Calling College Coaches: Phone Scripts and Voicemail Templates to Use on Your Calls

In an era filled with text messages, emails, tweets and other communications, do student-athletes know how to talk to college coaches on the phone? Sure, calling college coaches can be scary. But a well-placed phone call can be extremely impactful in recruiting. In fact, our research has found that the average college coach receives a mere seven phone calls from recruits each week—or fewer! Calling college coaches is a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd and get attention. Don’t know how to call a college coach? Or, maybe you don’t know what questions to ask college coaches. Either way, we’re here to help you feel confident calling college coaches. Follow along for coach phone call do’s and don’ts!

When should you start calling coaches?

The best time to start calling college coaches is after you’ve sent them a couple introductory emails. According to NCAA recruiting rules, D1 and D2 coaches aren’t allowed to answer or return the call until June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year or September 1 of their junior year, depending on your sport. Keep this in mind as you’re calling college coaches. Even if the coach isn’t able to call you yet, they are still going to be building out their recruiting class by evaluating prospects online and at events. Before you can begin talking with college coaches, focus on your online recruiting profile and establish communications through your club and/or high school coach.

It’s never too early to start practicing what to say to a college coach on the phone. To help you make the most of every coach phone calls, we’ve included some preparation tips, sample scripts and questions, so you’ll know exactly how to talk to college coaches. Overall, remember to be enthusiastic and passionate about the coach’s program. Coaches look to recruit athletes who genuinely are interested in their program, and phone calls are a great time to communicate your excitement.

How to get ready for calling college coaches

Calling college coaches takes some preparation, but if you put in the work beforehand, your call will go much smoother. And remember: College coaches have been through this process thousands of times. They understand how intimidating and nerve-wracking it can be for high school athletes to call them. If you go into the call armed with the right questions to ask a coach, they will most likely be impressed with your effort so don’t worry about any small mistakes along the way.

Here are good ways to prepare for calling college coaches:

• Practice with a friend or family member. Before calling college coaches, role play the call with a friend, parent or sibling. Have them play the part of the coach, and make sure they ask you tough questions (we have a list of potential questions coaches will ask recruits outlined below) that you will receive when you’re calling college coaches. If you can’t role play before you call a coach, practice your answers in front of the mirror.
• Do your research about the school and program before calling. Coaches want to know you’re genuinely interested in their program. Make sure you have a few key facts about the school and the team at hand. Visit the school’s website to learn more about the coaching staff and team bios. If they are in season, know what the team’s record is and read the latest game recaps, or press releases. Then, write it down and study. Research suggests that writing things down by hand helps you remember.
• Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Coach Chris Sartorius, who has coached men’s and women’s basketball at three different Division I schools, says, “Coaches want to have a good, personal conversation.” He adds, “If your family wants to listen, that’s fine, but make sure that you aren’t distracted.” If you feel more comfortable taking the call alone, let your family know you need to be in a quiet room without distractions and fill them in on the call afterwards.

If you can, call a coach while you’re in front of a computer, laptop or tablet. Open up a few different tabs you can use for reference: the school website, some articles about the team and the team roster, as well as your phone call script and your list of questions for the coach. Have your initial emails to the coach open, too, so you can reference when you sent them, and you can resend them if the coach asks. However, you don’t want to get distracted while talking to college coaches on the phone. So, if the computer will cause you to lose focus on the conversation, it’s best to prepare your thoughts by writing them down or with additional practice.

What’s the best time of day to call college coaches?

The best time of day to call college coaches is between 6-9 p.m. when they are in season. Before you start calling college coaches, consider what times throughout the day and week they will be available to talk. Coach Sartorius explains, “Typically, I’d get out of practice around 6 p.m. and be talking to recruits anywhere from 6:30-11 p.m. at night,” Coach Sartorius explains.

If the coach isn’t in season, there is more flexibility to call them in the morning or afternoon. Not sure when to call a coach? Just ask them! Sometimes, the best thing to do is proactively reach out and schedule coach phone calls through an introductory email, text, or social media DM.

