QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE COACHES

Here are some questions to ask college coaches. Many of these questions you can get answered by doing online research. Keep this handy when talking to college coches on the phone and bring it with on campus visits.

Athletics

  • How many freshmen are being recruited at my position?
  • Have you seen me play and what parts of my game do you like the most and what area do you see me needing the most attention?
  • Where do I stand on the list of athletes being recruited? Do you see me as a scholarship player at this time?
  • What positions will I play on your team?  
  • How many players do you carry on the roster?
  • What is the depth chart at my position?
  • Do you see me playing as a freshman?
  • Do you see me starting as a freshman?
  • Describe the other players competing at the same position.  
  • Can I, or will you, “redshirt” my first year?
  • How many players are currently redshirted? 
  • What are the physical requirements each year?  
  • How many hours per week are required? What are the morning, afternoon, evening commitments?
  • How many full-time, part-time, and graduate assistant coaches are on staff?
  • How would you best describe your coaching style?
  • What are your goals for the team?
  • When does the head coach’s contract end?
  • What is the coach’s overall win-loss record?
  • What did the team do in the conference last year? 
  • What are the facilities like?
  • Does the program have a strength coach/supervised training programs? What is your conditioning program like?
  • Is the strength and conditioning program run by an individual specific to the sport or are they shared with other sports. If not, which other sports?
  • Does the program have a certified trainer?
  • Is medical insurance required for my participation? Is it provided by the college?
  • If I am seriously injured while competing, who is responsible for my medical expenses?
  • How does the team travel?
  • How much class time is missed for travel?
  • What is the practice schedule?
  • What is your expectation for incoming freshman as related to early summer reporting, summer camps and summer school prior to freshman year?
  • Do you feel obligated to play scholarship players based even if a non-scholarship player is out-playing them?
  • How do you feel about me staying in my local community and playing over the summer?

Academics

  • How good is the department in my major?
  • How many students are in the department?
  • What credentials do faculty members hold?
  • What are graduates of the program doing after school?
  • What percentage of the players graduate?
  • Have you had other athletes on the team with my major in the past?
  • What scores on SAT/ACT are required at your university?
  • How do students make up work for missed classes due to traveling?
  • Is an academic counselor provided for athletes? Explain the educational support services that will be available to players.
  • Is the advisor specific to the team or to the athletic department?
  • Are tutors provided? Cost?
  • If I have a diagnosed and documented disability, what kind of academic services are available?
  • Are study sessions required?
  • What is the graduation rate for the athletes on your team?
  • How many credit hours should I take in season and out of season?
  • Am I required to attend summer school? If I need to take summer school, will it be paid for by the college?
  • Are there restrictions in scheduling classes around practice? 
  • What are your tuition and room and board charges?
  • Does your school offer assistance in locating internship opportunities?
  • Does your school offer assistance with job placement and resume building?

College Life

  • Describe the typical day for a student-athlete.
  • What are the residence halls like?
  • Will I be required to live on campus throughout my athletics participation?
  • May freshmen have a car on campus?
  • Do your athletes stay with other athletes in the same sport, different sport, or with general student body?

Financial Aid

  • What scholarships are available for my freshman year? Do NOT ask this right away. Some coaches will be turned off by that. Ask many of the above questions first. Then, if you feel like the coach is interested in you, ask this.
  • How long does my scholarship last?
  • What other financial aid is available?
  • How many players are on scholarship?
  • What does my scholarship cover? Are meals provided in this scholarship?
  • Does the school have a 5th year scholarship program?
  • Does my scholarship include work study?
  • Can I take summer classes? Will they be covered by this scholarship?
  • What can I receive in addition to the scholarship and how do I get more aid?
  • Do your senior players typically graduate with a higher scholarship than they came in with?
  • For what reasons could I possibly lose my scholarship?
  • If I’m injured, what happens to my financial aid?
  • Are there academic criteria tied to maintaining the scholarship?
  • What will happen to my scholarship if I am ineligible?

Questions to Expect

  • What are your strengths?
  • What are your weaknesses?
  • What role do you see yourself in during your first season?
  • What other schools are on your list?
  • Why did you choose this school?

Questions to Ask Team Members

  • What is the team’s impression of the coaching staff?
  • Did any member of the coaching staff make a playing time promise? If so, did you get the playing time promised?
  • What is the relationship between coaches and players?
  • Why did you choose this school?
  • Does the coaching staff take academics seriously?
  • How long are practices?
  • How much time to do you devote to your sport? In-season? Off-season?
  • What is the morale of the team?
  • If given the opportunity, would you pick this school again?
  • Are the professors and counselors accessible for the athletes?
  • What are the professors’ and counselors’ attitudes toward athletes?
  • How are the academic support services?
  • What do you do in your spare time?

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • Does the school fit my requirements? Academic programs, size of school, distance from home?
  • Will the size of the community in which the school is located make a difference? If so, what size?
  • How do I learn best – small classes, vs. big classes, lecture vs. learn by doing, individual tutors?
  • Did the coaches and players seem excited about me and recruiting me?
  • Were the coaches interested in academics?
  • What was the players’ enthusiasm in talking about their school?
  • Will I be happy there if my athletic career abruptly ended?
  • Will I fit with the rest of the student body?
  • Does it make a difference if the coach is male or female?
  • How important it is to me for my family and friends to see me play?

NOTE:  Knowing the answers to some of these questions (i.e., coaching record) sends a message that you are interested enough to have done some homework.  This is impressive to the coach and leads to a discussion of these items instead of you just asking questions of the coach.