Coach initiates email; then no response

It's legit. What year is  your son?

c5tx posted:

So confused.  My son recently went to a Headfirst Academic Showcase.   He pitched great and has received many positive emails initiated by coaches.  He has responded to 3 so far and now the coaches have gone cold.  Are they just busy?  I showed one to his select team coach who is very versed at recruiting.  He said in his experience, that is about as strong an email as you can get.  It was practically an invite to go play at the school.  Not sure what to think; we are very frustrated.   Any suggestions?   Wondering if Headfirst is legit?  Very strange and frustrating.  

Yes it's legit. Coaches are now preparing for players return this week. Lots of stuff to do including helping in the moving in process.

Give them a chance. 

JCG posted:

It's legit. What year is  your son?

He is a 2018.  He was contacted right away from a D1; and then abut 7 - D3's.  The D1 was the very promising email.  It said...I saw you pitch at Headfirst I hope you feel ___school would be  good for you .  We hope to see you in the upcoming weeks.   My son emailed him back; but no response.  It has been about two weeks since the first email.  He did reply about a week ago.  Said keep me posted?  It's very confusing?  No next steps to recruit my son.

He has responded to two great academic D3's - one inviting him for a visit.   No response.  That was about three days ago.

We are very confused.  I was starting to think Headfirst pays these coaches to initiate emails.  

Any suggestions?  I told my kid he should starting calling the baseball offices.  

LIke TPM says the coaches have a lot going on right now. But as a 2018 your son most definitely needs to be on top of this right now.  Keep emailing those that have contacted him, especially the D3's. If coach gave his cell number, call or better yet text.  Sounds like the D1 has him on the back burner, but that could change. Has anyone asked him for grades? 

Put the thought about HF paying coaches to email out of your mind.  

If your budget allows you might consider AZ Senior Fall Classic. 

JCG posted:

LIke TPM says the coaches have a lot going on right now. But as a 2018 your son most definitely needs to be on top of this right now.  Keep emailing those that have contacted him, especially the D3's. If coach gave his cell number, call or better yet text.  Sounds like the D1 has him on the back burner, but that could change. Has anyone asked him for grades? 

Put the thought about HF paying coaches to email out of your mind.  

If your budget allows you might consider AZ Senior Fall Classic. 

I agree with the above. Son has to do his due diligence and stay on task.

He can call. D3 sounds like a better option right now, D1 may have him down as a backup.

Yes...they have asked for grades; and his ACT.  I'll encourage him to continue pursuing the ones he has interest in.  I think you are right about the D1.  I am pretty sure those coaches at this school are still going to camps etc. and are not done looking at players.  So I am guessing the D1 is just getting a list of potential pitchers before they decide?  One of the D3 asked him to choose a date for a visit.  He replied with a preferred date but no response.   I am hoping communication will pick up next week.   Do you all know if the college coaches see the kid's ACT score and academic info in the packet they receive from Headfirst?  

I don't know exactly what they get, but a coach asking for grades and ACT is a very good sign. Silence after sending them is not good. But you said 3 days - too soon to panic!  Hang in there. But your son should probably reach out again to any school he is interested in by Monday.

c5tx posted:

Yes...they have asked for grades; and his ACT.  I'll encourage him to continue pursuing the ones he has interest in.  I think you are right about the D1.  I am pretty sure those coaches at this school are still going to camps etc. and are not done looking at players.  So I am guessing the D1 is just getting a list of potential pitchers before they decide?  One of the D3 asked him to choose a date for a visit.  He replied with a preferred date but no response.   I am hoping communication will pick up next week.   Do you all know if the college coaches see the kid's ACT score and academic info in the packet they receive from Headfirst?  

Coaches are always going to camps, etc. That's their job, that usually stops when spring arrives. 

I am not as familiar with D3, but I do know,  that they do not give out athletic scholarships, so they have to make sure one can pass the academic requirements before they can even consider offering a chance to attend their program.

