How to Email A College Coach
No matter what your reason is for contacting a college coach, it's crucial to include the following elements in your emails:
- A strong subject line to indicate who you are and the purpose of the email. Your name, Grad Year, Position, High School and/or Club, Topic of Email should be included here. You’ll provide more detail about this topic in the email.
- Address each coach. Avoid general greetings like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Express interest! Always be specific about why you are interested in that program.
- Include notable athletic or academic achievements. This is critical in Intro emails.
- Provide Video. When you message coaches through your SportsRecruits account, coaches automatically get an embedded link to visit your SportsRecruits video library. When they click this link, you’ll be notified when your video has been reviewed.
- Always include at the end: “Please let me know if there is anything you need from me.”
- Correct grammar. Always check your grammar and spelling! See if a guardian or parent can review the message before you send it.
The Importance of Subject Lines
The subject line of your email is one of the most underrated aspects of contacting a college coach. This is the first piece of information a college coach will see before they open your email - it can make a difference in whether they choose to open it! Your subject line should clarify who you are, your grad year, your position (or your event if you are a track and field athlete or swimmer), and the purpose of your email. Below are some examples:
- Name | Grad Year | Position | Topic of Email
- Name | Grad Year | Position | Club | Topic of Email
- Name | Grad Year | Position | SAT Score or ACT Score | Topic of Email
- Name | Grad Year | Position | Club | Topic of Email
How to Write the Introduction Email
Why Your Introduction is Important
The introduction email is where it all starts! Making a great first impression is essential. Remember, you are trying to set yourself apart from other potential recruits. However, conveying your personality and genuine interest through an email takes time and effort.
You want to make sure this message is personalized so that coaches can gauge your interest in their program. Here is an example of a strong first message addressed to every coach at the program. You will want to send an introductory message to all the colleges in your initial target list of schools.
When Else Should I Be Emailing College Coaches?
Once you have had some back and forth with a coach, keeping the conversation going will typically be up to you. Remember, you can always send updates to coaches without fear of violating contact rules.
- Inform them of an event you are attending
- Added or updated video on your profile
- Added or updated your transcript on your profile
- If you are visiting campus
- Five days before your official or unofficial campus visit
- On the day of a coach’s off-campus visit with you
- Wishing a coach good luck in a pivot game/match
- Any new athletic accomplishments
- Setting up a phone call to learn more about the program
As a general rule of thumb, if it has been over 3 months since you’ve contacted a program, you should be able to find some new information you can provide them with.
Sample Email Templates for Student-Athletes
Below are sample email templates you may refer to for scenarios you’ll face frequently throughout your recruiting process. Remember, coaches can tell when a student has copied and pasted a template. At the end of the day, the email should sound like you!
Example Template: Introduction Email
Email Template: Before an Event
Attending a recruiting event doesn’t make sense if you haven’t reached out to coaches beforehand to invite them to your games! Use this template to share your schedule with college coaches 7-10 days before an upcoming event.
Email Template: Sharing Academic Information
Coaches want to know that you can handle the academic demands of their school. One of the best ways to check in with a coach is to send them updates about new transcripts, new standardized test scores, or upper-level courses you’re taking (i.e. college courses, AP Courses, Honors, IB).
Email Template: New Video
Coaches need video to evaluate you and want to see your progress! Once you have video uploaded on your SportsRecruits profile, don’t let it go unseen. Message coaches to let them know you have new footage and to ask for their feedback.
Email Template: Scheduling a Phone Call
If you are in your Junior or Senior Year and have already exchanged several emails with a coach, it may be time to get on a call to learn more about where you stand with their program. Use this email to schedule a phone call. Learn how to fully prepare for this call here.
Using the SportsRecruits Messaging System to Reach College Coaches
Finding coaches' email addresses can be a pain. With the SportsRecruits Messaging System, you can reach out to any college coach in the country with just a few clicks. Every message you send through the Messaging System includes an embedded link to your SportsRecruits profile.
When a coach clicks this link, you will see in real-time who is taking the time to look at your profile, video, or transcripts. Using the SportsRecruits Messaging System, coaches can easily evaluate all your information in one place. Check out our video below to see how easy it is.
How Do I Include Film in My Messages?
With the SportsRecruits Messaging System, you do not need to attach your film. There will be a link embedded in every message you send. This link will take college coaches directly to your SportsRecruits profile to view your video.
Remember, when you message coaches through the SportsRecruits Messaging System, you are alerted in real-time when they view your video, profile, or transcript after reading your email.
Who Should I Be Emailing on the Coaching Staff?
You should be emailing everyone on the coaching staff. This is because you never know who is in charge of the program's recruiting process! Select all the coaching staff through the SportsRecruits Messaging System, and make sure to address everyone you are reaching out to. For example: Dear Coach Smith, Coach Jones, Coach White.