Calling College Coaches: When to Start and What to Say

In this video, we provide tips for calling college coaches. We discuss what to say to a college coach on the phone, in voicemail, and when you should start call college coaches.
SUMMARY

Calling college coaches can be extremely impactful. Our research has found that the average college coach receives a mere 7 phone calls from recruits each week—or fewer!

When should you call college coaches? The best time to start calling college coaches is after you’ve sent them a couple of introductory emails.

According to NCAA recruiting rules, D1 and D2 coaches aren’t allowed to answer or return the call until June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year or September 1 of their junior year, depending on your sport.

INSIDER TIP: If you are having a hard time getting ahold of a college coach, ask your high school or club coach to call the college coach and schedule a phone call for you. College coaches can call club/high school coaches back at any time, which makes it easier for them to get in touch.

Calling college coaches takes some preparation, but if you put in the work beforehand, your call will go much smoother. Here are some tips on how to prepare for calling college coaches:

1. Practice with a friend. NCSA has call scripts for you to practice before calls, as well as questions for you to ask and expect from coaches on our website.

2. Do your research about the school and program.

3. Find a quiet place for the call where you can’t be interrupted.

4. Before you start calling college coaches, consider what times throughout the day and week they will be available to talk. Call coaches between 6-9 p.m. when they are in season. You can also try calling college coaches during the summer - They tend to be less busy at this time, so you will have fewer practices, games and other commitments to work around.

5. Before you make your coach call, write out exactly what you want to say in case you do get their voicemail! Here are a few key pieces of information you want to be sure to include when leaving a voicemail for a college coach:
• Your name
• Your high school and location
• Your position
• Your grad year
• Reason you're calling (for example, following up on an introductory email, trying to schedule an unofficial visit, etc.)
• How you will be following up (via email, phone, etc.)
• The best number to contact you at
• A closing "thank you for your time"

INSIDER TIP: Try to keep your voicemail to 45 seconds or less.

RESOURCES

• Phone Scripts and Voicemail Templates to Use on Your Next Coach Call - https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting...
• How to Contact College Coaches https://www.ncsasports.org/recruiting...
• When Can Coaches Contact Athletes (By Sport) - https://www.ncsasports.org/ncaa-eligi...
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NCSA is the largest and most successful college athletic recruiting network. With a network of over 35,000 college coaches, NCSA assists student-athletes in 34 sports to find their best path to college.