FWIW, the one thing that I am seeing is that responses take time, you would be shocked to hear about what goes on in one day of the life of a college coach!!!

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

MidAtlanticDad posted:

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

+1

If I could add...start working plans B & C as well. Assuming you have a fall back plan with other schools in case the schools in plan A don't work out?

MidAtlanticDad posted:

c5tx, you didn't answer JCG about phone numbers. Sounds like your son has genuine interest at this point, and text/voice/DM/FaceTime are far superior to email. Can you imagine how many emails these guys get? Then there's spam filters, etc.

Yes, much too early to panic. Coaches are juggling new students, new assistant coaches, showcases, and many recruits. They might have sent similar emails to 4 guys for 2 spots, and they're judging the responses. Stay the course, and proceed with the assumption that none of these schools will work out. One very well could, but you can't just sit and wait for replies and worry.

Concur completely.  My 2018 has been effectively communicating and setting up calls via texts.  The coaches really do get lots of emails daily and they now have their incoming 2017 class to deal with.... 

Have him text and mention he wants to follow up on the coaches email, as he does have strong interest in the school.  "What time is best for you to talk?"

Did he have any contact with coaches prior to Headfirst.....as a 2018, he should have been contacting coaches of schools that interest him at this time last year....letting them know where he would be playing this summer.  A D1 contacting him at this point is pretty late in the game.  Most D1's are finished with 2018's as school and fall practices are starting at colleges and their recruiting time is limited now. 

As others have said, text or call.....skip the emails, unless it's just to provide info

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a nd then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.

c5tx posted:

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a fit for you and your family and then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.  Any advice on dealing with the D1?  Keep emailing?  Call?  Or let it go?

I know you don't like it, I didn't either, but this is what comes with the recruiting process, in most cases.

I have been accused of being rude, so please don't take this the wrong way. I can only speak for myself. I know nothing about your son, other than he pitches. It would be unfair for me to try to guess why they have not contacted him with the little information you have provided.  And it would be unfair of you to expect answers other than what you have received.

I truly want to help others, but people have to understand that it's the coaches job to cast a wide net, it always doesn't happen the way we wanted it to. Coming late to the process also adds the difficulty. That's why so many here actually contact coaches well in advance to establish relationships. The most successful recruiting stories are because parents understand the process can take years, before the right fit comes along.

If you want, you can shoot a pm with more physical info on your son as well as his info, LHP, rhp, how many pitches, velo, GPA, ACT, etc. These are all pieces of the puzzle you have not provided. What conference is the D1 in, where is it. 

Hope that this helps.

TPM

c5tx posted:

He has received emails only.  No text messages.  We can see the D1 is still adding players at the moment.  It just seems so weird (and a bit disrespectful) for a coach to say we hope our school is a fit for you and your family and then not respond to emails.  If he has moved on from my son, I would think he could just say that...especially since he sent the first email.  My kid will continue to follow up via email on the D3's.  Some of these are great academic schools.  One in particular looks great.  Thanks for your feedback.  Any advice on dealing with the D1?  Keep emailing?  Call? G Or let it go?

Go ahead and call....it can't hurt.  If the coach answers, at least your son will be able to get an answer as to where he stands.  If not, leave a message....something to the effect of "hey coach, thanks for reaching out, I'm definitely interested in your program.  I've also emailed, I'd really like to talk to you...when is a good time to reach you?"

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

c5tx posted:

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

I read the entire thread.

However, I was just trying to gather  some more info on your son because emails are inquiries and yes, it is often times a slow process and the letter sent is usually in the form telling a player that they have seen them play and interested. It's an interest letter to get you interested in their program as well.

Just trying to help you understand the process.

Best of luck to your son.

c5tx posted:

TPM...not sure if you read the entire thread.  My kid went to Headfirst so all these coaches saw him pitch over two days.  My son did great...mostly K's against the batters he faced.  He has received about 10 emails from schools.  So the coach knows what he is.  I just find it strange they are so slow to return emails.  Especially when the context of the email is pretty much an invite to play at the school.  I just wonder what other's experience is as far as coaches returning emails that were initiated by coaches.  

