What Does a Director of Player Personnel Do on a College Football Team?

In the National Football League (NFL), the most important people in an organization are the head coach and general manager. But what about college football? Who are the most important people in a college football program? To answer that question, we must first understand the position of director of player personnel.

Director of player personnel is a relatively new position in the college football landscape. This position was created in the early 2000s as a way to help head coaches with the increasing amount of responsibility they had in running a college football program. The director of player personnel is responsible for overseeing the recruiting process, managing the scouting department, and coordinating team travel.

The increased importance of this position can be seen in the fact that, as of 2018, there are now over 30 directors of player personnel at NCAA Division I schools. So, what does this person do daily, and why are they so important to a college football program?

What Does a Director of Player Personnel Do?

The director of player personnel is responsible for many things, but their main job is to help the head coach with recruiting. To do this, they must first identify prospective student-athletes who have the potential to play for the school’s football team. They then begin the process of evaluating these prospects by watching game film, attending practices and games, and talking to coaches and teachers.

Once a prospect has been identified and evaluated, it is then up to the director of player personnel to convince them to come to play for their school. They do this by selling the school’s academic and athletic programs, as well as its campus culture and community. It is important for the director of player personnel to build relationships with not only prospects but also their parents and guardians.

The director of player personnel is also responsible for managing the scouting department. They oversee scouts who travel across the country to watch high school and junior college games. These scouts provide reports on players that the director of player personnel then uses to determine which players should be recruited.

In addition to recruiting and scouting, the director of player personnel is also responsible for coordinating team travel. This includes booking hotels, flights, and rental cars; arranging meals; and renting practice facilities when the team is on the road.

Conclusion:

The director of player personnel is one of the most important people in a college football program. They are responsible for overseeing recruiting, managing scouting, and coordinating team travel. Without a strong director of player personnel, it would be very difficult for a college football team to be successful.