In this powerful episode, hosts Matt Bright and Steve Schafer sit down with Jonathan Carone, founder of Healthy Sports Parents, to break down exactly how parents influence the college recruiting process — for better or worse. Jonathan reveals why college coaches are recruiting families, not just athletes, and shares the “yellow flags” and red flags they actively avoid when evaluating recruits. From sideline behavior and social media posts to who handles communication with coaches, this conversation is a must-listen for any parent who wants to support their child without becoming a liability. What You’ll Learn: *Why coaches like Dan Meski (Louisville) and Bobby Muse (Wake Forest) steer clear of certain parent dynamics *The biggest mistakes parents make on the sideline and on social media *Why letting your child lead recruitment communication is non-negotiable *“Put gas in the car” vs. “press the gas pedal” — how to support without taking over *How parental identity and ego often get tangled up in their child’s success *The danger of forcing early “exposure” and why development beats winning *The right (and wrong) way to handle the car ride home after games *How to give feedback without damaging your relationship *Why “I love watching you play” might be the most powerful thing you can say Jonathan also shares real stories, including how his own family discovered an unexpected perfect fit, and explains why success in recruiting can’t be manufactured — only prepared for. If you’re a sports parent who wants to stay supportive while protecting your relationship with your child and giving them the best shot at the next level, this episode will change how you approach the entire process. Resources Mentioned: Healthy Sports Parents Course & Resources → https://healthysportsparents.com/
The Recruiting Assist Podcast: (Episode #21) The Parent Factor: How Parents Can Help or Hurt The Recruiting Process (Part 2)
