National letter of intent

Doesn't everybody wish they could write as 'flowery" as Prepster...instead I write like my mentor, Diesel...

 

Can't emphasize it enough . . .

It is a major mistake to choose a college based on the coaches. Parents and players get attached to recruiting personnel and let that drive the decision-making process. Coaches can be recruiting your son and interviewing for another job at the same time! Seen it happen. When the entire coaching staff at son’s school was let go after his freshman year I asked if he had any regrets about the school he had chosen (there were other coaches in his recruiting process who were more charismatic, had better W/L records, have been in their programs for extended periods and are not likely to leave, etc.). “Absolutely not. No regrets whatsoever!” was his reply. He LOVES the school and his team, is getting a first rate education, and had every confidence that the AD (a former baseball coach himself with 15 years tenure as AD at the school) would find the best possible coaching staff for the program. And it appears at this point that he did. It’s not a bad idea to check out the AD and their “philosophy” – they change jobs too, though not as often. It is a huge mistake for a player to follow a coach instead of choosing a school that meets their educational needs and where they can fit in and be happy.

 

I'm glad it worked out for your son. It doesn't always come out so rosy. Many times a change in the coaching staff causes great upheaval in the program- many times resulting in a coach "bringing in my own players". With athletic scholarships at risk, it can force the student athlete to re-think his commitment to his school--and with the parents subjected to a greater expense, they are re-thinking their financial commitment as well.

It's a tricky scenario with many factors involved, but as described in this individual case, it appears the only reason she's leaving is because her coach left.

 

A present, Braves:

 

Knowing the way WCU and their AD conducts their athletics, I can't say this surprises me.
I don't think there is anything the school could do if the student/athlete just didn't show up for class. Wait a year, that's all the NLI is good for anyway, then attend what ever school he/she wishes. If they were good enough to be signed in the first place, sitting out a year isn't likely to matter. Infact, a years worth of maturity could be very beneficial both to the student/athlete and the new school.
I'd rather see my kid attend a school where he/she is happy and is willing to conduct his or herself properly both academicly and athleticly than to have them unhappy. If they're unhappy they won't do well at either. Been there, done that.

 

Another story of signing based on the coach and not the school.....

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/scottfowler/story/906829.html