Come back every Monday for Coaching Staff's Advice on the college recruiting process, what they look for in athletes, and what to expect as a college athlete.
You want this coach's recruiting advice. He's been there, he's done that, and now he's on the other side.
Matthew Kemp played soccer in college himself and now he is the Men's Soccer Assistant Coach at Illinois Wesleyan University. Kemp has been at Illinois Wesleyan for a full year now and is now in charge of recruiting. He sat down with me and told me his recruiting tips for any athlete in the process.
2aDays: What is your coaching experience and what are your future aspirations?
Coach Kemp: Coaching experience is a mixture of club, high school, and college experience. I started off volunteering at my alma mater after graduating, then coached at local clubs and then head coach[ed] at a high school, and then ended up a college coach at Illinois Wesleyan. There are different ways to go about it, but when I started out I was coaching 5-year-olds. Then gradually work your way up–that way you find out if you will actually like it because players think they will automatically enjoy [coaching], but when you actually coach it's way different.
Related: Rate Coach Kemp
2aDays: What do you look for in players during the recruiting process?
Coach Kemp: Specifically at Wesleyan, but it probably pertains to all colleges, you have to tick all 3 boxes. Obviously, you have to be a good player but you also have to be a good student and a good person…and most college coaches look at it that way. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you aren't going to be a good student, or if you're going to be detrimental to the team, essentially it doesn't matter.
2adays: What are the best ways for student-athletes in high school to stand out to you during online recruiting outside of playing skills?
Coach Kemp: I would say communication is everything. When you reach out to an athlete and you don't hear back, then you move on pretty quickly because the interest has to be both ways. You don't want kids that aren't interested in the school, and the school has to have the major [the recruits] want. Even if it comes down to a phone call or a text or an email, communication is the biggest thing. It's very understated.
Sometimes, junior and seniors will wait for it to happen, but you have to send the email and send the videos to reach out and make it specific to the university–why do you want that university? Obviously, if you're a good player, you are gonna have interest but if you aren't interested in that university then it doesn't matter.
Related: Rate Illinois Wesleyan University
2aDays: How do you like student-athletes in high school to reach out and when?
Coach Kemp: It's never too early and it depends on the level of the university. Definitely, an email would be the best way initially and every university has its coaches' emails on the website. Also, go on the website for the facilities and roster, and if you are out of state, [check] if they even recruit from out of state. But definitely, in the emails, make sure everything is visible, a clip of you playing, 4 or 5 minutes, every little detail, who you are, where you are from, what club you play for, what high school you play for, grades, test score. Because if it's just a clip and then they don't have the GPA for example, then it might be a dead end so you want everything in that first email.
2aDays: How long should highlight videos be and how should they be sent?
Coach Kemp: It doesn't have to be too long at all really, you don't need a 20-minute clip. I would say 4 or 5 minutes, really.
2aDays: What is your view on recruiting players when it comes to transfers?
Coach Kemp: I am pretty open to the transfer process because at the end of the day it's whatever is best for the student-athlete. We are pretty proud at Wesleyan because I don't think anyone has transferred out in the past few years because we have created the right environment for everyone. But yeah, I'm totally open to it. I transferred myself when I played. It wasn't the right fit at the time but it's all up to the athlete.
[Coaches] can leave jobs and it can affect athletes, so [athletes] have the ability to move. It's gotta be for the right reasons though, can't just be because of playing time. The new university has to have the degree you are interested in or it has to be closer to home. I genuinely believe it has to be for the right reasons. I'm a big advocate for graduating in three years and then going to graduate school and using the extra year of eligibility. I think the transfer portal has blown up and restrictions will be added like windows but definitely, it has to be for the right reasons.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
2aDays: What do you expect from your freshman class after recruiting them?
Coach Kemp: If you are fit and strong and ready to contribute, you will get a chance. We are not expecting the world from you. But at the bare minimum, be fit and you should be ready to adapt and contribute in any way possible. Also, be ready–a chance can always arise, and an injury can happen, so be ready to step up.
I'm against the idea of hierarchy. As a freshman, you have equal rights as a senior to play if you deserve it. Get involved, make as many friends as possible with the whole team, not just your class, and be ready to contribute and expect to contribute as well. Know what it takes though…guys have been there 2-3 years before you so it won't be easy.
Image Credit: IWU Athletics
Have a story idea or know an awesome athlete/coach we should interview? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on July 4, 2022, by Scott Abramson
