Is it a high school coach's job to promote his players to college coaches?

Have I told you recently, cbs, how much I like you

 

I'll weigh in lightly as well... Recruiter calls coach, coach should give him the straight skinny. Not up to the coach to determine if he can play for the recruiter (thats the recruiters job) but to answer the recruiter HONESTLY. That will give the recruiter the info he needs to either follow the player closer or back off a little. And if everyone was honest, the questions tossed to a coach are usually more about make up than skill level. The fact a recruiter is calliing concerning a kid would mean he's already seen the skill level (or heard of it) and it has provoked interest. Now he's concerned about makeup. character,. grades, family, off the field antics...

In coaching, really, about all you have is your reputation. A coach that never leads a recruiter astray, over exagerrates skills or burns him on a kid is going to have his opinion more highly valued than a coach who is living vicariously through his players and over inflates their abilities (fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me) so that either A). the coach "looks good" of B) the program looks good. It ain't about either of those...this is a kid we're talking about. I can assure you there are coaches out there who's opinions are valued and those out there who's opinions don't mean a whole lot, but the recruiter can gain a tele number or e-mail from. There IS a pecking order (like it or not).

Brings me to my point, where I don't feel like it is the coaches RESPONSIBILITY to go home every night and send a 100 e-mails out or make 10 phone calls to coaches promoting the players on his team. He is already putting enough time in as it is away from his family. I think the RESPONSIBILITY falls on the PLAYER and his family to decide if the player wants to commit to the next level, communicate this to the coach and asst coaches and all the other coaches he may play for so that when a coach is ASKED he can then "promote" the player as he sees fit. I think when you accept the head coaches position, part of the job IS working with college coaches in placing players in the right environment. But, to what extent is always going to be left up to the discretion of the coach.

Now....having said that, I am confident that there are coaches out there who feel a sense of OBLIGATION to the more talented players to put the word out and will make calls to a few college contacts they have, cluing them in on a kid. Those same coaches will also feel an OBLIGATION to the other players who have expressed an interest at playing next level who may not be D1, but deserve a shot to contact a school or two where they may feel is a good fit. Thats all well and good and God bless a coach who is willing to do those EXTRA things for a player(s). These are coaches that are in it for the right reasons, and thats the kids.

But, I would have to say that any player who sits on his haunches and expects his HS coach do get him on radars is out of the loop entirely - regardless of economic status. The kid needs to be REALISTIC about his ability - on the field and in the classroom - (i.e. making his wishes known to his coach and discussing realistic avenues at the next level) and then decide on schools he would like to attend and attend their camps and put the process in motion. Sure, there are kids who can not afford to play "showcase" baseball. I know of one personally... this kid worked his butt off all off season- saving his money- and put himself into 2 camps at colleges he wants to play in. Heard a couple of days ago he got offered. THAT is a DESIRE to play at the next level. Where there is a will, there's a way and a place for you. BUT the player MUST take on the bulk of the responsibilty, work with the coaching staff towards a common goal of finding somewhere to continue not only his baseball career BUT his education!

 

Following the Oprah show at 5 pm....

Well said Dr Phil....

 

Amazing wht high levels of caffeine and other things can do to one's brain synapses.....

 

Interesting thoughts, diesel.

 

That Diesel is a smart man

 

lol...oooook...

I probably coulda just typed "the player should bear the brunt of the responsibility by communicating his desires with his coach(es) and putting himself in front of his desired schools by attending camps and other possible means, as affordable. A player who wants to play at the next level, regardless of skill level, can give himself those opportunities if he really desires the opportunity. But only through continually communicating clearly with the coach(es) and being realistic about his abilities will these opportunities present themselves for him to continue play and garner an education to pursue a satisfying career in the process."

 

That's too concise and scholarly. I like your first one better...and it was a lot more fun to read

 

Good stuff!

Diesel, you're right on the money! The bottom line is that it starts with the player. After he shows true desire, and willingness to work, then it's time for parents, coaches and any others that may be able to help, to do so.

HS coaches absolutely must be honest! Not only could they hurt the kid being recruited now, they could also hurt the chances of players in their program down the road... the "cry wolf" scenario... or maybe the "How about taking my date's friend out? She has a great personality!"... would be a better example