The Coaches Corner: Tim Rucks, Carthage College
March 10th, 2010 - by
In this addition of The Coaches Corner we take some time to get to know Coach Tim Rucks from Carthage College. Coach Rucks has headed up the Carthage program for the last 15 years, compiling an 81-66-1 record. In 2004 Coach Rucks was named the American Football Coaches Association North Region “Coach of the Year” after leading Carthage to an 11-2 conference championship and a quarterfinal playoff appearance in the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
NCSA: How would you describe yourself as a coach?
Coach Rucks: I believe I am a player’s coach who is accessible and open and concerned about their academic and personal lives, just not their athletic lives
NCSA: What’s unique about the experience at your university?
Coach Rucks: What I think sets us apart is that there are few places where you can go to school where the players are as comfortable around the coaches and vice-versa. It is a true open-door policy and our kids take advantage of that and the coaches enjoy it.
NCSA: What do recruits need to know about you?
Coach Rucks: That they will always have a coach who will do whatever he can for them while at the same time pushing them to be the best they can be.
NCSA: What do you look for in recruits?
Coach Rucks: I look for guys who take academics seriously and play and work to win at all times.
NCSA: What is the one thing every recruit needs to do with the recruiting process?
Coach Rucks: Communicate, plain and simple.
NCSA: What sort of questions do you really like to hear from recruits?
Coach Rucks: I want to hear about our teams academic success record, our football record and our retention rates in football. It shows me that a player is truly interested in what goes on here at Carthage.
NCSA: What turns you off when you’re recruiting a student athlete?
Coach Rucks: I get turned off by a guy who think he is doing you a favor by recruiting him and guys who complain about their high school coaches to college coaches
NCSA: What do you think your program is the most successful at?
Coach Rucks: We are successful in that we consistently win and graduate alums who remain loyal to our college and football program.
NCSA: Why should a recruit consider your program?
Coach Rucks: I think our guys have fun here and also achieve personal and team success.
NCSA: If a recruit is interested in your program, how should they reach out to you?
Coach Rucks: By email or phone call. I am very good at getting back to people.
If you have an interest in learning more about Carthage College, please be sure to visit their website and fill out a their prospective student athlete form.
