Deacon wrote:
"coaches don't recruit athletes based on times alone"
That should read....
"coaches SHOULDN'T recruit athletes based on times alone"
Since afterall I would love to believe that most coaches especially at the bigger more prestigious institutions ARE looking to develop athletes, it wouldnt be realistic to give them that type of credit.
I currently coach on the d1 level but am still active with youth clubs, so I still have to deal with athletes I coach being recruited. And from the last two years alone, I can say without a doubt that recruiting based on times alone happens far more often than not. There obviously are coaches who don't but in general I think you're giving them too much credit.
Then what else should you recruit based on?
Leadership, a skill you really can't identify in an individual sport?
Character/Maturity, a trait young people are good at faking?
Size/Build, where you pick athletes who look like good athletes but maybe aren't?
Potential, so that you can get fired when they don't achieve at your level?
Give me some concrete non-numbers people should be recruiting?