Episode #93: Gina Oaks Garcia on Recruiting

What D1 Coaches Really Look For: A Recruiting Conversation with Gina Oaks Garcia

In this episode of Significant Recruiting, Matt Rogers is joined by Gina Oaks Garcia, Head Softball Coach at NCAA Division I Cal State Fullerton and 2025 Big West Coach of the Year.

With coaching experience at NAIA, D3, D2, and now D1, Gina brings a powerful perspective on what truly matters in the recruiting process. She shares what stands out in an email, why self-awareness is critical, and how recruits can separate themselves in meaningful ways—even without the biggest travel resumes.

💡 You’ll also hear her unfiltered take on multi-sport athletes—and why she believes there’s still a place at the college level for players who don’t specialize early or play year-round travel softball.

This episode is packed with insight for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to approach recruiting with clarity and confidence.

🎧 Listen now at coachmattrogers.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

📘 Grab Significant Recruiting: The Playbook for Prospective College Athletes
📓 Check out The Softball Recruit’s Journal
🎯 Schedule your 1-on-1 strategy session today

Transcript

0:00

I think multi-sport athletes. I'm a big fan. I played soccer in high school. I was a cheerleader in high school. I did dance. I did obviously softball. I am for it. I think the overall athleticism that is a lost art. welcome back to this week's recruiting segment of the Significant Coaching Podcast. I'm your host, Matt Rogers, and today you'll hear part two of my conversation with NCAA Division one head coach, Gina Oaks Garcia of Cal State Fullerton Softball. Gina's journey is remarkable. She's coached at the NAID 3D two and now D one level, and she was recently named Big West Coach of the Year in her very first season as Fullerton's head coach. Add that to multiple Coach of the Year honors during her time at Claremont Muds Scripps. And you'll understand why. She's one of the most respected voices in college softball and one of the best recruiters today. She shares exactly what stands out in the recruiting process, what she's looking for in her future Titans roster, including her thoughts on multi-sport athletes. And if you're looking for tools to help you navigate your own journey or want to bring me in to speak with your team or school, please visit coach matt rogers.com to explore my books, online courses and strategy sessions. All right. Here's part two of my conversation with Coach g Gina Oaks Garcia. Welcome back everybody to significant recruiting. I've got the great, coach g Gina Oaks Garcia with us. Coach,, we had a great conversation on coaching and I love your perspective on how you build program and how you're building your culture. I wanna dive into recruiting with you. Let's talk about starting with finding that right kid for your culture. Yeah. I kind of alluded to this in the other segment, but I'm big on energy and enthusiasm, right? So when I'm recruiting athletes, I'm, I'm looking out there like, who looks like they just love to play, love the game, right? Because, you know, failure's gonna happen, but when you see a kid that's out there that. Smiling, that's talking to their teammates that are giving them high fives, that are hyping each other up. You can tell who, who really is, is a good teammate. And, I, I'm really big on that. I think that, is really big in a locker room. I think it's big for our culture. I really think it's just, it brings for when you're at the college level and you're training every day, and if you can have that energy that stays pretty consistent, more on the upward trend, it makes. All practices way better. Right? Some days they're, they're just a little off and that's just part of it. But for the mo majority of the practices, when you can recruit kids that just naturally have that love for the game, of course, that's what I'm looking for. I'm looking for, after a game, how are they interacting with their parents? I do look at that like, are they. Are they just right to their phone and not connecting? Then I'm like, man, where's the engagement? There's a lot of things where, you know, and, and that's this day and age, I mean, even my own kids, I'm like, you're getting sucked into the dark hole. Like, please stop, no more. It just, there's so much more to life than just being, in front of a screen. And so I, I look for that, are they kind of having conversations with people outside? And so, I mean, there's a lot of stuff, right? Are they hustling even in prior? In pre-game, are they, if they miss a ball, are they like, Hey, hit me another one. Or they just walk back to the end of the line. I mean, that, there's a lot of little things that you can tell how they would be, I think, at the next level, just by the mannerisms of, different things. So I'm all eyes when I'm recruiting, that's for sure. I hope you don't mind me sharing this, but we were supposed to have our conversation last week, and you called me and you were so excited about this picture you were bringing on. The non coaches out there understand how excited we get Yes. The kid that we really love is coming to visit our campus. Yeah. Right. Yeah. It's, it's like Christmas morning every time we get a great recruiter camp. Am I wrong with that? No, you are, are so right. But unfortunately the night before, wee hours and the night she committed elsewhere, which does happen. And that is, look it, we're talking about recruiting and that was what happened. It's all good. It was a better fit for her and what she felt like for her family. And at the end of the day, you as a coach, you want that, you never want somebody that's gonna be in your program. That's second guessing. Or what if this, what if that? And so, you know what? I'm happy that's. The, the route they decided to go.'cause that's what they felt was best for them. And that's when you have to just go, okay. Onto the next. That is our job. That is what we do. And you're, and that's why you have to have your pipeline of kids that are, interested in your school and it's all good. Yeah. And with the portal now and the way transferring works, that kid could be giving you a call in 12 months. Yep. Right? Definitely. Definitely. Could be. Yep. Yeah, I. Do you, and I'm asking