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For all the coaches or former coaches out there, I'm curious how you handle(d) recruiting during your playing season? One HC told me that he focuses on recruiting all day every Monday during the season.  What's the typical (if there is a 'typical') process for handling emails from interested players.  When an email from a potential recruit comes in, how is it routed?  How do you sort and prioritize the completed prospect questionnaires that you receive from your website?  How many are filled out during a typical year?  What time of year do you get the most emails/completed prospect questionnaires?  If a player sends an email that catches your eye, is there typically email discussion right away or is that player put in a bucket with all the other players of interest to be discussed later?

How early is there a specific plan for recruiting needs put in place?  When do coaches set their summer travel schedules?  Are they basically the same every year with a few minor deviations or do they vary widely?  Are there weekly staff meetings to discuss potential recruiting targets?  How much is a kid 'recruited' before you actually see him play in a game?  How important is networking and relationship building with travel ball coaches?  How much do you rely on pipelines from specific travel organizations?  How much are HC's on the road during the summer versus Assistants?  What's the protocol for making a final decision on offering to a prospect?  What is a typical discussion like when evaluating whether a player would be a good fit?

No need to answer all these questions, but any that you have particular insights on, or think interesting, I would be grateful to learn more.  Thanks!

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Those are very good questions.  My memory isn't what it used to be, but I can't recall ever seeing a RC or HC of a 4-year college of any level posting here.  Unfortunately,  I think the most you can hope for in response is what other parents have heard and inferred on the recruiting trail.

I'll start by saying that all of the email questions in the first paragraph are moot in most cases.  Getting eyes on players is 99% of the game.

I will try to answer. 

Recruiting by coaches takes place all year round when allowed. In the spring it's predominantly HS or JUCO games. He mentioned Monday because that is usually when the team has off. But most coaches this time of year are even looking at players before their games are played. While in Texas, son got off the plane in Houston for a series at Rice and headed to Galveston to watch a pitcher. Thats your job. HC also recruit, but some only go when 3 sets of eyes are needed.

Summer is set aside for the tournaments. Son is in FL so it's convenient and only once did he travel out of state last fall for a big tournament up north. As I have said before FL programs recruit FL players unless you are an out of state stud.  Big reason, Florida Bright Futures Program.

Emails that come in are divided up according to position. Sometimes the volunteer assistant reads them first as at times it gets backed up. Not every email is answered personally, but letters will be sent with apps and camp brochures. Its a daily project.

Staff usually has daily meetings moving their prospective recruits up and down the board. They rank players in order A, B, C recruits as to position.

Networking is very important, that would include HS coaches, travel coaches, JUCO coaches, scouts as well as other 4 year coaches.

The final decision is made between coaches. The amount offered is the decision based on the need for that player to come, give up the draft, affordability to the player  and the HC final decision with the recruiting coach and HC making the final offer.

Any more questions send a pm.

Hope that this helps.

Last edited by TPM

Have a question but didn't think it was worthy of it's own thread, so I picked this one.  College coaches are asking son for his summer schedule.  He's got a couple of College Prospect Clinics scheduled with multiple schools in attendance.  Is it appropriate to include that on the schedule to schools not part of the, or would they find that wrong to include?  Thanks!

CTbballDad posted:

Have a question but didn't think it was worthy of it's own thread, so I picked this one.  College coaches are asking son for his summer schedule.  He's got a couple of College Prospect Clinics scheduled with multiple schools in attendance.  Is it appropriate to include that on the schedule to schools not part of the, or would they find that wrong to include?  Thanks!

Great question. My son is going to attend a camp at a specific school (the only school-specific camp he is going to this summer, or has ever gone to -- and there are not multiple schools in attendance), and when asked for his summer schedule (by other schools), he has not been including that one. Not sure if that's the right call or not. Other input would be welcome.

The reasoning was that he didn't want to give other colleges the impression that the school whose camp he is attending is his top choice, or that he had his heart set on it, etc. Again, not sure if that's the right way to do it.

2019Dad posted:
CTbballDad posted:

Have a question but didn't think it was worthy of it's own thread, so I picked this one.  College coaches are asking son for his summer schedule.  He's got a couple of College Prospect Clinics scheduled with multiple schools in attendance.  Is it appropriate to include that on the schedule to schools not part of the, or would they find that wrong to include?  Thanks!

Great question. My son is going to attend a camp at a specific school (the only school-specific camp he is going to this summer, or has ever gone to -- and there are not multiple schools in attendance), and when asked for his summer schedule (by other schools), he has not been including that one. Not sure if that's the right call or not. Other input would be welcome.

The reasoning was that he didn't want to give other colleges the impression that the school whose camp he is attending is his top choice, or that he had his heart set on it, etc. Again, not sure if that's the right way to do it.

CT, I would definitely include the College Prospects Clinics since multiple schools will be there. Your target school might be on the fence about attending one of them, and that information could make the difference. They also might have a relationship with someone from one of the schools who will be attending, and they could ask that person to take a look at you for them.
2019Dad, I think your son's situation is a little trickier. I don't think you can go wrong by not mentioning the school specific camps. However, you could just include something like "8/11/18 - College Camp". First, it would let them know that your son is serious about recruiting, and that he will be talking to other schools. Second, it might initiate a dialogue like, "Why don't I see our camp on your list?"

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