I'm offering a start. Do I stand a chance against a D2 or should I give up before I spend too much?

sim or human?

It's different in every world. If a D1 human comes calling, and they have a long time to decide, they can overtake you in a couple of cycles.

If it's a competent D-2 coach and you both have been on him from the start (given he's not a backup option for the D-2); you have no shot. You would have to be able to hold him down to moderate for 3 days in the 2nd recruiting period or hope the recruit holds off till the last day. Neither being worth the risk imo.

Posted by geneferrell on 10/31/2017 11:38:00 AM (view original):
At D3 never spend money on a D1 recruit in the 1st recruiting period! The only exception to this is to get ahead of a D1 sim. Other than that there is no reason to spend money before you can sign the guy. If you do, everything you spend is a risk if a D1 or D2 coach jumps in!

The 2 main requirements for a successful D3 coach are to have:
1.) lots of target options
2.) lots of patience

Don't put your limited cash at risk until you have the possibility of signing!

Never say never, Gene. I don't entirely agree.

Follow up Q: Have any D3 coaches had success beating a D1 sim?

I figure offering the kid with a "wants to play" preference a guaranteed start and big minutes might sway him... but, is that fight insurmountable... if it's Phase 1 and he's already VH on the D1 simmy?

If he's already VH on D1 SIMAI in RS1, no, you are not going to win. But if you've never competed against a D1 SIM, you're aiming too low.

At D3 you better learn to position yourself with AP's and keep your cash until your recruit is signable. It does not build interest...counts the same whether you spend early or late!

Posted by geneferrell on 10/31/2017 11:38:00 AM (view original):
At D3 never spend money on a D1 recruit in the 1st recruiting period! The only exception to this is to get ahead of a D1 sim. Other than that there is no reason to spend money before you can sign the guy. If you do, everything you spend is a risk if a D1 or D2 coach jumps in!

The 2 main requirements for a successful D3 coach are to have:
1.) lots of target options
2.) lots of patience

Don't put your limited cash at risk until you have the possibility of signing!

Are you saying that D3 coaches can’t build up an insurmountable amount of interest over D1 by guaranteeing starts and minutes ?

Over a sim certainly, but if any D1 or D2 human matches your effort...you lose! And then, if you had enough cash to max, it means you had at least 4 other openings...now what? Disaster! Don't put your cash at risk. When the big boys come change your target and live to fight another day.