The Enquirer asked college coaches what advice they would give to athletes and parents of athletes looking to get recruited. Here's what they said.
Recruiting never ends.
For local athletes and their families, the recruiting process can be a stressful one. Some won't get as much interest as they expect or feel they deserve. Some will get so much that it's difficult to choose which spot is best. Some won't even know where to start.
This story is for all of those people. The Enquirer asked coaches all across the landscape of college athletics, from Division I to Division III and from football to field hockey, what recruiting advice they would have for parents and athletes.
Here is what they said:
Adam Cokonougher, Mount St. Joseph University track and field and cross country head coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: Cokonougher said the best way for an athlete to get noticed is by communicating in multiple forms and being sincere about their interest. If you see a recruiting questionnaire, fill it out. You can do the same with admissions office questionnaires. It can also be helpful to reach out to the coaching staff on social media and sending a brief, genuine email to coaches at that specific school, explaining why you're interested in their school and including relevant statistics, times or highlights.
Another thing athletes can do is create a free NCSA account, but Cokonougher generally doesn't recommend using paid recruiting services. He said if an athlete follows those steps and hasn't gotten on that school's radar in a month, it's likely the coaching staff isn't interested and the athlete should choose different schools to start the process with again.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: One common mistake Cokonougher sees is athletes sending out mass email. While an athlete may get some responses by doing this, a brief personalized email works better. It is important to keep the email brief and provide direct contact information for the athlete in it. He also recommends doing research before sending the email, as asking questions that could be easily answered online isn't very flattering.
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: The biggest tip Cokonougher has is for athletes to tell their high school coaches that they want to compete at the college level. College staffs communicate with high school coaches constantly. He said it is also important for athletes to start thinking about where they want to go early. It's never too early to start visiting colleges unofficially with family. Athletes shouldn't be afraid to lean on their parents or other trusted sources during this time.
Will Cinelli, Ball State University football director of player personnel
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "The best way to get noticed is to play well on Friday nights. You'll also make sure you're the type of person your coach would recommend to us, as we will always ask the high school coach what they think of a recruit. You'll want to make sure your academics are also in good shape. We can't recruit someone if their grades aren't good enough."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "The biggest mistake I see made is the comparison game. Run your own race. Recruiting will be different for each person. Don't be upset because your teammate got an offer and you didn't. Don't worry about other people posting offers on X (those might not even be real or commitable). Just continue to reach out to schools and coaches you're interested in ..."
Cinelli said it's important not to worry too much about recruiting and especially don't let it ruin your season. If a player doesn't have Division I offers around the summer before his senior year, he should start looking at the other levels.
Jim Collins, Wittenberg University head football coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: Collins said that most college coaches will find out about prospects from their high school head coach. It's critical for athletes to tell their coach that they hope to play at the college level. It is also important to play well and have video to verify it. Putting together a good highlight tape and sending it out to coaches is a good, proactive way to get noticed. Finally, athletes can attend camps in the summer.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "... I think the more educated athletes and families are about the process, the better."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "The biggest tip I have is for recruits and families to be proactive. If the goal is to play a college sport, research as much as possible about the schools you are interested in and what it will take both academically and athletically to fit that school's profile. Understand that, in addition to being your own advocate, make sure that your high school or AAU coaches know your goals so that they can promote you on their end. Finally, set your goals high, but also be prepared to not get recruited by your dream school. Therefore, have a plan B and C."
Caleb Cox, Eastern Kentucky University football receivers coach and recruiting coordinator
Cox said one of the best ways for athletes to get noticed is by reaching out to coaches to find out when their prospect camps are.
He said a common mistake is showing up randomly to a gameday visit without telling a coach.
Other advice: "Be a strong student and be proactive, sending out your up-to-date film and academic situation to coaches within a four-hour radius."
Barry Craddock, Wilmington College head baseball coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: Craddock recommends reaching directly out to coaches and expressing interest. Those initial communications should include basic academic and athletic information, as well as specific measurable data and video clips. Attending a program's prospect camp is a good way to get a feel for a team's culture.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "Waiting for coaches to reach out first – players should take initiative and communicate clearly and honestly about what they bring to the table and what they are looking for in their college experience."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "I would not spend a lot of money on fancy recruiting services. Most of that stuff can be done in-house and be better targeted through basic parameters such as location, college size, academic offerings, roster size, roster needs, etc. Most players (and students, generally) target between five and 10 colleges and do not need to spend big money to send information to every college in the nation."
