Podcast · Sport

The Coaches Group Chat

by Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad Gordon · English · Sport

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!

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 15 May 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 May 2026 · 33 min

S4E14: NCAA Championship Recap, Tourney Expansion, Transfer Portal

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 broadcast looked empty • ticket pricing and camera-side seating as a fixable problem...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

6 May 2026 · 24 min
S4E13: May Madness, Touch-Gate, Final Four Predictions
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 fifth set chaos and long stoppages • Cameron Kosty blood delay and the legendary ...
30 Apr 2026 · 42 min
S4E12: Bracket Challenge, Big West is More Entertaining Than MPSF, Milan Mania
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 details and why the submission data is interesting • UC Irvine vs Penn State picks and...
S4 · E11 · 24 Apr 2026 · 32 min
S4E11: Conference Tournaments, Pacific Gives, D-Ops
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 fast • NEC and EIVA quick hits, matchups that feel like annual destiny • MIVA ...
S4 · E10 · 15 Apr 2026 · 26 min
S4E10: Jordan Lucas, UC Merced, and LOVB Finals
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 CSUN moment and why the “popped” comment hits differently • how Jordan Lucas’ v...
17 Mar 2026 · 36 min
S4E9: Volleyball Day In The Bay, Are "Yeller" Coaches Done For?
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 special • youth clinic logistics and the value of getting kids on the floor • attendance goals,...
13 Mar 2026 · 37 min
S4E8: Volleyball Antagonists, Mid Season All-Americans, Message to Younger Volleyball Self
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 • David Kniffin as the mysteriously snubbed “bad guy” • Missed serves as a barrier to...
S4 · E7 · 4 Mar 2026 · 26 min
S4E7: Hecklers, Banners, And Volleyball Day in the Bay
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 • Stanford deep dives and Hawaii’s electric arena • the 2002 Hawaii title, rule changes, and fairness •...
S4 · E6 · 25 Feb 2026 · 31 min
S4E6: Chair Etiquette, NCAA Rule Changes, Setter Dunks
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-assisted tools • rebranding officiating roles for clarity • NCAA pursuit rule and space constraints • c...
S4 · E4 · 12 Feb 2026 · 37 min
S4E5: All-Puerto Rico Team, Volleyball Fumbled the Gays, Middles Obsolete?
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 representation hits • all‑time Puerto Rican NCAA picks across eras • why programs should teach th...
S4 · E3 · 5 Feb 2026 · 25 min
S3E4: Euro Talent, Hawai'i Insider, Building a Program From Scratch
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 international roster caps • why Hawaii’s culture creates stars and traveling crowds • tapping Asian ...
S4 · E2 · 28 Jan 2026 · 23 min
S4E2: Matt at Stanford, Daniel's Conspiracies, Volleyball Fyre Fest
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 boundaries when you represent a program • the NIL tournament cancellation and missing details • c...
S4 · E1 · 22 Jan 2026 · 39 min
S4E1: The 2026 Prediction Episode
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 pipeline and Sosa • Coach of the year criteria and nods to Kniffin, Winder and Pavlik • Technic...
S3 · E3 · 1 Dec 2025 · 24 min
University of the Pacific Men’s Volleyball Returns
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 into a green light. We dig into the mechanics behind the moment: why First Point Volleyball Foun...
10 Oct 2025 · 26 min
S3E2: Volleyball Rehab, Death to #GrowTheGame, & Mid-Major Tournaments
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 differentiator • Stanford stronger in the middle, Louisville deeper at the pins • Santa Clara–Pepperdi...
S3 · E1 · 30 Sep 2025 · 27 min
S3E1: NCAA Women's Volleyball Vibe Check
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, context on early undefeateds • UCLA’s transfer haul and the Penn State win • Texas practice ins...
S2 · E14 · 13 May 2025 · 32 min
S2E14: Natty Champs Recap, Long Beach Culture, Too Early Predictions
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, hitting nearly .800 against UCLA • Moni Nikolov's clutch serving, delivering two consecutive aces when UCLA led 2...
29 Apr 2025 · 47 min
S2E13: Grand Canyon Cuts Men's Volleyball, NCAA Bracketology, VNL Roster Predictions
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 program cuts based on Stanford's successful campaign to save their program • Importance of building alumni ...
16 Apr 2025 · 41 min
S2E12: Long Beach v. Hawaii, USC Injuries, Volleyball Tariffs
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% international athletes • Discussion of whether international roster limits would benefit American player...
8 Apr 2025 · 49 min
S2E11: Weekend Upsets, Foreign Roster Caps, Long Beach v. Hawaii, KBB to LOVB
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 days, eliminating the buildup between matchups • The upcoming 18-man roster cap will significantly im...
S2 · E10 · 1 Apr 2025 · 41 min
S2E10: Long Beach v. Irvine, Peeps, and Adolescence
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 • Debate over Loyola Chicago's #6 ranking after being "called out of rotation" • Discussion of whether Long Beach's loss will...
S2 · E9 · 25 Mar 2025 · 31 min
S2E9: We're back baby, Traitors Poll, Replay Systems, Collegiate Drama
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 placement • Criticizing current replay systems in college volleyball and proposing either professional-grade systems or...
S2 · E8 · 25 Feb 2025 · 37 min
S2E8: MVB Beer Olympics, Boycott the AVCA Rankings, Matt's NSFW Social Media
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
S2 · E7 · 20 Feb 2025 · 25 min
S2E7: All-American Dream Teams, High School Rule Shake-Ups, and Summer Schedule
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 celebrating American players in international-dominated NCAA • Recent high school volleyba...
S2 · E6 · 11 Feb 2025 · 38 min
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. • Critique of current AVCA rankings and their formulation • Arguments on Hawaii's ranking despite a recent loss • Recap of Long Beach vs. UCLA: a disappointing outcome&nb...
S2 · E5 · 6 Feb 2025 · 31 min
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 implications • Insights on John Cook's retirement and coaching changes • Recap of the experiences fr...
S2 · E4 · 28 Jan 2025 · 48 min
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 biases • Discussion on the world of NIL in college sports • Preview of key upcoming matches between top teams • Proposed rule changes (foreigner limit, remove open hand tips, service error foul out) • The future of NCAA...
23 Jan 2025 · 37 min
S2E3: SoCal Cup Roundup, AVCA Rankings, and NCAA Champ Picks
In this episode, we explore: • SoCal Cup roundup • Game results and reflections on tournament performances • Insights into coaching strategies and player growth • Discussion on AVCA rankings and predictions for upcoming matches • Anecdotes from tournament chaos and life in volleyball • National Champion predictions
S2 · E2 · 14 Jan 2025 · 27 min
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. • Analyzing the matchup between Ball State and Stanford • Evaluating team performances and player statistics • Highlighting significant league matchups, including Ohio State vs. BYU • Di...
S2 · E1 · 7 Jan 2025 · 35 min
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 UCLAA...

About 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!

The Coaches Group Chat is a English sport podcast from Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad Gordon. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad Gordon
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 15 May 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1727579772

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