Meeting and talking with college coaches can be nerve-wracking, especially as a young high school athlete looking to start the college recruiting process.
After all, it can be tough to come up with questions on the spot, especially as the recruiting process is a new and different experience. In addition, students often need help deciding what to ask the coach or when to ask questions. For example: Should you speak on the phone, during campus visits, or wait until training camp?
A tried-and-true strategy is to create a list of questions to ask college coaches beforehand. This way, student-athletes can gain important information about the school and athletic program, while also showing the coach they’re serious about their college athletic career. And while an official visit is crucial for figuring out if the college you are visiting is the right fit for you, the process can begin long before you set foot on the campus.
Let’s discuss the top questions to ask college coaches when being recruited and the many opportunities students will have to do so, including email, speaking on the phone, during campus visits, and during training camps.
When should students ask questions to college coaches?
Students should plan to ask college coaches questions at every stage of the recruitment process.
Communicating with a coach via email, over the phone, and in-person are great opportunities to make a good impression and ask questions—questions that will ultimately help determine whether the college is a good fit for them academically, athletically, and socially. Students should also use these opportunities to learn more about the steps they need to take to be recruited to play at the college.
Establishing initial contact with college coaches via email is a proactive first step in the college recruiting process. Through a genuine email, athletes can share their tournament, ID camp, and high school game schedule with the college coaches they want to watch them play.
After mastering the email or phone call exchange, students can then consider questions to ask college coaches when they meet them in person at an ID camp or during on-campus visits.
Remember, timing is critical in deciding which questions to ask college coaches. There may be some questions like “Can I compete in other sports?” or “Where do you rank me on your list of possible recruits?” that are better asked after the coach shows interest, instead of in your initial meeting.
That said, if you want to play a second sport and know you are likely to make both teams, you may want to ask those questions earlier.
Lastly, ensure you ask current team members the same questions if they are relevant. Everyone has a different perspective, and getting as much information as possible will help you decide which college and team are best for you.
5 Questions to Ask College Coaches
While there is no limit to the types of questions you can ask, be sure you are requesting a wide range of questions about the team’s needs, coaching style, schedules, life as a student-athlete, facilities, recruiting and admissions, and scholarships and costs. Again, this will show coaches you are looking at the bigger picture and a serious student-athlete.
Here are examples of questions you might add to your agenda:
1. What do you look for in an athlete?
This question will give you some insightful information into the college recruiting process and how college coaches recruit based on specific criteria and characteristics.
Every coach will lead their program according to values and ideals and want their athletes to exemplify those values. This question lets the coach tell you about their program’s character and recruiting priorities. And conversely, students can assess if those values align with their own and what they are looking for in a program.
2. How would you describe your coaching style?
If you are a high school athlete looking to transition to college, you’ve probably had your fair share of coaches with different coaching styles. And every player prefers how they like to be coached on the field or court. So by asking a coach this question, you can assess whether that coach’s style fits you.
3. What does a typical day or week look like for a player on your team?
Asking a coach what the typical day or week looks like for their players allows prospective student-athletes to determine how busy they will be and how difficult it will be to juggle their studies and social life.
Everyone is different regarding time management skills and what they are looking for regarding the sport, academic, and social-life balance at college. If the program during the season is too heavy on training and games, it may be challenging to balance that commitment with the academic commitment required in a student’s major.
Thus, in asking this question, student-athletes can determine the level of dedication they will need to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
4. How will I fit on your team and benefit the program?
This question is best asked in a second meeting or campus visit but must be asked by student-athletes during the recruiting process. Why?
Because you will want to find out what the coach is looking for in their recruiting efforts for your class. Their answers help you determine how many roster spots are left, how likely you will get recruited, and the likelihood that you will get to play, especially in your first few years.
Students should be prepared to answer this question since coaches often want to hear their responses before offering an answer.
5. What are the next steps in the recruiting process with your program?
If you are interested in a specific school, program, or coach, you should use your conversations to form a concrete plan for the next steps you need to take to play at that college or university.
The coach might tell you about camps where you can be evaluated by their staff, steps in the application process, or other measures to take to move forward with their particular college or program.
While not an exhaustive list—there are many more questions to ask college coaches—these five questions are an excellent foundation for student-athletes starting their search for the perfect school.
Once you get answers to the questions, give yourself the time to process the information and decide what works best for you and your athletic and academic goals.
University of Bridgeport is a proud member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. If you are interested in the athletics offerings at UB, do not hesitate to visit us online or call 1‑800‑392‑3582 to request information.