Given the constantly fluid nature of the recruiting environment, today's truthful representation by a coach can become tomorrow's misstatement, literally overnight. Here are a few of the dynamics, none of which are within the coaching staff's control: (1) the draft as it affects high school seniors, (2) the draft as it affects 21-year-olds on the program's roster, (3) academic ineligibility, (4) team/school infractions, (5) health/injury issues, (6) transfer decisions, (7) decisions made by recruited players and their families.
At any given time, virtually all of these are in play to some extent. The constantly changing landscape and the uncertainty it creates is a nightmare to recruit into. The vast majority of coaches are well-intentioned and not out to deceive players and their families. More often than not, they're trying to do the best they can to represent their situation on that particular day; with the knowledge that future circumstances can alter that representation.