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Episode #166: Larry Yoder
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🎙️Building a Program That Lasts | Larry Yoder | Significant Coaching Ep. 166
In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Larry Yoder, Head Softball Coach at Mount Mercy University, to break down what it takes to build—and sustain—a successful college program over time.
This is a real, honest conversation about how programs are actually built, what coaches go through in the early years, and how discipline, accountability, and consistency shape long-term success.
From starting with limited resources and learning on the fly, to creating a program that players and parents trust, Coach Yoder shares what it really looks like behind the scenes—and why staying committed to the process matters.
Yoder is in his 17th season at Mount Mercy, where he has compiled over 400 wins while leading the Mustangs to multiple conference championships, NAIA National Tournament appearances, and a fifth-place finish at the NAIA World Series. His program has rewritten the record books offensively, while continuing to excel in pitching and defense, and he played a key role in the development of Busse Field—one of the premier softball facilities in the NAIA.
đź”— Learn more about Coach Yoder: https://mountmercy.edu/athletics/soft...
CHAPTERS
00:40 “What Are You Doing?” – First-Year Reflection
02:00 Taking Over a Struggling Program
03:30 Rebuilding a Roster from Scratch
05:30 Early Wins & Finding Momentum
08:15 Lessons from the Early Years
12:00 Building the Culture Over Time
16:30 Sustaining Success for 17 Seasons
21:00 Leadership Growth as a Coach
26:00 Raising the Standard Every Year
30:00 Advice for Coaches Building Programs
35:00 Closing Thoughts
Significant Recruiting Resources — Take the guesswork out of college recruiting with Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes, sport-specific Recruit’s Journals, and the Significant Recruiting Launchpad. Practical tools to help families research schools, stay organized, and build a smarter recruiting strategy. Learn more at CoachMattRogers.com.
đź“Ť All resources also available at coachmattrogers.com
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