Social media profiles can tell a lot about a recruit, and online activities can be hot topic due to the fact that our younger generation is on their social media platforms more than past generations. On any given day, teens in the United States spend about nine hours using media for their enjoyment, according to a report by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit focused on helping children, parents, and educators navigate the world of media and technology. Social media can be useful information for college coaches, and the majority of coaches check or have other members of their coaching staff check, recruits' social media profiles. Recruits should think twice about posting and keep in mind that, if your parents or grandparents would not approve of your post, it's probably smart to keep it in your drafts. Let's see what these NCAA head coaches had to say about social media and reruiting. 

2aDays: 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

Coach Willis: 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

Coach Short: We do check on them to make sure they have made some “good choices” on social media.

Patrick Corvetti – State University at Old Westbury, Men's Soccer

Coach Corvetti:  Stay off of social media as much as possible.

George Arroyo – Eastern Nazarene College, Women's Soccer

Coach Arroyo: Huge! Be mindful of what you put on 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, Softball

Coach Teague: Don't post something that has a negative tone. Would you want your pastor or grandmother to see it?

Sherman Wood – Salisbury University, Football

Coach Wood:  It makes me cringe when I see how narcissistic kids are today. 

Chad Martinovich – University of Rochester, Football

Coach Martinovich: Think before you hit “send”. Show you have great character in everything you do. 

Grace Barnard – Assumption College, Women's Soccer

Coach Barnard:  It's a factor, but not the only factor. Sometimes we check it out.

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* Originally published on April 15, 2022, by Keirsten Sires