Talking Recruiting With… Coach Grandinetti (SW Oregon CC)
I recently interview Coach Grandinetti, assistant coach at Southwestern Oregon Community College. We talked about recruiting, his path into coaching, and much more!
Tell us about your path into college coaching and getting the job at Southwestern Community College?
“My path into college coaching was pretty text book to say the least. I always knew I wanted to coach when my playing days were over. I was finishing up my senior year of playing basketball at Pacific University and I heard a rumor that Coach Hop at Southwestern Oregon CC was in need of an Assistant. I played my JUCO ball for Coach Hop at Southwestern Oregon CC so I thought it would be the perfect place to start my coaching career. I contacted Coach Hop the next day. Coach Hop and I had a great relationship when I played for him and now as I am his assistant it’s continued to grow.”
What areas of the country do you recruit?
“For us every year is different when it comes to the area we recruit the hardest. Some years we will find some players in California we really like so we stick to that area for a little then the next it could be Utah then Alaska. Basketball is a huge sport in our country so the talent level in each state is great. The areas that we stick to the closest though for recruiting are Oregon, Washington, Utah, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana and Alaska.”
What impact does Social Media have on recruiting?
“HUGE! At least for us it does. I use Social Media more now as a coach than I did when I was in college. We look up players twitters for Highlights or to see who else could possible recruiting them. Social Media is a key to recruiting now a days.”
What are some things you look for in a potential recruit?
Explain how grades impact a players ability to be recruited at the 2-year and 4-year level?
Many kids look down upon Juco basketball, what are the positives of going the Juco route?
Explain the amount of work that goes into being a successful college student-athlete.
“It takes a lot of dedication from the start to be a successful colleges student athlete. You need to come prepared and in shape from the beginning. You need to spend countless hours by yourself in the gym. Instead of going to take naps after class you need to go get shots up between your classes. If you put in the extra work studying and in the classroom you will be successful.”
Why should a kid from Utah want to play for you at Southwestern Oregon Community College?