The Commissioner's Take on Recruiting: Fit, Expectations, and the Division II Reality | Bob Dranoff (Part 2)

In Part 2 of this conversation on the Significant Recruiting Podcast, Matt Rogers is joined by Dr. Bob Dranoff—long-time athletic director at Molloy University, former administrator at St. John’s University, and recently retired commissioner of the NCAA Division II East Coast Conference—for a realistic look at college recruiting.

This episode focuses on what coaches, families, and recruits often misunderstand about opportunity, scholarships, and fit—particularly at the Division II level. Drawing on decades of experience, Dranoff explains how recruiting decisions are shaped by enrollment needs, institutional priorities, finances, and leadership philosophy, and why assumptions don’t always align with how rosters are actually built.

They also discuss changing family expectations, the pressures facing coaches, and why transparency and honest conversations matter more than ever in today’s recruiting environment. While Division II may not be the right athletic fit for every student, it can be an excellent academic fit for many—and understanding that distinction is critical.

This episode is especially valuable for:

• Student-athletes navigating recruiting decisions
• Parents trying to understand the process realistically
• Coaches building rosters and managing expectations

🎧 Audio: https://coachmattrogers.com/podcast/

📺 Video: https://youtube.com/@CoachMattRogers

For more recruiting resources:

📘 Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
https://amzn.to/3LMRRjk

📓 The Recruit’s Journal (sport-specific editions)
https://coachmattrogers.com/journals

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📚 Books & Recruit’s Journals by Matt Rogers

Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
👉 https://amzn.to/3NbWP9S

Recruit’s Journal Series (Sport-Specific Editions):

⚽ Soccer Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/3M4PFDX

🏐 Volleyball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/4qMLr2S

🏀 Basketball Recruit’s Journal
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⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
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🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
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📍 All resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

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