How to Use the P.A.C.E. Communication Plan in Your College Recruiting Journey

Reaching out to college coaches can feel like a shot in the dark. You spend time crafting the perfect email, attach your highlight video, and press send, then you wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

The truth? One message usually isn’t enough. Coaches are busy, inboxes overflow, and sometimes your outreach gets lost in the noise.

That’s where the P.A.C.E. Communication Plan comes in. Originally developed for military operations, P.A.C.E. stands for:

• Primary

• Alternate

• Contingency

• Emergency

It’s a layered communication model designed to ensure the message gets through, even if your first try fails. And when you apply it to college recruiting, it becomes a game-changer.

Primary: Your First and Best Shot

Your primary method is usually a well-written, personalized email to the coach. This is your most professional form of communication and often includes:

• A quick introduction

• Academic and athletic highlights

• A link to your video

• Your contact information

Make sure your subject line stands out, and your message is concise.

Alternate: Don’t Stop at One Message

If you don’t get a response after about a week, follow up through a different channel. This could be a:

• Direct message (DM) on Twitter or Instagram

• Message on a recruiting platform like Facilitate The Process

Just be sure to reference your original email and keep it respectful. You’re not being pushy, you are being persistent and professional.

Contingency: When You Need to Improvise

If email and DMs go unanswered, consider this your third line of effort. Depending on the rules and what’s appropriate, you might:

• Call the coach (if their number is listed)

• Send a second email from a different account

• Reach out to the assistant coach instead

The goal here is to stay on their radar, not to overwhelm—so be strategic.

Emergency: Get Backup Support

If all else fails, it’s time to bring in reinforcements. Ask your high school coach, club coach, or trainer to follow up with the college staff. Coaches often value hearing from another professional who can vouch for you.

Why P.A.C.E. Matters

Most athletes stop after the Primary step. But those who push forward with the P.A.C.E. method show consistency, resilience, and maturity traits every college coach looks for.

By having a plan in place, you take control of your recruiting process. You eliminate the guesswork. And you make sure no opportunity slips through the cracks.

Game Plan Takeaway:

Every message matters. But what separates good from great is how you follow up.

Implement the P.A.C.E. plan to stay prepared, stay persistent, and stay ahead.

Want to simplify your outreach?

Download the free P.A.C.E. Recruiting Tracker and start mapping your communication game plan today.

Resources & Community

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