What do college coaches really think about you during the recruiting process? And what does it actually mean when a coach says they're interested?
In Part 1 of this four-part series, Susan sits down with Brandon Rosenthal, former Division I head coach at Lipscomb University, to pull back the curtain on college volleyball recruiting and share the perspective families don't always get to hear.
With 25 years of coaching experience, 415 career wins, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and seven conference championships, Brandon brings an insider's perspective to the conversations coaches don't always feel comfortable having while actively recruiting.
They discuss what coaches really mean when they express interest in an athlete, how many players may be on a recruiting list, and how quickly those lists can narrow down. Brandon also explains how recruiting timelines vary between programs, why transparency matters, and how the transfer portal has changed the way coaches approach building their rosters.
You'll also hear why athletes need to become more comfortable asking direct questions, how to find out where they stand on a coach's recruiting list, and why conversations with coaches should feel more like a two-way relationship than an interview.
Over the next three episodes, Susan and Brandon will continue exploring the realities of recruiting, including what happens when athletes are kept waiting, how parents influence recruiting decisions, and the truth about playing time.
This is a conversation you won't want to miss.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to the Off the Record series with Brandon Rosenthal
01:30 – Brandon’s background and 25 years of Division I coaching
03:15 – Why honesty and transparency matter in college recruiting
06:15 – What college coaches really mean when they say they're interested
08:30 – How recruiting timelines differ between programs
09:15 – Building a competitive program and finding the right athletes
11:00 – Why making the right recruiting decision matters more than making the next one
12:15 – When athletes choose another school: Keeping relationships intact
14:30 – How the transfer portal has changed college recruiting
15:45 – Roster turnover versus building team continuity
16:15 – The challenges and risks of entering the transfer portal
17:00 – Why athletes need to embrace challenges and focus on growth
18:45 – How many athletes are college coaches really interested in?
20:00 – Understanding the difference between general and strong interest
21:00 – The importance of college camps and club director relationships
22:00 – Why athletes need to ask college coaches tough questions
22:45 – Finding out where you stand on a coach’s recruiting list
23:15 – How athletes can communicate their own recruiting priorities
24:00 – Questions athletes can ask to gain recruiting clarity
24:30 – Asking coaches what you can do to improve your standing
25:45 – Turning recruiting conversations into two-way conversations
26:30 – A revealing question every athlete should ask a college coach
28:00 – Do college coaches string athletes along?
About the guest
Brandon Rosenthal spent 25 years as the head volleyball coach at Lipscomb University, earning 415 career wins, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, seven conference championships, and five Coach of the Year honors. Today, he works as an ESPN volleyball analyst and is the creator of Bench to Booth, bringing his experience as a former Division I coach, junior club owner, and broadcaster to conversations about the realities of college volleyball.
Connect with Brandon Rosenthal:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobooth/
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