Questions To Ask Coaches

When talking with a coach from a school you are considering, you are talking about YOUR future! You should have questions – and the coach will expect you to ask questions. Asking questions reveals that you have a plan for your future, and you want to gather all the relevant information to decide if this school, this program, and this coach can play a part in helping you achieve your goals.

• Don't waste your questions asking for information that is easily available on the school's website. It not only wastes the coach's and your time, but it also shows the coach that you are too lazy to use available resources to find the answers to these questions.
• By the time you talk to a coach, you should have already determined if the school has your intended program of study, the size of the school, admissions eligibility criteria, and other important factors in your final decision.
• The coach's answers to your questions should help you determine if this school and program are a good fit.
• Have your questions written down so you don't forget an important one.
• Ask the coach if it is OK for you to take notes to help you remember the answers to your questions. Not only will it help you remember, but you will also be demonstrating one of your academic skills!
• Don't try to ask ALL of the questions on this list in one conversation! Select no more than 20-25 to ask what is most important to you when narrowing down your choices. If the school ends up on your shortlist and you end up on theirs, then be sure to ask more questions. You don't want any surprises!

• Have you personally watched me play? If so, why do you think my skills fit into your program?
• What position do you see me playing on your team?
• How many returning players do you have at my position?
• How many freshmen are being recruited for my position? Do you have other commits at my position?
• What do you look for in players at my position?
• How do you see me fitting into your system?
• I know you have a list of potential recruits for this position. Where am I on that list?
• Beyond their skillset, what are you looking for in the players you recruit?
• What is your recruiting timeline for me?
• When will I receive a written offer?
• Where do you see me fitting in the program this year? Years 2, 3 and 4?
• Will I "redshirt" my first year? Under what conditions do you typically redshirt players?
• What are your expectations of me as a player? As a person?
• What are the next steps you plan to take in recruiting me?
• What can I do to make myself more prepared for the opportunity to play here?
• Does an offer mean I have a guaranteed roster spot?

• Do you have a general style of play, or do you mold your team to the talent you have?
• How would your players describe your coaching style?
• What are the most impressive accomplishments of your program in the past five years?
• What are the current strengths and weaknesses of the team?
• What is the team chemistry like?
• What goals do you have for the team next season?
• What makes this team, staff, and school different than other similar schools?
• What football-specific facilities are you most proud of?
• Describe the current players competing at the same position. What skills do they possess?
• What does a typical week of practice look like in the season?
• What is the travel roster size?
• What does a typical week of practice look like in the spring?
• What are the physical requirements each year? (training commitments, weight, etc.)
• What is the off-season regimen?
• What is your strength and conditioning program like?
• What does your weight room look like? Share with other sports?
• Are facilities available to players outside of team sessions?
• What advantages does your program bring compared to ________?
• How important is this sport to your school's athletic director?
• How important is this sport to your school's fans?
• What kind of players succeed here?
• Can I compete in other sports?
• What percentage of your players on scholarship graduate in four years?
• What is the team's GPA from last year?
• What state/region do most of your players come from?
• What kind of nutrition/dietary plan is the team on?
• Do you provide a pre-game or post-game meal for home games?
• Are there any unique team-building activities you do in your program?
• What kind of community activities and camps do you run? How is the team involved in these activities?
• How do the athletes on your team interact with each other? Do they hang out together outside of practice and games?
• What are your team conduct rules? Are they the college's minimums or are they tougher?
• What are the biggest challenges your student-athletes face at school?
• Am I expected to stay in town during the summer?
• What are my off-season responsibilities?
• What does the team do for fun on their off days?

• How would you best describe your coaching style?
• What are the values of your program?
• Where do you place your emphasis (offense, defense) during training and games or matches?
• When does your head coaching contract end?
• Do you see yourself coaching here in four years?
• What is each of the assistant coaches responsible for?
• How do you typically evaluate recruits and players at my position?
• What is your program's track record in terms of injuries?
• If I redshirt, will my scholarship cover a fifth year?
• What is your walk-on policy, and how does your team treat walk-ons?
• What is the typical year like for your student-athletes? (off-season training program)

• What are academic goals I should strive for to meet the criteria of your university during my final few semesters in high school?
• Describe the typical class size.
• What religious affiliation does the school have? Is attendance to chapel etc. mandatory?
• Are tutors/academic advisors provided for athletes? Is there a charge?
• What do you do to academically support your players? (Tutors, study hall requirements, staff, class load)
• Does the coaching staff help student-athletes with forming class schedules?
• What would be your suggestion for a class schedule/course load during my freshman season?
• How are conflicts between academics and athletics handled?
• If there is a particular class I need that is only offered during regular practice time, how is that handled?
• Am I allowed time to make up classes and tests missed because of the competition schedule?
• What do most of your players major in?
• Are there any majors I won't be able to pursue while I'm playing?
• What kind of graduation track will I be on with my course of study? Are we looking at a four-year degree, or can it be done in three, along with athletics?
• Do you have an organized study hall for players? Is it mandatory or optional, in season? Out of season?
• How do students compensate for time out of the classroom?
• How much class time is missed due to travel?
• What are your policies for missed practices or being late due to class commitments?
• Do you have a solid academic advising center? How many players take advantage of it?
• Does a walk-on receive the same services as a scholarship athlete?
• Do you have priority registration for athletes?
• How many credits are required for me to be eligible to compete?
• How many credits are required for me to keep my financial aid?
• Does the school/coaching staff have their own academic requirements to play outside of NCAA/NAIA requirements?
• Who is the main point of contact in the financial aid office that my family can talk to if we have more questions about paying for college?
• How can your school help me with job placement after graduation?
• Do sports teams support each other at home games?
• What is the college doing to create a safe campus?

• Do most players live on or off campus?
• Are freshmen required to live on campus?
• What is housing like on campus? Is the housing situation different for athletes?
• Do the on-campus players on the team all live in the same dorm?
• Will I be roomed with another player from the team?
• Will I be required to live on campus all four years?
• What are the most common challenges that your freshman athletes report with respect to dorm life?
• How is the cafeteria/training table food?
• What meal plan is best for me as an athlete?
• What are the costs for off-campus apartments?

• Specifically, what expenses does the financial aid and/or scholarship package cover? (Tuition, room, board, books, special assessments, supplies)?
• Is financial aid available for summer school?
• If I'm injured what happens to my scholarship/financial aid?
• What conditions are used to determine the annual renewal of the scholarship?
• What are my opportunities for employment while I'm a student?
• What medical expenses does the college cover? Do I need other insurance?
• Where can I learn more about your merit scholarships?

• Why haven't you offered yet? When are you going to offer me?
• How much scholarship money are you going to give me?
• Will I start my freshman year?
• How many decommits have you had?
• Questions about the school you could have researched on your own.
• Don't ask coaches or current players anything you wouldn't want your family to hear about.