Things to keep in mind when you’re talking to a coach.
- Prepare! While you might not know the exact time a coach will call, every recruit should recognise that phone conversations will be a significant portion of a recruiting relationship. Write down a list of 15 questions you want to ask a coach, and keep it handy!
- While the conversation should flow naturally, it will only help a potentially nervous student athlete to have a set of questions prepared ahead of time that they can always ask a coach.
A prospect should never ask if they will receive a scholarship during an initial conversation unless a coach brings up the topic.
- The questions you’ll ask will depend on what’s important to your situation, but no matter what you ask, remember: these should only be questions that a coach, and a coach only, can answer.
- “How many students attend your school?” or “what dining hall will I eat in?” are materials the school can send you or that are already on their website. Make the most of this opportunity to develop a real relationship with a coach, and to determine if this school is a good academic, athletic and social fit.
- Another point to include on your list: Don’t be afraid to ask coaches about themselves. Often times, recruits only ask questions that pertain to their life and neglect to find out anything personal about the coach. It’s important for a recruit to get to know the coach!
Academics
Academics are one of the most important parts of the process. Here are some potential questions to get you thinking about what you could ask a college coach:
- What are the admission requirements for an athlete?
- Can the application fee be waived for athletes?
- What are some of the most popular majors for athletes on your team?
- Will my specific major interfere with the athletic schedule?
- Do your players graduate in four years?
- Does your team have a full-time academic advisor?
Athletics and Recruiting
These two topics overlap in many cases, as an athletic evaluation will determine how heavily the coaching staff will be recruiting a prospective student:
- What is your recruiting timeline?
- How many players will you be recruiting at my position?
- Where will you be recruiting this season?
- What does the training program consist of at your school?
- Is there a good time to come and visit your school?
Social fit
- Are the players on your team close with each other?
- What is the housing situation like? Do teammates typically live together?
- Do student-athletes stay on campus during the summer?
- Is it possible to work part-time in addition to playing a sport and studying?
How to finish the call with a college coach
- You won’t have time to answer all of these questions in your initial phone call with a coach, but they help you get a good first impression of the school. When you’re done, be sure to thank the coach for their time.
- You can also ask about next steps: “When is the next time we could speak?” or “Is there anything I can provide you that will help you further evaluate me?”
- Recruiting is all about building relationships. It wont happen overnight, and will consist of a number of different situations in which a recruit communicates with a college coach. The earlier you start that relationship, the more time you will have to make the best decision possible.
