Episode #136: Donnie Danklefsen

🥎🏆 Building Champions the Right Way | Coach Donnie Danklefsen 

What does it take to build a championship program—and sustain it for more than two decades?

In this episode of the Significant Coaching Podcast, Matt Rogers sits down with Donnie Danklefsen, Head Softball Coach at Trine University, a 2x NCAA National Champion and one of the most respected program builders in college athletics.

In Part 1, we dive into leadership, culture, and the standards required to win the right way. Coach Donnie shares how he’s led his alma mater through a transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III, built a nationally recognized program, and developed young women through discipline, accountability, and genuine care.

This conversation is about more than wins and titles—it’s about character, development, and significance.

🎙️ Episode Schedule

• Significant Coaching: Fri, Dec 26
• Significant Recruiting (Part 2): Mon, Dec 29 (Final episode of 2025)

👉 Learn more about Coach Donnie and his program:
 https://trinethunder.com/staff-directory/donnie-danklefsen/139

👉 Find recruiting resources, books, podcasts, and more:
 https://coachmattrogers.com/

If you’re a coach, parent, or athlete who cares about doing this the right way—this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and don’t miss Part 2 as we close out 2025 together.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

📆 To Schedule Matt Rogers to speak at your school or organization, you can schedule a discovery Zoom session here:  https://calendly.com/mrogers_significantcoaching/speaking-inquiry-w-matt-rogers

📚 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
👉 https://amzn.to/4bxljEJ

⚾ Baseball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/3ZGbCMQ

🥎 Softball Recruit’s Journal
👉 https://amzn.to/4qd4PFp

📍 All resources also available at coachmattrogers.com

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and all your favorite podcast platforms.

Did you like what you heard and want more?
New Podcasts every week. Remember to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podca...