NCSA Blog

 Any relationship/friendship if it is to be beneficial to both parties must be based upon trust and loyalty. This quality definitely applies to your relationship with the coach that is recruiting you. Even as a young person you need to “get a feel” for the coach who is attempting to attract you to his or her school. Basically this is an initial instinct as to how comfortable you are with this individual.

Recruiters are as diverse and different as all people are different from each other. Initially parents or guardians need to interact with the recruiting coach.  When they are comfortable with the recruiter and the young person is ready, they can turn the brunt of the relationship over to the recruit and watch from basically role as a moderator.

Being comfortable with the relationship, it can mean that the conversations with the recruiter are not just based upon a hard sell for their school, but are actual conversations concerning academics, friends, life goals and other topics. The constant hard sell can become annoying, and indicative of a recruiter who is inexperienced, or who is “not doing their homework.” The best recruiters that I had the pleasure of working with knew their respective recruits almost as life long friends. Again, “the best” recruiters I worked with. It really sent up a red flag for me when on our recruiting call evening I would go down the hall and hear one of our coaches begins the conversation with, “So how is it going big guy, who do you guys have this weekend,? Great, I will call you next week!” I could only think about what the young person on the other end of that call thought of such an impersonal call.

Permit me to digress a bit. When I say recruiting coach, I am referring to the coach who is the primary contact with the recruit. Initially it is usually a coach who is assigned to a geographical region of the prospective student athlete. The recruit may also hear from the coach of a particular position on the team assigned to that recruit, the recruiting coordinator or even the head coach as the process continues.

The coach assigned geographically to the area is usually the initial contact and usually the main conduit to the athletic program for the recruit and the family. This is usually the relationship that becomes the strongest and most lasting. And this is usually the coach that will “have the recruits back” as the young person moves from prospect to recruit to signee, to team member to college graduate. And in all candor, this is the coach who if he or she leave the school for another position at another school will have the biggest affect on the athlete.

And, if this individual should move on during the recruiting process it is critical for the family to immediately call the head coach to determine the status of the recruit in the process with the main contact in the program no longer in the picture. It is an honor to be recruited, it is indicative of hard work and dedication, but remember this is a two way street. It is also an honor to be called ‘coach.” And as you are moving through the process remember that you have a lot to bring to the table, and that as you are being evaluated, you are also evaluating the coaches and schools that are recruiting you. It is critical that once again you “get a feel” for these individuals.

Can you live with these people during the next four years of your life that will determine the next forty years of your life? And when I say “live with” it is just what I mean. A commitment to a school is huge undertaking. Hours, days, weeks, months, years of practice, being coached, competing, and every athletic moment along the way you will be in the charge of the coaches who have recruited you. It sounds like a long road and it is, but it can be just so rewarding, and the ride of a lifetime. Make sure that the coaches who will accompany you on that ride are people,” that you can live with.” Go for it! And always remember that you will be going through this process only once. At NCSA you will be dealing with people who have gone through it so many, many, times. And remember that we are here to assist you. No question is too unimportant; it is about you and about your future. Use us to make that future as bright and as profitable as possible.

Coach C.

5 Star, 4 Star, No Star, What does it all mean?  It can mean a lot in the recruiting world or it can mean nothing at all.  Highly ranked players often end up with many scholarship offers early in the process, but under the radar recruits still have their place with major college programs.  Penn State opened their football season with an impressive victory on Saturday.  The media likes to focus on team captain Derrick Williams the former #1 recruit in America, but his counterparts Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood also contributed heavily in the Penn State victory.  The Morning Call.com examined the performance of their wide receivers and their vastly different recruiting stories.  

This is not to suggest that Penn State shouldn’t chase everybody’s All-Americans, or that smart recruiting is conducted only on the fringes. Over the summer, quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno took a glancing blow at the recruiting services, saying, ”There are a lot of great football players that Rivals and Scout don’t know about.” True, but there are even more whom they do know about — and who don’t end up at Penn State.

So, what does this have to do with recruiting? Remember, both were overlooked in high school. Butler was a preferred walk-on, and Norwood might have been known better as a basketball player at State College High. In fact, that’s why Paterno offered him a scholarship in the first place.”I’ll take credit for Jordan Norwood,” the head coach said Saturday. ”I’m serious about that.”

”Recruits complain all the time about where they’re rated on these Web sites,” Jay Paterno said this past summer. ”It’s like, Why do you care? Get to your schools, prove everybody wrong.”’

Many times the only thing separating a recruit with a 5 star rating from a no star rating is a little exposure.  I suggest recruits work to get their name out early and often so they don’t end up as walk-ons a.k.a long shots.

