When college coaches are interested in a recruit, they often seek out people who know the recruit well for recommendations. Their first stop? You guessed it: High school or club coaches.
Like many sports, college athletic recruiting is a team effort. Except on this team, the student-athlete is the captain and the rest of the team is rounded out by parents and high school and club coaches.
It’s the recruit who is responsible for coordinating their teammates. That’s why it’s good to know how your current coach can help on your recruiting journey. Here are four key ways:
DETERMINE THE DIVISION THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
One of the most difficult tasks at the beginning of the recruiting process is figuring out the right division level for you. There are many factors to consider, including academics and campus culture, but as a college-bound student-athlete, athletics are also key.
It’s tough to objectively evaluate your own skill and talent, so asking for help from an expert is a great way to find your best fit. Fortunately, that’s usually your coaches. That’s why you’ll need to ask them about your future as a college athlete and the right division level for you.
MAKE INTRODUCTIONS TO COLLEGE COACHES
Many high school and club coaches know a few college coaches, and if they think you would be a good fit for those schools, they may facilitate an introduction.
Some coaches may have held their position for 20 to 30 years and may have a really good college network, which can give you a big boost in the recruiting process. The smart move is to take your list of target schools to your coaches and ask if they have a relationship with any of those schools. If yes, see if they feel comfortable making an introduction.
ARRANGE A CALL BETWEEN YOU AND A COLLEGE COACH
For most athletes, recruiting starts before the NCAA recruiting rules allow college coaches to contact athletes. As a recruit, you can always call coaches — and they can answer. But they cannot call you back if they miss your call. To work through this, some athletes will get their coach to arrange a specific time for a college coach to pick up the phone, therefore facilitating the connection.
PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION
When college coaches are interested in a recruit, they often seek out people who know the recruit well for recommendations. Their first stop? You guessed it: Your high school or club coach.
Because your current coaches know you so well as an athlete, they are arguably the most important person a college coach will talk to in order to get a better idea of your athletic ability and character. That’s why it’s important to stay on good terms with your coach — even if you don’t see eye-to-eye with them all the time.