My kid recently went to an individual school camp (had 'everyone' call the coach's to inform them he was coming & and have been emailing them for 2 years...lol). Kid hit it out of the park (literally) both offensively, defensively and ran a 6.7 something sixty. Parents in the stands came up to me thru-out and mentioned he was clearly the best looking one there. Coach called him 2 days earlier than he mentioned he would (Monday after the camp). Told kid he is #1 on their board for 2018 MIF's, told him it was a blessing to have a kid like him show up for a camp and said they'd talk program philosophy and money in a month or 2. Asked him to please email transcripts and test scores.

OK...number 1 on the board, luv'd his performance, over qualified academically...but no offer? He is a 2018! lol

Kid emailed the academic stuff that day. Sent follow up texts and emails to confirm all was received....no response. Sent a update/fall schedule email over a week ago...no response.

Either coach feels it necessary to blow smoke up the kids ass on a phone call (he called the kid), or he is a master in the art on NON communication. Either way, I'm less than impressed at this point and if the offer ever comes it better be wrapped in a 'pink bow' with hugs, hearts & kisses all over the box (if he wants it to be considered).

Needless to say, no tears will be shed if an offer doesn't arrive and we get the current message (hope that's the one the coach wants to send).....lol

 There are 2 kinds of coaches/recruiters (IMHO):

1. The ones that treat it like a business (and they want to be successful)

2. The ones that treat it like a game (that they don't know how to play)

 Moral: move on (to plans B, C, D, etc.-sending the occasional email, text to the master non communicator's is still OK) and if something unexpected happens great...if not-no sweat, wasn't meant to be anyway!

*Dad to Coach: Hey Coach, guess what...My kid has 'a board' too. You were moving up it pretty quickly after the phone call, but your recent performance (or lack thereof) has you slipping...rapidly!

DesertDuck...that stinks.  I don't understand what is going on with these coaches.  We showed the email my son received to both the coordinator of his select team (who is very experienced with recruiting and contacting college coaches) as well as my son's pitching coach who has had several of his pitchers commit to D1 schools over the years.  The select coordinator said "Congratulations" and the pitching coach stated the email is as strong as it gets.  It was practically an invite to the program. They see these emails all the time.   I do think it is crappy to get a kid's hopes up with that kind of email and then go quiet.  Wish he had never sent it if he wasn't serious.  I really think he owes it to my kid to reply and say I went with another prospect or I made a mistake, etc.  

TPM...it was more than an interest letter.  It was a "we hope you will come play at our school" letter.  

c5tx posted:

DesertDuck...that stinks.  I don't understand what is going on with these coaches.  We showed the email my son received to both the coordinator of his select team (who is very experienced with recruiting and contacting college coaches) as well as my son's pitching coach who has had several of his pitchers commit to D1 schools over the years.  The select coordinator said "Congratulations" and the pitching coach stated the email is as strong as it gets.  It was practically an invite to the program. They see these emails all the time.   I do think it is crappy to get a kid's hopes up with that kind of email and then go quiet.  Wish he had never sent it if he wasn't serious.  I really think he owes it to my kid to reply and say I went with another prospect or I made a mistake, etc.  

 

TPM...it was more than an interest letter.  It was a "we hope you will come play at our school" letter.  

Does it stink? Maybe. But I look at it like this.....If this is how they behave during the 'courting' process of the relationship, imagine how the boy gets treated once the papers are signed and he 'moves in'? I'm just glad they are showing us their true colors now vs. finding out later when it's a whole lot harder to file and complete the divorce!

Much prefer they cross themselves off the list on their own, than me having to do a bunch of research, guess and be wrong.

Non verbal communication is a powerful thing. The one who reads it correctly...WINS!

* Do you play poker? Every single action or inaction is a 'tell'. Read the tells correctly and your odds of winning skyrocket. But always position yourself so that you don't lose your whole stack if you miss the read!