you the question that, I know you already know the answer to this, but do you find that there are coaches that are handling this the wrong way and they're, without knowing it, they're burning a bridge on a kid that could come back around? Yeah, I think when I hear those stories I just, I can't relate. I'm just like, how, like the, these are transformative, powerful years of their life and if they are not able to go check things out, I would never. Do that to a student athlete. I want them to know when they are committing to Cal State Fullerton, it's become, it's because they've done their research on us. They've done their research on other institutions, and they feel that we are the best fit for them. And that way then the buy-in starts already. But if you're one of those that are putting stipulations or timelines or this, now, do we have to say, listen, otherwise we have to move elsewhere? Of course there's different lingo that we, you have to, because otherwise you can't just put all your eggs in one basket. Get, and then just hope for the best. That's not how this business, right? There is that part of it. And so you do have to be transparent with that. But overall, I want them to know that it's okay to, figure out what's best for them and go do the research they need to do and the visits they need to do. But yeah I just think that's part of it, but I can't relate to people that. Maybe say, I need to know right now. That's just not my, not our style for sure. One of my kids, basically got criticized after she said she was going somewhere else from a coach. And I was like, what? The coach got mad at her, and I'm like that just tells you, I told the kid that just tells you that you're making the right decision. If they're not supporting you in your life and how hard these decisions are for you, then they're they're in the wrong business. Has the portal changed the way you coach? For me it was always, I'm gonna bring in 70, 80% freshmen. I wanna develop'em for four years. I want to teach'em my way. I don't want to have to break bad habits or something that they learned somewhere else, and then we'll bring in a transfer to where we need it. Has the portal changed your thoughts on that at all? The portal's definitely changed. I think a lot of the recruiting, right? When you there's really some upsides to developing a kid after their senior year of high school and knowing that there's the buildup time for sure to get them ready for, Cal State Fullerton softball. But then, there is the. Portal. Kids that come in, have a year under their belt, have that experiences and games and innings or whatever it is, the position that you're looking for, and then you're wow, okay. They're already seasoned, if you will. If we need to go that route, then, that is just part of it. And I would say we definitely do a little of both. I think we have, I think I think eight incoming freshmen this year and then Wow. In the transfer portal. So we do have quite a few freshmen coming in, which I'm excited about. And just that next wave of future titan ballers there. But, we definitely look at the portal too. Every, I think D one institution is doing that and sometimes if we can feel like we can benefit from a kid that is already have experience, then we're gonna go for it. Yeah. They know what the weight room looks like. They know what the travel looks like, and being a student athlete looks like it's hard to say no to that. Yeah. Talk a little bit about. What's happening in your ale athletic department meetings with your ad? And maybe the president, maybe your vp, about the NCAA changes with roster cap and scholarship. Kinda explain how you guys are attacking that and how your conference is attacking that change. And is it good or bad for you? I think, they don't really say too much in our meetings yet.'cause I think they're all still trying to figure out right what this looks like, right? The landscape, the roster cap now of 25 for softball and now there's this, designated list that, I think is important to have because, if there was this institution that had, a lot of people on their roster, to just. Cut them. It just doesn't seem right either. And so I think there's gonna be, over time where we get down to that 25 man roster for sure. But in the meantime, I think NCAA put some stuff in place for that. But as far as just, the NIL and different things like that. That's all in the health settlement. Different things. They don't really share too much about that. So I'm just gonna trust in whatever it is that they, have put in front of us. But at the end of the day, our business is our business. We still gotta recruit the athletes who gotta bring'em in. And in my opinion, I am one of those that I like to. Evolve, whatever's happening, like I want to stay competitive. We will stay competitive. So how do we stay ahead of the curve as much as possible, even though we are mid-major, not a power four. I'm at that point where I want to make whatever it is happen so that I keep. Players. I don't want to lose players. I don't want to develop players and then see them go elsewhere. So what does that look like on my end? Is that, am I gonna have to fundraise a little bit more? I don't know. Those are all things that are still, yet to be determined. But I'm willing to figure out, otherwise I don't want to. Not be a Big West champ and go to our postseason. That's not in the cards for tight softball, that's not in the cards for me. We're a winning program. We'll do whatever we can to keep it that way and do whatever it takes. And so I'm willing to do what we need to do to make that happen and continue to make it happen. With the change that the NCAA's made now 25 roster cap, and you can scholarship up to that. What are, what is your league driving that? So there's balance or is the, is Fullerton driving what that scholarship number's gonna look like going forward for you? Because you have to know that. Yeah. Yeah. You're recruiting 20 sevens and 20 eights. You have to know that. There's definitely things in place. I believe that our, admin and our athletic director, Jim Donovan, is definitely looking into, and I know that they were, we got great leadership with them and our president and our backing in that. But as far as a specific number of scholarships. And this and that. That's yet