PROVO — The coronavirus pandemic has forced just about everyone to become creative in accomplishing typical everyday tasks, and that holds true for the BYU football program’s recruiting efforts.
With all the restrictions in place due to the outbreak, traditional contacting methods for coaches and prospects has been hampered considerably. No longer are coaches able to contact recruits directly at their schools, nor can they administer the traditional junior day and other on-campus recruiting functions.
At least for a while.
So how do you remedy all of it, while making certain to show recruits all the interest necessary in hopes of collecting the best talent possible?
“I’m not much of a social media guy, but I have to (be) now,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake, referring to one of the few forums he can use to contact and stay in touch with recruits.
Sitake has help, and noted the efforts of Jasen Ah You and Jack Damuni, both of whom are on the program’s administrative staff, in reaching out effectively via social media.
“I think we have a really good bead on everything,” Sitake said. “It’s more of staying up with recruits and checking in on them, but also giving them a little bit of insight in what we’re doing as a program and the connection we have with our players.”
As far as having a good bead, Damuni, in particular, has shown to be adept through Twitter and TikTok.
Even though the process of contacting recruits has been hindered significantly, the principles still remain the same, according to Sitake.
“You can’t really force-feed a relationship with recruits. You just kind of have to let it happen organically,” he said. “Fortunately we have a lot of time to let that happen.”
Ah You and Damuni are both assuming bigger recruiting roles these days in the wake of recruiting coordinator Alema Fitisemanu’s recent departure.
“Jasen’s done a great job, and we’ve kind of modified it to put him and Jack Damuni to have a heavy responsibility with recruiting,” Sitake said. “Honestly, they’re going to oversee everything. My assistant coaches, and myself, have a heavy hand in recruiting, but (Ah You and Damuni) will be the organizers and coordinators with what we’re going to accomplish.”