It's all just a f'kn game (like life). Do everything you can to stack the odds in your favor!

Duck...I think you are right.  The coach's true colors are shining through with his awful communication.  I hope your kid finds the best team with upstanding coaches.  We are looking at the D3's and some are much better academically.  Coach attitude is important.  A close relative of mine was a pitcher at a major D1 in the 80s and the head coach was a first class jerk.  I truly don't want that for my son.  So maybe this is a blessing in disguise.  Praying both our kids end up in the best possible fit for them both in athletics and academics.

C5TX and Desert,  as TPM is trying to share, the "no response" is very much a normal part of the process for a variety of reasons and regardless of how serious the interest.  Timing, place on the board, having ducks in a row, waiting for yes or no from others, waiting for academic/admittance info, busy with countless other tasks, etc., etc.

It seems wrong and impersonable and, in many cases, it very well may be.  But, C5TX, if you interpret this as intentional misrepresentation from an event, it is most likely misguided.  Several players coming out of my program have experienced the "no response" after meaningful dialog.  One of my own sons was several conversations deep with the RC and, then HC, was told on a Friday that an offer would be presented before the end of the weekend, never heard from them again.  It happens.  Don't take offense or scratch the team off the list.  Move on to the next school or five.  That first school may come back at some point.  Same son was deep in conversations with another school who also cut off communication.  Son was not happy but moved on.  Fast forward... his senior year of college, he transferred... to THAT school.  Turns out the HC had cut off communication the first time around because he was very close to accepting a job at a different school.  He didn't want to bring son on only to not be there for him.  But, there was no way he could tell a potential recruit that he was considering a move for obvious reasons.  Not so obvious when you are going thru silence.  Son went on to have a great year for this coach and is now an assistant coach for the guy.

Desert, I know your "hey coach, we have a board too" was probably mostly toungue-in-cheek (and actually pretty funny) but I'm hoping this helps your outlook toward the process and non-communication as well.  And, always keep in mind, the fraternity is far smaller and closer than any of us realize.

Also, keep in mind, the motivation and actions are quite different and often opposite when comparing D1 and D3.  D1 has limited scholarships to spread, the D3 has none and is often quite motivated by bringing on as many players as are willing to pay some substantial portion of tuition.  So, that D3 coach is far more likely to be more responsive - not always with purist motive.

C5TX, can your son call the coach and ask?  Seems fairly simple. Hope your son doesn't take it personal and keeps working towards his goal. 

CSTX,

Communication is essential to this process.  As you have now learned, your expectations and timetable is different from the coaches reaching out to your son.   There is an old saying on HSBBWeb..."the recruits timetable is typically not the same as the coaches timetable".    This is because there is vastly more supply of recruits than than there is demand.  The coaches make the rules and the decisions.   When they are ready to move forward with your son, you'll know it.  Your son should continue to reach out with updates, milestones and requests to visit campus for coaches he's already met.   He should also be reaching out to programs that interest him.  This is essential at this time.  Call and follow up with an email.

The coach is busy trying to get additional recruits to campus or to showcase events to see them play again and then make  decisions with either his boss (HC) or more coaches on who to offer from their pool of recruits.   On the other hand, you  and your son are trying to make a decision what schools are really interested in my son and which ones are the best fit.   And so the late D1 and D3 recruiting kabuki dance begins...I experienced it several years ago with my son who attended HeadFirst and then was urged by coaches to attend several prospect camps as a follow up to get additional eyes on him.  My son prioritized several prospect camp choices.  We attended one camp and he was offered.   We were done.   I'm simplifying two years of recruiting, but those were the important and meaningful highlights.  The coaches moved very quickly when it was in their best interest.

As others have said, don't take it personally.  This is how business is conducted.  It is a hurry up and slow down process that is maddening.  But you can be assured of a couple things.   First the coach wants to recruit the best possible kids he can get through admissions and the coach wants to win baseball games to keep his job.

