What to Say When a College Coach Calls, and What to Ask

7 min read · Updated September 17, 2026

The short answer

Answer yourself, be ready to talk about your season and your goals, and ask real questions — coaches expect them, and they tell you whether a program fits. Keep a short list of questions on your phone, take notes after every call, and send a thank-you the same day.

Before the phone rings

Save the coaches on your list in your contacts, so you recognize the call and answer it.
Know a few things about each program: last season’s record, the conference, the head coach’s name, and a major you might study there.
Have your season stats, grades and upcoming schedule where you can see them.
The athlete takes the call, not a parent. Coaches want to hear how you communicate.

On the call

Find a quiet place, say thank you, and let the coach lead at first.
When asked about yourself, be specific: your position, what you do well, what you are working on, and your goals in college: on the court or field and in the classroom.
It’s fine to say “I don’t know yet” about a major or a decision date. It’s not fine to sound uninterested.

Questions to ask about the program

How do you see me fitting into your program: what position and role?
How many players at my position are you recruiting in my class?
What does a typical week look like in season and out of season?
How do players earn playing time as freshmen?
What is your style of play, and why do you think my game fits it?

Questions about school, life and cost

How do athletes on the team balance classes with practice and travel? Are there majors that don’t work with the schedule?
What academic support is there for athletes?
Is there athletic aid available for my position, and how do academic and need-based aid work alongside it at your school?
What should I do next: a visit, a camp, a questionnaire, more film?

Asking about money is normal and expected. Coaches would rather you ask than be surprised later.

After the call

Write down what you learned while it’s fresh: names, what they asked for, any dates.
Send a short thank-you email the same day, mentioning one thing from the conversation.
Do what they asked for, and set a reminder if they said to follow up at a certain time.

Common questions

Should the athlete or the parent answer the call?

The athlete. A parent can be in the room and can join at the end, but a coach is calling to hear how the player talks, thinks and answers.

What questions should you ask a college coach?

Ask about your role and the players they are recruiting at your position, what a normal week looks like in and out of season, and what the school costs after aid.

What happens after the call?

Send a short thank-you the same day, answer anything you promised to send, and write down what was said — in three months those details are what make the next conversation easy.

Official source: NCAA Recruiting (contact rules)

Keep every conversation on track

RecruitGrid keeps notes on each coach, has a thank-you template for right after a call, and reminds you on the day a coach’s next step is due.

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Prefer it on paper? This chapter and 14 more are in the Recruiting Playbook — one printable PDF with worksheets for your target list, camp budget and coach calls. $19.

Written one and not sure about it? Post it in RecruitGrid Families — a free group where somebody reads your draft and tells you what to cut.