D3 offers

Congrats, PopTime to your 2014! Exciting times are ahead.

It was our experience with our 2013 that the DIII coaches who recruited him were very straightforward about their expectations and plans for him. In a couple of cases they stated very clearly that they thought he would be an immediate contributor/starter. Based on their programs and other players they recruit, we believed that to be the case. One top ranked DIII that had been recruiting him since he was a sophomore met with us at length to discuss their plan for him. This HC said he was sure that schools X and Y were telling him he would contribute immediately, and they are telling him the truth (yes, they all know who's recruiting your kid). He said he wouldn't make that promise to him, but went on to tell him what he expected as far as development, playing time, and his expectation for each year.

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My question to those of you who have already been through the process is "do coaches say that to all recruits"?

 Congrats on the offers. That is very exciting.

The short answer is "yes".   Coaches always want your son to think he has a shot at being a starter.  Most will say that he has a "genuine opportunity to be starter based on next years team".  Which on the surface is a true statement.  The reality is most D3 coaches don't know who will be on the team next year until tryouts in the Fall.  My son was recruited across D1 and D3 and it was the same story overall.

The best thing you can do is watch the team play (many times) and get a feel for their talent level.  Determine where their needs are, and factor in your sons skill set.  You've got to become your own talent evaluator.  Research the heck out of each program, their history and any other factors (academics) to make your final decision is my best advice.

Good luck!

The best thing you can do is watch the team play (many times) and get a feel for their talent level.  Determine where their needs are, and factor in your sons skill set.  You've got to become your own talent evaluator.  Research the heck out of each program, their history and any other factors (academics) to make your final decision is my best advice.

Above is the best advice you can get. Find out what the depth chart looks like also. In the end your son has to earn the spot and be one of the best 9 on the field no matter what the coach said during the recruiting period. Someone posted here a statement that I love don't remember or I would give them credit for it. "A coaches job is to convince your son to come to the school when he is being recruited and the next year his job is to find someone to replace him"

Good Luck.

BOF said

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Someone posted here a statement that I love don't remember or I would give them credit for it. "A coaches job is to convince your son to come to the school when he is being recruited and the next year his job is to find someone to replace him" 

So very true.  I got $100 bucks that swampboy said that or something very similiar.  Golden advice.

I think you get the gist of it poptime2014.  Please let us know if you have any follow up questions, and how things turn out.

My kid's high school places a lot of males and females in college sports. The high school had guidance counselors who understand the recruiting process. They explain to D1 prospects coaches job is to try to find someone better every year.They explain unless there are pro aspirations a high school star is more likely to have an enjoyable athletic experience playing four years at a D3.

All great advice so far.

Web was recruited by some fantastic D3 schools and the most realistic statements were "you will have a chance to compete for a starting job".

We were told the same by his current school and a quick perusal of the roster and stats we were able to discern that most of the playing time at web's position was by a senior and that his position was thin.

Web has been able to compete for a starting job. His chief competition has been from another freshman. They have both seen plenty of playing time and I believe the battle has benifited both players and the team.

Look for a chance to compete and the rest is up to your son.

100% true. Your son's job is to improve enough every year to keep his job.

The baseball equivalent of "I  will respect you in the morning":

  "Your son will have the opportunity to make an immediate contribution.".

Son hears "I'll be starting".

Parents hear "Junior will be a 4 year starter"

Coach means "If you are the best at your position, and as long as you remain the best at your position, you will start."

Do your homework with the schools that promise playing time. Try to go to games and see who is playing. Try to find parents in the crowd and ask them questions. They will be honest with you. I truly feel DIII is one of the most honest divisions because they "HAVE to be" considering their recruiting isn't backed with athletic scholarships. A lot of DIII's are dying to get solid layers in the program.

No, not all D3 coaches promise immediate playing time. My son was told by the coach that he should not expect to start his freshman year. He was promised a roster spot only.

Not all coaches are the same. As Coach Mills says some folks say a D3 coach has live or die by his reputation since he doesn't have scholarship money to give. I suspect the successful ones tend to be straightforward. They all have reputations so ask around.  

Of course it is easy to see the current depth at a position, as well as stats of current players. 

Sometimes when they say" Your son will have a chance to make an immediate contribution", they mean a contribution off the bench, not starting.

Amen, Three Bagger! Words have meaning. My takeaway -- listn CAREFULLY.