Andrew Cregan, Baldwin Wallace University quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "The best way for an athlete to get noticed is first by succeeding in the classroom. The higher your GPA, the more schools you give yourself the opportunity to be recruited by. Secondly, every college coach has an X account so follow their X account and either DM or text them, or see if they have a recruiting questionnaire in their bio to fill out. "
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "A common mistake I see is student-athletes and parents paying money for a recruiting service. Don't do it. If you are a good student and a good player, the coaches will find you. If not, then take the time to seek them out yourself on social media."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Go to the school that makes you feel wanted and can help you succeed after graduation. Choosing a school is a 40-year decision, not a 4-year decision. One day your sport will end. If that day comes early due to injury or other circumstances, then make sure you pick a school you would still want to go to if you couldn't play sports. "
Kelly Cummings, Ohio Dominican University head football coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "Summer camps are the best way to get on a team’s radar. Perform well – do something relevant to the position they are scouting. Skill guys, run fast! Linemen be able to move your feet and always show some toughness and aggressiveness in camp competition scenarios."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "Closing the door on schools too early, because a family feels they have made up their mind where they want to go. Every fall, we will get a couple of players who show up late because they felt they committed to a bigger school or had some great offer only to find out the 'commitment' or 'offer' was not as substantial as they thought. Oftentimes, it keeps the player from getting another opportunity because of timing and lack of interest with another school."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Recruiting is tough for families also. It can be a drain, because so many schools do call or show somewhat of an interest. Do your homework before you go. Check out majors (do they have what you want?), facilities and people (do they have a genuine interest?).
"The reality is, at the small college level, you will have to put in your time going from school to school to find the best fit and ultimately the best situation for the player and family. Doing the legwork, visiting school to school takes time and effort."
Erica Demers, University of Cincinnati head women's soccer coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "Club soccer, high school soccer, camps, inviting coaches to training sessions. Starting point – contact the coaches at the school you are interested in – personalize the email, 5-minute highlight film, sending in your schedule within that, etc."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "One big one for me is when the parent makes first contact rather than the player. Important that the PLAYER shows interest and make this process theirs with the support of their parent."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Enjoy it! The recruiting process can be a lot, but what a great opportunity in front of these young players."
Brooks Doughtie, Northern Kentucky University head triathlon coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "Work hard in your sport and be in communication with your current coaches on college plans. Use recruiting contact information that you will be active with and accessible to with college coaches."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "When a college coach reaches out, responding in a timely manner helps tremendously. Communicating your academic and athletic goals will streamline the process for both parties. When communicating with college coaches, I would suggest that parents allow the student-athletes to ask the questions initially and create an ability to talk with the coach. Once that’s established, parents can engage in the conversation with questions."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Enjoy the process, it's a fun time to be a student-athlete visiting various campuses and talking to coaches. Find the program and school that fits your academic and athletic needs, as you want this to feel like your next home!"
Andy Frye, Centre College head football coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: Frye said athletes should first let their high school head coach know that they're interested in playing in college. Also, they should put together a highlight video especially showing traits that can't be coached, such as speed, agility, aggressiveness, passion and relentlessness.
It's a good idea to add big plays to highlight videos and showcase versatility, whether that means playing both ways or on special teams. Frye said academics play into recruiting as well, with GPA, class rank and AP, honors or dual credit coursework is considered.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: Frye cautions against choosing a school just based on football. Other factors to consider include potential for internships or abroad experiences, other extracurriculars offered, the outcomes a degree from a given institution provides and the resources it provides to promote academic success.
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: Frye advises narrowing down to three schools that are showing serious interest and gaining as much information as possible about them. Overnight visits, sitting in on a class, meeting professors, learning about the social life and getting to know coaches better can help athletes make informed decisions. He also advises not choosing solely on cost, but finding a school that is affordable but gives the best value and experience possible.
Elizabeth Hart, Northern Kentucky University head volleyball coach
Hart made four points about recruiting.
- "A lot of times, programs and coaches are looking to fill specific needs for each class based on position. Therefore, programs might not always need that position even though the recruit is talented."
- "Be prepared on your phone call or campus visit with coaches and players to ask questions. Also be prepared to answer a version of 'What is the recruit looking for or what is most important to them?'"
- "How to get noticed... obviously, recruiting a position we need. We look at their talent, but also how the recruit interacts with coaches, teammates, and their parents."
- "Common mistakes... I just think it is important to be yourself. It is more important to find the right fit for both sides."
