A college coach has contacted you, and they’ve asked to set up a call. This is exciting news and a big step in the recruiting process! You only have one chance to make a first impression. So when you finally get to snag that much-anticipated phone call with a college coach, you will want to be prepared.
This is your chance to shine and showcase all the hard work you’ve put in on and off the field. In this blog post, you will have some ideas of questions to ask a college coach on a phone call so you can make the most of this incredible opportunity.
62 Questions to ask a college coach on a phone call:
About the College Coach
- How long have you been coaching at the collegiate level?
- How long have you been coaching overall?
- What is your coaching philosophy?
- How would you describe your coaching style?
- How do you communicate with your players?
- What is your offensive/defensive philosophy?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a coach?
About the Athletic Program
- How often do you communicate with your players?
- What do you feel sets your program apart from other colleges?
- What is the strength and conditioning program like?
- Are there any summer leagues or showcase events that your players participate in?
- What is the college’s policy on redshirting?
- What are the college’s sports facilities like?
- What is the college’s medical staff like?
- What is the college’s nutrition program like?
- What is the average amount of playing time that freshmen see in your program?
- What are your expectations for your team next season?
- What do you think are the biggest mistakes that athletes make when training for their sport?
- How do you think mental training can help an athlete perform better?
- How do you handle player disagreements?
- What do you do when a player makes a mistake?
- What is your policy on playing time?
- How do you deal with player injuries?
About the Athletic Team
- What are your team’s strengths and weaknesses?
- How many athletes are on each team?
- How often do the teams practice?
- How long are the practices?
- How would you describe the team’s playing style?
- Who are the team’s key players?
- What are the team’s goals for the season?
- How does the team typically fare in conference play?
About You as an Athlete
- How do you see me fitting into your program?
- What kind of role do you see me having on the team?
- What areas of my game do I need to continue to improve?
- What are my strengths and weaknesses as a player?
- What do I need to work on the most?
- What kind of training program would you recommend for me?
- What is the playing time situation like at my position?
- How many years of eligibility do I have to play at your school?
- How do you plan on using me within your system?
- How soon can I expect to see playing time?
- What are your expectations for me both on and off the field?
- What kind of feedback can I expect from you during the season?
- When can I expect to hear from you again if I commit to your program?
About the Recruitment
- What are the college’s academic requirements for athletes?
- What kind of player do you look for in a recruit?
- Are there any other players being recruited for my position?
- How many players from my high school/state/region have you recruited in the past?
- Do you have any advice for me as I continue my recruiting process?
- What level of athletes do you typically recruit? (e.g., Division I, II, III, NAIA, etc.)
- Do you have any current openings on your roster for my position?
- Will you be recruiting any other players for my position?
- Do you have any advice for me as I navigate the recruiting process?
Miscellaneous
- How often do you communicate with the parents/guardians of your players?
- What are financial aid opportunities available for athletes?
- What are the housing options for athletes?
- How have you helped athletes in the past?
- What kind of academic support do your players receive?
- How can I contact you if I have any further questions?
- How many scholarships do you have to offer each year?
- How many players do you typically sign each year?
- Is there anything else I should know about your program or coaching style?
Frequently Asked Question
What to say on a call with a college coach?
When talking with a college coach, some topics should be discussed beyond athletics. It is essential to talk about academic topics, such as what classes you took and any special programs or awards you participated in during high school.
Mentioning your involvement in extracurricular activities can also be beneficial, as it highlights your interests outside of sports. You may also want to talk about volunteer work or community service projects you have undertaken and why you chose a particular school to study at.
Mentioning personal qualities can also be a great way to impress the college coach. Talk about how hardworking and dedicated you are, as well as qualities such as leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Finally, be sure to ask questions about the coaching staff and the program. This shows that you are genuinely interested in learning more about the program and have done your research before the interview.
What should you not say to a college coach?
First, you should not overestimate your abilities. While showing confidence in yourself and your abilities is important, it is never appropriate to exaggerate or fib about your skills. Be honest and open about your strengths and weaknesses, but avoid overselling yourself.
Second, do not badmouth your high school coaches or other adults who helped you reach this stage of your development. Such behavior reflects poorly on you as a person, and on the coaches, you are talking about.
Third, you should avoid comparing yourself to others when talking to college coaches. It may be tempting to talk about how well another player has done or how much better they are doing than you, but that ultimately only distracts from what you bring to the table. Instead, show how focused you are on improving your skills without diminishing the accomplishments of others.
Lastly, talking about how coachable you are might be too boastful to some coaches. So it would be better if you put off this conversation until they have seen more evidence from practice or games where they can see firsthand how open-minded and receptive you are to feedback from the coaching staff.
Ultimately, it would do much more good to talk well about yourself without trying too hard than to talk about how open-minded or cooperative you are without solid evidence to back it up. Instead, focus on building a relationship with the college coach by being respectful and friendly while showing genuine enthusiasm for learning new skills or becoming part of the team.
How do you impress a college coach?
The best way to make a good impression is to be well-prepared. It’s important to anticipate the coach’s questions and come up with thoughtful answers that show your knowledge and enthusiasm for the coach’s program. Do your research before the meeting and learn about the company’s mission, values, and accomplishments.
In addition, coaches appreciate players who are articulate, confident, and outgoing. Taking the time to introduce yourself, engage in conversation, and share your insights can make a positive impression.
It’s also important for athletes to effectively showcase their skills during tryouts or workouts. Showing that you strive for excellence is key to impressing college coaches.
Finally, remember that college coaches often have hundreds of applicants vying for the limited slots in their programs. Therefore, athletes must take every opportunity to stand out by demonstrating excellent communication skills and sportsmanship.
In addition, knowledge of the college athletics program can give athletes an advantage when trying to impress coaches. If you show enthusiasm for what they do, you are sure to make a memorable impression.
Conclusion
Preparing for your interview with a college coach can feel like a lot of pressure. But remember, they called you because they’re interested in learning more about you as a player and person.
It’s best to approach the interview with confidence and an open mind. These questions should help you get off to a good start and learn more about what the coach is looking for in their recruits.
