RECRUITING PROCESS WITH COACHES - What to say when they call

[BBALL1011]

Can anyone give suggestion on how to conduct a telephone conversation with college recruiters when they call. I know you should always sound interested in the school. But any suggestions on top things to discuss and even NOT to say, My daughter has had several calls from colleges, there was one particular college that has called her for the past two years and the head coach has even called this past July and said she would fit perfectly in their spot they have opened. She just received a call tonight from the college that they have gone with a girl who was willing to commit. My daughter was a little taken back because they never came out and said "We want to offer......" Was she suppose to ask when they said she would fit great with their team? They called her whenever it was permissable. She will be a senior this coming year and waiting til end of the July tournaments. this is new to us and hoping for some advise on how to conduct the phone conversations --- she doesn't want to sound cocky or aggressive --- Other schools are interested and want to make sure we handle it correctly.

[Trueline]

Can anyone give suggestion on how to conduct a telephone conversation with college recruiters when they call. I know you should always sound interested in the school. But any suggestions on top things to discuss and even NOT to say, My daughter has had several calls from colleges, there was one particular college that has called her for the past two years and the head coach has even called this past July and said she would fit perfectly in their spot they have opened. She just received a call tonight from the college that they have gone with a girl who was willing to commit. My daughter was a little taken back because they never came out and said "We want to offer......" Was she suppose to ask when they said she would fit great with their team? They called her whenever it was permissable. She will be a senior this coming year and waiting til end of the July tournaments. this is new to us and hoping for some advise on how to conduct the phone conversations --- she doesn't want to sound cocky or aggressive --- Other schools are interested and want to make sure we handle it correctly.

I thought coaches couldn't call until April of the Senior year. It sounds like this girl was called during her sophmore year.

What are the contact rules? I know that things can pick up in September of the Junior year, but specifically what kind of contact is acceptable and when?

[teammom4]

My daughter is a incoming freshman in college.
I have removed a lot of the details from my brain space to make room for the new stuff that's to come, but I know a few things for sure.
These coaches have about heard it all! It is NO problem for you to ask them is there an offer on the table, and even what there priority is with you/your kid. Is she #1 or is she on the B list, etc.
The harder part is sorting out the truth, which most will be truthful, but some will be tongue & cheek, almost telling you what you wanna hear. July is a serious month for the upcoming class & the recruit should look at it as such. By this time teams are calling in between evaluation periods to see where they stand & other recruits are getting leary & start to verbal 90 goin North, which could have a kid ousted by no doings of their own, just another kid (A or B lister) was willing to commit.
For '08s I think this week should be the week that you contact your top 5 & bottom 5 & get them where you will be for the next couple of weeks. That gives them hope, and they may stall others out for you if they feel you are serious. The only real leverage a program has is to tell you that another prospect is close to verballing to see how you will react. I don't know your daughter's position, but I can tell you these classes are guard heavy & if she's not 6'2+ it can be really tricky.

[GameLuvr]

The colleges can start sending letters, etc... 1 October of their junior year. 1 April of their junior year they may begin making phone calls to recruits.

Before those time frames, they may send the questionnaires and state they are interested and that you may call them but under the NCAA Guidelines they may not call you.

[ghs1968]

Colleges can actually start sending recruiting materials on September 1st of the Junior year. My daughter has received a consistent response from emails she sent out that the school will be in touch in September when they are allowed to do so.

[newcomer]

Go to the ncaa website (www.ncaa.org), click on the academics and athletics tab and then the Eligility and Recruiting. The 2007 NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete spells out recruiting for all divisions and has a timeline. It is very helpful and you can download it in a pdf format.

[aggiecardinal2007]

both my daughters used a spiral notebook and logged in dates and coaches names while they were speaking with the schools. it was the only way to keep things straight. they both took notes on questions they wanted answered and info the coach gave them. it also gave them record of the schools they said they were not interested in and logged in the top 5 schools they listed for coaches when asked that question. be sure your daughter is assertive enough to tell coaches her interest level-the coaches appreciate this so they aren't left hanging as well and it can lead to fewer phone calls that your daughter doesn't want to take!!! she also needs to let the coaches know if the school is in her top 5 and definitely ask where she is in the "lineup" of recruits. the notebook finally gives them something to doodle on as they speak!! haha sometimes the calls were 30-45 minutes long and they needed the diversion! :)

[ifyousayso]

Good idea on the log. As for asking if an offer is on the table - Absolutely! This will be about the only answer that you can really expect a clear cut answer.

Also, depending upon who is calling your daughter is a tell tale sign of how much they want her...is it always the recruiting coach - or does the head coach get a call in there also?

