2 answers
4
Questions
Asked
280 views
What are the top 5 things that College Coaches look for in a athlete?
I want to prioritize the main things that college coaches look for so I am well prepared to be what they look for
Login to comment
2 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1087
Answers
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I have worked with many coaches, in my career, and I think I can add the following:
The coaches, I know, seem to prioritize character and mental makeup over raw talent alone. While many acknowledge that physical speed and natural ability are essential, along with coachability, they generally do not select a player based on performance alone.
Many of the things they look for are:
Players of character rather than "players who are characters". They see that character is the true self, while reputation is merely how others perceive a person.
They look for individuals eager to sacrifice personal glory for the welfare of the team. It is famously stated, "It takes ten hands to make a basket," emphasizing that they want players who would make the team better rather than just being the best individual players.
They also like a recruit's consistency, and they like it when the player gave top effort every night, not just on occasion.
They look for players willing to be coached and those who possess the discipline to follow their specific system.
I have known coaches, who look at potential player's family life, to measure their ability to build healthy relationships, which they see as essential for team camaraderie.
Yes, they also like athletic ability, especially quickness and the ability to execute fundamentals correctly and quickly.
So, they definitely look for players with high character, self-discipline, and a "team-first" mentality rather than just raw talent or reputation. They valued consistency, coachability, and an enthusiasm to learn and improve. The other key traits include being a good teammate, playing to their maximum potential, and maintaining composure.
The coaches, I know, seem to prioritize character and mental makeup over raw talent alone. While many acknowledge that physical speed and natural ability are essential, along with coachability, they generally do not select a player based on performance alone.
Many of the things they look for are:
Players of character rather than "players who are characters". They see that character is the true self, while reputation is merely how others perceive a person.
They look for individuals eager to sacrifice personal glory for the welfare of the team. It is famously stated, "It takes ten hands to make a basket," emphasizing that they want players who would make the team better rather than just being the best individual players.
They also like a recruit's consistency, and they like it when the player gave top effort every night, not just on occasion.
They look for players willing to be coached and those who possess the discipline to follow their specific system.
I have known coaches, who look at potential player's family life, to measure their ability to build healthy relationships, which they see as essential for team camaraderie.
Yes, they also like athletic ability, especially quickness and the ability to execute fundamentals correctly and quickly.
So, they definitely look for players with high character, self-discipline, and a "team-first" mentality rather than just raw talent or reputation. They valued consistency, coachability, and an enthusiasm to learn and improve. The other key traits include being a good teammate, playing to their maximum potential, and maintaining composure.
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Gabriel, great question! So the top 5 things college coaches typically look for in an athlete are: 1) Athletic ability and skill level, because coaches want to see that you've got the raw talent and sport-specific skills to compete at the college level, so keep grinding at your craft. 2) Academic performance, and this one surprises a lot of people, but your GPA and test scores matter a ton because if you can't get admitted or stay eligible, a coach can't use you, so keep those grades up. 3) Coachability and attitude, since coaches want players who are willing to listen, learn, and adapt without bringing drama to the team, so show them you can take feedback and run with it. 4) Work ethic and competitiveness, meaning they're watching how hard you go in games and in practice, whether you hustle on every play, and if you've got that fire to compete when things get tough. 5) Character and leadership, because coaches recruit people, not just players, so they're paying attention to how you treat teammates, opponents, and refs, how you handle adversity, and whether you're someone who lifts the culture of their program. Good luck out there!