USC football TE coach Chad Savage speaks on recruiting approach and program values

It's indisputable at this point that USC football is a recruiting powerhouse. Between the efforts of coach Lincoln Riley and GM Chad Bowen, they are building strong classes for a bright Trojan future. Naturally, many fans of college athletics have legitimate concerns about the lack of guardrails in the current landscape of the business aspect of the sport. 

While sitting with Trojans Live, a show that is hosted by the university, tight ends and inside receivers coach Chad Savage talked about the evolving landscape. Naturally, there are multiple changes that are occurring at the Division I level.

Even when things appear to be calming down, seemingly something happens, and the 'Wild West' reveals a new unchartered territory. For coach Savage it isn't as much of a difference from the pre-NIL days compared to now when hitting the recruiting trail. He acknowledged some of the newer aspects that are now part of the process. According to him, however, the substance of what recruiting is truly about is still the same as it has always been.

At the end of the day, building a place that attracts talent to your school and then continuing to foster a culture that makes athletes want to stay is what program building is about. With either NIL or under-the-table money, coaches need to establish trust among their athletes. The major difference now is that when, on some level, the relationship sours, the transfer portal or decommitment option makes it easy to find potential greener pastures.

Strong foundation between player and coach at USC football

While mentioning how bringing a freshman to campus is more than acquiring a football player, coach Savage explained part of his approach when he visits families during recruiting:

"At the end of the day, it is a relationship-driven business.... They've got to be comfortable showing up to work every single day playing for you.... You still have to have that relationship."

It's unknown what the exact nature of some conversations is between people allegedly making promises and the prospective athletes. It needs to be said that in situations that fail to stem from the principles that coach Savage is speaking of, then it is doomed to fail.

When listening to how seriously he takes his responsibilities once the athlete arrives on campus and how the alignment needs to be present throughout the student-athlete's playing career, it becomes clear how he has earned a reputation as one of the nation's top recruiters. USC football has a lot of great people in positions best suited toward their specialties. Coach Savage is an excellent example of the direction that the program is heading in.