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In 2011 we published a series of articles titled "Recruiting Wisconsin", where we explored different aspects and perspectives of the college recruiting process for Wisconsin's high school football players. At that time we focused on the perspective of college coaches, with input from coaches at Winona (MN) State (Division 2), UW-Whitewater (D3 public), and St. Norbert (D3 private). The purpose of this series is to explore and explain what can be a complicated and at times confusing process while also educating athletes, coaches, parents, and fans about ways to improve the chances of earning college scholarships or interest, what needs to be done to compete in college, and what things to expect along the way.

Previous Recruiting Wisconsin features:
Division 2 - Winona State
Division 3, Public School - UW-Whitewater
Division 3, Private School - St. Norbert

In this installment of Recruiting Wisconsin we will take a look at the process from the perspective of a high school coach. Clay Iverson of Mukwonago just wrapped up his first season with the Indians, who finished tied for second in the ultra-tough Classic Eight Conference and made a WIAA playoff appearance. Prior to coming to Mukwonago he spent nine years at Pewaukee, the last seven as head coach. During that span the Pirates went 59-19, won four conference titles, and made it to the state quarterfinals twice. Of course during that span he also coached the Watt brothers, J.J., Derek, and T.J.

Below is a question and answer session with Coach Iverson that sheds a tremendous amount of light on the recruiting process and is a must-read for high school coaches, players, and parents.

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WSN:  What do you see as your role in the recruiting process for your players?

Coach Iverson:  I think it is part of my job; we ask our kids to do a lot as far as dedication to our program.  These young men have been willing to sacrifice a great deal for the program – that is the same in Pewaukee and now Mukwonago.  It is my belief that if we are going to ask for their loyalty and they give it, we need to show them the same if they want to continue to play football.  

That can mean contacting schools, sending film, being a go between, or setting up meetings, giving advice to parents etc… There is a lot that goes into it.

WSN:  How is your role different for a kid looking at a D3 school versus one receiving Division 1 scholarship offers?  

Coach Iverson:  That is a good question, a lot of times the D3 schools are in a situation where they are looking at a bunch of different players or really asking who we have that can play.  The Division 1 schools know who they want or at least who they want to look at because of all the camps, more film, etc...  Things can get tough with the scholarship offers especially when you have multiple, which most DI kids get.  Now it is really trying to do your due diligence to select a place that a young man can feel good about walking out the door one day and going to school at.

Whether you are dealing with scholarships or not, the recruiting process can be very stressful for players and parents.  One of the things we try to do is get them to enjoy the journey as a family.  

WSN:  How much time on average per week do you spend assisting players with the recruiting process?

Coach Iverson:  That is tough, it obviously varies due to time of year but in the spring and late fall when you consider meeting with players, parents, coaches, sending film I bet you it is about 10 hours a week – give or take.  It has actually become easier – with our technology that we have at the HS level sending film has been made so much easier.  The first kid I assisted in a big recruiting process was J.J. Watt and that took forever because we had to dub all the game film on to another VHS tape using multiple VHS players.  That was not that long ago but it seems so archaic now.

WSN:  Have you ever had to tell a kid that he may be setting his sights too high in recruiting, that perhaps he should consider a lower level of football in college as a more realistic option?

Coach Iverson:  Of course, we are always honest with our kids and with colleges.  Now we are not the business of squashing dreams, but I will tell a young man where I think he stands.  That is only fair to him. Now I also tell them to go prove me wrong, if they feel I am selling them short.  Sometimes the kid can play at  a higher level, but because of what the scholarship schools look for we know an offer is probably not going to happen.

I think a big thing is after their junior year you have to be up front because that summer is when the camps get going and they are not cheap.  We do not want a kid that has no chance at a scholarship paying $500 to go to camp and thinking he's going to get an offer from that school.  

WSN:  What would you consider legitimate college interest in a player?

Coach Iverson:  Well again, it depends on the level you are talking about.  With the non scholarship schools they are going to send out more info and even though it is a form letter, they still will be interested, they just have so many kids they have to sort through.  When it comes to the DI and even DII schools it is the hand written stuff, the school visits, the personal phone calls – when those things start to happen then I think we perk up a little.  If a school is willing to let a kid come to one day of their three day camp that is a big sign of interest.  I think at times kids and parents can get caught up in the form letters from a BCS School or even a Junior Day invite, that doesn’t mean as much as I use to think.  Also, just because a coach says we would love to see you at camp – well you still need to be careful.  Always ask – what do I need to do at camp to get an offer.  Sometimes those coaches want you at camp because they need their camps filled.

WSN:  What are the best ways (besides on-field performance of course) that players can increase their exposure to college coaches?

