Reaching Out to College Coaches

What to Say on a Phone or Zoom Call with a Coach

Phone and video calls with college coaches can be nerve-wracking for both athletes and parents. These conversations are crucial for building relationships and demonstrating your fit for their program. Here's your comprehensive guide to handling coach calls professionally and effectively.

Before the Call: Preparation is Key

Research the Coach and Program

Know the basics:

• Coach's name, background, and tenure
• Recent team performance and achievements
• Program philosophy and coaching style
• Current roster needs and recruiting priorities
• Academic programs and campus culture

Prepare Your Environment

For phone calls:

• Find a quiet location with good reception
• Have pen and paper ready for notes
• Eliminate distractions (TV, siblings, other devices)
• Ensure your phone is fully charged

For video calls:

• Test your technology beforehand
• Choose a professional background or use virtual background
• Ensure good lighting (face should be well-lit)
• Dress appropriately (business casual)
• Have backup communication method ready

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Gather Your Information

Have ready:

• Your athletic statistics and achievements
• Academic transcript and test scores
• Competition schedule and key dates
• Questions about their program
• Notepad for taking notes during the call

Types of Coach Calls

Initial Introduction Calls

Purpose: Getting to know each other and establishing mutual interest Duration: 15-30 minutes Tone: Professional but friendly, focus on building rapport

Evaluation and Assessment Calls

Purpose: Coach assessing your fit for their program Duration: 20-45 minutes Tone: More formal, detailed discussion of abilities and goals

Recruitment Progression Calls

Purpose: Discussing potential opportunities and next steps Duration: 30-60 minutes Tone: Serious discussion about mutual fit and possibilities

Decision-Making Calls

Purpose: Final discussions before commitment decisions Duration: 45-90 minutes Tone: Comprehensive evaluation of all factors

Opening the Conversation

When You Initiate the Call

Professional opening: "Hi Coach [Name], this is [Your Name]. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me today. I'm excited to learn more about your program and share information about my athletic and academic background."

When the Coach Initiates

Appropriate response: "Hi Coach [Name], thank you so much for calling. I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. I've been looking forward to learning more about [School Name] and your program."

Setting the Tone

Show enthusiasm:

• Express genuine interest in their program
• Thank them for their time
• Indicate you're prepared and ready to discuss your fit

Key Topics to Cover

Your Athletic Background

Be prepared to discuss:

• Current position and playing experience
• Recent performance statistics
• Improvement areas and goals
• Training regimen and commitment level
• Competition level and achievements

Sample response: "I've been playing [sport] for [X years] and currently compete at the [level] level. This season I'm averaging [statistics] and have been working specifically on [improvement area]. My goal is to continue developing my [specific skill] while contributing to a successful team program."

Academic Profile

Key points to cover:

• Current GPA and class rank
• Standardized test scores
• Challenging courses (AP, IB, honors)
• Academic interests and potential major
• Study habits and time management skills

Sample response: "Academically, I'm maintaining a [X.X] GPA while taking [number] AP courses. I scored [score] on my SAT/ACT and am particularly interested in studying [major/field]. I've learned to balance my athletic commitments with rigorous coursework, which I think has prepared me well for the student-athlete experience."

Program Interest and Fit

Demonstrate knowledge:

• Specific aspects of their program that appeal to you
• How you could contribute to their team
• Questions about their coaching philosophy
• Interest in their academic programs

Sample response: "I'm really impressed with your program's emphasis on [specific aspect]. I think my playing style would fit well with your [system/philosophy] because [specific reason]. I'm also drawn to [School Name] because of the [academic program/campus culture/location] aspect."

Questions to Ask Coaches

About the Athletic Program

1. "How do you see me fitting into your program?"

   • Shows interest in your specific role
   • Reveals their recruiting priorities
   • Indicates their level of interest in you

2. "What are your expectations for freshman players?"

   • Understanding of development timeline
   • Insight into program culture
   • Realistic expectations for your first year

3. "Can you tell me about your coaching philosophy?"

   • Compatibility assessment
   • Understanding of their approach
   • Insight into daily team culture

4. "What does a typical week look like for your athletes?"

   • Time management understanding
   • Balance of athletics, academics, and personal time
   • Realistic preview of college athlete lifestyle

About Academics and Support

5. "What academic support is available for student-athletes?"

   • Tutoring and study resources
   • Academic advising quality
   • Graduation rates and success stories

6. "How does the athletic department work with professors regarding travel?"

   • Academic accommodation policies
   • Professor understanding and flexibility
   • Make-up work and exam policies

About the Recruitment Process

7. "What's your timeline for making recruiting decisions?"

   • Understanding of their urgency
   • Planning your own decision timeline
   • Gauging your priority level

8. "What would be the next steps if we're both interested in moving forward?"