Character matters in recruiting.  Virtually every college coach you talk to will tell you that he tries his best to do a thorough background check on every incoming recruit.  Athletes need to understand that the search doesn’t just end with talking to your parents, coaches, and teachers.  These days that search extends to the Internet on site likes Facebook and MySpace.  Want proof?  Both the University of Nebraska and Creighton University recently released Interent Ethics Codes.

Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne told the press that the athletic department will be monitoring more than 500 Nebraska athletes this fall. 

Osborne bluntly stated, “We wont turn our heads if we see something inappropriate.”

Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen echoed the statement. 

“If, in my opinion, I see anything that affects them, the team, the athletic department or the university in negative ways, I’ll handle it any way I see fit.”

College coaches have limited scholarships available and their jobs are on the line if they can’t produce results.  Losing players to suspension is a major blow to any program.  Coaches will continue to monitor their athletes with any tool possible.  Recruits need to realize that the same type of scrutiny will fall on them.  Don’t throw away a potential scholarship by posting a “funny” picture on the Internet that can come back to haunt you.

Yesterday’s New York Times has a must read from Andy Staples contemplating how Buzz Bissinger’s classic book Friday Night Lights may have played out today.  He focused on the tragic story of Boobie Miles.  For those who haven’t read the book he was a one of the highest profile recruits in the country who hurt his knee and ended up not attending college.  Its another reminder of why athletes today need to put academics first to ensure that they have options no matter what happens on the field.

The article also highlights the importance of visits and early commitments in today recruiting.  I encourage everyone to read the article and the book.

 Preseason practice is in full swing right now. We had our first scrimmage last Friday. The team is looking pretty good right now. The offense has to work out a few kinks, but besides that they are rolling right now. The defense is looking good too. We’re flying to the ball.

I’m starting to get some more phone calls now that the season is about to start. I recently got a call from Middlebury College and Johns Hopkins. I like Johns Hopkins’s because of its good engineering program. Right now the top schools on my list are Princeton University, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins. I went to Princeton and Georgetown’s camps this summer and got to talk with my positional coaches. After the first few games they want me to send in the film for my senior season.

I’m very excited about the year ahead of me. I picked out some challenging classes again but I am prepared for them. At the moment I am working on a summer reading assignment for Honors English and selling ads for yearbook. I’m going to keep working hard and I hope it pays off this year.

 With Football season kicking off recruits are starting to send tapes to colleges all over the country knowing that decisions on scholarships are offered at a sometimes blinding pace.  Many athletes are depending on their high school coach to assist with the process.  At Fleming Island, one of the top athletic high schools in Florida, Coach Neal Chipoletti is working overtime to make sure his players get the recognition they deserve.  Gatorcountry.com details Coach Chipoletti’s efforts in assisting 2010 Florida commit Ian Silberbman:

“We sent out Ian’s highlight tape to over 100 schools across the country,” Fleming Island coach Neal Chipoletti said. “If a kid demonstrates the interest in playing college football, we will do everything we can to help them out.”

Fleming Island offensive line coach Damenyum Springs has known all along that he has a big time player on his hands. He knew it wouldn’t be long until the rest of the country discovered what he already knew.

“A lot of people didn’t know or hadn’t seen him,” Springs said of Silberman, whose first season as a starter was last season as a sophomore. “His highlight film was nice and people said ‘wow, how did we miss this kid?’ Then everyone jumped [to try and recruit him].”

Chipoletti said he bought $1,500 worth of DVDs, in order to make highlight tapes for his players and also has invested heavily into audio-visual equipment to help make the process go smooth.

Things have paid off quickly for Fleming Island, which has sent 30 players to college in only five seasons of fielding a varsity football team.

Overall, it takes a total commitment from everyone involved at the program to help kids make it to the next level.

“My principal and athletic director have been very supportive of everything we’ve done,” Chipoletti said. “They’ve allowed me to bring in talented coaches … the coaches who coach for me are professionals and do a great job with the kids.”

What parent and recruits all over the country need to realize is that the effort by Coach Chipoletti is far from the norm.  Even with all of his extra work several issues need to be considered.  There is a tremendous cost involved with sending so many DVD’s around the country.  For athletes that aren’t targeting D1 schools, 100 schools may not be enough.  Also, many athletes are asked by coaches to send in updates as the season progresses or early next season.  If this is the case the tremendous cost and effort in sending out so many DVD’s will have to be repeated.  Can you count on your high school coach for that much help?

The reality is that you can’t.  Coaches are paid to coach, not to find athletes a place to play in college.  That is why thousands of athletes are turning to NCSA’s verified scouting reports.  They allow athletes to quickly send updated information and video to coaches around the country efficiently.  Too many athletes wait too long waiting for help that never arrives.  I suggest that you get moving today.

