Ask coaches, high-school and college alike, what the biggest problem facing them in the recruiting game is and nearly every answer will be the same: Logistics. Whether it is outlandish distances coupled with overly-strict time constraints or tedious limitations on camp visitations, coaches are finding it next to impossible to fulfill even the most basic duties of recruiting. Enter two men with a vision and a company with the vehicle of exposure.
Tim Glanton, South Paulding and Ahmad Tinker, Kendrick both saw a need to ease the many burdens that coaches face in the modern recruiting era. One might argue that the recruiting landscape has been made smaller with the advent of the internet but many of the perceived advantages have been all but rendered useless due the massive amounts of red tape—compliments of the powers-that-be.
Thus, the idea was to set up a forum whereby coaches from both sides could meet and discuss potential prospects, swap film and further develop the ever-important lifeline known as the network. The two pioneers needed a sponsor and what better sponsor to have than recruiting giant Scout.com.
“During the spring there have been times when we as coaches have been in class and we really can’t entertain the college coaches the way we want to. We wanted to get the college coaches away from school and sit down and really talk about the kids,” Glanton would say.
On Thursday, April 29 and Thursday, May 1 the first of many steps were taken in an attempt to maximize on the recruiting of the surplus of talent in the great state of Georgia.
“Success in recruiting is all about relationships and we wanted to be able to sit down and spend the kind of time it takes to build those relationships.”
Although the turnout was a little less than expected, there were still numerous coaches in attendance who benefited from the ability merely to sit down and discuss a player. Ever the optimist, Glanton found the silver lining.
“It was a good day. Being in the metro area, we kind of thought there would be more high school coaches. But at the same time there were around 28 high school coaches and 32 colleges represented. It gave the high schools an advantage because all of the high schools got attention.”
High School coaches had tables set up with highlights running of some of their top prospects and college coaches had the luxury of touring the entire room. Transcripts were available and film changed hands all day long. Contacts were made and prospects were discovered that normally would not have been.
“For a college recruiter on a typical day, the most he will be able to visit is 8-10 schools—The most. And that causes burnout, too, because you are going hard on the road all day. Having 28 in one location is a great day.”
The event was highlighted by a catered lunch and the attendance of several top coaches from the area.
Mississippi College Coach Norman Joseph gives a clinic
Georgia Coach Rodney Garner works with a coach
Alabama Coach Kirby Smart
Auburn Coach Terry Price
Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and DC Kirby Smart
At the end of the day the ultimate goal is to benefit young student-athletes and it spears the Scout Recruiting Expo is just what the doctor ordered.
Burke Hayes is the Southeastern Regional Manager for Football Recruiting at Scout.