Interesting recruiting words of wisdom

[orangepassion]

15 pieces of advice for college coaches on recruiting visits, courtesy of a high school coach

Every off season high school's around the country are visited by college coaches at every level from FBS to NAIA. A lot of those visits with coaches and players

footballscoop.com

Check out this list full of some genuinely great advice for college coaches.

1 – Stop asking 10th and 11th graders what they want todo for a living…they don’t know and it makes them uncomfortable. Instead, try “if we got on the sticks right now with Madden / 2K who you got and why?” or “What’s your favorite play ya’ll run? If you had to go 1-9 but pick your one win who do you have to beat?” Kids will answer those. Save the heavy stuff for the unofficial and official visit.

2 – Volunteer to talk to some younger kids about the importance of school work. You don’t understand how big of a deal that would be to a high school head coach. it won’t take you long.

3 – Don’t leave without putting something up on the board. Chances are the coach has something he’d love insight on how to do better. If you ask, he will help you.

4 – Don’t jump straight to the camp invite…we know you want them there.

5 – If you’re at a big time school ask if there are any ____ fans in the building. Chances are it’s one of the math teachers that fails every student and a simple picture with you could save a kid.

6 – Have ACT / SAT dates and registration deadlines with you and make kids tell you when they are planning to test.

7 – If the guy you want to talk to has two or three friends with him…they are his dudes…don’t ignore them because you don’t know what they’ve been through together.

8 – Ask the kid who his favorite teacher is and go meet him / her

9 – Get 100 silicone bracelets and “drop” 3 or 4 on the table before you leave. Kids love those things and we don’t know where they came from if anyone asks.

10 – Keep drill tape…all kinds of drill tape…on hand and ready to dispense. Coach’s use it and kids can see you and your players working. Put your contact info on it and hand it out like a business card.

11 – Don’t talk about family and relationships, instead show the kid a picture of your position group and tell him something about three or four of your guys. Kids eat that up.

12 – If a kid has a nickname then use it. Muscle head, Nookie, Church Lady, and Shrek are terms of endearment and should be treated as such.

13 – Kids aren’t overly interested in facilities…talk about the meal hall and uniforms…have pictures ready to show.

14 – Get off the phone when you’re in our office. We take these kids home, buy them meals, and sign their report cards..when you leave the school these kids will ask us our opinion of you and your program…and they trust us. …Don’t miss that.

15 – Re-read #14.

Below is coach Evans’ original tweet, along with some of the better responses – some of which are quality additions to the list – as well.

Brandon Evans@_coachevans


I’m not a college coach...have no desire to be...but if I were these are the things I’d advise recruiters to do. I’ve seen each of these done by all different levels and it makes a difference. Anyone else got a good one?

Mike Pfiester@Coach_Pfiester

Replying to @_coachevans

Found a hand written note in my mailbox after having a coach stop by the day before. That’s a big deal. Means a lot to a HS coach. Have had very few do that over the years. Oddly enough, they are top shelf coaches at top shelf programs.

2
11:35 AM - Jan 23, 2020
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S

Melissa Cooper Rogers@melissacrogers

Replying to @_coachevans

And if the coach’s wife is there because she works at the school...you probably should sweet talk her as well because chances are she’s their 2nd mom!

22
11:14 PM - Jan 22, 2020
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[All4SU]

Love #8.
And I’ll add... be nice to the school receptionist.

 

[RandomGuy]

#1 and #13

 

[orangenauburn]

#1 and #13

Ad nauseum

 

[orangeinohio]

13 – Kids aren’t overly interested in facilities. Talk about the meal hall and uniforms. Have pictures ready to show.

We're due for a uniform thread as soon as the coaching staff is set.

 

[sufandu]

I guess there's a lot of money being wasted on facilities across the country. I'm glad we kept ours reasonably priced.

 

[chugg21]

13 – Kids aren’t overly interested in facilities. Talk about the meal hall and uniforms. Have pictures ready to show.

We're due for a uniform thread as soon as the coaching staff is set.

I don't know man, I think everyone is at ease with the 44 degree angles and platinum gone. Might be a while before those start up again.

 

[storange]

5. Not true , as a retired high school teacher, not my experience.

 

[RandomGuy]

I guess there's a lot of money being wasted on facilities across the country. I'm glad we kept ours reasonably priced.

That's important, too. Vid games and food(especially big dawgs) are just things they like to talk about.
At 'bama? They have 24 hour chefs. Want a rib eye at 3AM? The only question is how do you want it cooked? Or so I've read

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Love #8.
And I’ll add... be nice to the school receptionist.

My mom is the secretary at a school. She practically runs the place, and everyone relies on her. And she has no stomach for arrogance and will be sure to tell others that. So yeah. Be nice to the receptionist.

 

[All4SU]

My mom is the secretary at a school. She practically runs the place, and everyone relies on her. And she has no stomach for arrogance and will be sure to tell others that. So yeah. Be nice to the receptionist.

I’ve seen it in business. Everything runs through them. They know everybody and everything. They can make your life easier if you’re trying to get to the right people, and miserable if you tick them off.

 

[sufandu]

That's important, too. Vid games and food(especially big dawgs) are just things they like to talk about.
At 'bama? They have 24 hour chefs. Want a rib eye at 3AM? The only question is how do you want it cooked? Or so I've read

Yeah. I take with a grain of salt the opinion of one assistant high school. I'm not saying he doesn't make good points. But saying certain things aren't important to recruits is too much of a blanket statement. The truth is you have to get to know kids, find out what they care about, and make sure your bases are covered in everything you can to be able to cast the widest net you can.

 

[orangenauburn]

That's important, too. Vid games and food(especially big dawgs) are just things they like to talk about.
At 'bama? They have 24 hour chefs. Want a rib eye at 3AM? The only question is how do you want it cooked? Or so I've read

Mmm ribeye