Coach Iverson:  Right now it seems like for the DI schools it is their camp, if you have the measurables and you go to camp and have a good day things can pop quick.  The other thing that we have found is if coaches come in the building and watch a work out, or other sports – especially track.  Go to a big track meet once, you will see a lot of college football coaches there.

At a DIII school it is a lot of time the athlete or the coach personally reaching out to and showing interest.  If a young man wants to play at the next level there is a place, it is just a matter of where.

WSN:  Have you noticed more Division 1 schools recruiting the state of Wisconsin in recent years?

Coach Iverson:  Yes and I think it will continue to increase.  When you look at North Dakota State winning a national title in the FCS with a ton of Wisconsin kids, or a Northern Illinois winning the MAC and playing in a BCS bowl with a lot of Wisconsin kids, I think coaches understand the level of football and players in the state.  These next couple of years especially is strong with talent in the state.  Obviously when you only have one scholarship football school in the state that leaves a lot of great players open to other options.  We will have 10 DI coaches in the building some days.

WSN:  What is your perception on the talent level of high school football in Wisconsin, is it increasing in recent years as some have suggested?

Coach Iverson:  I think it is increasing Travis, but I think the biggest thing is the strength and conditioning programs these young men are in now.  We have accelerated the progress of these student-athletes and that makes it less of a projection for coaches – especially when you start talking full offers coaches do not like to have to make big projections on how a kid might develop.  They need to see something already there.  

WSN:  What advice would you have for younger coaches or those that have not been in the process before, particularly when it comes to D1 scholarship opportunities?

Coach Iverson:  The number one thing is to ask questions.  You need to ask the college coaches where your kid really fits in their plans – you do not want to assume anything.  Also, you need to relay that info on to your athlete.  You need to ask the athlete what communication have they had with coaches – see if what the recruiter and what the kid is saying are the same.  You do not want to get into a situation where you are promising a kid that they will get an offer.  Even if you have been told that a school is going to offer or you think the kid is a DI kid – until there is an offer – there is no offer.  

Meet with the family, everyone's situation is different.  Some have a really good idea of the process while some families have no idea what is about to hit them, it can be very stressful.  On a side note I think coaches can get their team into trouble if they only focus on the recruiting of the DI kid.  You need to handle all your kids.  We are lucky enough to at times have 15 college coaches in our school in a day.  Now you know who they are there to see, but as a young coach you might want to introduce the Badger recruiter to some of your other kids.  Perception is reality, if your kids perceive you are playing favorites you are in trouble. 

WSN:  When you were starting out, did you consult with any established coaches about how to handle college recruiters or your players that were getting recruited?

Coach Iverson:  Yes, Coach Taraska from Arrowhead was one of the first coaches to send a college coach to me to look at my kids when I was at Pewaukee.  I then reached out to him because I wanted to make sure I was doing things the right way.  Coach Ryback and Coach Lecher were veteran coaches on my staff that helped me as did Coach Sarver from St. Francis. 

WSN:  Have any college coaches ever given you a negative impression of them or their program? What may have caused that?

Coach Iverson:  Yeah we have had a few.  I think overall if you come across as a big timer that turns off any high school coach.  That seems to happen less now, maybe because coaches are more aware of the competition and that building the relationship with the high school coach is so important.  Maybe that I am older I am more comfortable around that as well.  We did have one situation where a head coach brought in an assistant to talk to me and he talked to the kid, he never said a word to me and really was trying to avoid speaking to the high school coach – not good.  We have a few coaches that negatively recruit – bash other programs, that is off putting.  I will say this I have been lucky to deal with a lot of college coaches from all levels – 90% of them are great guys that represent their programs very well.  It is a tough business.

WSN:  Any interesting stories/anecdotes from your time being involved in the recruiting process?

Coach Iverson:  Travis I will say this – it seems like every recruiting situation has its own story. We have been promised offers that have not happen, we have had offers out of the blue from coaches that have never seen a kid play.  I think one of the more interesting situations came about early in my coaching career.  We had a kid that was offered by a Big Ten School – he had his choices narrowed down to that school and two others.  He was leaning toward this particular school, he had a great visit with the assistant coaches and players, but when he went to speak to the head guy the coach looked at him asked, “Can I help you?” The parents and kid had no idea what to say.  They told him who they were and that they were there on an official.  The head coach stumbled through 15 minutes and then said good bye.  The kid was crushed and when I called the head coach he told me that the kid was so impressive looking he thought it was one of his current players and that threw him off. Unreal, needless to say the young man went on to have nice career at a different university. 

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter at Twitter.com/travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.