September 1^st is an important date for several sports in the recruiting process. On this date college coaches will be allowed to start contacting prospective student athletes on a more frequent basis. Many student athletes have a certain level of anxiety regarding speaking to college coaches.

Some student athletes have trouble understanding which questions are important to ask, while others avoid these calls all together. And all too commonly, some student athletes will waste the opportunity they have with college coaches and not ask a single question concerning their status with the school. Whatever your scenario, it’s important that we review the basics of handling phone calls from college coaches.

The first thing I want you to do is breath, stay calm and don’t get anxious. When you start to field phone calls from college coaches you will notice one common theme, they like to talk. Most of the phone calls you receive from college coaches they will simply be talking at you. Meaning they’re driving the conversation. For the most part you will simply sit there and listen. Occasionally you might be asked a pretty basic question regarding last Friday’s game, or how your classes are going but for the most part you should have no trouble answering the questions they ask you. So don’t worry, these phone calls are nothing to get anxious about. I can guarantee after your first call you will not have any anxiety regarding future calls.

Now that you’re relaxed, I want to make sure you understand what your objective should be as a recruit who fields phone calls from college coaches. It’s all about information, plain and simple. The ego stroke most recruits receive about how great of a player they are is really just a side bonus, trust me.  Don’t let the ego boast side track you, stay focused and remember to get as much information as you can from these coaches. 

Now you may be asking yourself, “What sort of information should I find out?” If you asked yourself that, congratulations, you’re starting to understand this process. For the most part it’s simple. You know what you want to find out about, maybe it’s the major that you’ve always wanted to study, maybe it’s whether or not you will have an opportunity to play early, maybe you want know about what kind of academic support the school offers their athletes. The fact is most of the questions need to come from you, ask yourself what is important and then find out whether or not the school can offer what you’re looking for.

I encourage you to write out a list of questions, that way you can ask the same set of questions to every coach you deal with. This will allow you to compare the different answers each school gives you. This will help you when you enter into the decision making part of this process. Trust me; it will be extremely helpful to simply look down at a pad of paper to find your questions, versus having to remember all of them on the spot.

Remember the trick is to get as much information from these coaches as possible. I recommend always working towards finding out where the coach is with his recruiting class, (in terms of offers made at your position) where you stand on his recruiting board, and when you can expect a decision on whether or not they are interested in having you join there program. Finding out this info will really allow you to organize your recruiting effort in a much more effective manor hopefully allowing you to find as much success as possible.

 Creating mismatches is what good X and O coaching is all about.  At NCSA we try to help potential recruits to create their own mismatches.  What is a mismatch in recruiting?  It’s an athlete with options.  The more offers from different schools the more likely that scholarship dollars will increase and the athlete will find the right school fit.  Why?  Because schools don’t want to lose out to their rivals.

I am always stunned when I talk to athletes that draw a 2 state buffer around their hometown and refuse to consider any further schools.  Talk about decreasing your options!

Only a few years ago coaches usually took the majority of their recruits from inside their state borders.  That has drastically changed.  Right now the Wisconsin Badger 2009 recruiting class has only 4 in state commits as opposed to 12 out-of-staters.

If coaches are willing to look further out, then recruits should take advantage and do the same.  By using technology like NCSA’s Scouting Report athletes can easily promote themselves across the country.  If you want to maximize your options, I suggest getting started today.

                                                                                                                                                                                          The landscape of college recruiting has changed in recent years. There is no denying this fact. Most parents and former players remember a time when the senior year would determine the opportunities they had at the collegiate level after the fall seasons were complete. As seniors all over the country are finding out, scholarship offers have been made, some rosters are full and in many cases, doors have been closed. This can be a devastating realization for families that have not realized just how much the recruiting process has evolved over the years and thus accelerating its timeline. In most cases parents are left wondering, “Have we started to late?”I’m here to tell you there is still time. In the famous words of Douglas Adams, “Don’t Panic!” If you have a sincere desire to find a home to continue your athletic and academic career, there is a place for you to play. But I am going to be honest with you; the recruiting process is a game, plain and simple, and you have to know how to play it.

The first thing you have to realize the game has already started and you have to make up ground. Second, if you don’t know the rules of the game, or how it works, you can guess that you aren’t going to have much success in attempting to win the game. Now apply that analogy to the recruiting process and you can easily guess that your first step should be to get educated on exactly how the recruiting process works. Don’t go into this process blind, get educated and start making up ground.

First, you should read the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete. This will give you a ton of great info concerning the rules and regulations surrounding the recruiting process. You should use the information in this booklet to guide you on what sort of events should be happening to you throughout the year. You should quickly notice that there is a calendar of events or time periods that allow coaches to contact recruits through letters, calls and in person visits. This should allow you to construct a rough timeline for the recruiting process. Understanding this timeline is a great first step to becoming educated on how the process works and should really allow you to get off on the right foot with playing the game.

