Every off season high school's around the country are visited by college coaches at every level from FBS to NAIA. A lot of those visits with coaches and players are painfully similar - like a record on repeat, but every once in a while a coach comes along raises the bar and stands out above the others.
Brandon Evans (
I’m not a college coach....have no desire to be...but if I were these are the things I’d advise recruiters to do. I’ve seen each of these done by all different levels and it makes a difference. Anyone else got a good one? pic.twitter.com/Eo9HRXauwd
— Brandon Evans (@_coachevans) January 23, 2020
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@_coachevans) is the outside linebackers coach at Brooks County HS (GA) and has seen his fair share of college coaches come into their high school. Last night he tweeted some advice for college coaches who spend so much of their off season hopping from school to school to visit, looking to leave lasting impressions with high school coaches and prospects. Some of these are really good, and chances are coaches in the building have come across a few of these do's, don'ts and new ideas to stand out. Check out this list full of some genuinely great advice for college coaches.
1 - Stop asking 10th and 11th graders what they want to do for a living. They don't know and it makes them uncomfortable. Instead, try "If we got on the sticks right now with Madden / 2K who you got and why?" or "What's your favorite play ya'll run? If you had to go 1-9 but pick your one win who do you have to beat?" Kids will answer those. Save the heavy stuff for the unofficial and official visit. 2 - Volunteer to talk to some younger kids about the importance of school work. You don't understand how big of a deal that would be to a high school head coach. It won't take you long. 3 - Don't leave without putting something up on the board. Chances are the coach has something he'd love insight on how to do better. If you ask, he will help you. 4 - Don't jump straight to the camp invite. We know you want them there. 5 - If you're at a big time school ask if there are any ____ fans in the building. Chances are it's one of the math teachers that fails every student and a simple picture with you could save a kid. 6 - Have ACT/SAT dates and registration deadlines with you and make kids tell you when they are planning to test. 7 - If the guy you want to talk to has two or three friends with him, they are his dudes. Don't ignore them because you don't know what they've been through together. 8 - Ask the kid who his favorite teacher is and go meet him/her. 9 - Get 100 silicone bracelets and "drop" 3 or 4 on the table before you leave. Kids love those things and we don't know where they came from if anyone asks. 10 - Keep drill tape...all kinds of drill tape...on hand and ready to dispense. Coaches use it and kids can see you and your players working. Put your contact info on it and hand it out like a business card. 11 - Don't talk about family and relationships, instead show the kid a picture of your position group and tell him something about three or four of your guys. Kids eat that up. 12 - If a kid has a nickname then use it. Muscle Head, Nookie, Church Lady, and Shrek are terms of endearment and should be treated as such. 13 - Kids aren't overly interested in facilities. Talk about the meal hall and uniforms. Have pictures ready to show. 14 - Get off the phone when you're in our office. We take these kids home, buy them meals, and sign their report cards. When you leave the school these kids will ask us our opinion of you and your program and they trust us. Don't miss that. 15 - Re-read #14.
Below is coach Evans' original tweet, along with some of the better responses - some of which are quality additions to the list - as well.
">January 23, 2020