I workout at our local recreation center at least 3 days per week. It is an older crowd with a Senior Center connected to it, so I like the relaxed environment. I can put my head phones on and focus on what I am there to do.
However, about a month ago, as I walking to the locker room after my workout, I heard someone shouting "Coach Rogers, Coach Rogers". I looked up and it was a big 6'6' good looking kid that I coached at the high school level 2 years ago. As always, he had great spirit and asked how my family was and what I was up to. I gave him a hug and asked him why he was in the rec center playing basketball with all the older guys. "Why aren't you at college practicing with your team?"
It seems that the one coach who recruited him resigned and took another job elsewhere back in April, and my former player now had nowhere to play. He asked if I could help him (after prodding him for 2 years to get started with his recruitment), and I told him I would do my best. I have since reached out to some friends of mine to see if they would be interested in a 6'6" kid who can jump out of the gym with good grades, and a few have since asked for this young man's information and reached out to him, but most coaches are not looking for a transfer in the middle of the season.
This experience frustrated me to the point where I decided to brush off the cobwebs of the "Diary of a Mad Coach" and do some motivating. For you families who have never gone through the recruiting process or you continue to rely on naive friends, parents and high school coaches who think they have advice for you, I have some questions for you:
- What are the consequences of waiting to start your recruitment?
- What are the consequences of waiting too long to buy an airline ticket for a trip?
- What are the consequences of waiting too long to ask that pretty girl or handsome boy out on a date?
- What are the consequences of waiting too long to apply for a job?
- How much do you value your time?
So, what are the consequences of waiting to start your recruitment when you are a junior or older?
1. You could be that kid playing at the rec center at 20 years old with no options because NO ONE knew you were available to recruit. You did not exist at 15 and now at 20, you still have ZERO exposure to college coaches.
2. You could be that family who ends of paying $20,000-$40,000 per year for college because you did not start the financial aid and scholarship process early enough (once college coaches use up their full allotment of scholarships, they are done! They have nothing left to give you!)
3. You could be that kid who a coach finds your senior year, and the coach says "You can really play. I wish I would have known you were available a year ago before I filled my roster."
College recruitment is a marathon. There is no easy fix or shorter route to go.
When a family tries to skip the process or delay the start of the race, they end up paying a hefty price...literally.
So, what are the consequences of waiting to start your recruitment?
Not much...just money...and time...and opportunity...disappointment...regret...and much, much more.
Whatever path you decide to take on your recruitment journey, PLEASE, PLEASE don't wait. I don't want to see your child playing rec ball with the older guys trying to hang on to that long lost dream for one more day. Take control of your future. Own it. START NOW...and don't look back!
Best wishes! I hope whatever you do, you find it early and have every opportunity to do it right.
Coach Matt Rogers
Twitter: @madcoachdiary
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rogersmatt16
Blog: madcoachdiary.blogspot.com
Phone: (312) 610-6045
Matt Rogers is a 22-year high school and college coach veteran. He has led two teams to the NCAA National Tournament and one team to a High School State Championship. His teams hold numerous school and one NCAA record. He has mentored and coached players at every collegiate level while serving as an athletics administrator at the high school and NCAA levels. He currently is the Senior Recruiting Specialist for NCSA - Next College Student Athlete where he has helped thousands of young men and women from around the world achieve their dreams of playing at the college level. Coach presently lives in the Denver, CO area with his wife of 21 years and his two children.
To request Coach Rogers to speak at your school or event, you can reach him through any of his contact information above.
