how to finish better than no. 2 to FSU (Sweat, Nnadi, Laborn), Aabama (Hand) or OSU? how to finish better than 3 of the past several national championship winners. Yes, we like to think we are better than Clemson, Duke, UNC, and Tennessee in terms of recuiting destinations. These are the some of the primary recruiting opponents in the 757 and Richmond areas. You say we should spank Duke. You know how many normal students like Duke or UNC I hear people say "Duke, it even sounds cool." People want to go to Chapel Hill. so when some private school players (and some are decent, cerebral students) look at a high caliber academic school too, it isn't the same as losing Laborn to Duke (scenario).

So yes. we like to blast coaches (any coaches) for not being "closers". What does being a closer mean in recruiting? It isn't like bringing in a pitcher in the 9th inning to strike out the side and close the deal. It isn't like a football team protecting a lead late in the 4th.

How do you close in recruiting? Kids have been on campus and seen the faciilties. They have toured the athlete lounge, the stadium, the workout room, etc. They have met with coaches. They have been told how they could fit into the system, what their likely chances of playing time or moving up the depth chart are. They have met with players, partied some, seen if they feel comfortable, seen if they like the family vibe or the cutthroat vibe, they have seen if the coaches are good, communicative, yellers, etc. They have seen the dorms or the luxury apartments. They have seen the scheme,, they have seen the number of players in the potential incoming class or the number of players a program may have put into the NFL. They have been recruited by fellow athletes. All of this and more going into their decision day. They have heard good and bad things about programs.

So going into perhaps your last opportunity to talk to a recruit and "close"how do you close? And it isn't just salesmanship? It isn't just flashing that nice little smile, patting momma on the shoulder and saying "i will take care of your son and get your NFL money". Saying Swinney has charisma isn't enough of an explanation.

You finish no. 2 to some national championship winners. What do you do differently? Tweet more? That isn't closing. Do you promise starting spots? Do you promise playing time? Do you slip some money in? Do you send in the hostesses one last time? What is closing? I have been in boardrooms where salesmen try to close the deal. It isnt the same because salesman negotiate things that a target with get financially, goods and services, projected earnings, cost savings, etc). I have seen bidding on deals, proposal submissions and recruiting isn't the same.

Tell me how you close b-st because at the end of the recruiting process when the recruit has all of that information and has visited and such, the one thing you can't do is blow it by saying the wrong thing. But what does closing mean?


[Post edited by Walzy at 07/20/2016 08:49AM]