to be determined for us. I know with the Big West, we really haven't had any of our meetings yet at, at all to really discuss that and where people are at with that. But ultimately, the schools that are gonna try to be ahead of the game and raise that and elevate that are gonna obviously start to get the better athletes because they don't wanna have student. Debt. So of course we want to definitely get that number up and push forward with that as well to stay competitive. That's what we what we need to do. Yeah. And I appreciate you being candid.'cause I. I know how hard all this is and how hard of a question it is to answer, but I want families to understand that when you're recruiting them or another coach is recruiting them, there's so much uncertainty right now. They have to be patient because coaches we're so vulnerable. The athletic directors are so vulnerable right now trying to juggle all this. Absolutely. They've gotta keep kids happy, they gotta keep coaches happy. We've gotta have that balance of competition. There's a lot of answers, but the answers have created more questions. Yeah, absolutely. And sometimes we don't have the answers yet, so it's just one of those things where it's yeah, we're just gonna keep on keeping on and we'll do whatever we can. And once we have, systems in place and the blueprint down and ready to. To execute it we'll definitely do that. Yeah, I know you've gotta run to another meeting. Quick piece of advice for a family going through the recruiting process. H how should they go about it? I think the recruiting process you gotta go about it with, again, figure like sitting your child down and it's first researching, exploring on the internet, looking at the different, institutions being real with the skillset of my child. I think sometimes that is skewed a little bit, maybe ask your travel ball coaches, what level do you. See me as you've been doing this for a long time. Like, where do you see, because I think sometimes people, I'll be honest, I'll have some kids at junior, junior year, senior year, and, we do a lot of group pitching and different things, and sometimes they'll say, I really do wanna look into power for, and I'm like, I feel like that might be where you miss that boat. And so I just. You gotta really be real with where their skillset is at. And then it is it's, going to their camps, meeting the coaches, setting foot on the campus and seeing if it's a fit. Do you like, the weather, do you like, being away from home, I. For me that was a big factor. Like I, I have incredible parents supported me all the way. I had grandparents that would come watch me play. I wanted to be far enough away from home to, have my independence, but yet I could go home and have dinner. That was big for me. I wanted them in this. Stands at every game. I wanted to be close to the beach and, my family has a cabin and so for me, location was big. Southern California I don't think it gets much better than that and all the things that we have to do in our area in LA and different places. But, you really have to see, sit them down and see, what it is that they're looking for in that next chapter of their lives.'cause it's. Important. It's powerful, it's fun, it's all of the stuff. And so just be realistic with what they want and just do the research and start making those connections and going to the camps for sure. Perfect. Real quick. I'm 16. I throw a 68 mile an hour fastball and I hit my spots. I dominate on my high school team. But I don't play club because I love playing basketball, love playing volleyball, email. Coach GI love that. I think multi-sport athletes. I'm a big fan. I played soccer in high school. I was a cheerleader in high school. I did dance. I did obviously softball. I am for it. I think the overall athleticism that is a lost art. For some reason we have just been like, we have to specialize. We have to specialize. And even me as a parent right now, I even start to feel the pressures of, oh my gosh, my daughter's gonna do soccer in the fall. Is she gonna then be behind in spring softball when she goes back for 10 UI? And even me as a D one college coach, I feel I. No. Like it's okay. I love that. I think, and even flag football, you see so many kids now playing flag football and softball players probably dominate. Now, are there some times where you could get injured? Yes, but I just, I don't like to think that way. I don't like to play that way. If you're a, if you're a pitcher that can hit, by all means, I want you to hit, be able to slide, be athletic. You can do that all, you just have to train that way, and so that's right. I'm okay with it. I feel like yeah, if you're throwing 68 and you're in basketball and whatever, yeah. Please email me. I'm good with that. You can do it all. And I love that club coaches, parents stop messaging me that your kid has to play club to get recruited. Okay? Be healthy, be a great athlete, be a great student. There's coaches out there that will still recruit you. Thank you Coach G. You're awesome. Can't wait to see all you're gonna do there. Thank you so much. You're awesome too. Thanks Matt. What a fun conversation. Coach Gina Oaks Garcia gave us real insight into what college coaches are looking for. Beyond just stats and skill from being honest in your communication to showing consistency in your habits. Her advice is a reminder that recruiting is about character, culture and commitment as much as it is about your talent. Gina's journey from all American player to professional athlete to multi-time coach of the year across all levels of college softball is proof that the path to the top is built on relationships, learning and doing things the right way if today's episode helped you see the recruiting process more clearly, take a minute to like share and subscribe to the significant coaching podcast. And don't forget to check out coach matt rogers.com where you'll find my book Significant Recruiting the Playbook for prospective college athletes, the Softball Recruits Journal and my launchpad course, all designed to help you take control of your recruiting journey. You can also schedule a one-on-one strategy session with me if you're looking for more personal guidance. Thanks for listening and remember significance always outlasts success. We'll see you next time.