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Inside the Trail

Notes from the conversations with coaches that do not get said on camera. Inside the trail, by Rudy Carpenter.

4 articles in this category

A partially unscrewed brass nameplate on a closed wooden office door in a dim college football facility hallway at dusk.

Jun 14, 2026Rudy Carpenter

Why position coach moves matter more than coordinator hires

Coordinator hires get the headlines. Position coach moves move recruits. Here is what families should actually watch each cycle.

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An empty college football coach's office at dusk with the desk lamp on and the blinds half-drawn.

Jun 7, 2026Rudy Carpenter

What changes for a committed recruit when a coach leaves

When a coordinator leaves, the recruiting board he built gets re-graded. The three weeks after the press release are when the recruit actually feels it.

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Dim hallway in a college football facility at night, closed office doors, warm light under one door at the far end.

May 17, 2026Rudy Carpenter

What coaching staffs are actually doing during an official visit weekend

Indiana hosted eight four-stars this weekend, including four offensive linemen at the same position. The visits look identical from the family's side. They are not identical from the staff's side.

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A quiet suburban dining room at dusk, brass lamp glowing on a dark wood table with five empty chairs pulled back.

May 12, 2026Rudy Carpenter

When five coaches show up: how to read a spring visit

During spring contact, head coaches can't visit recruits on the road. So when a whole offensive staff walks into a living room, that is the message.

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