How to Write an Email That Actually Gets a Coach’s Attention

Sending emails to college coaches can feel intimidating—but it’s one of the most

important steps in the recruiting process. Coaches receive hundreds of emails each season, so the key is writing one that is clear, professional, and worth their time.

The good news? You don’t need to be a professional writer. You just need to follow a simple structure and avoid the common mistakes most athletes make. Here’s how to do it:

4–5 Must-Have Parts of an Email to a Coach

1. A Strong Subject Line

Your subject line is the first thing a coach sees. Keep it short, specific, and informative.

• ✅ Include your name, grad year, and position.

• ✅ Mention your sport and school.

Example:

• “John Smith – 2026 – Point Guard – 3.8 GPA – Sandpoint HS”

• “Emily Johnson – 2025 – Outside Hitter – Highlight Video Included”

2. Professional Greeting

Always address the coach by name. “Hi Coach Smith” is perfect. Avoid generic openings like “To whom it may concern.”

3. Brief Introduction

Keep it short and to the point. Share your basic info in 2–3 sentences:

• Your name, grad year, height/position/event.

• Academic highlights (GPA, test scores if strong).

• Athletic highlights (not your whole resume—just key stats or achievements).

Example:

“Hi Coach Smith, my name is Sarah Lopez and I’m a 2026 outside hitter from Boise High School. I have a 3.9 GPA, a 25 ACT, and last season I led my team with 320 kills and 45 aces.”

4. Why You’re Reaching Out

This is where most athletes go wrong—they send the same email to every coach.

Coaches want to know why you’re interested in their program.

• Mention something specific about the school, team, or coach.

• Show that you’ve done your homework.

Example:

“I’m excited about your program because of your team’s strong academic support system and the opportunity to compete in the [conference name]. I admire the culture you’ve built and the energy I see in your matches.”

5. Clear Call to Action + Contact Info

Close with a simple, polite request—don’t demand. Then add your contact info.

Example: “I’d love to learn more about your recruiting needs for the Class of 2026. I’ve linked my highlight video below. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best,

Sarah Lopez

Boise High School – Class of 2026

Phone: (555) 555-5555

Email: sarahlopez@email.com

Profile Link:

Highlight Video: [link]”

Examples of Strong Subject Lines

• “Michael Green – 2026 – RB – 3.7 GPA – Highlight Video”

• “Recruiting Interest – Jenna Clark – 2025 – Defender – 4.0 GPA”

• “David Lee – 2027 – Sprinter – PR 10.9 100m – Lincoln HS”

Examples of Strong Intros

• “My name is Alex Martinez, a 2025 pitcher from Spokane High School with a 3.6 GPA. Last season I recorded 85 strikeouts with an ERA of 1.9.”

• “I’m Jordan Smith, Class of 2026 guard from Eagle High School. I carry a 3.8 GPA and averaged 12 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals last season.”

Final Tips for Coach Emails

✅ Keep it short (no more than 3–4 short paragraphs).

✅ Proofread—typos make a bad impression.

✅ Send from a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com).

✅ Follow up if you don’t hear back (coaches are busy!).

Bottom Line

A great recruiting email is professional, personalized, and clear. It shows coaches that you respect their time and that you’re serious about the next step in your athletic journey.

When you write with confidence and structure, you stand out—and that’s exactly what gets a coach’s attention.