Marc Weekly has about as accomplished of a resume as you’ll find in fastpitch softball.

He was a 12-year assistant coach on the Lady Vols softball team and, during his tenure in the SEC, he was part of a staff that went 479-146-1 and was named the Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the year twice—in 2005 and 2007.

He was even part of seven Vols teams that went to the Women’s College World Series.

Marc’s successes at the youth level include being a three-time Tennessee high school state championship-winning coach at The King’s Academy, a Div. 2 private school in Seymour, Tenn.

The accomplished softball coach, educator and teacher was even the 2019 Junior Olympic Cup Championship Coach.

After stepping down at Tennessee five years ago — at the same time his father, Ralph, retired – Marc coached his daughter, Regan Weekly, on the travel ball circuit and opened up the Marc Weekly Hitting Academy, which today has locations in Knoxville and Lebanon, Tenn.

Coach Marc is also very familiar with the recruiting process—both as a coach of younger players looking to play at the next level as well as being a college coach looking for the future talent to excel in college softball.

Marc will be contributing his expertise frequently to Line Drive; if you have any specific questions for him, send to me and I’ll pass along: Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com.

Today, he shares his thoughts on the “Do’s” & “Don’ts” of the Recruiting Process for Parents… here’s what he had to say…

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1—It’s a Proactive Journey

Recruiting is not passive—you must take initiative, develop a plan, and actively reach out to schools. Waiting to “get seen” is not a strategy.  College coaches want to see familiar faces who are actively interested in their program as well.  The things we hear a lot are “She really wants to come to your program!” yet, she’s never come to a camp? The relationship has to be both ways.

2—Shrink the Process

Help your daughter focus on regional opportunities and programs that are a true academic and athletic fit—don’t chase the “biggest name,” chase the right one.  If she really wants to chase her dream for a favorite school, just make sure you have some other eggs in the basket.

3—Focus on the Right Level, Not Just the “Division 1” Brand

Whether it’s D1, D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO, what matters most is whether the school offers what your child needs academically and athletically.

4—Build a Circle of Trust

Surround your daughter with coaches and mentors who are honest, experienced, and have proven track records of guiding players to the next level—not just those who promise it.

5—Social Media

Although social media can be overwhelming, there are valuable platforms that college coaches actively use—primarily Twitter (now known as ‘X’). If a coach is following you on X, it’s a good sign they’re keeping up with your progress. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop sending high-quality video directly to coaches from programs you’re interested in.

6—Veteran Coaches’ Connections and Claims

Ask how your daughter’s coaches help with recruiting—for example, do they have established relationships with college programs, or a history of sending players who succeed at the next level?  Many coaches promise the ability to be able to do this when, in truth, they’re just stacking lineups to win games.

7—Development Comes First

Especially at younger ages (10U–14U), prioritize skill and mental development over exposure. Being “ready” when opportunities come matters more than being seen early.

8—Attend Targeted Camps and Events

Go to camps at schools your daughter is genuinely interested in. Build rapport with coaches through meaningful contact—not just attending generic showcase events.

9—Be Cautious of Money-Grab Events

Not all recruiting services, camps, or All-Star games are worth it. Do your research before investing in anything that promises “guaranteed exposure.”

10—Show Why You’re a Fit

Once your daughter  has a trusted support system and a clear plan, it’s time to show coaches—through communication and performance—why they belong in that program.

11—Video Highlights

When creating a video, ask yourself: Will this stand out from the rest? There are several ways to make sure it does—highlighting strong competition, facing a well-known pitcher, or showcasing an impactful play are all great examples. Avoid relying solely on home runs or basic singles against average teams. You need to differentiate yourself, and Twitter can be a powerful tool to help you do that and start building relationships with college coaches.

— Marc Weekly