Steve Kruse, Northern Kentucky University head track and field and cross country coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "Certainly be a stand-out in your sport, for individual (Olympic sports), the further you can get in the OHSAA or KHSAA postseason, the more likely that you’ll be noticed. A strong academic presence is gold, because an athlete will traditionally find more academic scholarships available than athletic scholarships. Do community service events – A) you never know what connections you may make. B) Get used to it, if you do end up participating in athletics at the next level, there will be a community service component attached to it."
Q: What common mistakes to parents and athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "The biggest misconception of intercollegiate athletics is that scholarship money is plentiful and easy to obtain. There is nothing further from the truth."
Kruse tells athletes to realize they're not just competing with fellow high school seniors from their area. In fact, they're competing with seniors and transfers from all over the world. He advises athletes to start the college search no later than junior year and have a clear understanding of which programs are a fit. It's important to check which majors and programs a university has.
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "When narrowing your college choices, ask yourself if you would attend that institution if you were not an athlete. Start with the academic program that you want and work that angle first. If your top choices happen to offer your sport, that’s the cherry on top."
Kruse also listed a few questions athletes should ask coaches before making any final decisions:
- Does your program redshirt freshmen? Will I contribute as a freshman?
- What is the common path for an athlete like me through each year of school?
- What are the expectations for an athlete in this program on a weekly basis?
- How does this program handle when an athlete gets injured and is it different if it's in the offseason or outside of team activities?
- How does this program handle class conflicts with practice and competitions, and how many team members travel?
Sean McGinnis, Thomas More University head men's lacrosse coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "The best way for high school lacrosse athletes to get noticed is to use a variety of recruiting opportunities. College coaches want to see you play in many different formats, from your high school team, club events, showcases and prospect camps. Being proactive and emailing coaches is always a good way to get on a coach's radar too. Recruiting is a two-way street, and both coach and recruit need to be proactive in their communication.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "Trying to do and be everywhere over the summer recruiting period. As a recruit, you have the control over your process of getting seen and recruited. Go to the events that will give you the most impact with your recruitment. You don't have to keep up with others. It's a personal journey for you and your family, finding the right academic institution and home for the next four years."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Our recruitment process is really a two-year process. It starts your junior year, usually in the fall. We want to start the relationship-building process with you and your family so that you have multiple opportunities to visit campus and get immersed with our coaches and players. So, start early!
"In your junior year, you should be researching and getting the conversation started with colleges you are interested in. By the time the summer of your senior year comes around, you should have a list of schools you are interested in and are interested in you. This will help alleviate some stress in the process and help you navigate your recruitment to the best fit possible."
Jeff Newman, Mount St. Joseph University head baseball coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "At the end of the day, pure talent and skill still matter most. Coaches are always looking for the best players available. That being said, especially in a baseball-rich area like Cincinnati, there are a LOT of talented athletes. Once a player catches our eye on the field, we start looking for what separates them beyond just ability.
"Some of the biggest 'separators' at the college level are (in no particular order): work ethic, attitude, body language, baseball IQ, leadership, hustle, GRIT, resilience and communication skills. Different coaches and programs value certain qualities more than others, but all of these are key pieces to build a successful roster. You could write a whole article on these 'separators' alone."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "A common mistake we see is having unrealistic expectations. Many athletes and families believe they should be playing at a higher level than what might truly be the best fit. That mindset can unintentionally close doors that would have led to a great college experience, both athletically and academically.
"Another issue is a lack of understanding of the current recruiting landscape. With recent changes like tighter roster restrictions (D1 baseball is going from 40 roster spots in 2025 to 34 roster spots in 2026) and with the increased use of the transfer portal, there are fewer opportunities available than in years past. I believe it is important to stay informed and open-minded when looking at all the different levels available."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Do your research. Athletes and families should take time to understand the college athletic environment and where they might realistically fit into it. Also, excel in the classroom. I can’t express this one enough. Academics often unlock more scholarship money than athletic performance alone. And finally, do whatever you can to develop physically. The more athletic, strong and durable you are, the more opportunities you will have to compete at the next level."
Russ Peterson, Miami University director of track and field and cross country
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "For high school athletes in cross country and track and field, getting noticed by college coaches boils down to a combination of performance, academic strength, and proactive communication."
Peterson said Miami looks at the following things: Athletes whose times and stats fit what Miami is looking for; Athletes with good grades, especially a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
He said the best way to get on programs' radars is to reach out directly to schools that are a good fit both athletically and academically. In those communications, it's important to provide coaches with personal best marks in primary events, realistic goals for the upcoming season and current GPA. Miami, like many schools, has an official recruiting form, which can be found on the school's athletic website or the team's Instagram profile.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: One mistake Peterson sees recruits make often is relying on third-party sources for recruiting standards. The best way to find out what a program is looking for is by reaching out directly to the event coach. It is also important not to overlook academic requirements (or even better, get high grades so they don't matter). Peterson recommends starting to communicate with colleges just after an athlete's sophomore year. It is also important to provide coaches with official, verifiable marks, such as those found on Milesplit.com.
