What Questions to Ask College Coaches
Strategic questions to help you evaluate college athletic programs, understand coaching philosophy, and determine if a program is the right fit for your athletic and academic goals.
1What's your coaching philosophy and how do you develop student-athletes?
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What's your coaching philosophy and how do you develop student-athletes?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to coaching and helps you understand how they develop athletes both on and off the field.
2What are the academic expectations and support systems for student-athletes?
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What are the academic expectations and support systems for student-athletes?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to academics and helps you understand what academic support and expectations you'll have.
3What's the team culture and how do you build team chemistry?
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What's the team culture and how do you build team chemistry?
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Why this works
Reveals team dynamics and helps you understand the team environment and how players work together.
4What are the playing time expectations for freshmen versus upperclassmen?
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What are the playing time expectations for freshmen versus upperclassmen?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to player development and helps you understand realistic expectations for your first year.
5What are the team's goals and how do you measure success?
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What are the team's goals and how do you measure success?
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Why this works
Reveals team objectives and helps you understand what the team is working toward and how success is defined.
6What are the biggest challenges facing the program and how do you address them?
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What are the biggest challenges facing the program and how do you address them?
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Why this works
Shows program challenges and helps you understand what obstacles the team faces and how they overcome them.
7What are the team's values and what's important to you as a coach?
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What are the team's values and what's important to you as a coach?
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Why this works
Reveals team values and helps you understand what the coach prioritizes and what they expect from players.
8What are the team's training and practice schedules?
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What are the team's training and practice schedules?
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Why this works
Shows time commitments and helps you understand what your schedule will look like and how much time you'll spend on athletics.
9What are the team's communication and feedback processes?
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What are the team's communication and feedback processes?
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Why this works
Reveals communication style and helps you understand how the coach communicates with players and provides feedback.
10What are the team's leadership opportunities and how do you develop leaders?
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What are the team's leadership opportunities and how do you develop leaders?
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Why this works
Shows leadership development and helps you understand what opportunities exist for leadership and how leaders are developed.
11What are the team's community service and outreach initiatives?
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What are the team's community service and outreach initiatives?
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Why this works
Reveals community involvement and helps you understand how the team gives back and what community service opportunities exist.
12What are the team's mental health and wellness support systems?
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What are the team's mental health and wellness support systems?
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Why this works
Shows wellness support and helps you understand what resources are available for mental health and overall wellness.
13What are the team's injury prevention and recovery programs?
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What are the team's injury prevention and recovery programs?
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Why this works
Reveals health and safety approach and helps you understand how the team protects and supports athlete health.
14What are the team's academic and career development resources?
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What are the team's academic and career development resources?
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Why this works
Shows career support and helps you understand what resources are available for academic and career development.
15What are the team's social and team-building activities?
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What are the team's social and team-building activities?
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Why this works
Reveals team bonding and helps you understand what activities the team does together to build relationships.
16What are the team's expectations for behavior and conduct?
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What are the team's expectations for behavior and conduct?
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Why this works
Shows conduct standards and helps you understand what behavior is expected and what consequences exist for violations.
17What are the team's communication with families and parents?
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What are the team's communication with families and parents?
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Why this works
Reveals family involvement and helps you understand how the coach communicates with families and involves parents.
18What are the team's goals for the upcoming season and beyond?
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What are the team's goals for the upcoming season and beyond?
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Why this works
Shows future plans and helps you understand what the team is working toward and what their vision is for the future.
19What are the team's strengths and areas for improvement?
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What are the team's strengths and areas for improvement?
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Why this works
Reveals team assessment and helps you understand what the team does well and where they're looking to improve.
20What makes this program different from other programs you've been part of?
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What makes this program different from other programs you've been part of?
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Why this works
Shows program uniqueness and helps you understand what sets this program apart from other options.
Best Practices for Coach Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Fit and Development
Ask questions that help you understand if the program is a good fit for your athletic and academic goals and how they'll develop you as a person.
Understand the Program Culture
Ask about team culture, values, and expectations to ensure the program aligns with your values and what you're looking for.
Assess Support Systems
Ask about academic support, mental health resources, and career development to ensure you'll have the support you need to succeed.
Question Sequences
The Program Understanding Sequence
The Support System Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Playing Time
While playing time is important, focus on overall development, academic support, and life preparation as well.
Don't Ignore Red Flags
Pay attention to how coaches respond to questions about support systems, team culture, and player development.
Don't Ask About Other Recruits
Avoid questions about other players they're recruiting or comparing yourself to other prospects.