How to talk to college coaches on the phone (and video chat): Do’s and don’ts

What you should do:

• Find a quiet room and remove any distractions. If a recruit is distracted during the call, the coach will likely assume they aren’t interested in the program. Turn off the TV. And if you’re using your cell phone, mute all notifications so you aren’t interrupted with a text or social media notification.
• Be clear about why you are interested in the program. The recruit should mention any personal connections they have to the program and what attracted them to the school or program. When thinking about what to say to college coaches on the phone, it’s a good rule of thumb to have at least three reasons you want to be recruited by their program.
• Explain why you are a good fit for the program. Coaches want to know how a recruit can contribute to the team’s growth and success. Don’t limit your response to talking to college coaches about athletic talent alone. Set yourself apart from other recruits by demonstrating the traits and characteristics of successful student-athletes.
• Answer the coach’s questions fully and clearly. Prior to coach phone calls, practice answering questions college coaches will ask recruits with a family member or friend, so you can confidently deliver your answers during the call.
• Prepare questions for the coach. Don’t go into a call without preparing a few questions to ask college coaches on the phone. Asking questions is a good indicator to coaches that an athlete is genuinely interested in their program.
• Take notes on coach phone calls. It’s important to stay organized while talking to college coaches on the phone. Sometimes, a coach can give you a lot of information on a phone call and it can be difficult to recall all you spoke about. Write down what questions they asked you, news about the team, and any action items you need to follow up on. For example, if the coach gives you specific dates for an upcoming visit or event.

What you shouldn’t do:

• Don’t be timid. A phone conversation gives recruits the opportunity to sell their potential, ask questions and get feedback on where they stand in the coach’s recruiting class. Talking to college coaches on the phone is also a great way to show your personality.
• Don’t only talk about athletics during coach phone calls. Remember, coaches want well-rounded athletes, so recruits should highlight how they can positively contribute to the team’s athletic, academic, and cultural success.
• Don’t dominate the call. It is important for recruits to find a balance between talking about themselves and their interest in the program. It’s important to have questions to ask a coach on hand but be sure to let the coach ask questions, too. 
• Don’t give short answers. Avoid answering questions coaches will ask recruits with a simple “yes” or “no” response. Coaches are more likely to pursue a recruit if they feel the athlete portrays excitement and is actively engaged in the phone call. Try your best to relax when you call a coach. This is an introductory conversation to get to know each other, not an interview.

1st phone call with a college coach and what to expect

Before your first phone call with a college coach, there is a lot of preparation that needs to be done. By now you should have solid research on the program and practiced your responses with either a friend or family member. So, how do you know what to do when a college coach calls? Former D3 Head Coach Pam Monier and former D1 and D3 college swimming coach Danny Koenig break down what prospective recruits should expect during their first phone call with a college coach, including:

• What questions college coaches will ask you 
• How to let coaches know you’d make a great addition to their program 
• Why confidence is key when talking on the phone with college coaches

General script for calling college coaches

When you’re calling college coaches, think of the framework for your call like this:

• Introduction, the reason you’re calling
• Why you’re interested in their program
• What you’d like to know about the program and what you’re going to do next.

To help you get a general concept of how coach phone calls will go, we’ve created a script for you to reference:

Introduction

“Hi Coach Brown, my name is Jane Doe and I’m an outside hitter at ABC High School. I recently sent you an email with my highlight video and wanted to follow up with you! Do you have a few minutes to talk right now?

In your introduction, bring up the specific reason you emailed the coach: Was it is to send them your highlight video, to show them your top stats and accolades or to arrange an unofficial visit? Be specific here.

“It’s not a good time”

“No problem! When would be a better time for me to call you back?”

• Wait to see what the coach says. If they need to consult their calendar and get back to you, let them know you’ll follow up via email to schedule a better time. Try to set a meeting during this call, but if that’s not possible, don’t force it! Either way, let them know you’ll be in touch.
• If a coach says that they are not interested in recruiting you at this point, that’s OK. You can always ask them for advice in the recruiting process. Be sure to thank them for their time.