Think of it as a job interview. Once they ask you to join the company and make a job offer that is the time to ask all the pertinent questions in which to make an informed choice.

Offers are given to more than just one player. Unless you are their number one or two recruit... the school may rescind their offer if someone else verbals in your position.

[BBALL1011]

Thank all of you for your input --- it is very helpful--- I visited the NCAA and that was also useful --- thanks again!!

[tinkb]

Great question I will just sit and watch on this one.

[ghs1968]

Ifyousayso........or anyone...


Also, depending upon who is calling your daughter is a tell tale sign of how much they want her...is it always the recruiting coach - or does the head coach get a call in there also?


Can you expound on the difference between the head coach and the recruiting coach calling? I guess it varies by recruit and program as to how soon or late a head coach gets involved. Would it be abnormal for the recruiting coach to do most of the swooning and then the head coach actually makes the offer without having many conversations with the recruit?

As a piggy back on the topic.............Just how much and what type of materials do the schools start sending in Sept of the Junior year? Do they randomly send out to a broad list of recruits or do they taylor the mailings and emails to recruits they really like? Since the coaches still wouldn't be allowed to call I guess this is where an assertive recruit can get on the offensive since they can make calls to the coaches. Would a good tactic be to call the schools/coaches that start sending info in September and flat out ask them the targeted questions that were discussed earlier in the post such as where you are on their list? I'm just wondering if that direct a question in Sept/Oct of the Junior year by the recruit is fair game. I'm also wondering how many assistants are empowered to answer that question as it will probably be an assistant who is fielding that call from the recruit.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

[Hoopsking]

You guys/gals may want to order this video called

Running Down a Dream

This video evolves around recruiting of a former high school phenom Nicole Kaczmarski. The video provides very good info on recruiting times, the pressure of recruiting, etc.

Check out the site: http://www.runningdownadream.net/

[YourCrimsonNightmare]

I know of one player who is the sole recruiting target for the head coach of a major D-I school. This coach is personally in charge of recruiting just this one player.

[ifyousayso]

GHS1968 Question: Just how much and what type of materials do the schools start sending in Sept of the Junior year? Do they randomly send out to a broad list of recruits or do they taylor the mailings and emails to recruits they really like? Since the coaches still wouldn't be allowed to call I guess this is where an assertive recruit can get on the offensive since they can make calls to the coaches.
Initially schools send out to literally hundreds of players the start of their junior year. I would begin with an email of introduction, mention you received a mailing..tell them specific details that would entice them to want to know more or come to see her during her high school season. Send a copy of the schedule in the email, along with the High School Name, location and the coaches name and telephone number. If you have articles link about her all the better.


GHS1968 Question: Would a good tactic be to call the schools/coaches that start sending info in September and flat out ask them the targeted questions that were discussed earlier in the post such as where you are on their list? I'm just wondering if that direct a question in Sept/Oct of the Junior year by the recruit is fair game
I think that is just a bit premature. Once you have had communication, they have visited a high school game or you have gone on an unofficial visit of the school...then you can get a little more assertive. Initially just getting them to want to do any of those things I mentioned(call the h.s. coach, visit a game, invite you on a visit) is your mission at this point.

GHS1968 Question:I'm also wondering how many assistants are empowered to answer that question as it will probably be an assistant who is fielding that call from the recruit.[/I]
See above answer. If they even know who your daughter is from their initial mass mailings (and that is a big if) then the recruting coach knows how to bob and weave on that question like the best heavyweight...

[I]GHS1968 Question: Can you expound on the difference between the head coach and the recruiting coach calling? I guess it varies by recruit and program as to how soon or late a head coach gets involved. Would it be abnormal for the recruiting coach to do most of the swooning and then the head coach actually makes the offer without having many conversations with the recruit? It is not uncommon for recruits to find themselves talking primarily to the recruiting coach and then out comes the head coach with an offer...

You mentioned on an earlier post that you believe your daughter to be a solid mid-major player that may be able to get the attention of Large DI programs in the SEC/ACC that have not had strong programs of recent times. I can tell you that the SEC/ACC are two of the toughest conferences in the U.S. and even the teams that are weaker in the SEC/ACC are those that attract players that are tops(5 or so ) in their State. So with that being said, I am going to say that if your daughter is a solid MidMajor DI Player and is getting attention from Large DI schools in the SEC/ACC you will most likely be talking with the recruiting coach the 95% of the time. Which may lead to an offer farther down the line, but, one that will possibly come as a back up to other players higher on the list that went elsewhere. The recruiting coach is the recruiting coach after all and will have involvement. But, when you are dealing with the head coach primarily that means the Stakes are very high in their desire to have your daughter on their team.If the coaches feel your daughter clicks best with the water boy he may also be one calling your daughter as well.