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Ten tough recruiting questions What questions should coaches be asking? By: Malamute, 13 January 2004
On his talk show, Pinkel, head coach at Missouri, had this to say about recruiting, “Don James was a genius at handling personnel. I’m certainly not close to that, but I learned an awful lot from him. The whole key is constantly maintaining athletes at all positions. It’s sounds easy, but it’s very difficult. It requires, obviously, not making very many recruiting mistakes. It’s not signing enough great players that hurt programs; recruiting mistakes destroy football teams. They actually get coaches fired. If half the players you sign don’t play in future years down the road--they aren’t good enough to play in this league--then you are going to have giant gaps all over your depth, and you’re going to have very serious problems.” Well, I’ll take a shot at preparing some tough questions that coaches should be asking of themselves and the recruit. In my mind, recruits need to score at least 8 out of 10 on my list below. I took this test, using my answers as a benchmark for qualification, that is, I shouldn’t be able to qualify, lest something is decidedly wrong with these questions. The X's below mark my disqualification. Malamute's tough recruiting questions 1. If he’s an offensive or defensive lineman, does he have the potential to play on Sundays? A couple of yes’s each recruiting season would be fine. Other five-star recruits at other positions would certainly be acceptable. I go to church on Sundays. (X) 2. Has he ever had a debilitating injury and/or have a congenital condition that might affect his play at the UW in future years? Yes, I have. I hurt my back playing golf, bending over to pick the ball out of the cup. I have no genital conditions. (X). 3. Is he a capable student, one who is eventually interested in obtaining a college degree? Can he meet the entrance requirements, based on scholastic aptitude scores and core curriculum grades? I already have a degree, although it was from the UW. I'll take the tests again. 4. Does he have the heart, emotional drive and work ethic necessary to make him an outstanding player? I have a heart; my car has a five-speed, motional drive. 5. Is he a selfless player, one who might be willing to play at another position if necessary? Yes, I am selfish and willing to play at another position. 6. Considering his position, does he have the necessary size, skill, speed and strength to play in the Pac-10? No, I don’t, but I believe I've never been evaluated properly. (X). 7. Has he ever been in trouble with the law, had truancy problems at school, or used forbidden drugs? No, I haven’t. I used to drink liquor on occasion, but I was over 21 then. 8. Doe he respect and admire the football tradition at Washington? I certainly do and am willing to bark in the Husky tunnel. 9. Is he a malleable player, one who will listen to the coaches and continue to improve his skills, athleticism and strength under their tutelage? Yes, I'm malevolent and expect to improve my skull. 10. How badly does he want to be a dawg? Let’s just say that I want to be a dawg, big time. Results: I scored 7, so I don’t quality. Whew, the questions are cool. Richard Linde (a.k.a., Malamute) can be reached at malamute@4malamute.com |
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Each
recruiting season, coaches tell us that there are ten tough questions that recruiters should be asking
relating to a prospect. As
far as I know, none of the recruiters ever tell us what questions they have in
mind. However, Gary Pinkel, former assistant coach at the UW under Don James,
gives us a hint as to what they might be.