This is a treat -- must reading for all recruits, would-be recruits and parents

The following is courtesy of Philippe Doherty, he of the Bay Area Hoosiers and also a former assistant coach at USF. Call it the authoritative questionnaire -- a visual comparative worksheet -- for succeeding in the recruiting process:

Take out a sheet of paper and write three big columns down.

On the left hand column list these 35 things:

* Head Coach - Strong?
* Experience of Head Coach (Pro and College)?
* Aptitude of Head Coach?
* Head Coach Honesty?
* Attitude of Program?
* What has Coach accomplished in the years he has been there?
* Can the team win league?
* Can the team make post-season?
* Can you play early?
* Will you develop - how fast?
* Will you be challenged?
* How are the type of players in the program?
* What do the players feel?
* Where is program headed?
* Environment?
* Academics?
* Major choice?
* School Location?
* Do players graduate in that program?
* Where do the players have jobs afterwards?
* School Alumni base - how big is it?
* What was the AD like?
* Is there a strength coach?
* Is there a nutrition program?
* What is the academic support like?
* If you get hurt is your scholarship honored?
* Can you take summer school before frosh year?
* Can you take summer school in other years?
* What is the housing situation like?
* How many years left on Head Coach Contract?
* Are there NBA teams in close proximity?
* What are the players in the previous recruiting class?
* What are the players in your recruiting class?
* Is there a trend of players transferring from the program?
* Style of play?
* Can your family see you play?
* How many teams in the conference are near your home town so family can support?

Then take a pen and write which school is better in that area and mark it down.

Recruiting questions from Philippe Doherty

There are countless more but here's a great series of questions compiled by Philippe Doherty, a former D-1 assistant at USF who played at Santa Clara and is one of the top basketball skills trainers in northern California.

* What majors do the players have on the team?

* How many scholarships do you have available for the year 2010-11 year?

* Do you want my son to sign in the early period?

* Where have your players gone on and worked in the work field after finishing eligibility?

* Do your players have to live on campus?

* What are your goals for the program and my son?

* What position will my son play?

* What other players do you see competing at that position?

* Is there a possibility to redshirt ­ determined by whom?

* What is your coaching style?

* When does the head coach’s contract end?

* Who do you play in pre-season for the next 3 years?

* What games are you trying to schedule?

* Who are some of your recruiting targets for that class - 2011?

* Do you have a strength and conditioning coach (if so is he only for basketball)

* Does the athletic department have a nutritionist and does he/she work with the team?

* What do you think my son has to work on?

* What do you think he does well?

* What is the biggest area that he will need to address before his freshman year?

* Do scholarshipped athletes need health insurance or does the school provide it or both?

* If a scholarshipped athlete is seriously injured while competing who will pay for surgery?

* What happens if a scholarshipped athlete wants to transfer ­ will you or the AD release him? (Maybe ask)

* Can your academic adviser help the scholarshipped athlete with the NCAA clearinghouse steps?

By the way, here's an earlier post we did on Philippe.

Found this article on Philippe Doherty of the Bay Area Hoosiers

Here's an older article on Philippe Doherty, the Director of Basketball Operations for the Bay Area Hoosiers club team. We couldn't find a link to it so we're posting the complete article, which we consider a must-read.

AAU at its finest
Justin Adler
http://www.goazcatsblog.com
May 14, 2008

At first Bay Area Hoosiers' coach Philippe Doherty appears to be like many other AAU coaches as he paces up and down the sideline, screaming like a frenzied maniac at his team. But upon watching him closer it becomes obvious that their is a great deal of method to his madness.

Doherty prides himself and his team on being one of the most respectful and loyal squads in the AAU circuit.

"If we're the only team in the country that cleans our benches after games, shakes our officials' hand and shakes the tournament director's hand than I shouldn't be different that should be the way it is," Doherty said.

Just as Doherty expects his players to Doherty leaves everything on the court as he coaches.

"My energy is the only way I know. I work out guys a lot, I have to get guys going and I carry that over to the floor," Doherty said. "My style is positive yet structured. It's a reactionary game and I don't want them to rely on my enthusiasm or energy, but I want them to make sure that the moment that they are playing is extremely important. It takes a lot of focus."

Doherty's positivity-driven coaching style was the result of his experience playing at Santa Clara University.

"The only reason I'm in coaching is because my first day in college, the assistant coach was negative for no reason," Doherty said. "It almost took my whole confidence away and to that day I promised myself that when I coach I am going to try to be positive almost every second of the day.

I'll always remember the exact words that were said to me, the day of the practice and the time of day. It changed my life. I was a very positive and confident kid who was trying as hard as I could against two pros and it wasn't enough for someone," Doherty said.

Doherty took much more from his Santa Clara experience as he played for coach Dick Davey, who he describes as an "unbelievable human being." Doherty also played alongside two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Boston Celtic Marlon Garnett.

Before coaching the Bay Area Hoosiers Daugherty coached his high school alma mater Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep and also worked on the University of San Francisco coaching staff.

"I don't want to be a reactionary coach, like when someone messes up, I don't yell "Why'd you screw up!" like he meant to screw up," Doherty said. "On the next play I just make sure they don't sulk, don't pout and don't let that affect their game."

He also credits his upbringing for making him the man and coach he is today. Doherty was born in France, and spent the first seven years of his life growing up in West Africa before moving to San Francisco as a child.

"I grew up in San Francisco a little bit different," Doherty said. "These kids are so spoiled and so lucky to play AAU ball. They have to be humble (when they get home) the first call goes to mom, the second phone call goes to our team owner to thank him for the opportunity."

Doherty also enforces morals in his team as he prohibits them from cussing, using the n-word and wearing hats indoors. He also sets a standard by making sure his entire coaching staff wears matching clothes with the shirts tucked in.

Off the court Doherty is constantly communicating with his team via e-mail with educational articles on nutrition, motivation, education and other important fundamentals that will help them prepare for college."I want these kids to value the moment, you never know who's watching, be as good to as many people as you can," Doherty said. "If you're just in it for a pair of shoes, you can go somewhere else."