I recently started playing D1 after years of playing D2 and D3. FWIW, my D1 team is under carl3298 so you can't see my resume here. So far all my 2 teams have been decent and both low level or mid-major (Samford & Xavier). I have been able to make the sweet 16 twice (once with each school) and build up the schools to B or B+ prestige.
I had a lot of help from a veteran coach which was tremendous. This was a huge help.
Anyhow, my general thoughts:
- with D level prestige, you are at a real disadvantage to almost everyone. Because of that, my guess is your best bet will be staying within 360 miles for the most part (>360 will obviously gives you greater cost, and still prestige problem)
- be very sober minded about entering a battle with schools your above your prestige. you aren't likely to won't win a battle with B prestige guys or higher if they are in the 360 loop of the recruit (unless you have some other advantage such as 6 scholarships and he has one, and you want to spend lots of cash)
- don't be naïve. someone is always watching good players. even low rated, high potential players are desirable. It is uncommon to see decent players un-challenged. that said, I have found role players often that go unbothered. My guess is I am lucky to grab them b/c bigger schools want better players so they pass them up and generally there are fewer lower level D1 schools to battle over left-overs.
- also in regarding to not being naïve, protect you player if he is only considering you - make sure FSS says you are "very tight" or something along those lines. if a school wants to pick a battle, they will look for teams that don't have that "tight" message on FSS
- expect last minute bombs. it is very common in D1 to get hit right before signings. save money and be prepared. realize there is sometimes nothing you can do about it - if you did the FSS to "tight" message, you may still be vulnerable just by merely being D+
- I have been lucky with some internationals. perhaps since FSS doesn't apply (so no one knows how "tight" the recruit is) and everyone is at an equal disadvantage due to distance (even with d1 budgets, $1,500 HV can add up quick), it seems like some lower level recruits can be found in the first few cycles, and then you just pray you can hold on. It seems like high level 4-5 * players still have battles for internationals....but I wouldn't know from experience b/c I can't get these players yet
- don't forget about Puerto Rico. Never remember getting a good player from there, but my guess is a lot of coaches forget to search there and it doesn't show up under internationals, yet also isn't under FSS so you have to search for it specifically
- don't over extend yourself. you don't want 5-6 guys for all 5-6 spots. and for crying out loud, don't have 7-8 guys on your considering board! with D+ prestige, that will look spread thin by many. especially if you end up in a few battles. the more vulnerable you look, the more likely a good player will be snatched up.
- re: press (since your team is press defense) I never played press at D1, but I think it would be harder. IMO, you need 11-12 guys, so you do need fill all your roster spots. you will be looking for athletic and fast players - which are at a premium. and since you need to fill roster spots you won't be able to employ the method of only filling 3-4 spots when you have 6 openings, thus spending more $$ per player.
- I do wait at least one cycle before doing too much of significance besides calls. I have found if I am too aggressive early, I risk losing the money when I don't even get on the considering board due to big schools wanting the player too. most d1 coaches know a good player regarding of their "star" ranking. there just don't seem to be many secrets. to me it seems like the big schools jump in first cycle, smaller schools then jump in second cycle... then everyone re-evaluates for many cycles, decides where to pick fights, etc.; then huge effort happens again right before and after signings.
- lastly, keep your head on a swivel. you need to look at nearby schools and see what they are doing. will they attack? are they vulnerable? I was sitting on some guys a few seasons ago (at Xavier) and Michigan was just doing nothing. No one on his considering list. I forget how many openings he had. but it made me nervous. fortunately, I think my guys were too small time and he never did anything. point is, know your competition or potential attackers to help gauge how aggressive you can be. after a few seasons it usually becomes clear who is your direct competition.
12/10/2014 1:40 PM (edited)