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: One important thing is to eventually narrow down to two or three schools, as deciding between five or 10 can be overwhelming. Peterson recommends evaluating the following five factors when trying to narrow down a list.
- Can I be successful academically?
- Can I be successful athletically?
- Can I have a good relationship with the coaches?
- Do I fit the team's culture?
- Financially, is it the right place for me?
Katie Robinson, Wittenberg University head women's soccer coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: After an athlete does her research and identified the schools that check their boxes, a good next step is to look at the team's website and try to find a recruit questionnaire. Filling this out will usually put you on an email list so you hear about camps a program is hosting or attending and other admissions materials. It can also help to contact coaches directly, highlighting what about their school is interesting. It can help to invite a coach to watch a game or send film.
"Stay Active!" Robinson said. "Recruiting is relationship building. The more consistent you are with the communication, the more you develop a relationship with the coaches and the more invested you and the coach get."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: Robinson said that parents should not be emailing coaches on behalf of their children. She said athletes should create their own email that is appropriate and professional, and they should make sure to use spell check and proofread the email before it's sent. (Did you spell the school's name right? Did you put the "University" or "College" in the right place?) Athletes also shouldn't be afraid to ask coaches where they would fit in on the team.
"Ask yourself what you need to be happy and then be honest with yourself," Robinson said. "Is it being a starter all four years and being a big impact player? Is it contributing with little playing time? Would you be okay with not getting on the field but being part of a championship program? This is pivotal in finding the right fit."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: Robinson emphasized the importance of having an open mind and not putting all eggs in one basket. NCAA roster caps and changes to eligibility will transform the recruiting landscape in the coming years, and roster spots could become even more limited in the future. Every person's recruiting process is unique, and Robinson said "Do not get caught up in what your peers, friends or teammates have going on in their recruiting process. You are uniquely you."
"I truly believe if someone wants to play college soccer, there is a place for you to play. You just have to find the right fit, which means you have to do your homework."
Tom Watts, Ohio Wesleyan University head football coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: Watts advises creating a free X account that includes the athlete's legal name, high school, graduation year, cell phone number and a link to updated Hudl film. Once the account is created, he advises to start following and reaching out to chosen schools and see what kind of contact is returned. He also said it's a good idea to build relationships with coaches and programs an athlete has interest in and making sure to set up visits at different times (such as junior day, gameday or official visits) to see more of what a school offers.
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: Watts said it can be a red flag when a parent is the primary contact for a recruit, saying "parents are important, and they can always ask questions, but coaches need to see a player's personality." He said it is another red flag if parents speak poorly about high school coaches and teammates.
"To parents, be a part of the recruiting process, but be in the background and try to make sure questions are running through your son to the coach," Watts said.
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Don't be stressed," Watts said. "Don't get caught up in facilities and material things. Those all have a role to play, but the main thing that will give you a positive experience is the people you surround yourself with."
Kevin Woodhull-Smith, Northern Kentucky University head swimming coach
Q: What is the best way for athletes to get noticed?
A: "The best way for an athlete to get noticed is to have an accurate profile on a recruiting website. We usually use Swimcloud or NCSA. They can also send the coaching staff an email showing their interest in joining the NKU swim team. This is an easy way to start the recruiting process because the coach will know the prospective student-athlete is already interested."
Q: What common mistakes do parents or athletes make during recruiting, and how can they avoid them?
A: "A common mistake some athletes make is that think they are too fast or too slow for a specific school. Every team’s needs are different and each team’s recruiting needs are unique for each season. Athletes can avoid this mistake by contacting the coaches and asking questions.
"Some parents can take over the recruiting process too much. Parents should be involved in helping, but the athlete will soon be entering college and will need to have some independence. It is a balance between helping too much and not being involved in the process. Communication between the parents and athletes can help avoid this mistake."
Q: Are there any other tips you have?
A: "Make sure your recruiting profiles have accurate contact and athletic information. Coaches often rely on recruiting services to contact athletes, so the contact information needs to be correct.
"Send a well-thought-out email to a coach if you have any interest in their team. I try to respond to each recruit to let them know if they would be a good fit or if they should look at a different school."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Midwest college coaches give recruiting advice to parents, athletes
Category: General Sports
