I get it, you don’t use email for anything interesting. Maybe for school, or to sign up for apps. As old school as email seems it is still a really important way to communicate with college coaches. It allows them to engage your email on their own time and, as we’ll see in a minute, it allows them to stay compliant with the recruiting rules that restrict them for communicating back to you in certain ways.
There are four main things we will look at when it comes to sending emails to coaches that you want to play for:
- Timing. When you send your email is important, not just time of day but also during the right times of the year.
- Matching. You should email coaches that are going to be in need of athletes like you for your graduating class.
- Subject. Coaches will get a lot of emails and you need to stand out and give them a reason to open your email.
- Body. Coaches are looking for specific information and not much else in your first emails to them.
Timing Your Email To College Coaches
The timing of your email can make a significant difference in whether a coach reads it or not. It’s essential to send your email during periods when coaches are actively recruiting, as this increases the likelihood of them opening and engaging with your message. As a general guideline, aim to send your email during the following times:
- After their season: Coaches are usually in the process of evaluating potential recruits at this time, so it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself and express your interest.
- After a significant accomplishment: Did you recently win a championship, set a personal record, or receive an award? This is a perfect time to reach out to a coach, as it gives you a concrete reason to connect.
- During the evaluation periods for your sport: Most coaches use the evaluation periods to attend recruiting camps and tournaments, making it an ideal time to get in touch with them. Especially true if they saw you at the event. Check out the NCAA Recruiting Calendar to get see relevant times to email for your sport.
Email Coaches Of Teams You Match To
When emailing college coaches, you want to ensure that you’re targeting programs that align with your skill level, academic interests, and long-term goals. Here are some tips for finding the right match:
- Match To A Team: Use the HeatCheck tool to find out which college teams you match to. This will ensure you are emailing the right coaches.
- Consider the school’s academics: College is not just about sports, so ensure that the school offers a strong program in your desired major.
- Consider the schools location: Do you want to be close to home or are you ok living far away. Do you want to be in a small town or a big city? What kind of climate do you prefer to live in? You don’t want to go to a school only to find out halfway through your freshman year that you hate snow.
Use An Email Subject That Will Make College Coaches Read It
Coaches know exactly what roles they need to fill with each class so this is the most vital information to put in your email subject. A good example for a basketball player:
2024 6’3″ G – St. Louis, MO. 3.2GPA, 22PPG, 8AST
This subject gets right to the point and if you’ve matched to the team in HeatCheck you already know this coach is looking for guards in the 2024 class. GPA, while it might not seem important does matter, even at the division 1 level. Even an athlete with a full athletic scholarship can get additional academic awards which allows the program to save some money that can be used in other parts of the program like travel and facilities. So if you are the same player as another player from your class you will have an advantage with better grades.
In follow up emails you can start to add in accolades but keep the base info the same:
2024 6’3″ G – St. Louis, MO. 2023 District MVP!
As we said earlier, coaches get a lot of emails so you have to be persistent. Their are also rules prohibiting coaches from replying to emails during certain times of the year. So keep hitting them even if you aren’t hearing back.
What To Say In An Email To A College Coach
When crafting the body of your email, aim to keep it concise and professional. Use spell check and maybe even have someone proof read it for you. The key ingredients are:
- Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in the program. Keep it to one or two sentences.
Example: Hi coach, I’m Mike Smith and I’m very interested in playing for your program. I think I have what it takes to make in impact their. - Stats and Genetics: Provide an overview of your athletic accomplishments, including your position, stats, height, weight, and any awards or recognitions you’ve received. Just list them out and don’t put too many as it will just make the email too long.
Example: Guard, 6’3″, 22PPG, 8AST, 6RB, 2STL. 2x All-State, First team all district, district defensive player of the year. - Link To Your Highlight Video: The video itself is a whole other article but keep it under 3 minutes and put your best stuff int he first 30 seconds.
- Academics: Briefly mention your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and any academic honors. This demonstrates your commitment to succeeding both on and off the field.
- Conclusion: Thank the coach for their time, reiterate your interest in their program, and provide your contact information, including your social media accounts. If you plan to attend any showcases or tournaments they may be at, mention those as well.
By carefully considering the timing, matching, subject, and body of your email, you’ll increase your chances of making a strong impression on college coaches and ultimately finding the right program to continue your athletic and academic career.
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