Conversations with College Coaches: Lafayette College
Dan Mooney, our Senior Director of College Recruiting, recently caught up with Head Coach Joe Kinney from Lafayette College. Lafayette plays in the Patriot League of the NCAA Division I. Check out what Coach Kinney looks for in a recruit, how he uses video to recruit players and what recruits can expect for fall practices.
1. How long have you been coaching? How long at Lafayette College?
25 Years, 14 at Lafayette College
2. Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
Bob MacDonald who was the Head Coach at the University of Washington and the U.S. Naval Academy, Fred Hill at Rutgers, Mike Sheppard Sr. from Seton Hall
3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you’d want a recruit to know about?
The opportunity to receive an outstanding education in any of our major fields while playing Division I baseball
4. What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
On the field, overall athleticism including foot speed, arm strength, bat speed, etc. Furthermore, position specific skills come into play such as footwork and arm action for infielders, catch and throw ability for catchers, arm action and repeatability of delivery for pitchers along with secondary pitches, etc. With hitters, strength, a repeatable swing, and a balanced approach are factors we attempt to evaluate. Intangibles on the field are also important such as tenacity, handling adversity, sportsmanship, etc. Off the field, we obviously look for outstanding students that are committed to their academic pursuits. Any evaluations of a person’s character are also considered such as a handshake, how someone communicates to peers or adults/parents, general appearance, responsibility in responding/following up with information such as transcripts, SAT scores, etc.
5. How has video helped your recruiting?
Video assists in the recruiting process as it gives the coach an opportunity to evaluate mechanics. It is a helpful piece of the process however it is only a piece not an end all determinant of ability. We generally would like to see video early in the recruiting process and if the video is encouraging, we will be motivated to see that player in person.
6. Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
No. Lafayette accepts very few transfers every year due to our small size and the fact we guarantee housing to all students.
7. Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What will you try to accomplish?
Our fall semester is broken down into 2 parts dictated by NCAA rules. We have a 45 day period where we are allowed to be on the field 6 days a week. We use this period as full team practice with instruction and implementation Tuesday-Thursday and intrasquad games Friday-Sunday. Mondays are usually an off day. Team Lifting is generally twice a week during this period. In addition to teaching and implementing plays, strategies, etc., the 45 day fall period is used for player evaluation and to set our 35 man roster for the spring semester. The other part of the fall semester is governed by the 8 hour a week rule where 2 hours of the 8 can be devoted to baseball specific activities. We break the team into small groups and work on position specific skills during this period. The remaining 6 hours are devoted to strength and conditioning activities controlled by our strength and conditioning staff. We follow the 8 hour a week rule for the first 2-3 weeks of the fall semester, then go to the 45 day practice window, and follow the 8 hour a week rule for the remainder of the fall semester.
8. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
Yes
9. Anything planned for your facilities (upgrades, changes, etc.)?
Plans for facility improvements are always developing. Specifically, dugout and other infrastructure upgrades are being considered.
10. Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
Ian Law, one of my assistant coaches, is a Lafayette graduate in the class of 2006 and played for me for 4 years. Ian was a 2 time all Patriot League All Star as a shortstop.
If there are any questions that you'd like to see our staff ask in future installments of "Conversations with College Coaches" or any schools that you'd like to see featured, please contact us at [email protected].
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