the impact of big upsets by forcing immediate rematches, preventing storylines from developing and limiting media coverage opportunities. • The weekend featured multiple top-5 upsets including CSUN over Hawaii, UC San Diego over UC Irvine, and GCU over UCLA • Back-to-back scheduling forces teams to play the same opponent twice in consecutive...

We dive into men's collegiate volleyball rankings and break down the implications of Long Beach State's split with UC Irvine in what was a high-level volleyball showcase with sold-out crowds. • Clear separation exists between the "top five" teams and everyone else in men's volleyball • Long Beach maintains #1 ranking despite their loss to UC Irvine in a sold-out match • De...

We make our triumphant return for Season 3 (it's actually season 2 episode 9 but it's been forever since our last episode), putting to rest any rumors about internal fighting while offering sincere apologies for the technical difficulties that prevented the release of our previous recordings. • Debating the latest Traitor's Poll rankings with special focus on CSUN vs Loyola placemen...

Our latest episode dives into the humorous and competitive world of Fantasy MVB Beer Olympics! We discuss team selection, strategies, and what it means to build a cohesive unit ready to take on the challenge.  • Introduction of our Beer Olympics draft  • Boycotting the AVCA rankings • Matt's NSFW social media • Capitol Hill Classic recap • Women's volleyball roundup

We are putting the AMERICA into our All-American team while discussing the scarcity of top-tier American rosters in college volleyball today. We highlighted key American players, examined high school volleyball rule changes, and ultimately celebrated the importance of recognizing homegrown talent in the sport.  • Crafting an all-American team of volleyball players  • The significance of celebratin...

Our latest episode dives into the fluctuating AVCA rankings, addressing issues surrounding team standings and the perceived favoritism affecting teams like Hawaii and UCLA. The discussion includes insights on weekend matches, reflections on coaching changes, and the evolving dynamics of college volleyball.  • Critique of current AVCA rankings and their formulation  • Arguments on Hawaii's ran...