Recruiting is an exciting and important part of a prospective student-athlete’s decision to attend any collegiate institution and continue his/her athletic career. University employees, including coaches, are subject to certain recruiting rules and restrictions outlined in the NCAA manual. Among the rules, there are certain dates that coaches may begin recruiting activities, which depends on the age/grade of the prospective student-athlete and the type of recruiting period outlined for the particular sport.
Each sport has a unique recruiting calendar that is made up of different types of recruiting periods. For example, the football team might be in one type of recruiting period during the month of January that allows its coaches to contact prospects, while at the same time the track team might be in a recruiting period that prohibits any communication with prospects. Ultimately, each sport is bound by the rules of its specific recruiting legislation and recruiting calendar.
To better understand the process, review the description of each recruiting period and the activities that are allowed during that time.
Contact/Recruiting Period
- Coaches may recruit on or off campus and have in-person contact with prospects.
- Phone calls, text messages, and direct messages are permissible.
Evaluation Period
- Coaches may have on-campus contact with prospects but may not have off-campus contact.
- During this time, coaches may only go off campus to evaluate a prospect.
- Phone calls, text messages, and direct messages are permissible.
Quiet Period
- Coaches may have on-campus contact with prospects.
- Coaches may not have any off-campus contacts and may not conduct off-campus evaluations.
- Phone calls, text messages, and direct messages are permissible.
Dead Period
- Coaches and staff may not have any in-person contact with prospects at any location.
- Phone calls, text messages, and direct messages are permissible.
Recruiting Shutdown (only applies to women’s basketball)
- All forms of recruiting—including in-person, virtual, phone calls, and messages—are prohibited.
Along with the timeline and activity restrictions listed above, all other NCAA rules apply, particularly when it comes to the process of confirming that the prospective student-athlete is of appropriate age or at the appropriate point in school to be involved in recruitment activities.
For more information about NCAA or ACC rules, contact University of Miami Athletics at athleticscompliance@miami.edu or 305-284-2692.
