As happens from time to time, two coaches in Smith are claiming (via the coaches corners) to have been wronged or poached by other coaches. They have put the evil offending coaches on notice: "You will PAY for what you have done! I'm gonna mess you up one of these recruiting years!"My question: has anyone ever seen a coach make good on one of these threats? The threats occur with some frequency, but does any coach making these threats ever try to make (or succeed in making) life miserable for the coach who angered them in future recruiting years?I'm not aware of any such situation. I think it is because by the time the following recruiting year arrives, the coach who was angry realizes either (a) the other coach was recruiting fair and square, so the whole blow-up was silly to begin with, or (b) there is no profit in revenge, and the only thing he would do if he tried to make good on his threat is to drive his own program into the ground.But I'd be curious if anyone has ever been a part of such a situation where the threat actually had some ooomph behind it in subsequent seasons.

Note - I am not one of the coaches who is threatening or being threatened.

Have you ever gone after a player who wasn't your first choice, just because he was on this coach's list and you wanted to get even?

if he did, then that WAS his first choice

Quote: Originally Posted By davis on 9/08/2009Have you ever gone after a player who wasn't your first choice, just because he was on this coach's list and you wanted to get even?

I prefer to recruit in the 1st cycle in most cases. In instances where I've looked for fall back options or additional recruits, I always check a few specific coaches considering lists first. Potentially, not even bothering to look at local available recruits. There are 2 reasons why. #1 - easy way to get the revenge. #2 - most of the coaches in question are good coaches, that are likely recruiting decent players anyway.

Also, in situations where I may not be recruiting in the 1st cycle (1 opening being most likely), I'll wait and specifically look at a few coaches considering list. If I see an opportunity, obviously, I'll take it.

I may be the only one really speaking up so far, but I can ***ure you there are many more just like me. :-)

I have never publicly vowed revenge on another coach for pilfering a recruit from me, but I have certainly sought retribution a few times by returning the favor, usually by dumping about $60K into the offending coach's top target at 5:00 pm on the day of signings, and then signing the guy at 8:00 pm On a side note: The most useful part of the scouting service is using it to find recruits to steal.

I have poached recruits in d1 and Its only my 2nd season there. Its only fair game. No players is urs tell they are signed

I've never vowed revenge, but have had revenge promised to me 2x...haven't seen it yet

I'm pretty sure IRL coaches poach kids from other schools all the time. Everyone *****es about realism right? The more the merrier then. Until he's signed, he's fair game.

Quote: Originally Posted By dacj501 on 9/08/2009 I'm pretty sure IRL coaches poach kids from other schools all the time. Everyone *****es about realism right? The more the merrier then. Until he's signed, he's fair game.

UNC just took Mcadoo from Virginia. From what I read in the paper he was pretty close to going to UV.

Quote: Originally posted by dacj501 on 9/08/2009I'm pretty sure IRL coaches poach kids from other schools all the time. Everyone *****es about realism right? The more the merrier then. Until he's signed, he's fair game.

i agree, as much as it sucks when it happens to me. as long as it was reasonable, i don't really mind (after a day or two, hehe). it is nice when people give you some warning, but often, it would compromise their position too much elsewhere to make that viable. so i accept they are just playing for their optimal strategy.

I have never gone after a recruit that was already considering someone else. The only battles I get into are those when someone comes after me. And even then I pick my spots. Usually, there is another fish in the sea.

Where do people get the idea that "poaching" is in any way wrong? The point of recruiting is to compete for the best players. Am I missing something?