What makes a good recruiter?

fifty · Post by **fifty** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:00 pm

Everyone says Klemm is(was) very important and was a great recruiter. What qualities make a good recruiter? Is it mainly knowing many people in many different areas or having the gift-of-gab or??? What can one do to be a good recruiter?

whitwiki · Post by **whitwiki** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:08 pm

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

SMUfiji43 · Post by **SMUfiji43** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:15 pm

I think knowing a lot of people, especially high school coaches is a huge factor. Being a high-energy, charismatic person is big too.

My dad went to USC and I attended several Trojan Club dinners with him where Pete Carroll would come around to each table to mingle and speak with everyone. He made one of the best first impressions I have ever seen and made it seem like we had known each other for years. He even remembered my name the next year.

That kind of ability to make people/recruits feel comfortable is key since it builds trust and makes them want to follow you.

LHS81 · Post by **LHS81** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:35 pm

Having your pants buckled up to your kneecaps.

CalallenStang · Post by **CalallenStang** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:47 pm

If you know Kevin Knox, think about his personality. It makes him successful in development. If he were a football coach, it would make him a successful recruiter.

Skills needed (in no particular order, and by no means exhaustive):

-Knowing people
-Ability to connect on a meaningful level with anyone and everyone / cultivate relationships
-Energy/tirelessness
-Ability to seamlessly weave a "sales pitch" into conversation
-Ability to close

smusic 00 · Post by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:36 am

George W seems to fit the bill. Think he can squeeze it in?

huskerpony · Post by **huskerpony** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:43 am

smusic 00 wrote:George W seems to fit the bill. Think he can squeeze it in?

I'm serious when I say this.....you might be on to something! Not with W obviously, but Nebraska pulled a stunt like that when they hired Pelini. They waited to name their last assistant until after signing day, and in the meantime named Tom Osborne as "interim assistant coach" and sent him out on the recruiting trail to try to salvage some of the recruiting class. Now perhaps that is an area where Dickerson or some other big name person associated with SMU might be able to be put to good use for a short period of time. Just an idea, but it might be worth a shot.

smusic 00 · Post by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:48 am

Having ED roping in the kids would be something else! And, I really wish there was a way we could get W in to some of those homes (i realize it is impossible). Talk about a sell job.

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:49 am

CalallenStang wrote:If you know Kevin Knox, think about his personality. It makes him successful in development. If he were a football coach, it would make him a successful recruiter.

Skills needed (in no particular order, and by no means exhaustive):

-Knowing people
-Ability to connect on a meaningful level with anyone and everyone / cultivate relationships
-Energy/tirelessness
-Ability to seamlessly weave a "sales pitch" into conversation
-Ability to close

Ability to LISTEN and identify what is priority to the potential customer/recruit.
Ability to sell the recruit on what you have, and specifically on how he fits in to your mental picture of it.

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 12:51 am

smusic 00 wrote:Having ED roping in the kids would be something else! And, I really wish there was a way we could get W in to some of those homes (i realize it is impossible). Talk about a sell job.

I assume you're kidding, but you would immediately alienate some players whose families don't have Dubbya's political leanings or didn't like the job he did in office. Regardless of what you think of him politically, he would be far too polarizing a salesman.

smusic 00 · Post by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:10 am

Having a US president in your house wouldn't make any impression? Less than half the voters voted for Clinton TWICE, but if he came to my house and asked me to support something, I would consider it a big deal.

This thread is going astray, sorry.

jpe747 · Post by **jpe747** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:28 am

Bush couldn't do it for obvious security reasons. But, thinking big at this point is not so crazy. I've been been thinking about Eric Dickerson. I laughed when my son suggested it. But, for short term, he just might enjoy doing it (perhaps longer term). And, EVERYONE would love to have Eric Dickerson at the house to talk about SMU. Somebody ought to talk to the man tomorrow! He just might surprise us! The worst that could happen is he would get a good laugh and throw you to the street.

huskerpony · Post by **huskerpony** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:35 am

I just posted the ED idea on the rivals board...maybe some of the booster types over there will see it and agree. Certainly can't hurt to ask him.

smusic 00 · Post by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:12 am

He and June speak with each other on a fairly frequent basis, we are told. Maybe E is ready to take the next step. #dreaming

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:38 am

CalallenStang wrote:If you know Kevin Knox, think about his personality. It makes him successful in development. If he were a football coach, it would make him a successful recruiter.

Skills needed (in no particular order, and by no means exhaustive):

-Knowing people
-Ability to connect on a meaningful level with anyone and everyone / cultivate relationships
-Energy/tirelessness
-Ability to seamlessly weave a "sales pitch" into conversation
-Ability to close

it's a GREAT day to be an SMU Mustang!