Rebel recruiting: “Quiet” and “Dead” period rules now in effect

When fans hear of a recruit who has just decommitted from their school, their first instinct is to hope coaches are knocking on the player’s door to help him understand where he is going awry with his decision-making. But what fans may not realize is the NCAA has specific “quiet” and “dead” periods during the recruiting process that govern communication between recruits and coaches.

With all the frenzy surrounding the final few days before National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, there can be a lot of confusion as to when and how coaches are allowed to contact recruits, so The Rebel Walk would like to offer you the following information regarding the recruiting periods.

Quiet Period begins February 1, 2015

As of today (February 1), we are now in a “quiet” period. During a “quiet” period, it is not permissible to make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations; however, it is permissible to make in-person contacts only on the school’s campus. Phone calls and letters are allowed during this time.

The NCAA website states:

“A quiet period is a period of time when it is permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts only on the institution’s campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period.”

Dead period begins February 2, 2015

Beginning Monday, February 2, 2015, the “dead” period begins. It runs from February 2, 2015 through Thursday, February 5, 2015.

During the “dead” period, it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the school’s campus. In addition, a prospect may not make an official or unofficial visit to an institution. However, it is permissible to write or call a recruit.

The NCAA website states:

“A dead period is a period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the institution’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes to the institution’s campus. It remains permissible, however, for an institutional staff member to write or telephone a prospective student-athlete during a dead period.”

Conclusion

Basically, the dead period (that begins Monday, February 2, 2015) exists to limit the amount and kinds of influence coaches have while prospects are trying to decide what school to attend.

So as much as fans hope their coach will soon be knocking on the door of the recruit who decommitted during the last weekend before National Signing Day, that is not permissible. They will have to hope phone calls or last-minute letters persuade their recruit to take another look.

If you would like your own copy of this year’s NCAA Division I Manual, you can download it for free here or view it below.