The Coaches Group Chat

Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad Gordon
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  • VOLLEYBALL
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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!

  1. 15 MIN AGO

    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 sport coat moments  • Pepperdine vs Ball State touch review debate at match point  • UCLA vs Irvine challenge overturn that changes everything  • Frustration with replay systems and not showing what officials see  • How mental swings decide tight fifth sets after “game over” moments  • Last chance bracket reset and how many perfect brackets remain  • Final Four predictions for Long Beach State, Hawaii, Irvine, Ball State  • Taking the pod on the road for the national championship  • Wedding venue delays and a New York City venue plea  We’re gonna put our last chance bracket up online. So if you want to go back, go back in and put your final four predictions in. But if you’re there, come on down. And if you got tickets, let us know because we don’t have those yet.  If anyone has a wedding venue in New York City that they would like to be incredible, they’d like to offer up as a sacrifice for ball state. Please DM us at the coaches group chat.

    24 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    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 what makes Irvine dangerous  • how a play-in winner can threaten UCLA at home  • Pepperdine vs Ball State as a true coin-flip match  • USC vs Hawaii matchup factors including health and lineup questions  • why tournament parity feels tighter than past seasons  • Big West fan culture and player personality compared with the MPSF  • rivalry moments and why drama helps men’s volleyball reach new fans  • how coaches can encourage celebration without losing control  • what “Milan Mania” really is beyond drills and why buy-in matters  Head on over if you want to fill out your bracket, test yourself.  We need tickets to the finals. I’m not saying like bad tickets, I need like front row tickets. Give us a call.

    42 min

  3. 24 APR

    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 final prediction talk with the usual playoff truths  • MPSF semifinals recap, USC vs UCLA championship stakes  • Big West reactions, Hawaii, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC San Diego scenarios  • At-large bids with a 12-team bracket, who’s safe, who’s first out, what upset breaks it  • Pacific Gives recap, donor match strategy, swimmer wager and the “fake donors” saga  • Arielle’s DI-ops realization, what great ops actually solve, and why food logistics matter  If you watch this, like, comment, subscribe.

    32 min

  4. 15 APR

    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’ visibility shapes LGBTQ+ comfort in boys volleyball culture  • why representation keeps young athletes playing and feeling safe  • UC Merced’s first-year MPSF buzz and what fan energy can do for growth  • LOVB finals, the golden set tiebreaker, and the pros and cons of the format  • our gripe with team naming and what makes leagues feel “real”  • the latest wedding update and the loose plan for a bachelor party  So look it up on YouTube. Did Volleyball Fumble The Gays?

    26 min

  5. 17 MAR

    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, seating optics and making the crowd look full • student turnout problems and ideas for smarter campus activation • coaching styles from yelling to evolved communication • defining the line between intensity and abuse plus why follow-up talks matter Go look up at @GlassBoats on X for Matt's most embarrassing idioms.

    36 min

  6. 13 MAR

    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 fan growth  • How commentary shapes what new viewers notice  • Mid-season All-American style picks and why they matter  • Youth club results and why the future looks fast  • Parenting rules at matches, anxiety, and letting kids learn  • Lessons we’d tell our younger volleyball selves, from gratitude to academics  So come on down if you are in the Bay Area. Come join us on Saturday!

    37 min

  7. 4 MAR

    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 • why banners matter for community and recruiting • Volleyball Day in the Bay schedule and goals • youth clinic, open tailgate, and giveaways • specific roles we take to grow attendance Like and subscribe!

    26 min

  8. 25 FEB

    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 • challenge timing limits and game theory • court and jersey commercialization pros and cons • the two-handed setter dump legality and consistency • reducing judgment calls to improve flow • culture notes on food lines and venue design • quick hit: Chad’s Wedding Woundup update Like, comment, and subscribe!

    31 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Houlihan, Arielle Houlihan, Chad Gordon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Coaches Group Chat
  • Show Website
    The Coaches Group Chat

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