HOW TO CONTACT COLLEGE COACHES
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Wondering how to contact college coaches? The best way is to proactively reach out using methods like email, text, phone calls or social media. We’ll cover when and how to do it effectively below.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• 4 key steps to contacting college coaches
• When can college coaches contact you?
• When should you start contacting college coaches?
• How to find coach contact information
• What to say to a coach when you want to be recruited
• Communicating with college coaches about camps
• How to tell a coach you are interested
• How to let coaches know you’re NOT interested
• Parent tips
• FAQs
4 KEY STEPS TO CONTACTING COLLEGE COACHES
1. Send an introductory email to the coach
Email is the best way to introduce yourself to college coaches. You can include all of your important information in one message, making it easier for coaches to evaluate your potential as a recruit.
Read how to write an introductory email that will get a college coach’s attention.
2. Follow-up with a call to the coach
After you send an email, consider making a follow-up call to discuss your achievements and college goals in more detail. It’s a good idea to wait about one to three days before making the call to give the coach time to review your information.
Read how to call college coaches—as well as how to leave your best voicemail.
3. Respond to recruiting letters from college coaches
Coaches value recruits they can connect with on a personal level. Keep them updated on your progress – both athletically and academically. Share your wins, grades and any improvements made to your game.
Learn more about texting college coaches or direct messaging coaches through your social media platforms.
4. Keep in touch with coaches and update them with new stats
Coaches value recruits they can connect with on a personal level. Keep them updated on your progress – both athletically and academically. Share your wins, grades and any improvements made to your game.
Learn more about texting college coaches or direct messaging coaches through your social media platforms.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START CONTACTING COLLEGE COACHES?
While college coaches have specific rules about when (and how) they can reach out to student-athletes, you have some flexibility in starting the conversation. The timing for reaching out to college coaches depends on your own recruiting journey and goals.
Here’s a general timeline to help you know when to start contacting college coaches:
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Rising Freshmen: Team up with your parents, high school/club coach or guidance counselor to identify target schools and the right division level. Start filling out online questionnaires at these schools to express your interest in being recruited.
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Rising Sophomores: Now’s the time to gather information about the colleges you’re eyeing. Once you feel confident that your grades and skills make you a strong prospect for that school, you can send introductory emails. Don’t forget to update your Moore Management profile first!
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Rising Juniors: This is a pivotal year for coach communication, especially for D1 and D2 schools as they can now contact you directly. Continue to send introductory emails to your top schools and start preparing for coach phone calls by having a list of questions and answers ready to go.
Need some help with your answers? We’ve got your back. Here are 8 questions asked by college coaches and how to answer them effectively.
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Rising Seniors: At this stage, you should have already established connections with your target schools. Focus on nurturing these relationships through phone calls, texting, and social media as you receive offers and make your final decision.
Inside Tip: Sometimes, college coaches start recruiting as early as 8th grade – especially at the D1 level. If colleges are already interested in you at this stage, you’ll want to send your introductory emails right away. Your high school or club coach can assist you in these early conversations by calling college coaches on your behalf until the NCAA allows direct contact.
HOW TO FIND COACH CONTACT INFORMATION
Nearly all college coaches have their email or phone number listed on their school’s website. To find it, click on the coach’s bio under the roster tab. If it’s not there, look in the staff directory for the athletic department.
Looking up college coach info on your own isn’t hard, but it can be time-consuming. Why not simplify it? Moore Management provides contact details for college coaches nationwide, making communication prep easier. Want to learn how? Watch the video below!
WHAT TO SAY TO A COACH WHEN YOU WANT TO BE RECRUITED
Coaches receive a ton of emails from interested recruits, so if you want to get recruited, you’ll need to stand out. Here’s what you should say in your message:
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Address the coach: Be sure to include “Coach” before a coach’s name in the greeting. Instead of just saying “Hi, Mike,” address them as “Coach Mike.”
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Introduce yourself: Who are you? Where are you from? What do you want?
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Express why you’re interested in the program: Find something that stands out to you about the school or team (prove you did your research!)
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Provide key athletic and academic info: Coaches need to know this information upfront for eligibility purposes and to see whether you fit their recruiting needs.
COMMUNICATING WITH COLLEGE COACHES ABOUT CAMPS
Before you head to a college camp or a recruiting event, it’s a great idea to reach out to the coach. Not only does this express your interest in being recruited by them, but it also helps coaches plan their recruiting schedule more effectively. This ensures you’re on their radar for evaluation.
Afterwards, follow up with the coach by email, phone or text. If they were there, send a thank-you message, and ask for their thoughts on how you did. If they couldn’t make it, just give them a quick update on your performance or share your experience at the event. This not only keeps them in the loop but also helps build a solid relationship between you and the coach.