Where is all the recruiting money coming from?

[Zipmeister]

As closely following the recruiting efforts of the new staff as I can from a distance, it seems like their efforts dwarf the efforts of previous staffs.

Because I think budgets are still pretty tight at the U, I got to wondering how the current staff is funding their recruiting efforts. 

Then it occurred to me that the current Zip's coaching staff seems kind of small compared to other schools with which I am familiar.

I'm thinking it's possible that Joe has intentionally directed a larger share of his budget towards recruiting than normal.

Here is what a quick survey of MAC teams staffs look like (just body count - no salaries).

What do you think?

 

[LZIp]

You may certainly be right and I wouldn't be surprised if the staff is allocating more $$ towards recruiting as opposed to staff, but I'm curious as to what makes you think we are shelling out a larger recruiting budget? Doesn't cost much (in fact you might make money) having a prospect come to a camp. I'd imagine hosting recruits for official visits is pretty inexpensive - give them food and put them in an empty dorm room? To me the real money in recruiting is travel. I honestly don't know if we are doing more of that or not.

Edited June 27, 2023 by LZIp

[Let'sGoZips94]

If you look at the staff JoeMo has assembled, this model makes a lot of sense. Every single coach has P5 and specific geographic connections. For example, Ferri runs the northeast. Joel Rodriguez has heavy Florida ties (Butch Davis prodigy). Etc. Etc. The staff is full of experience & connections. The prestige of JoeMo cannot be understated when it comes to his importance to our program. We get more with less because of him. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

9 minutes ago, LZIp said:

You may certainly be right and I wouldn't be surprised if the staff is allocating more $$ towards recruiting as opposed to staff, but I'm curious as to what makes you think we are shelling out a larger recruiting budget? Doesn't cost much (in fact you might make money) having a prospect come to a camp. I'd imagine hosting recruits for official is pretty inexpensive - give them food and put them in an empty dorm room? To me the real money in recruiting is travel. I honestly don't know if we are doing more of that or not.

 

Following the staff on Twitter, I'd imagine @Zipmeister is right about an inflated recruiting budget allocation. Especially in the off-season, guys like Joel & Tre practically lived in Florida. Our northeast recruiting has picked up with Ferri. We went further west more often than I remember in the past, too (Oklahoma & Texas mainly, and I think we even got out to the Pacific Northwest). Getting top talent locally is key, but our additions by in large have not been local. 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Let'sGoZips94

[LZIp]

3 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Following on Twitter, I'd imagine @Zipmeister is right about an inflated recruiting budget allocation. Especially in the off-season, guys like Joel & Tre practically lived in Florida. 

Like I said, may be right and I wouldn't be surprised, but for what its worth, I believe Tre Bell is from GA and Joel R. has a place in the Miami area. Hard to differentiate when they are going down there for recruiting or personal purposes, but I'd imagine having the residences down there would also save on the budget (if they're trying to be price conscious and get the most bang for their buck).

 

I also think the proceeds from the Zips day of giving went to the recruiting budget and who knows - maybe Kaulig or another big donor stepped up to allow us to do more.

Edited June 27, 2023 by LZIp

[Let'sGoZips94]

5 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Like I said, may be right and I wouldn't be surprised, but for what its worth, I believe Tre Bell is from GA and Joel R. has a place in the Miami area. Hard to differentiate when they are going down there for recruiting or personal purposes, but I'd imagine having the residences down there would also save on the budget (if they're trying to be price conscious and get the most bang for their buck).

 

I also think the proceeds from the Zips day of giving went to the recruiting budget and who knows - maybe Kaulig or another big donor stepped up to allow us to do more.

 

If Bell & Joel each have residences/places to stay down there, that makes a lot of sense. I'd definitely believe if Kaulig is chipping in, too. 

 

Side note: not sure I realized how good Joel's background is. 

[Zipped Up]

On 6/27/2023 at 2:08 PM, LZIp said:

You may certainly be right and I wouldn't be surprised if the staff is allocating more $$ towards recruiting as opposed to staff, but I'm curious as to what makes you think we are shelling out a larger recruiting budget? Doesn't cost much (in fact you might make money) having a prospect come to a camp. I'd imagine hosting recruits for official visits is pretty inexpensive - give them food and put them in an empty dorm room? To me the real money in recruiting is travel. I honestly don't know if we are doing more of that or not.

Official visits are not inexpensive. The recruit and his parents are in a hotel for two nights and then there is the accompanying dinners and general entertainment. Of course, Akron is not spending what the average P5 does on an official visit, let alone Texas which supposedly spent $350,000 on 8 recruits the weekend they hosted Arch Manning (I’m not sure how that was even possible, but that was the rumor ). 
 

The official visit is probably still more important at the G5 level now than at the P5 where NIL is driving more decisions for the skill positions.