As you are going through this I suggest you think like a coach not a parent.   Listen to what they say, and more importantly what they don't say.  Their motivations are clear as day.   

As always, JMO.

Thank you Fenway....I will try to be patient.  In the meantime, we will schedule visits with the D3 schools.  D1 sounds exciting, but at the end of the day, I want my kid to be in the best academic school possible.  I know the D1 coaches are still attending events every weekend and school has not yet started at the D1.  I am not taking it personally...he is on their radar and I am guessing several other pitchers are as well.  I appreciate your response.  Good luck to your son.  

I want to say thanks to everyone who has given feedback on this post. We're somewhat going thru the same thing, I call it riding the crazy train  It's nice to know from someone with experience that this can be normal, maybe not for everyone but at l least a large segment of us. Please don't ever stop talking us away from the ledge 

Some of the folks on this board should be hostage negotiators.

Desert,

Wow, seems identical to my 2018's experience this week.  Received a text from HC right after camp (D3 that consistently wins 30 plus games a year) --he also crushed the ball during game, threw a laser to get someone at home from RF, and also K'd 3 out of 5 batters he faced...HC text, "you did really well, we will be in contact"....day later, HC called and talked his performance, confirmed his grades/SAT, and then told him that they want to get him up for an official visit soon to talk baseball and school...yesterday son sent text with fall schedule, HC said he probably wouldn't be able to get out to see him but good luck...2018 responded and told him blah, blah, thanks and looking forward to getting back up there soon to talk baseball and learn about the school....HC responded "Thanks, keep me updated".

It does seem the interest fizzled, but who knows what these guys think...

While now thinking about how busy they are removes some of my questions, i still have the question of what "keep me updated" actually means?

The recruiting process is one of the most mind-bending experiences… period.  Only now that we have come out the other side do I have the utmost respect for the coaches out there that are direct and clear in their communications.

LC5TX/Texas 2 Sons/Desert Duck — Fenway captured the current situation perfectly.  For example:  The Asst Coach/RC at my son’s D3 school welcomed the 2017 class to campus this weekend (my son is a 2017) — while the head coach was up recruiting at Harvard’s camp this weekend (after sitting through at HeadFirst in Long Island.). The only reason the HC was out recruiting is that the RC has been on the road for most of June and July — so he gave him a break.  The summer is brutal for D3 coaching.  If a coach tells your son to keep in touch — then do just that.  

This process isn’t personal — its business.  Hang in there.

MAM posted:

The recruiting process is one of the most mind-bending experiences… period.  Only now that we have come out the other side do I have the utmost respect for the coaches out there that are direct and clear in their communications.

LC5TX/Texas 2 Sons/Desert Duck — Fenway captured the current situation perfectly.  For example:  The Asst Coach/RC at my son’s D3 school welcomed the 2017 class to campus this weekend (my son is a 2017) — while the head coach was up recruiting at Harvard’s camp this weekend (after sitting through at HeadFirst in Long Island.). The only reason the HC was out recruiting is that the RC has been on the road for most of June and July — so he gave him a break.  The summer is brutal for D3 coaching.  If a coach tells your son to keep in touch — then do just that.  

This process isn’t personal — its business.  Hang in there.

EXACTLY!!!!

What you described happens in all levels.  DK began his new position about 5 weeks ago, he has probably slept out of town more nights than in town.  I think he has had 2 days off. 

If a coach tells you to keep in touch, do it.  

Keeping the coach updated means letting them know where you will be playing the next few months, they have NO way of knowing that unless you tell them. Right?

I guess one more to echo the same sentiment although you will find some coaches who are simply unorganized.  One school (who will remain nameless) would reach out to my son and ask if he could talk to him.  We'd answer the email and the guy would go dark.  After doing that twice, we figured their poor record is somewhat self-explanatory.  

