How To Email College Coaches and Get 5 Responses A Day (With Template)
If you're emailing or messaging college football coaches and they aren't responding, or they're just sending you camp invites, and you're pulling your hair out in frustration because you aren't getting any offers, then this post is for you. Here, we'll share exactly what you should send to a coach to get the best chance of getting a response and turning that response into an actual offer. This includes what to say, how to say it, when to say it, the subject line to use, and how to set up your email properly. We’ll cover timing, follow-ups, and the relationship-building process so you can have a serious unfair advantage over every other athlete. Essentially, this is everything you need to start getting responses today, even if you’re younger than June 15th of your junior year.
The Common Mistakes Athletes Make
Most athletes send a direct message (DM) or email pitch detailing their height, weight, accolades, stats, and video links. College coaches often delete these emails because they seem like cold pitches. Another common mistake is using recruiting software, which usually comes with a generic template that coaches can quickly identify. These emails often get filtered and never opened. Also, using common subject lines like “2026 linebacker” instantly marks your email as just another recruiting message.
Treating Football Recruitment Like a Business
Your athlete must treat himself like a business, with the recruiting process viewed as a marketing and sales process. Many athletes excel on the field and in the weight room but lack confidence when it comes to marketing themselves. As a result, coaches give them vague responses or none at all. Overcoming this requires doing what actually works: focusing on marketing and sales.
Overcoming Common Fears
The main thing holding most athletes back is fear—fear of failure, rejection, and what people will think. Many athletes are too shy or concerned about bothering coaches. It’s normal to have these concerns, but you need to overcome them to be successful.
The Sales and Marketing Protocol
It’s critical to understand the overall framework: the marketing protocol and the sales process. The marketing protocol includes posting, engaging, and maintaining a good highlight video. This is always active and improving. The sales process involves the initial outreach, getting responses, setting up calls, selling a visit, and securing an offer. The first step is to identify the area coach from each targeted school.
The Targeting Process
Instead of focusing on only one division, split your efforts: 50% on sure-thing schools, 30% on push schools, and 20% on dream schools. This diversification gives you the best chance of securing multiple offers.
The Initial Outreach Goal
The goal of your first email is simple: find out who the area coach is. This email should be no more than two lines. Don’t pitch or sell; just ask who the area coach for your region is.
Personalizing Your Message
Here’s a key point: personalize your message. Start with a line about the coach or the team, something specific from their bio. For example, “Congrats on only allowing 19 points per game and having 23 turnovers in 12 games.” This shows that your email isn’t just a generic blast.
Email Structure
Address the coach by their last name, include the personalized line, and ask about the area coach. Express appreciation for their response. If you’re younger than June 15th of your junior year, just include your name in the signature. If you’re older, include a link to your highlight video.
Subject Line
Keep it simple: just use the school’s name. Avoid overly complex or common subject lines. This stands out more and is more likely to be opened.
Making Contact Through Multiple Channels
Besides email, call the coaches, send them the same message on Twitter and LinkedIn, and follow up through these channels if needed. Persistence is key. Follow up one week after your initial email and continue for about five weeks.
Timing
Start your outreach as a freshman. Find out who all the area coaches are and begin building relationships early. By the time you’re a junior, coaches will already know who you are, setting you up for potential offers.
Moving Forward
The skills and processes discussed here are essential for consistently getting responses and offers from college coaches. If you’re committed to securing the best possible opportunities, continue mastering these skills and follow the process diligently.
Conclusion
This post provides you simple yet powerful steps to start getting responses from college coaches. The key is effort and persistence. You can achieve a lot by systematically reaching out, personalizing your messages, and building relationships. If you're committed and ready to go all-in, start today and watch for new responses and opportunities.
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