Rules for Coaches Who Want to Pull Offers

Whether it's a full scholarship, book money, or a roster spot, it's o.k. for you to change your mind. Here are some simple rules we've found successful to guide ...

It’s your program, Coach.

You bathe in the glory when things are going good (rightfully so), and you take the blame when it’s not (also rightfully so).

Most of the time, who you have on the field, court, track, pool or gaming system (I’m lookin’ at you, eSports coaches) is going to dictate much of what happens on the scoreboard. And in the standings. Which usually dictates how enthusiastically donors donate, or how many disgruntled emails they send to your athletic director. As I say often to coaches we get to train, “It’s amazing how good of a coach you become when you have great players competing for you.”

I bring this all up because a scene from the movie Jerry McGuire comes to mind that kind of encapsulates an overall philosophy that many (maybe most) college coaches operate from:

Translation for many coaches:

“I can’t go back on my word, which means if I make an offer to a prospect, I need to honor that offer - even if I change my mind.”

Which means, for many of those coaches, they feel like once they offer a scholarship or roster spot to a prospect, or even just tell them that they’re interested and want to recruit them, they can’t change their mind and withdrawn the offer or their interest.

And that’s just not something that’s a winning strategy.

Notice I didn’t say “that’s not hard”, or “it’ll never make you feel badly for the prospect'“. I said it’s not something that’s a winning strategy. Since you’re judged on winning, and your career longevity depends upon it, that’s something that you should factor into your approach. Which, by default, should begin to form a strategy as you approach recruiting decisions on your class of prospects.

The bottom line, in my opinion and based upon what I’ve seen successful coaches do throughout their career:

When you change your mind about a prospect, withdraw your offer.

Simple as that.

What’s not so simple is the how part. Here are some components that you should consider when it comes to that part of the equation:

1. Don’t delay.

When you come to the decision that you want to change your mind and withdraw your interest and/or your offer, do it. I’m not saying to rush it, or to act impulsively, but once you determine your heart and your head just aren’t feeling it any more, don’t delay in making the change. It’s not good for you as a coach, and it’s not fair for your prospect.

2. Give them the news.

It might sound something like, “I needed to let you know that we made a decision to move forward in the recruiting process with a few other prospects that were just a little better fits for us in this particular recruiting class.” And then explain to them that you wanted to be honest and transparent with them as soon as possible because you know they’ll be able to compete at the college level, and you wanted to make sure they could change directions were focusing their energy in the right places that would give them the best chances of doing that.

3. Expect them to be upset.

They’re human. They may have been counting on your offer, and the chance to compete at your college. So when you tell them you’re changing directions, don’t be

surprised if they have a human reaction. Their parents may be upset, too. That’s part of the deal, and you should accept it. Again, it’s a normal, human reaction that may go against what they were hoping for as a part of the process.

*** If they express relief, or don’t seem upset, CONGRATULATIONS! They were probably going to decommit or drop you at some point in the process, so you may have just saved yourself a lot of headaches later in the year.

5. Express your disappointment, as well.

You’re human, right? Good! So are they. So, take a minute or two to empathize with how this might be making them feel like you know this isn’t something they wanted to hear, and that you wish it had been able to turn out differently.

6. Let them know you’re confident they’ll find a place to compete in college.

This is important:

After the first three steps, it’s vital that you send them off on a good note, explaining to them that just because they didn’t fit in with your plan at your program, you know they’ll find a place to compete at the college level - and, you’ll be happy to help them however you can. Leave them with two or three things that are strengths for them that are working in their favor - and even offer up some ideas as to other colleges, programs, coaches or division levels that might be good options to explore.

If you’ve offered a scholarship or roster spot, and now have changed your mind, there are some added steps:

• Be honest with them about what has changed. Whether it was something they did to turn you off, or a better prospect that you want to offer instead, explain that to them. Hiding information or lying will come back to bite you.

• It’s good to take the blame for changing your mind - but, with the above explanation, we have found that it softens the blow and ends the process with the best possible feeling on both sides. Not to say you or the prospect will be ‘happy’ immediately afterwards, but it’s the best possible tough outcome you could look for.

• If appropriate, float the idea that you would want them to make you the first call down the line if they decide to transfer, or would like to re-explore the chance to play for you. This is an option if you stress that this decision had to do with things specific to this particular recruiting class (see Step 2 again). The more of a reason you can give them as to why you had to make this change, the better…it leaves doors open for the future.

Nothing about this process is fun. Nothing about it is easy. No argument there, Coach.

But more coaches need to seize control of how they build their program from start to finish - and, in this case, even after you think the whole process is finished.

Because like I said: It’s your program, Coach.