As I was working on recruiting today. I usually take a break and check Social Media. Let me be the first to let you know that if it were not such a major component of recruiting, thus my job. I would not be on any platform. Social Media can be such a positive platform but I have seen it spoil and be used in the most negative ways by athletes, parents, coaches, everyone in general.
So..... Let's get to the main question of my blog today. Are HS coaches qualified to promote, market, basically participate in the recruiting process for athletes. I know different people who are coaches who have so many different opinions on this one. As a kid in the early 80's I was getting heavily recruited for Football and Baseball in Western Pennsylvania. Just to let you know this is back when our film was 8mm with no sites or anything to help in your promotion. I have to say back then HS Coaches really were a stable and trusted entity in college recruiting. Like I said, Basically you were referred to schools, schools contacted you by letters and phone calls or through the coach. They also were much more out and about at HS games, visits to HS's. They would make the visits to sit and watch film and also meet with the coach.
So, let's dive into the question. Are HS coaches in 2021 qualified to be a player in the recruiting process of athletes. I have seen so any comments and opinions on this. In my business or Consulting and Advising through the recruiting process I speak to coaches from around the nation every day about young men and women in many different sports. The information I have shared in my referral packet is supporting my recommendation that coach contact them and begin to get to know them. I then instruct and advise my clients on how to go about setting relationships and the right way to act and be assertive and positive to everyone contacting them.
Some of the comments I have seen are. "A lot of HS teachers are teachers and not necessarily coaches by trade. "All, information shared on a kid should be positive, don't
ruin a kid who has caused problems for you or the team. Give them a clean slate. Summer coaches are much more qualified to make recommendations on kids cause they deal more with college coaches because of the ability to interact at games."
There are a couple more but I want my thoughts and opinions based off 30 years of playing professional baseball, coaching in college, men's and women's. Coaching over 20 years in HS and Elite travel teams. Also, running my very successful Athletic Recruiting Business for 9 years now. I have placed well over 1000 kids across the country and also recruited the same as a college coach.
HS coaches, whether teachers or coaches. If a player asks you to be part of the process or a college coach contacts you. Be part of the process and share whatever information you may know or have on that athlete. If you feel you don't know that much contact the other coaches in the athlete's life and let them know the colleges that are interested. Let the college coach know that you may not be the most qualified to talk about skills but you can speak for the character of that athlete. Here is the important part that I saw and took exception with. Am I to tell a coach only the good on every kid. If I do that and am not totally honest with college coaches, then I would not be in business and have the good reputation I have across the nation with college programs both men's and women's. When college coaches contact me to ask questions, 75% of our conversation is about grades, attitude, family, projection for college and basically will the kid fit into what they need him to do for their school and program.
Ask every client I have and player that plays for me. There are certain non-negotiables that my teams have on behavior and the way to play the game the right way to get to the next level. 99% of my clients and players fit that mold, but there is always 1 or 2 a year that think they know a better way, go off on their own and are usually looking to get on with their lives instead of playing in college. Let me be quick to point out that this is not a one time action or mistake. You gotta coach and continue to try and develop kids through adversity which we talk about in practices and meetings all the time. No, these kids are the kids that repeatedly make mistakes, their attitudes stink and they feel they know what is best for them. These kids will play or act their way out off my team. In trying to build the most positive and best team culture which is very important at the next level sometimes you have to d what is best for the team and cut those players loose. I have had a few players that have fallen into this category and been coached and counseled by me and my assistants to no avail. When a college coach asks me about this kid I will certainly say what is positive and what is negative and the complete truth about the situation cause and consequence. If you do not disclose all information on kids then you are doing the college, yourself , the kid and your business or organization a disservice.
I really would like to have all qualified coaches in HS and Summer teams. Believe me, I have seen some summer coaches who have no business coaching and making decisions on kids. It goes both ways. That is why there are successful programs in both.
Be Honest, Present all the know. If asked what your thoughts are, give them totally to the facts. This is how you get to be successful in dealing in The College Athletic Process.
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