39: Inside Division III Recruiting and What Coaches Are Really Looking For (Part 1)

What does the recruiting process actually look like from a Division III coach’s perspective?

In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Chad Koenegstein, Head Coach (UC Santa Cruz), and Andrew Brown, Head Coach (NYU), to talk about their journeys into coaching and what makes the Division III experience unique. They share how recruiting has evolved, including the impact of technology and increased access to information. You’ll hear why recruiting feels more overwhelming than ever for both athletes and coaches, and how today’s process requires more ownership from athletes.

Chad and Andrew also give insight into the collaborative nature of Division III recruiting, how coaches support each other behind the scenes, and why relationships matter. If you’re trying to better understand recruiting and navigate it with more clarity, this episode will give you a strong foundation.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Chad and Andrew
03:00 – Coaching backgrounds and career paths
07:00 – Why relationships and reputation matter in recruiting
09:30 – How recruiting has changed over time
12:00 – The role of technology in recruiting
15:30 – Why Division III is more collaborative
18:00 – How coaches support each other behind the scenes
22:00 – Why recruiting feels more overwhelming than ever
25:00 – The importance of ownership in the recruiting process
27:30 – Why athletes need to be proactive
30:00 – Using technology and AI in recruiting

Connect with Andrew:

Website: https://gonyuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball
Instagram: @nyuwomensvolley

Connect with Chad

Website: https://goslugs.com/sports/womens-volleyball
Instagram: @ucsc_wvb

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank

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