“I can talk right now”

“Great! I’ve been following your program for a while now, and was really impressed by your win against XYZ State last weekend. I’d love to learn more about what you’re looking for in an outside hitter.

• At this point, you can start asking the questions that you have prepared. The coach will probably want to ask some questions of you, as well. Make sure that you listen attentively to what the coach has to say and take notes to reference later on.

“I have to get off the phone”: “Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me! I’ll resend you the email I sent on Tuesday so you can take a look at my highlight video when you get a chance. I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback!”

• No matter how the phone call went, be sure to thank the coach for their time. If this is the first of many calls—or the only call you have with this coach—you want to leave them with a positive impression of you.

Leaving a voicemail for a college coach

In many cases when calling college coaches, you’ll get sent to their voicemail. Before you call the coach, write out exactly what you want to say if you do get their voicemail. Then, give yourself a call and leave your prepared message. Listen to how it sounds and revise your script if necessary. Here are a few key pieces of information you want to be sure to include:

• Your name
• Your high school and location
• Your position(s)
• Your grad year
• Reason you’re calling (for example, following up on an introductory email, trying to schedule an unofficial visit, etc.)
• How you will be following up (via email, phone, etc.)
• The best number to contact you at
• A closing “thank you for your time”

We’ve included a sample voicemail script to help you get started in writing yours:

“Hi Coach Brown, my name is Jane Doe and I’m an outside hitter at ABC High School and will be graduating in 2023. I’m calling to follow up on an email I sent on September 1. I’d love to know what you thought of my highlight video and if you have any feedback for me.

“I’ll give you a call back tomorrow, September 28th at 7:30 p.m., and I’ll resend my email so you can check out my highlight video. My phone number is 123-456-7890. Thank you so much and I’m looking forward to talking to you!”

Questions to ask college coaches on the phone

When you’re calling college coaches, you need to have a list of questions prepared to ask them, which you will customize for each individual coach you’re talking to. For example, if you’re speaking with a coach at a highly competitive academic school, focus on academic-based questions.

We’ve included some questions below to ask college coaches to determine if their school is a good academic, athletic, cultural and financial fit for you, including a few overlooked questions you shouldn’t forget! Plus, we also break down what questions recruits should avoid asking college coaches.

Questions to ask college coaches about academics

• Do you offer majors I’m interested in? What are the most popular majors for athletes on your team?
• Are there any specific majors that would interfere with the athletic schedule? 
• Does your team have an academic advisor and/or tutoring available to athletes?
• Are team study halls required or recommended? 
• What are academic goals I should strive for to meet the criteria of your university?
• What is the typical class size on campus? 
• What are the admissions requirements for the school and/or for student athletes?
• Do most of your players graduate in four years?

Questions to ask college coaches about athletics / the recruiting process

• How is your recruiting class looking for my graduation year?
• What’s the best way to update you on my progress?
• Are there any camps, combines or showcases you’d recommend I go to?
• Will you be coaching at any camps this year?
• Where do you typically evaluate recruits?
• Are athletes on your team allowed to participate in more than one sport? 
• What are your expectations of your student-athletes in the off-season?
• Does the team travel? How does the team travel? Will I travel with the team my freshman year? 
• If I come to your school for an unofficial visit, would you be able to meet with me?
• How many players for my position will you be recruiting in my grad year?
• What goals do you have for the team?

Questions to ask college coaches about cultural / social fit

• How do the athletes on your team interact with each other? Do they hang out together outside of practice and games?
• What is housing like on campus? Is the housing situation different for athletes? 
• Are student-athletes required to live on campus all four years they attend school?
• Do teammates typically live together on or off-campus?
• Do athletes stay on campus during the summer? What about winter or spring breaks?
• Is it realistic to have a part-time job, volunteer or get involved with other clubs during the off-season? 
• What are the biggest challenges your student-athletes face at school? 
• What is campus life like?

