The Coaches Group Chat
Grab a drink and a seat at the table with hosts Matt Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan and Chad Gordon as we chat about the world of volleyball, coaching, business, and whatever else Arielle feels like!
S2E6: Rankings Debate, UCLA vs. Long Beach Recap, and College Volleyball's "Wild West" Era
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.Â
• Critique of current AVCA rankings and their formulationÂ
• Arguments on Hawaii's ranking despite a recent lossÂ
• Recap of Long Beach vs. UCLA: a disappointing outcomeÂ
• Stanford's bounce-back performance against HawaiiÂ
• Examination of Mary Wise's retirement and potential candidates for her positionÂ
• Reflection on how players influence coaching hires and college athletics
S2E5: Babies on Benches, Spring Tryouts, Moni Nikolov vs. Harper Murray
A transformative week in volleyball sees the introduction of the Baby on Benches Rule, allowing coaches to bring their babies onto benches during matches. We discuss the impact of this change, alongside John Cook's retirement, spring tryouts excitement, finishing with a discussion on volleyball superstars: Moni Nikolov vs. Harper Murray.
• Discussion of the Baby Bench Rule and its implicationsÂ
• Insights on John Cook's retirement and coaching changesÂ
• Recap of the experiences from recent spring tryoutsÂ
• Preview of key volleyball matches on the horizon
S2E4: New NCAA Rules, Foreigner Limit, NIL & Transfer Portal
This episode dives into the complexities of NCAA volleyball rankings, exploring their quirks, controversies, and significant impacts on team dynamics. We discuss player transfers, upcoming matches, and potential rule changes:
• Insights on coaches' polling and its biasesÂ
• Discussion on the world of NIL in college sports
• Preview of key upcoming matches between top teamsÂ
• Proposed rule changes (foreigner limit, remove open hand tips, service error foul out)
• The future of NCAA volleyball amid rising financial stakes
S2E3: SoCal Cup Roundup, AVCA Rankings, and NCAA Champ Picks
In this episode, we explore:
• SoCal Cup roundup
• Game results and reflections on tournament performancesÂ
• Insights into coaching strategies and player growthÂ
• Discussion on AVCA rankings and predictions for upcoming matchesÂ
• Anecdotes from tournament chaos and life in volleyballÂ
• National Champion predictions
S2E2: Men's Volleyball Week 2, LOVB vs. PVF, and Marry-Bang-Kill AVCA Top-20
S2E2 provides an in-depth analysis of recent men’s volleyball matches, focusing on team dynamics and standout players. We then move into the emerging rivalry between the PVF and LOVB leagues. We then finish off with AVCA ranking evaluations, performance observations, and predictions for future matchups.Â
• Analyzing the matchup between Ball State and Stanford
• Evaluating team performances and player statistics
• Highlighting significant league matchups, including Ohio State vs. BYU
• Discussing the branding rivalry between PVF and LOVB
• Evaluating early season rankings and future implications
• Anticipating upcoming matches and viewer engagement
S2E1: National Team Announcement, 2025 Predictions, and Gender Disparities in the Sport
Our latest episode is packed with predictions about the upcoming college volleyball season, covering everything from champion favorites to potential up-and-coming teams. With discussions on coaching changes, player developments, and the overall shifting landscape of the sport, we eagerly lay out our thoughts and invite listeners to join in on the excitement.
Discussion on Erik Sullivan's new role as head coach of the women's national teamPredictions for the MPSF Championship focusing on UCLAAnalyzing the competitive nature of the Big West ConferenceDelving into MIVA Championship predictions with emphasis on Ball State Insights on the most improved teams and players t...E11: VNL Crowds, NorCal Cup Cup Behind-the-Scenes, Social Media Impact on Teams
Did you ever wonder why some volleyball matches feel like electric rock concerts while others seem like a quiet library? Join us as we kick off this episode with a sweet anecdote about York Peppermint Patties and how they became an unlikely hero at tournament desks. Chad shares his firsthand experience from Arlington's Volleyball Nations League (VNL), where even top-tier matches like Serbia vs. Turkey struggled to draw crowds. We draw comparisons to the vibrant volleyball culture in Poland and discuss the uphill battle of scheduling weekday games in the U.S., all while underscoring the impressive efforts of...
E10: NCAA Men's Volleyball Final Four Reaction
Get ready to relive the rollercoaster emotions of the men's volleyball semifinals, where UCLA narrowly clinched victory from Irvine and Long Beach State mounted an incredible comeback against Grand Canyon. Feel the electric charge as we dissect Mason Briggs' game-changing performance that turned the tide for Long Beach, and join us in pondering the historic moment men's volleyball made its debut on ESPN's main network. We don't hold back on our critique of the semifinal's camera work, either – because let's face it, we're here for every heart-pounding play, not an endless sea of fan faces.
Transitioning to the ta...
E9: Prediction Recap, Regular Season Awards, and NCAA Bracket Expansion
Here is what ChatGPT spit out when we asked it to summarize todays episode:
Get ready to spike your knowledge of college volleyball as we serve up a hearty post-season analysis! Our special guest, Bobby, joins the crew to dissect our preseason forecasts, celebrating the aces and learning from the faults. We're not just talking about who soared and who stumbled in the Big West, MIVA, and EIVA—we're giving you an insider's play-by-play on how injuries and home crowds have turned the game upside down. And yes, we're taking a victory lap for our unanimous Ohio St...
E8: Car Shopping, Candy, Chad Returns From Poland, Jamie Davis, Adult Volleyball, Favorite Cultures
This is what ChatGPT says is todays episode description:
Ever found yourself laughing at the mishaps that come with tweeting idioms? Imagine my surprise when my own Twitter fiasco turned into a source of shared giggles. In this lively episode, we tackle everything from the quirky allure of holiday candies—team Easter or Halloween, pick your sugary fighter—to navigating the choppy waters of selling a used car. Stick around as we share our latest life updates; whether it's braving a new haircut, enduring car dealership haggling, or embracing the chill of an impromptu cold plunge, you're in f...