Every recruit is looking to gain an edge during the recruiting process, but sometimes, it's the little things that matter most. During hundreds of interviews with NCAA head coaches that 2aDays conducts, we've found that most coaches are looking for recruits that have good character and will work hard. These coaches also commented on the importance of recruits having the trait of coachability, which allows the coach to know that the athlete will accept and implement their comments and criticism. Here are some other big qualities coaches look for in standout recruits.
Q: What is the most important quality you look for in a recruit?
Patrick Corvetti – State University Old Westbury, Men's Soccer: Character – Can they be coached and what is their locker room presence?
Diane Short – Brown University, Women's Volleyball: We look for multiple qualities. Attitude, catchability, athletic, positional need and a great student.
Stephanie Gaitley – Fordham University, Women's Basketball: Character of the person, quality of the student, and someone who's a worker and a winner.
Jennifer Teague – Columbia University, Women's Softball: Talent, Effort, attitude, ability to get better, teach-ability, good parents.
Chad Martinovich – MIT, Football: Character, academic excellence, and athletic ability.
Grace Barnard – Assumption College, Women's Soccer: Athleticism, coachability, and character.
Social media profiles can show a lot about a recruit, and it is something that most coaches that we have interviewed have strong opinions on. The majority of coaches check, or have other members of their coaching staff, recruits' social media profiles. Recruits should think twice about posting with the idea that, if your parents or grandparents would not approve of your post, don't post it. Social media is becoming more relevant as time goes on, in some cases, social media profiles are a coach's first impression of recruits. Here's what these coaches had to say about athletes' online presence.
Q: How big a factor is social media when recruiting players? What advice do you have for athletes regarding social media?
Chris Willis – Davidson College, Women's Volleyball: Coaches look at recruits' social media outlets. Don't post anything out there that you wouldn't want your mom to see.
Diane Short – Brown University, Women's Volleyball: We do check on them to make sure they have made some “good choices” on social media.
Patrick Corvetti – State University Old Westbury, Men's Soccer: Stay off of social media as much as possible.
George Arroyo – Eastern Nazarene College, Women's Soccer: Huge! Be mindful of what you put onto social media. Coaches everywhere are watching your social media activity. Whether it's a tweet, retweet, subtweet, or pictures/comments on Facebook and Instagram, coaches want athletes that will not tarnish the name of a college. Before you post anything, use a filter to ask yourself, can this next post cause me to lose out on an opportunity to attend my dream school?
Jennifer Teague – Columbia University, Women's Softball: Don't post something that has a negative tone. Would you want your pastor or grandmother to see it?
Sherman Wood – Salisbury University, Football: It makes me cringe when I see how narcissistic kids are today.
Chad Martinovich – MIT, Football: Think before you hit “send”. Show you have great character in everything you do.
Grace Barnard – Assumption College, Women's Soccer: It's a factor, but not the only factor. Sometimes we check it out.
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on April 13, 2022, by Matthew Mekaelian
