In my first week at the D1 level, I was contacted by 12 AAU coaches and handlers who NEVER returned my calls or texts in my decade at the D3 level.

All 12 had a kid who was a “perfect fit” for a D1 team trying to rebuild.

So let’s talk about “fit”

1/5

These coaches are not fit-oriented, despite what they say they have.

Most AAU coaches do not operate this way, and some of my favorite coaches in this profession are the AMAZING mentors out there at the HS/AAU level.

But the others cause harm in ways you may not expect

2/5

They push great kids with great potential (who don’t know any better in the moment) towards environments that may not be the right fit for them.

Then the kid becomes miserable and either transfers down, or quits their sport after falling out of love with it.

3/5

A REAL mentor should honestly identify your best fit, and then help place you there. There is GREAT ball being played at the D2 and D3 levels, and you should be encouraged to go in that direction if that is the best fit for you and where you’re most likely to succeed.

4/5