Now that you’re ready to play the game I want to pass along some very helpful advice on how you can make up ground. Recruiting is about relationship building. If you think of it in those terms it is easy to guess your next step. Whenever attempting to start any sort of relationship with someone, the first thing you would want to do is introduce yourself. Send out video, make phone calls, send emails, and get proactive! The more personal touches you can have with a coach and his staff, the more likely it will be that they will become comfortable enough with you as a player and a person to extend an offer. Use any means available to you to get in front of the coaching staffs that you want a chance to play for.

Be persistent and don’t take and don’t be afraid to hear the word no. Odds are there are going to be more schools that aren’t interested in having you play for you then there will be schools that are interested in playing for you. This is simply a numbers game. It’s ok to hear “no”, and “I’m not interested in players at your position,” you can hear one thousand “no’s,” but you only have to hear one “yes.” Odds are in your favor.

Again, keep in mind that you want to build a relationship with these coaches, so after you’re introduced don’t stop there, make sure to ask them questions, make visits and get to know the coaches that you want a chance to play for. A great way to build upon your relationship is to set up an unofficial visit to a local school. This way you can have an opportunity to ask questions about recruiting needs and opportunities at the various schools surrounding your home. Once you start to get introduced to these programs you should really start to see some momentum build for yourself, and hopefully those local contacts will turn into national contacts.

Building a strong relationship with each and every coaching staff that you are working with will ease some of the pressure of the recruiting process. It will make it easier to truly find out where you stand with them, and whether or not they plan to offer you a roster spot. If you’ve built a strong relationship, whatever the outcome concerning a scholarship, that coach will be an advocate for you in the future.

Remember there is still time left if you want to get involved with college athletics, but you have to start making up ground.  If you feel like you need assistance there are avenues you can explore to become more educated on how this process works. You only get one shot at the recruiting process, do not leave any stone unturned, and make sure to put in as much effort as possible and you will find success.

 a former D1 college football recruiting coordinator’s thoughts on what NCSA can do for every college football (all sports) coaches.

 ”If I knew then what I know now” my college coaching staffs would have had more success recruiting!

First, my background.

I capped off my days as a center for the Fighting Illini by playing in the Blue Gray All Star Game, and then signed with the Oakland Raiders. It’s been over 30 years since taking off my cleats and picking up a whistle joining coaching staffs at Illinois, UNLV, UCLA and Minnesota, many of these years as the recruiting coordinator. During that time I have been a part of a #1 ranked recruiting class, several top 5 classes and several more top 25 ranked classes in the country.

I’ve also been hired by nearly 40 D1 colleges to evaluate prospects for them.

Second, why am I writing this?

There is so much more to the recruiting process than getting your name on internet sites.

College coaches get hundreds of names and stats from the internet. What he needs to do is narrow that list of names down to a manageable working list of prospects that have the academic, athletic and social skills that he wants to recruit.

Third, how long is the recruiting process, really?

The recruiting process starts when a prospect gets the first letter from a school and ends when the prospect shows up for the first practice of the school he signed with.

Fourth, why is the recruiting process this long?

This is how long it takes the college coach to get the player on the field.

Once a coach decides the student athlete can play for his university (after a number of evaluations):

• the coach has to see if the athlete can qualify
• send many recruiting letters
• make several more evaluations (academic and athletic) of the prospect
• make a lot of phone calls
• get the prospect’s unofficial transcript and SAT/ACT scores to compliance or admissions at his/her school
• see that the prospect has registered with the clearinghouse
• check to see if the prospect will be admitted by the university
• make in person contacts
• set an official visit
• host the student athlete on the official visit
• sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI)
• financial aid paperwork
• admissions paperwork
• housing paperwork
• make sure the athlete is following the summer workout program
• help the student athlete with a summer job or get into summer school or maybe the summer “bridge program”
• have the student athlete report for orientation
• receive the final transcript
• be sure the prospect is certified eligible by the clearinghouse
• other paperwork the university needs before the player can step on the field (drug testing policy, physical, student conduct, etc.)

After all this a prospect can practice.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have, what college coaches refer to as the third party, experts like NCSA be available to advise you through the recruiting process?

As a former recruiting coordinator at several universities, “if I knew then what I know now” I’d love the help NCSA has to offer

I’ve just joined NCSA as a “Recruiting Expert” and am responsible for our relationship with college football programs. I will let every college I speak with know about our support of the student athlete’s family and how we can make the “recruiting process” work smoothly!

As I’m sure all of the staff at NCSA does.

Contact NCSA today for expert guidance!!