Contacting college coaches is one of the most crucial parts of the recruiting process. I mean, they can’t recruit you if they don’t know you exist, right? High school athletes need to 
know the importance of getting in contact with college coaches. You cannot wait around thinking that you will be discovered somehow; you would already know if you were being pursued by ac college program.
But do you know what to do after you’ve made that initial contact? There are many things to consider when you have started a conversation with a college coach: how often should I email them? When should I call them? What do I say? Being able to maintain consistent contact with coaches will make or break your chances at finding an athletic scholarship.
Once you have started contacting coaches, you will need to work hard to keep them informed about your progress in recruiting and what is going on with you athletically and academically. Most of the recruiting process occurs over a matter of months or years, so coaches will want updates on your season and school year. College coaches use your updates to follow your progress and compare you to other recruits. If they stop hearing from you, they assume that you have lost interest and they will move on to recruiting another athlete. You can miss out on opportunities if you fail to keep in contact with coaches!
Here are 5 things you need to update college coaches with:
- Statistics: College coaches will want to see how you are progressing through the season while you are in school, so it is important to keep them updated on your season. Send them any updated stats or other information regarding your season.
- Grades/Test Scores: Your academics are just as important as your athletics. College coaches want to see that you are working hard both in the classroom and on the field. You need to keep up your grades and SAT/ACT scores to be eligible and get accepted into the school.
- Recent Accomplishments: Coaches are always pleased to hear when your hard work has paid off so you should feel free to update them on any PRs, awards, and improvement that you have recently achieved.
- Application Process: When it comes time to start applying to colleges, coaches will want to know when you have submitted your application so they can keep an eye on it as it goes through the admissions office. They can also answer any questions you may have about it and how to apply.
- Questions about the Program: As you develop relationships with college coaches, you should always take advantage of their contact to ask them any questions you may have. You can ask them about their recruiting, their coaching style, team standing, or about the school. They can be a great resource for any questions you may have regarding their program.
Need more help with staying in contact with college coaches? Ask us your questions by leaving a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
This all is great, but what am I supposed to say the FIRST time I contact a coach? Like how do I make that connection? Also is it better to email or call or do something else?
Thanks
Hi Alex, Contacting a coach for the first time can be done by email first. We encourage athletes to create their sports resume and video links and send it to coaches. Once you have sent that you can begin to build on the first resume, follow-up in a week explaining you have sent the resume and video after that depending on where you are in high school you can continue to update coaches via email or phone about your sports and academic progress as listed above in the article.
You need to be prepared when you begin contacting coaches, make sure to have your resume proof-read and include a cover letter explaining to the coach why you want to be a part of their team.
Let us know if you have any other questions and we will send you the resources you need.
My senior signed a scholarship for football. I feel bad because I was little support helping him find a college to play for. My other son is going to be a sophomore. Played both varsity football and baseball. His love is baseball. He has been real successful with baseball playing tournament ball from the time he was 8, New York twice, 5 other states, world series tournaments etc.. How and when shall he contact college coaches?
Hi Linda,
If your son has colleges in mind he should be starting to build relationships with coaches now. He already has a lot of experience under his belt and coaches want to hear how players progress through high school.
Have him first fill out recruiting questionnaires on college athletic web pages. From there he can create his sports resume and video and begin sending it to coaches he wants to play for.
If he starts reaching out this summer and keeping coaches updated of his progress by his junior year he will be in a solid position and have an idea of which programs he really likes and who is interested in him.
If you need any other assistance in his recruiting, feel free to contact us. We are here to help.
I am 16 now and I have been in contact with coaches since 6 grade. I just got an academic scholarship from St Johns University, You have to keep the grades up along with sport skills
Great advice Brandon!! Lots of recruits don’t find out until later how much academics matter in the recruiting process.
Do you have any other advice you would like to share with recruits beginning the process? We would love to hear.