Contacting College Coaches
Calling College Coaches
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Contacting College Coaches
Timestamps:
When can you contact coaches 2:16
Get coaches contact information 7:07
How to initiate first contact 9:13
When Should an Athlete Start Calling Coaches?
The ideal time to start communicating with college coaches over the phone is when an athlete has already sent a couple introductory emails. It is also important to recall the NCAA recruiting date rules for when a coach is allowed to contact recruits.
Preparing for a Call With a College Coach
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Practice with a friend
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Do research about the school and program
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Set up for the call in a quiet place
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Call coaches between 6-9pm when they are in season
Plan of Action When Calling a Coach
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Introduction and reason for calling
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Why their program
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Ask questions
Leaving a Voicemail for a Coach
When calling a college coach, an athlete will often be sent to their voicemail. The following are pieces of information one may want to include:
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Name
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High school and location
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Position
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Grad year
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Reason for calling
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Contact number
Questions to Ask College Coaches When on the Phone With Them
Academic
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What majors are offered?
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What is the typical class size?
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What is the student to faculty ratio?
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Does the athletic team provide academic resources such as tutors?
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Do the majority of players graduate within four years?
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What academic goals should a player meet for this college?
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What are the admission requirements for the school and/or student-athletes?
Athletics / Recruiting Process
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How is the recruiting class looking like?
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Where are recruit evaluations typically done?
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Does the team travel a lot?
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Are there any recommended showcases, tournaments, or combines?
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Any expectations for student-athletes during the off-season?
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How many players will be recruited for the same position?
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Can athletes on the team participate in multiple sports?
Cultural/Social Fit
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What is the team culture like? Do athletes get together outside of team time?
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What is the housing situation like on campus? Where do most players on the team live?
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Do athletes stay on campus during the summer or school breaks?
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Are players typically able to get involved in other activities with the school or work part-time?
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What are the major challenges faced by athletes at the school?
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What are the major adjustments athletes need to make when first starting this college?
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What is the campus scene like?
Scholarships and Financial Aid
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How can a player secure a scholarship for this program?
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How many scholarships are available for this recruiting year?
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What happens to a player’s scholarship if they get injured?
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If freshmen are not eligible for a scholarship, can they possibly get one during their sophomore year?
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What type of scholarships and aid is available for athletes?
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Who should recruits contact in the financial aid office if their families have additional questions?
Questions to Avoid Asking College Coaches When on the Phone With Them
At first, an athlete should avoid asking coaches for a scholarship. It is important to develop a relationship with a coach before asking about money. A good way for an athlete to ease into this conversation is by asking general questions about academic scholarships, aid, and what recruits need to do to make the team or to qualify for a scholarship. Finally, a recruit should avoid asking questions that can be answered through their own research.
Common Questions College Coaches Ask Athletes
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How is school going? GPA, standardized test scores, etc.
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What is a major of interest?
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What are other schools of interest?
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What other schools have reached out?
Should a Parent Call a College Coach?
In general, it is highly recommended for an athlete to be the one who is communicating with college coaches. However, many parents worry that their children are too shy or modest to stay in communication with coaches. If a player will not contact a coach because they are too shy, then perhaps it is ok for parents to help start the conversation. However, sooner rather than later an athlete will need to take over the conversation.
Next Section: Texting College Coaches