Answer extracted from the From Courtroom to Carline: A Legal Parenting Podcast podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What inspired Renee Lopez to transition from college coaching to building resources for the college recruiting process?
After spending 14 years as a college coach—burning out at roughly 80 hours per week—Renee Lopez felt a spiritual calling to shift direction entirely. She began running recruiting seminars for high schools and athletic clubs, and when people repeatedly asked her to document what she was teaching, she decided to interview 65 college coaches and athletic directors across 19 sports to capture what coaches actually want versus what families often assume they want.
From the sidelines to the seminar room
Lopez held positions as a D1, D2, and NAI head coach, and her time as an NCAA compliance director gave her rare dual perspective—she understood both what coaches were trying to do and the rules governing how they could do it. As she explains in the episode, the constant travel and long hours of coaching began to feel unsustainable.
Rather than leaving the field entirely, she started offering presentations to families navigating the recruiting maze. The response was overwhelming—people kept walking up after events asking if she'd write a book. The gap between what families believed and what coaches actually needed was enormous.
Research-backed guidance for families
Lopez didn't guess at the answer. She conducted formal interviews with 65 college coaches and athletic directors across 19 different sports and multiple divisions to build a foundation of real insight. As discussed at length in this podcast, her NCAA compliance background also meant she could ensure families had access to accurate, current rule information—something that matters more than most realize.
The result was her book Looking for a Full Ride, written entirely from firsthand conversations with the people making recruiting decisions. Today, her Facebook group has grown to over 260,000 parents seeking clarity on the recruiting process, and she covers everything from timeline strategy to financial aid in her published resources.
"The NCAA changes the rules more than we change our socks, but the idea is we want to make sure that families are keeping up to date in the process."
Renee Lopez — Author, College Coach, Speaker and Trainer at John Maxwell Team. During her 14 years in college athletics across D1, D2, and NAI programs, Lopez held the unique dual role of head coach and NCAA compliance director, allowing her to see recruiting and college sports from both the coaching and rule-enforcement perspective. Her experience across multiple divisions and her NCAA role inform her core mission: giving families and student-athletes access to current, accurate information.
See also
How should families approach the decision of whether their child should specialize in one sport or play multiple sports during high school?
Multiple college coaches prioritize rest and recovery as the number one concern. While some athletes can play multiple sports, the key is managing schedules to prevent burnout and overuse injury.
What are the key misconceptions athletes and families have about the college recruiting process?
A common misconception is that you must know somebody or that someone has to know somebody to be recruited. In reality, student-athletes can reach out directly to coaches and create genuine opportunities.
Is attending a specialized high school or academy like IMG Academy necessary to get recruited for college athletics?
Absolutely not. College coaches want talented players who are challenged, whether through club teams, travel teams, or even a less talented high school team where an athlete can stand out.