Curious to see what current and former collegiate coaches think about this. When I was in the recruiting process my HS coach was not involved in the slightest. Is this the normal experience or do most contact colleges? Do collegiate coaches put more weight behind coaches reaching out or is it a sign of lacking initiative and independence?
Collegiate coaches want to see independent go-getters that direct the process. Coaches are happy to give feedback when the prospective college coach asks for it. If a parent is leading the process, the college will move on because the kid isn’t passionate enough nor do they want some helicopter parent lurking in the background.
As a HS coach, I did not initially contact colleges although I helped if they did not reply to the athlete involved. I had a formal meeting with any/all athletes that had an thought what-so-ever of running in college regardless of the level, at the start of their junior year. When the rules changed that juniors could be contacted I moved this back to spring of sophomore year. Parents were encouraged to attend the meeting as well. I provided a hand-out & electronic copy of what to do and when, the process, likely questions to ask and answer, etc. I have not coached in 4-5 years but if you have an interest I will provide what I gave kids/parents. Just provide an email address. There may be some outdated items but may stimulate some thoughts on directions you may want to go.
As a college coach I preferred hearing from the athlete but did not see a coach contacting me as lack of independence or anything else unless that became quite clear once I talked to all involved. Parents were a much bigger red flag, but not a "forget it" type thing in itself. I assume this depends upon the coach.
just the facts... I'd like a copy
I'm not a college coach but I would imagine it depends on what "contact" means. One time to briefly mention the athlete's name, PRs, weekly mileage, attitude, etc is probably fine. Any coach that sees that as a lack of independence by a HS athlete and time to "move on" is probably a little too self-important. A HS coach pushing an athlete on a college coach or giving recommendations on how to train the athlete or otherwise telling him/her how to coach would be over the line.
Troof Soshul wrote:
Collegiate coaches want to see independent go-getters that direct the process. Coaches are happy to give feedback when the prospective college coach asks for it. If a parent is leading the process, the college will move on because the kid isn’t passionate enough nor do they want some helicopter parent lurking in the background.
B.s. You don't realize the value of an assertive parent. I was on the phone dialing like, "The Machine" in Glengarry Glen Ross. It worked. I won't go into details. I don't want to embarrass anyone, but assertive parenting works. There is a history of college boosters needing to make the parents of star athletes millionaires.
..... wrote:
just the facts... I'd like a copy
I just sent this. Let me know if it does not arrive via email.
Don't call us, we'll call you.
I didn't actively contact college coaches. However, if I had an athlete that was doing very well and was already getting looked at by some colleges I would notify my former college coach of this particular athlete. My college that I graduated from is about 1000 miles away so they aren't always on top of what is going on in my local area.
Initial contact is by any means necessary, period. For years I have been telling recruits to reach out to coaches, they have no idea you exist, no matter how famous you are locally or in some cases nationally. Coaches also do not always have a means to contact you. Many times trying to reach you is a crapshoot. Coaches ultimately need to talk to you not your team, or coach, or club coach nor your parents. It is simple, no one is recruiting them, they are recruiting you. Reach out, drop more than one email, it is sheer arrogance to assume your single email was enough.
To the original poster, there is nothing wrong with the coaches reaching out. It helps a lot, especially during indoor season when everyone is running for their club from parts unknown, or simply unattached, which provides zero information. Now, as some one above mentioned, it is all about contact, the rest of the process needs more recruit and less everyone else
I like hearing from HS coaches, but it's still good to have the athlete reach out first. That's the relationship that we're looking to build during the process.
But a quick, "Hi Coach, my athlete XXXX spoke with you recently. He/she is a great kid who has done X, Y, Z for our program. Please don't hesitate to reach out, I'd be happy to talk with you more about XXXX"
Some might take you up on the offer. Some won't. But I'd certainly appreciate it
"Star" athlete = future top 5 NBA/NFL draft pick, not a good runner
book Black Market is good - a little woke, but it talked about the pre-NIL basically bribery that occurred