   • Clear understanding of process
   • Mutual interest assessment
   • Concrete next actions

What NOT to Say

Avoid These Topics

Inappropriate questions:

• Specific scholarship amounts for other players
• Personal information about coaches or players
• Negative comments about other programs
• Complaints about current coaches or teammates

Premature discussions:

• Demanding guaranteed playing time
• Asking for immediate scholarship offers
• Making commitment demands or ultimatums
• Discussing transfer possibilities

Communication Mistakes

Don't:

• Interrupt the coach while they're speaking
• Give one-word answers or seem disinterested
• Let parents dominate the conversation
• Make promises you can't keep
• Lie about your abilities or achievements

Handling Difficult Questions

"What other schools are you considering?"

Good response: "I'm looking at several programs that I think would be good fits academically and athletically. Your program is definitely one of my top considerations because of [specific reasons]. I'm trying to make the best decision for my academic and athletic future."

"What are your athletic weaknesses?"

Good response: "I think my biggest area for improvement is [specific skill]. I've been working with [coach/trainer] on this, and I've seen improvement in [specific way]. I'm excited about the possibility of continuing to develop this aspect of my game at the college level."

"Why should we recruit you over other players?"

Good response: "I think I bring a combination of [athletic ability], [academic achievement], and [character trait] that would benefit your program. I'm committed to continuous improvement and being a positive teammate. I also think my [specific skill or background] could add value to your team's [specific aspect]."

"Are you willing to redshirt if necessary?"

Good response: "I'm open to discussing what would be best for both my development and the team's needs. I understand that player development sometimes requires patience, and I'm committed to doing whatever helps me become the best player I can be while contributing to the program's success."

Managing Parent Involvement

When Parents Should Participate

Appropriate parent involvement:

• Academic questions and support services
• Financial aid and scholarship discussions
• Logistical questions about visits and recruiting
• Family-related concerns or questions

When Athletes Should Lead

Student-athlete responsibility:

• Athletic ability and performance discussions
• Personal goals and aspirations
• Relationship building with coaches
• Program fit and interest assessment

Setting Boundaries

Before the call:

• Discuss roles and boundaries with parents
• Agree on who will answer which types of questions
• Practice transitioning between speakers
• Plan for respectful parent contributions

After the Call: Follow-Up

Immediate Post-Call Actions

Within 2 hours:

• Write down key points discussed
• Note any commitments you made
• Record important dates or deadlines
• Assess your impression of the coach and program

Within 24 hours:

• Send thank-you email to the coach
• Provide any additional information promised
• Ask follow-up questions if needed
• Update your recruiting spreadsheet

Thank-You Email Template

Subject: Thank you for today's call - [Your Name]

Coach [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I really enjoyed learning more about your program and discussing how I might fit with your team.

I'm particularly excited about [specific aspect discussed] and appreciate your insights about [specific topic]. As we discussed, I'll send you [any promised information] by [date].

I look forward to continuing our conversation and learning more about [School Name]. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]

Sample Conversation Flows

Initial Introduction Call

Coach: "Hi [Name], thanks for your interest in our program. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?"

You: "Thank you for calling, Coach [Name]. I'm a [position] from [location] and have been following your program. I'm currently a [year] at [school] with a [GPA] GPA while competing in [sport] at the [level] level. I'm really impressed with your team's [recent achievement] and would love to learn more about your program."

Coach: "That's great. What position do you play and what are your strengths?"

You: "I primarily play [position] and have been focusing on [specific skills]. This season I'm [statistics/achievements]. I think my biggest strengths are [2-3 specific strengths] and I've been working hard to improve my [area of development]."

More Advanced Recruiting Call

Coach: "We've been watching your progress and are interested in discussing your fit with our program."

You: "That's wonderful to hear, Coach [Name]. I'm very interested in [School Name] because of [specific reasons]. How do you see me potentially fitting into your program?"

Coach: "We think you could contribute in [specific role]. What are your thoughts on that?"

You: "I think that sounds like a great fit. I've been working on [relevant skills] and feel confident I could contribute in that role. What would be the typical development path for someone in that position?"

Red Flags During Calls

Coach Red Flags

• Pressure for immediate decisions
• Vague or evasive answers to direct questions
• Unprofessional communication or behavior
• Criticism of other programs or coaches
• Unrealistic promises about playing time or scholarships

Your Own Red Flags to Avoid

• Seeming unprepared or disinterested
• Giving inconsistent information about your abilities
• Being disrespectful or argumentative
• Dominating the conversation without listening
• Making unrealistic demands or statements

The Bottom Line

Phone and video calls with coaches are opportunities to build relationships and demonstrate your fit for their program. Success comes from preparation, professionalism, and authentic communication about your goals and abilities.

Key strategies:

• Prepare thoroughly before every call
• Let your personality and genuine interest show
• Ask thoughtful questions about their program
• Be honest about your abilities and goals
• Follow up professionally after each conversation

Remember: These calls are conversations, not interviews. The goal is mutual evaluation and relationship building. Be yourself, be prepared, and focus on finding the right fit for your college experience.

For guidance on what to do after successful coach conversations, see our article on Following Up Without Being Annoying.