acceptance and offers

Coaches don't make offers to kids they cannot get into their school. If they asked for your transcripts and test scores they are going to find out if you can be admitted.

Natural

not always true--I have seen instances where the coach went back to admissions and "made things happen"

Oriole21 -

Here's how it works. The coach asks for transcripts and test scores. If the coach wants you, he will then make you an offer, you will accept, and THEN he will ask you to fax or mail an application to him complete with application essay and fee, etc. He will then walk it through the admissions office. You are not "officially" admitted until you get the letter from the admissions office. For Spring offers, this could come long after everyone else has already received admissions letters.

As to your second question, on an earlier thread (which you will have to find), a parent stated his son was admitted to a school to play baseball, even though he had been initially rejected.

If a coach wants you he will also fight to get you max academic money. It is in his interest. I think it is very imortant to do your application throught the coach.