3 Ways College Strength Coaches Can Play a Role in Recruiting

As strength and conditioning coaches, it is important to be aware of sports recruiting timelines and highly sought-after prospective student-athletes on campus. While sport coaches primarily lead in scouting and offering scholarships, strength and conditioning coaches can play a significant role in fostering an environment that appeals to top recruits. Here are three key ways a strength and conditioning coach can contribute to the recruiting process.

Collaborate with the sport coach to identify the key recruits they are interested in and be aware of when they are coming to campus. Knowing this will allow you time to develop a structured presentation for the athlete that highlights the long-term investment into their physical development. 

If you conduct movement screens, let the athlete know you will offer a movement screening during their freshman year because this assessment provides valuable insight into any imbalances or limitations that may contribute to injury risk. By communicating your commitment to addressing these areas, the athlete will know you are on their side.

Providing prospective student-athletes with clear numbers and projections of their potential progress shows an interest in their growth. If a high-school football player has a current 1-RM squat of 200 lbs, let him know, “We see you hitting 350 lbs by your senior year.” Also, provide examples of athlete progress you have worked with in the past. This approach not only reinforces confidence in the program’s ability to enhance athletic performance but also establishes clear expectations for improvement. 

Recruiting visits are a great opportunity to give prospective student-athletes a firsthand look at your strength and conditioning program. Depending on the NCAA division, there are different rules regarding official visits for recruits. For example, some divisions allow the recruit to participate in one practice session with the team on their official visit. If your program permits it, this is an awesome way to showcase your training philosophy and give recruits a feel for what it’s like to work with you by participating in a practice session.

At Cedarville University, where I work with the women’s soccer team, we implement speed training when a high-priority recruit attends practice. After a very intentional dynamic warm-up, I lead a brief speed session to give the recruit an authentic look at how we train. Taking the time to slow down the warm-up can also highlight the emphasis placed on injury prevention and movement quality. Even if certain elements—like an extended warm-up—aren’t part of the sport coach’s daily routine, it can still offer valuable insight into the overall approach to athlete development.

Additionally, this is a great time to introduce recruits to the methods used for tracking workload during training sessions. Show them what data is collected, how it’s analyzed, and how it contributes to both performance improvements and injury prevention. Giving them a sense of how your program balances training intensity, recovery, and long-term development can be a key factor in their decision-making process.

While this might seem obvious, it is very important. You want recruits to be able to envision themselves training and competing at your school, and a facilities tour is a fantastic way to do this. Walk them through the weight room, recovery areas, and any available nutrition services. Show them the athletic training space, ice baths, and other resources to support their development, wellness, and recovery.

If your program utilizes technology in the weight room, make sure to show it. Whether it’s a strength and conditioning app they will use to log weights on their phone, velocity-based training (VBT) devices, force plates, or other high-tech equipment, giving recruits a look at these tools can make a strong impression. Advanced technology not only enhances training but also demonstrates that your program is committed to the athlete’s performance development. Showing recruits how you use data to track progress, optimize workouts, and prevent injuries can help reiterate the idea that they’ll be training in an elite environment designed for success.

By giving recruits an idea of what your program has to offer—both in terms of training philosophy and physical resources—you can help them feel confident that your school is the right fit for their athletic and personal growth.

Conclusion

As a college strength coach, your influence extends beyond just the athletes already in your program.  Collaborating with sport coaches to see how you can contribute to the recruiting process is essential. As we know, strength and conditioning plays a major role in an athlete’s development over their four years in a program.

With that said, recruiting rules vary across divisions and sports, so it’s important to stay informed about what applies to your specific situation. By being proactive in the recruiting process, you can help attract elite talent and set them up for long-term success in your program.