Advice for life:  Keep a thick skin, and give people the benefit of the doubt.  As a parent, we are thinking constantly about our son(s).  These coaches have a big group of kids showing up on campus right now to think about.  Don't assume that because other priorities are taking up their time this week, that your son is not a priority - he just isn't a priority this week.

Just to add a little more perspective to this thread, I'll discuss an experience my 2017 had with a Power 5 D1 school.  He went to their camp the fall of his senior year (last fall), and was one of the only kids they talked to at the camp.  The coaches were generally not present during most of the camp, but when he pitched they all came out to watch.  After he was done, he was called out to sit with the pitching coach behind the screen behind home.  No other kid got this treatment.  They asked for his transcripts and test scores as soon as he got home, which he sent them.  They confirmed that they were officially recruiting him and they would be in touch as  they tracked his application through the process.

Then, basically nothing.  This was my son's top choice, but he quickly became confused and bitter.  Months passed and other schools were more aggressive in their communications, weekly texts, knew what he had for dinner, knew the girlfriend's name.  But all he got from the P5 school was an email every 3-5 weeks with some message about how they were still tracking his application.  Five and a half months and three offers later, he let the P5 school know that he was no longer considering them.  Thanked them for the interest, etc.

Immediately he gets an email wanting phone numbers of coaches, etc.  Within two days, the P5 school called him and offered the best deal he had to that point.  But he was so disillusioned by that experience that he said no thanks.  Whether that was the right thing to do or not, that's how he felt.  It had really gotten to him.  Anyway, the point of this story is that you really never know what's going on behind the scenes.  Some schools are simply not as good at it.  Some schools may have players they like more and are stringing you along.  Who really knows.  Just know that unless you're an obvious stud, these stories are not unique.  Many fine folks have gone through the same thing.

phillyinNJ posted:

Desert,

Wow, seems identical to my 2018's experience this week.  Received a text from HC right after camp (D3 that consistently wins 30 plus games a year) --he also crushed the ball during game, threw a laser to get someone at home from RF, and also K'd 3 out of 5 batters he faced...HC text, "you did really well, we will be in contact"....day later, HC called and talked his performance, confirmed his grades/SAT, and then told him that they want to get him up for an official visit soon to talk baseball and school...yesterday son sent text with fall schedule, HC said he probably wouldn't be able to get out to see him but good luck...2018 responded and told him blah, blah, thanks and looking forward to getting back up there soon to talk baseball and learn about the school....HC responded "Thanks, keep me updated".

It does seem the interest fizzled, but who knows what these guys think...

While now thinking about how busy they are removes some of my questions, i still have the question of what "keep me updated" actually means?

 

During his junior season, my son had a list of about 10 coaches who had said "keep me updated" and every time he pitched he rode home from games with me. I drove, he sat in the passenger seat and composed a text with the highlights of his performance, always mentioning what a great job his team did or some excellent play someone made supporting him.

When he did well, he said that. When he had a bad inning or two (and he didn't have many) he said it, and said what he wanted to work on to do better. He NEVER complained about umpires, crowds, teammates The only negatives were things like "I don't think my curve was working as well as I'd like. I'm going to be working on my grip in practice this week and work to get more control." Or something along those lines.

And then he copied and pasted it to all 10 coaches.

Some of the schools had made offers, some had just said "keep me updated."

The highest end D1 he had been texting finally sent their HC, RC and finally PC to see him pitch after pretty much ignoring him all summer. This week, he got a handwritten note from the PC saying they want to see "what we can do to get you in a (team name) uniform."

We'll see where it leads, but what I took from it is persistence does pay.

Lots of good information and stories around why coaches may or may not communicate well - in this case going into the fall semester coming off summer recruiting and getting a new class a freshman settled in.  While the information here is good, I would suggest that it can be very helpful to get some opinions from others about the actual character of the coaches themselves.  Not being able to juggle/multi-task numerous activities simultaneously should not be the sole factor in forming an opinion as to whether that coaching staff, as well as the program itself (coaches do leave occasionally), will benefit your son more that some other program that seems to respond ever time within 15 minutes.  If the coaches have a poor reputation (as expressed by folks with good reputations or truly knowledgeable), then they should be removed from your list despite their promptness.  Quality coaches should be given given the benefit of the doubt as the payoff to your kid will be substantial.

