<p>I'd assume this is a unique situation but looking for advice...</p>
<p>My son is a football player in his junior year. The head coach from one of our state universities visited our high school coach during my son's soph year to begin recruiting him and a senior teammate (at the time). Long story short, the senior verbally committed to this state university and ultimately de-committed to take advantage of an Ivy invitation at the 11th hour. Yesterday we learned that the college coach told our high school coach he was so angry that this kid went elsewhere, he would not recruit from our high school again. </p>
<p>So now, it seems my son will suffer the brunt. His high school coach hopes it will be resolved by the winter. My son has continued to communicate with the university's position coach. Has never had contact with the head coach. </p>
<p>Would you recommend he reach out to the head coach or let it go through the winter? A few other schools have sent game-day tickets in the past few days but this university was his first choice because it happens to have a program specific to his study interest (and it happens to be my alma mater).</p>
<p>We have a similar situation but it was a student who de-committed from an ivy to go to another top D1 school. The ivy coach was well aware of the situation even though it was a different sport entirely. I did not get the sense that he would hold it against my son but it made me wonder about the admissions office pre-read.</p>
<p>I would reach out to the coaching staff now so you know if this will be an issue later. You need to know where to spend your time and resources. Recruiting is a two way street with many side streets. If this coach holds an irrational grudge even though your son did nothing, he probably doesn’t want to go there or play for this coach. Additionally, a coach that thinks like this isn’t going to last long. Varska’s point is right on IMHO.</p>
<p>Point taken and I’ll make sure my son has that food for thought.</p>
<p>We often preach about how not to pick a school for the coach since they come and go so I assume that will be my kid’s argument. He considered this school a front runner not only because of the athletic program but because of a specific academic track.</p>
<p>I’m with Fenway, my son wouldn’t be playing for a coach like that. My son has only been involved with D3 (NESCAC) football for a few weeks now and I can already tell that there has to be a level of trust there. Trust between coach and player, parent and coach.</p>
<p>A question*
Are you hearing this story second hand from the high school coach, alumni booster, or media?</p>
<p>My experience says if the head coach has heard from the high school coach/ alumni or read info on your player having a alum parent=Not much need to recruit heavy duty if player is home grown sold on the program/begging to go, he can come late to your table.
*Get other offers, make the coach come beg your player to join his team.</p>
<p>IF the head coach did indeed say that he was no longer interested in recruiting from this high school, why, I wonder is the position/recruiting coach still comunicating with your son? Coaches do sometimes come and go…in my son’s experience he “lost” 3 of the recruiting coaches that were talking to him to other colleges. Luckily he also had built relationships with the head coaches of the program who all quickly reached out and told him to speak directly to him from that point on. I think it’s a mistake to communicate solely thru position and/or recruiting coach (but I guess that’s another post). Good luck!</p>
<p>The info came to us via the high school coach. </p>
<p>I think I’m going to suggest my son continue communication with the position coach but not try to “fix” the dynamics between the head coach and his high school. No need for him to reach out to the head coach since there’s no established relationship there… if it’s meant to be it will be.</p>
<p>JoBenny ~ I’m sure you’re right that he ideally would have communication with more than the one coach but given this information which is new to us, I questioned whether the timing is right for my kid to reach out. His high school coach said he hoped it would be resolved by winter… I’m not exactly sure why that’s the case. Perhaps he plans to contact the university head coach post-season. </p>
<p>Slight change of subject but is the norm to build a relationship with more than one coach? When he sent out films, they most often were sent to the position coach OR recruiting coordinator. And of the handful of schools that are entertaining him at the moment, he has communication with just one coach in all instances.</p>
<p>Honestly, I’m not sure there is a “norm”. At least there wasn’t for our experience with D3/NESCAC. Son did the dance with 7 school programs, each one did things just a little differently…with timetable, with preference for communications (email/phone), with person contacting him. With 3 schools, son only spoke to head coach. With 2 other schools he had a specific recruiting coach who was the main contact but the head coach was definately in the loop. With the other 2 he was completely disconnected from head coach.</p>
<p>this happens all the time and while it is unfortunate for your son he has to keep it moving. If he has talent that someone else should/might/is interested. Now if this was the only thing he had going for him, than he is gonna have to let go of that dream or keep begging the coach for attention, hoping he has a change of heart. I guess I look at the whole picture and say what is the true goal? Playing football to play? Playing football to go pro? Playing football to pay for school? Of these three option which one is your goal and which school(s) offer you that opportunity.</p>