Being in the running for quality recruits is still encouraging
Not closing targeted recruits is disappointing.
Having several recent recruits choose these particular schools over us is literally hurtful.
Our coaches failing to accurately read the situations is really concerning.
From my experience in sales, my gut says we have likely have been talking more than listening at the critical point.
That can often happen when you fall into a trap of harping on the features you like, rather than addressing what the prospect values.
(ie our winning pedigree vs Rutgers empty slate, may be of no consequence to the recruit even though we think it is a hands down winner)
Coaches grow up playing the game and learning the skills and strategies, etc etc. It has often crossed my mind that they likely have no actual skill training in personal sales. In these situations, a classic 'tell' that there is a lack of sales skills would be when a person might say that they treat 'parents' like they would want to be treated themselves if they were the parents. Wrong answer. You treat people like they want to be treated, not how you would want to be treated if you were them. You have to listen enough to know how that is. Obviously, I'm just speculating, but if it is getting down to us and another school, we are doing a lot of things right until the close.
Just venting. Nevermind.