SSBuckeye posted:

Just to add a little more perspective to this thread, I'll discuss an experience my 2017 had with a Power 5 D1 school.  He went to their camp the fall of his senior year (last fall), and was one of the only kids they talked to at the camp.  The coaches were generally not present during most of the camp, but when he pitched they all came out to watch.  After he was done, he was called out to sit with the pitching coach behind the screen behind home.  No other kid got this treatment.  They asked for his transcripts and test scores as soon as he got home, which he sent them.  They confirmed that they were officially recruiting him and they would be in touch as  they tracked his application through the process.

Then, basically nothing.  This was my son's top choice, but he quickly became confused and bitter.  Months passed and other schools were more aggressive in their communications, weekly texts, knew what he had for dinner, knew the girlfriend's name.  But all he got from the P5 school was an email every 3-5 weeks with some message about how they were still tracking his application.  Five and a half months and three offers later, he let the P5 school know that he was no longer considering them.  Thanked them for the interest, etc.

Immediately he gets an email wanting phone numbers of coaches, etc.  Within two days, the P5 school called him and offered the best deal he had to that point.  But he was so disillusioned by that experience that he said no thanks.  Whether that was the right thing to do or not, that's how he felt.  It had really gotten to him.  Anyway, the point of this story is that you really never know what's going on behind the scenes.  Some schools are simply not as good at it.  Some schools may have players they like more and are stringing you along.  Who really knows.  Just know that unless you're an obvious stud, these stories are not unique.  Many fine folks have gone through the same thing.

What I take from this story is the player had better think long and had about how he felt during the recruiting process. Poor communications skills and lack of follow up tend to follow a person, coach and / or an organization across everything they do. if they frustrated you quite a bit, you felt ignored or generally not in the plan as they were attempting to recruit you why would it change once they actually have you...?? It sounds like the young married couple who complains that they thought the partner would change after they got married!!

My guess is your son made a good choice regardless of the offer being better at the end.

old_school posted:

SSBuckeye posted:

Just to add a little more perspective to this thread, I'll discuss an experience my 2017 had with a Power 5 D1 school.  He went to their camp the fall of his senior year (last fall), and was one of the only kids they talked to at the camp.  The coaches were generally not present during most of the camp, but when he pitched they all came out to watch.  After he was done, he was called out to sit with the pitching coach behind the screen behind home.  No other kid got this treatment.  They asked for his transcripts and test scores as soon as he got home, which he sent them.  They confirmed that they were officially recruiting him and they would be in touch as  they tracked his application through the process.

Then, basically nothing.  This was my son's top choice, but he quickly became confused and bitter.  Months passed and other schools were more aggressive in their communications, weekly texts, knew what he had for dinner, knew the girlfriend's name.  But all he got from the P5 school was an email every 3-5 weeks with some message about how they were still tracking his application.  Five and a half months and three offers later, he let the P5 school know that he was no longer considering them.  Thanked them for the interest, etc.

Immediately he gets an email wanting phone numbers of coaches, etc.  Within two days, the P5 school called him and offered the best deal he had to that point.  But he was so disillusioned by that experience that he said no thanks.  Whether that was the right thing to do or not, that's how he felt.  It had really gotten to him.  Anyway, the point of this story is that you really never know what's going on behind the scenes.  Some schools are simply not as good at it.  Some schools may have players they like more and are stringing you along.  Who really knows.  Just know that unless you're an obvious stud, these stories are not unique.  Many fine folks have gone through the same thing.

What I take from this story is the player had better think long and had about how he felt during the recruiting process. Poor communications skills and lack of follow up tend to follow a person, coach and / or an organization across everything they do. if they frustrated you quite a bit, you felt ignored or generally not in the plan as they were attempting to recruit you why would it change once they actually have you...?? It sounds like the young married couple who complains that they thought the partner would change after they got married!!

