@AppleNotFar it’s very confusing and honestly dependent on the sport. Some coaches are very involved, like at Deerfield our admissions director is also the lacrosse coach - there is a little bias there. That’s sarcasm.
Others, like wrestling, never see a kid until they are on the team. So… they never know for sure.
I can’t comment on other schools but it is really dependent on the sport. Once a kid is admitted however, the coach will know about it regardless of sport, as will the captains for the next year.