Going through the college athletic recruiting process is challenging. First, you find what schools will fit you, then you plan visits to those schools, meet with the coaches, and ultimately make a decision where you end up. The part that ends up being the most challenging for many people is between meeting with coaches and making your decision. Usually this is a long, drawn-out process, with the possibility of it ending in rejection. 

No matter the context, rejection hurts. Here's how to spot it in the recruiting process.

Rare Communication

When gaging a coach's interest, it's not always written in black and white. You may think you're getting along with the coach perfectly, when they're merely just being polite. One of the best ways to tell if a coach is truly interested is if they're keeping a constant line of communication with you. Whether it's texts, phone calls, or emails, that communication shows that they truly are considering you to join the team. Many times when coaches lose interest, they will “ghost” the potential athlete, leading to a complete stop in communication. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

General Messages

Another way coaches will show their loss of interest is by sending very generic messages to get the point across. Most times when a coach is truly intrigued, they'll work hard to personalize the message to the athlete. 

Related: 14 Questions All Recruits Should Ask When Looking at Colleges

Low Energy

If you've determined a coach's messages are not sent to all recruits, check the energy level. Does the coach seem engaged and excited, or neutral and just polite? A good way to avoid this is by matching the coach's energy with high energy of your own. If a coach emails you about an exciting opportunity to come watch the team and tour campus, be passionate and animated with your response. 

Following these tips to tell if a coach is losing interest can save you a lot of time in the recruiting process. It can be stressful to wait for a final decision, so if you're able to narrow it down a bit earlier than expected, you're saving yourself a lot of time.

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* Originally published on June 28, 2022, by Brayden Koch