My guess is your son made a good choice regardless of the offer being better at the end.

I agree with your thoughts on this.  For me, some of the stuff I have read in this thread on coaches would be a huge red flag.  

old_school posted:

SSBuckeye posted:

Just to add a little more perspective to this thread, I'll discuss an experience my 2017 had with a Power 5 D1 school.  He went to their camp the fall of his senior year (last fall), and was one of the only kids they talked to at the camp.  The coaches were generally not present during most of the camp, but when he pitched they all came out to watch.  After he was done, he was called out to sit with the pitching coach behind the screen behind home.  No other kid got this treatment.  They asked for his transcripts and test scores as soon as he got home, which he sent them.  They confirmed that they were officially recruiting him and they would be in touch as  they tracked his application through the process.

Then, basically nothing.  This was my son's top choice, but he quickly became confused and bitter.  Months passed and other schools were more aggressive in their communications, weekly texts, knew what he had for dinner, knew the girlfriend's name.  But all he got from the P5 school was an email every 3-5 weeks with some message about how they were still tracking his application.  Five and a half months and three offers later, he let the P5 school know that he was no longer considering them.  Thanked them for the interest, etc.

Immediately he gets an email wanting phone numbers of coaches, etc.  Within two days, the P5 school called him and offered the best deal he had to that point.  But he was so disillusioned by that experience that he said no thanks.  Whether that was the right thing to do or not, that's how he felt.  It had really gotten to him.  Anyway, the point of this story is that you really never know what's going on behind the scenes.  Some schools are simply not as good at it.  Some schools may have players they like more and are stringing you along.  Who really knows.  Just know that unless you're an obvious stud, these stories are not unique.  Many fine folks have gone through the same thing.

What I take from this story is the player had better think long and had about how he felt during the recruiting process. Poor communications skills and lack of follow up tend to follow a person, coach and / or an organization across everything they do. if they frustrated you quite a bit, you felt ignored or generally not in the plan as they were attempting to recruit you why would it change once they actually have you...?? It sounds like the young married couple who complains that they thought the partner would change after they got married!!

My guess is your son made a good choice regardless of the offer being better at the end.

Yep, you pretty much nailed it.  My 2017 and I discussed at length the challenge with P5 programs.  That even though athletic dollars are guaranteed, there are ways to work around that.  There can be so much pressure to win that players get caught up in it.  We'd talked about how some of the mid major schools might actually be a little more secure if they showed interest.  So when his basically dream school interacted with him in that manner, he told me they weren't really that sold on him and wasn't comfortable with what might happen if he got injured or struggled his freshman year.  My 2017 is an old soul, way more mature than I was at that age.  He made a wise decision even though the temptation would be there for many to ignore those signs.

Getting recruited by a Power 5 school that regularly recruits 12-15 new players every year - AND being either #12 or #15 - is going to be tough.  That player will be a great player and will get tons of love from lesser D1 programs while it feels like the Power 5 guys don't really care.  Not sure what folks expect.  If you are actually #20, or #3 or #4 for a specific position, then they will "string you along" because they currently have no room for you until those above you on the board fall off for some reason (they prefer the guys ranked ahead of you for whatever reason).  Being on the bubble will be uncomfortable.  Going Power 5 as the last guy picked up will be uncomfortable and may not be a great choice.  But to shred the coaches because they don't spell it out in black and white ("Look, you are our backup pick and both Joey and Bobby have to fall off before we seriously consider you - so you chance are slim, but not none."), is short-sighted IMO.  Also, some Power 5 programs are more business-like than others and may not be a good fit regardless (recent former head coaches at Auburn and Alabama would seem to bear this out nicely).  Again, I think some of the information here is good, but I think there are other considerations that need to be addressed first before one chooses the "nicest" and "timeliest" of coaches.