Coach’s Corner

Coaching advice for athletes and parents from college coaches and recruiters.

We talked with several coaches and recruiters from across the country to get the best coaching advice for athletes and parents. Here is what they had to say:

Schellas Hyndman

FC Dallas Head Coach

FC Dallas

KEEP YOUR GRADES UP

  • Players forget this. A lot of people think that just because they’re athletes someone will bend the rules or give them a break. The NCAA is very concerned about student-athletes, academics and graduation rates. Today there is more pressure on coaches to make sure their student athletes graduate from colleges. Why would a coach recruit a player that has bad grades when it could affect the coaches’ number of scholarships and/or job stability?
  • Coaches are looking for students who have a sincere concern about their academics and they want people who are doing well on their testing (ACT and SAT).
  • Sports will get you to the door but you won’t get in if you don’t have the academics.

Coaches Tips

Joseph Susan

Head Football Coach

Bucknell University

  • Remember an offer is an offer if it is in writing.
  • Remember that the word “commitment” has special meaning, we take it seriously, “soft, silent, partial” really do not fit with a word as strong as commitment.
  • Use the knowledge and experience of your parents, your siblings and your coaches and teachers; they have the advantage of being there already.

Coaches Tips

Schellas Hyndman,

Head Coach of FC Dallas in Major League Soccer

Do: Narrow down your list (When to start thinking)
  • Sophomore year: Start thinking about colleges
  • Junior year: Have your list to 5-6 colleges and do research and visits on schools (meet players, coaches, attend camps)
  • Senior year: Have your list down to 3-4 school, and you might even be contacted by a team outside of that list because of your play
Don’t: Get your heart set on one school before you do any research
  • Make sure you take into account all the factors (Academic, social, athletics, etc.)
  • It’s a huge mistake to choose a school because of someone else’s recommendation. What do you want (academics, social environment and athletic environment)?
  • You need to investigate:
      • Does the coach want you?
      • Will you make the team
      • The roster (If you’re a goalie— do they already have that position filled?)

    US Youth Soccer

Joseph Susan

Head Football Coach

Bucknell University

1. Your high school coach will not get you a scholarship, your talent as a student athlete will
2. Your high school coach will be honest with you and with college coaches, he wants what is best for you
3. The more game footage we see the better we feel about your evaluation

Coaches Tips

Lindsey Wilson Football

Assistant Coach Mike Gutelius

Michigan University Football

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

Trevor Adair

Men’s Assistant Soccer Coach

Old Dominion University

For more coaching advice for athletes and parents, or if you have any questions, contact us today!