Questions to ask college coaches about scholarships and financial aid

• What does it take to earn a scholarship with your program? 
• How many scholarships do you have available for my graduation year?
• What happens if I get injured? Will I lose my scholarship?
• If freshmen aren’t eligible for scholarships, will I be eligible for scholarship money next year?
• Are there work – study programs I can sign up for? Is it possible for student-athletes to have a part time job or work- study position on campus?
• What type of academic and athletic scholarships are available for student-athletes? Are my GPA and test scores on track to qualify for a merit-based scholarship or grant?
• Does the school offer additional financial aid? 
• Who is the main point of contact in the financial aid office that my family can talk to if we have more questions about paying for college?

Questions to avoid asking college coaches

Earlier, we discussed good questions to ask college coaches on the phone. On the flip side, there are questions and behaviors to avoid when talking to college coaches. During your first few coach phone calls:

• Avoid asking for a scholarship. You need to develop a relationship with the coach before you start asking them for money. A way to ease into the conversation could including asking questions about academic scholarships, financial aid and what it takes to earn a spot on the team or qualify for an athletic scholarship.
• Avoid asking questions you can research on your own. Like, what division level a program is in or what conference they compete in.

Watch our recruiting experts break down more questions student-athletes should avoid asking college coaches:

What questions do college coaches ask recruits?

As with any conversation, your calls with college coaches will involve you asking questions and the coach asking some in return. No matter how tough the question, the best policy is honesty. Never oversell or lie about your athletic or academic abilities. If you are asked a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t be afraid to tell the coach you’re not sure, but you’ll get back to them later when you have the answer. Take a deep breath and a second to think before responding if you need it.

What questions do college coaches ask recruits? To help you prepare for coach questions in advance, we’ve created a list of common questions coaches will ask recruits during an initial phone call. We recommend that you prepare your responses to these questions before you start calling college coaches.

• How are you doing in school: What is your GPA and test scores?
• What major are you interested in?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses as a player? What are you currently working on improving?
• What kind of training have you been doing?
• Why are you interested in my school and/or program?
• What are your interests or hobbies outside of your sport?
• What other schools are you interested in?
• What other schools are recruiting you?
• Why do you think you can play at this level?

For more on the topic, check out this video featuring former D1 softball player Jamie Duffek and former D3 softball player and head coach Renee Barrows

What does it mean when a college coach calls you

Are you getting coach phone calls? When a college coach calls a recruit, it’s usually a good sign that they are seriously interested in recruiting them!  Here are a few reasons why a college coach calls a recruit:

• Introduce themselves, their coaching staff and program
• Learn more about you and what you’re looking for in a school
• Ask questions about your academics and athletics
• Find out who else is recruiting you
• Establish a line of communication

Making a follow up phone call to a coach

Remember, the NCAA says when a coach can – and cannot – call a recruit directly. If you call a coach and reach their voicemail, always include a contact number or email for your high school or club coach so they can help coordinate a phone call.

If you haven’t heard back from calling college coaches after a few days to a week, consider making a follow up phone call. Here are few things you can try before placing a follow up phone call:

• Fill out their recruiting questionnaire online
• Send a follow up email with an attractive subject line and ask to schedule a phone call
• Ask your high school or club coach to reach out for you. They’ll be able to gauge the school’s level of interest and lock down a time for you to call a coach.

Don’t worry if you don’t hear back immediately. Coaches are extremely busy, especially during season. However, after multiple email and follow up phone call attempts it may be time to move on. Continue moving down your list of schools and keep calling college coaches!

Learn more about following up with college coaches.

How to tell a college coach you want to commit

If you’re ready to announce your commitment, congrats! Accepting a college offer is an exciting time for student-athletes. The best way to accept a college offer is either in-person or by phone call. Not every athlete can accept in-person, so we recommend you call a coach as soon as you’ve made your decision.

Here’s how to tell a college coach you want to commit:

• Express your gratitude for the offer.
• Tell the coach why you chose their program (and that you accept!).
• Emphasize the impact you plan to have on the team’s athletic, academic and cultural success.
• Bring up the relationships you’ve built with the coaching staff and players throughout the recruiting process and how you look forward to being a part of the program.
• Send a follow up email to the coach after your phone call. This will help lock in your commitment.