Divisions I College Coaches On Recruitment:SFA/Denver/Texas Tech: Episode 40

About the Guest(s):
Coach Hernandez: A dedicated women's basketball coach, currently serving as a Recruiting Coordinator. Known for her commitment to player development and team culture, Hernandez has significant experience navigating the college basketball recruiting landscape.
Coach Deroo: A seasoned college basketball coach with extensive knowledge in recruiting processes across various levels, particularly in the Power Five conferences. Deroo is recognized for his strategic approach to evaluating talent and making informed recruitments.
Coach Woods: An experienced coach in women's college basketball, noted for her insights into the intricacies of recruitment and player development. Woods has contributed significantly to shaping successful teams and fostering the growth of her players.
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the "It's Just Different" podcast, Ashley Roberts hosts an in-depth conversation with coaches Hernandez, Deroo, and Woods about the nuances of basketball recruitment, team culture, and personal development in the college sports arena.
The episode delves into the importance of team dynamics, leadership, and the influence of social media on basketball recruitment.
The conversation opens with Coach Hernandez discussing the critical aspects of creating a team culture that supports and uplifts players, emphasizing the significance of mutual support between players and coaches.
Coach Deroo provides insight into what college coaches look for during recruitment, specifically the capabilities that indicate a player's potential to transition successfully to collegiate-level basketball.
Coach Woods adds her perspective on the evolving nature of college recruitment, highlighting the challenges brought on by modern dynamics such as social media and the transfer portal.
The episode also examines the impact of the NCAA's transfer portal on high school and junior college athletes. The coaches discuss how the portal has shifted recruitment strategies, with a growing preference for experienced players from other college programs over incoming freshmen.
Additionally, the discussion touches upon the importance of selecting the right college based on personal and professional growth opportunities, rather than just athletic success. The episode concludes with practical advice for high school athletes and their parents navigating the competitive landscape of college basketball recruitment.
Key Takeaways:
Team Culture and Support: Building a strong, supportive team culture is essential for player development and success. Coaches and teammates play crucial roles in this process.
Recruitment Strategies: The shift towards preferring experienced players via the transfer portal has impacted traditional high school and JUCO recruitments significantly.
Social Media's Role: Social media has transformed the recruitment landscape, for better or worse, affecting how players are scouted and evaluated.
Parental Involvement: Active and informed parental involvement can significantly influence a player's recruitment journey and college selection.
Realistic Expectations: Athletes need to have realistic expectations about their potential, capabilities, and the demands of college-level basketball
Notable Quotes:
Coach Hernandez: "You want to have a good culture, but you also want to know your coach has got your back, whether you're playing good, whether you're not, whether you're messing up."
Coach Deroo: "It’s an imperfect model, recruiting is, and we just try to do our best job right. But like, obviously kids get missed from time to time.
Coach Woods: "We just want to see you play. Play is a key word. We can't evaluate you sitting there.
Follow Ashley on IG: _thisiashleyr
Follow Its Just Different pod: @itsjustdifferntpod
Full Episodes Below:
Coach Deroo: Episode 7
Coach Woods: Episode 11
Coach Hernandez: Episode 18