Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: The Coaching Staff

With many senior athletes throughout the country coming to decisions or at least narrowing things down this time of year, I think it is important to break down a number of factors in the decision process. There will be a variety of things that I cover here and in the future so it is something to keep an eye on if you want to learn more about some important aspects in the college decision.

No matter how you look at it, if you are a recruited athlete, the coaching staff will play a role in where you decide to play sports at in college. Many times when speaking with a recruit, that athlete says that one of the biggest factors in their decision is the coaching staff. I have had the chance to have a good relationship with my high school and college coach. And honestly, there really is not much that you can compare to it.

Members of the coaching staff will be the ones showing you attention throughout the entire recruiting process. While it may be the assistants recruiting you, if you are a sought after target and you like the school, you will get to know them very well when everything is said and done. They will be calling you, speaking with you after your games that they come to, host you for visits, and trying to create a bond that helps bring you to their school.

And in any sport, it is always important to become close with your coaches. This is a relationship you want to have on the best terms that you can. It allows you to be honest with them and them to be honest with you. That open relationship shows that they think highly of you and that could be a captain when all is said and done.

As your playing days near an end, those coaches will also help you with life. By that I mean they should also take a role in what you want to do after school. If you want to be a coach, they may help you work camps during the summer. Or if you are getting a Business degree, these same coaches may help you get a job in the community that allows you to stay close to the college you graduated.

When looking more at the coaches themselves, use the Internet to your advantage and read their bios on the website. These will allow you to get a feel for where the coach played (If he did), where he went to school, and where he has coached in the past. Is your position coach a journeyman who has been at five different schools in the last ten years? This allows you as an athlete to get a feel that this coach may not be there when you graduate in four or five years down the road.

At the Division I level, you may also be able to get a feel for who the coach has worked with in the past. Look at the job he or she has done at different schools. Is this a coach that is looking for bigger and better things? Are they considered an up and comer in the coaching ranks? Could they get fired? These are questions you can research on the Internet but it may also be important to ask them when speaking with them on the phone. Like I have said before, asking questions is a good thing in the recruiting process.

Finding out that type of information will allow you to get a feel for where the coaching staff is at. The last thing you want to do is sign your Letter of Intent and find out that your coach has either been fired or switched jobs. While some schools move an assistant up to the head coaching spot, that does not always happen. This will force you as an athlete to adapt to another coach and build a brand new relationship. While there is nothing wrong with doing that, the new coach may have a completely different system that is not tailored to your ability.

I have heard many people say they went to a school because the coach showed them the most interest. The head coach can be considered your extended family because they will be the one keeping an eye on you and watching out for you while you are away from home. This coach will also need to sell your parents on that and it will help them in the recruiting process. The coach is a vital part to consider when accepting an athletic scholarship in football recruiting or basketball recruiting. It could make the difference between a great experience and a bad one.

Previous recruiting specific articles to look at:

• Football Recruiting Advice for Quarterbacks
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Point Guards
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Location
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Athletic Facilities