2aDays interviewed head coaches from across the country and asked them to advise high school student-athletes on what they should do if they get turned down by their dream school. A significant similarity that we saw across the board was that the athlete should be prepared for their dream school to turn them down. Having a backup plan is a must. If those backups don't work, repeat the process. Coaches also suggest trying to play for Division III schools. We hope that their advice will help you with this burning question. Here is advice from current and former NCAA coaches.
Advice from NCAA Coaches
- Head Coach Tim Loeffler, University of Illinois at Chicago Swim and Dive
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- “Recruiting is not about your “dream” school or the “best” school but the school that is the best fit for you. If you don't gain the recruiting attention you are looking for, I recommend two options. Start looking at new schools. Make a list of priorities and start searching new schools that would fit those priorities. Meet with your coach and see what recommendations they have. They can also call on your behalf and maybe find more information from the college coach about where you stand in their recruiting.”
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- Head Coach Bill Smyth, Boston University Swim and Dive
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- “This happens all the time. Be ready for backups, and backups for the backups.”
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- Head Coach Pete Shinnick, University of West Florida Football
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- “There are a lot of schools that play football. Is your dream to play football? Not everyone can play DI football but here are still a lot of great opportunities out there.”
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- Head Coach Rick Bennett, Union College Men's Hockey
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- “College rosters are filled with student-athletes that were not chosen by their number one school. Like life…move on as quickly as possible.”
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- Head Coach Mike O'Grady, Nichols College Women's Ice Hockey
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- “Shift your dreams, not everyone is a Division I athlete, but that does not mean you cannot play in college. Ask yourself what you want to major in, then chase schools that offer that major. There are now 63 DIII Women's Ice Hockey programs, that provides a lot of great opportunity for athletes to full fill their dream of playing college hockey.”
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- Head Coach Mike Stawski, Concordia University Chicago Men's Baseball
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- “First, they need to be honest about their abilities. Everyone wants to play at UCLA but not everyone is good enough for that. Each player needs to write a list of what is important to them. Playing time, winning, rapport with coaches or players, facilities, etc…by making that list you can narrow down the schools that offer all of these things. Then once that list is narrowed you can narrow it again by figuring out which schools you can get into and play at. Everyone has a “dream” school but that dream can change once you visit other schools and realize there are a lot of great places with great opportunities available.”
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- Head Coach Gregory Hughes, Princeton University Men's Heavyweight Rowing
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- “I always encourage recruits to have a smart plan during the recruiting process. This includes a realistic approach towards potential outcomes and good, well-rounded options. Communication is key. I strongly encourage every recruit to ask specific questions of each coach they're working with to make sure that they have an accurate sense for where they stand. If a particular school doesn't look promising, make sure that you have sound options that you know you like and you know like you.”
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- Head Coach Jennifer Teague, Columbia University Women's Softball
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- “They need to realize that just because they didn't get into their dream school, it doesn't validate who they are as a player. There is a place for everyone if you are willing to work for it. The dream school might not have needed that position for that year.”
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Head Coach Steve Donahue, University of Pennsylvania Men's Basketball
- “Everything happens for a reason. So many people get turned down from their dream schools. Make the most of whatever situation is presented to you. Always have backup plans besides your dream school, even if it doesn't involve playing a sport.”
- Head Coach Spencer Allen, Northwestern University Baseball
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- “If you go back to my advice in the recruiting process, getting turned down by your dream school should not be difficult because you already had someone tell you that you cannot play at that school. Options are always coming and going. Focus on development and keep working until you must make a decision or you find the right fit. If you are not getting the attention you desire, that is probably a hint that you need to look elsewhere.”
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- Head Coach Jake Ross Jr., Michigan State University Baseball
* Originally published on July 20, 2018, by Michael Choate
